Fantasy Football Analyst Sal Vetri highlights the keys to a Week 8 victory.
This week’s sketchy spot: Terry McLaurin vs. CHI
McLaurin has been great this season. Heading into Week 8, McLaurin ranked 19th among WRs in fantasy points per game and had scored at least 13 fantasy points in five straight games. McLaurin is by far the No. 1 receiver in command. This one is a little obvious, but the difference between him and the next closest receiver on the team is huge. McLaurin has had 49 targets this season. That’s 23 more than any other receiver on the team.
Make no mistake, McLaurin is off to a great start this year. But he has to play against the Bears in Week 8. Chicago has allowed the third-fewest yards per passing play this season, according to NFL Pro, and its secondary ranks second in the league, according to PFF. This is bad enough for McLaurin, but QB Jaden Daniels is also unlikely to be out this week. It’s tough to sit McLaughlin right now, but using him would ease expectations.
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Pick up and play: JAX’s Romeo Doubs
The Dubs are coming off their best game of the season. In Week 7, he had eight catches for 94 yards on a team-high 10 targets. Dowse was able to accomplish so much despite playing against a Texans team that has allowed the second-fewest yards per pass play this season. He has scored 17 or more fantasy points in back-to-back games since returning from his one-game suspension.
The Packers have a lot of talented receivers. This makes it difficult to get consistent performance from any of them. But Dube continues to lead this team in snaps and route running. He’s Jordan Love’s primary X receiver, which is valuable. In Week 8, Douce will face the Jaguars, who are allowing the second-most passing yards per game. This week you can choose Doubs to play.
Best Spot of the Week: Jordan Mason vs. DAL
Mason is breaking down his best usage this season. He completed 86% of snaps and 93% of backfield carries for the 49ers, both season highs. This didn’t lead to a big dream day, but the important thing is that Mason looked healthy after his Week 6 shoulder injury. Through seven games, Mason still leads the NFL in carries and second in red zone touches.
He will make at least one more start before Christian McCaffrey potentially returns in Week 10. In Week 8, Mason will face the Cowboys’ poor run defense. According to NFL Pro, Dallas is allowing the most EPA per rushing play this season. The 49ers will be without Brandon Aiyuk for this game and could also be without Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel. San Francisco is expected to rely on Mason in a strong matchup.
The must-start match of the week: Jaylen Waddle vs. ARI
Roster Jaylen Waddle hasn’t had a good time over the past five weeks. He hasn’t had more than 50 receiving yards during that span, and his best mark in a game without Tua Tagovailoa this season is WR47. In Week 7, Waddle had his worst performance of the season despite an ideal matchup against a weak Colts secondary and an extra week to prepare. He gained 11 yards on two targets and had just one catch.
But Week 7 may have been the low point for Waddle. Tua is trending back in Week 8, making Waddle an immediate top-24 WR again for the first time since Week 2. In one complete game start with Tua this season, Waddle totaled 112 yards on six touches. This week, he’ll be at home against the Cardinals, who have the second-most passing yards per play, according to NFL Pros. Waddle should start from the 8th week.
This week in review: JK Dobbins vs. NO.
Dobbins had a great matchup in Week 7. He was facing a weak Arizona defense that allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game entering last week. Unfortunately, Dobbins was unable to take advantage of this strong matchup, gaining 66 total yards on 17 touches. But here’s the good news. Dobbins’ role remained strong, playing 69% of the snaps and handling 74% of the backfield carries.
Look forward to Dobbins’ recovery performance this week. He will face the Saints, who have allowed the second-most rushing yards per play this season. In Week 7, New Orleans allowed over 100 total yards and two touchdowns to Javonte Williams. According to PFF, the Saints rank 31st in tackles this season. It’s a great matchup for Dobbins, who has racked up 18 tackles in six starts this year.
Downward Trend: Marvin Harrison Jr.
Marvin Harrison Jr. hasn’t topped five fantasy points in his last three games. He has only had an 18% target share over that span, ranking him second only to TE Trey McBride and just ahead of Michael Wilson on this team. Through seven games, Harrison ranks 49th in yards per route run and 64th in yards per target. The rookie is struggling right now and certainly hasn’t repaid his second-round pick in this summer’s draft.
In the past three games, Harrison has played against the 49ers, Packers and Chargers’ secondaries. All three units are in the top 10 in coverage grade this year, according to PFF. However, the tough competition will not end soon. Harrison will play against the Bears, Jets and Vikings next month. All three teams are ranked in the top 12 in coverage this season. Harrison’s performance has been sluggish and his current prospects don’t look very good. This rookie is trending down my rankings quickly for the rest of the season.
Player to watch: Javonte Williams
His condition has improved since the second half of the game against the Jets in Week 5. Over the past four games, Williams has averaged nearly 17 chances per game, and his 17% target share ranks second among all RBs during this span. There is a usage situation, and so is a production situation. Williams has finished in the top 12 twice in the last four weeks, including a career-high total of 111 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints in Week 7.
Javonte should continue his strong performance this week against the Panthers. The Broncos are 10-point favorites at home, and Williams has a good chance of getting 20 or more touches. Carolina is allowing the most rushing yards per game, and the team’s total of 16 points suggests they will be playing an upset in Week 8. If you have Williams, don’t try to sell it high. Instead, we want to start him in a great matchup this week.
This week’s buy low price target: Rico Doodle
Dowdle returns from a work week and could be in for a bigger workload. Before the bye, coach Mike McCarthy said Dowdle definitely needs to touch the ball more. The last time McCarthy said this was a few weeks ago, before the Cowboys’ Thursday Night Football game in Week 4. In that game, Dowdle had his biggest workload of the season.
Dowdle has been efficient this season, averaging five yards per touch and gaining the second-most yards per route run among all running backs. That’s the worst-case scenario for the Cowboys offense this season. They rank 28th in the league according to PFF. Things can only get better after the bye week, but if they do, Doodle could be one of the biggest fantasy risers for the rest of the season. If possible, trade for a player like Alexander Mattison or Wan’Dale Robinson.
What to watch: Jaguars backfield.
Tank Bigsby has been phenomenal this season. Through seven games, Bigsby ranks in the top 10 in yards per touch, explosive run rate, and broken tackle rate, according to PlayerProfiler. He’s averaging 6.5 yards per touch this season and is coming off his best game of the year. Bigsby completed a season-high 66% of snaps against the Patriots in Week 7, gaining 118 yards and two touchdowns.
While this is all great, there are also concerns about what’s to come. First, Travis Etienne continues to practice, and coach Doug Pederson recently said Etienne is still the team’s No. 1 running back. That’s a concern, as is Bigsby’s pass-catching role. Tank only has one reception on the season and often leaves the field in passing situations. Bigsby played just 26% of the snaps in Week 6 because he was behind the game script against the Bears. This is a concern as the Jaguars will likely be underdogs in each of their next five games.
Keep an eye on this backfield in Week 8, especially if Etienne returns. This could be a great opportunity to sell at a high price in Bigsby. If so, try trading him for a player like Jordan Mason, Brian Robinson Jr., or Tank Dell.
