Most leagues are halfway through their regular season and have their sights set on the playoffs. You’re either looking to maintain your winning ways, make a push, or be in desperation mode. If you’re winning, you may not need to be here. Otherwise, how are you enjoying the chaos?
Lucky for you, as we’re heading to the promised land, no NFL team is on bye this week. Roto Street Journal is here to recommend sneaky replacements, and there is a large pool to choose from.
In its second season, Roto Street Journal presents the top five sleepers of each week. Maybe it’s guys you haven’t heard of. Maybe they’re new to the NFL or on a new team? Maybe they’re filling in for an injury? Regardless, these picks ended up on the right side of the ball more often than not last season.
Let’s be honest. Do you really need to be told to start guys like Derrick Henry, who leads the league in rushing scores and faces a one-win team? Or to sit someone like Patrick Mahomes (gasp!), who hasn’t thrown a touchdown in consecutive games and is in a trap contest with the Raiders?
But you may need that extra oomph to start someone you’re on the fence with. You also may have taken a gamble in the draft and feel depleted at a position and are looking to slide someone in this week slyly. And let’s be honest, this happens most weeks.
Last week, we saw Patriots’ QB Drake Maye, Bengals’ RB Chase Brown, Patriots’ WR Demario Douglas, Giants’ WR Wan’Dale Robinson, and Falcons’ TE Kyle Pitts make the list (plus Nick Chubb).
Moreso than not, the targets or production were there. It was a step up from Week 6, helping set a higher bar this week.
Editor’s Note: These selections rank Tier 4 or lower on The Wolf’s Week 8 Rankings.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
vs Arizona Cardinals
Not only is Tua Tagovailoa returning off of injured reserve, but he could be a top quarterback in a sneaky good matchup at home.
Arizona allows more than 21 points per game to fantasy quarterbacks in all formats and it’s coming cross-country for a 1 p.m. east coast start.
Not only is Tagovailoa confident in himself to take the field again on Sunday, but until he gives his team a reason to not trust in him, big names will show up and play for him. Such as Tyreek Hill who said “We’re back, baby! Strike up the f——g band! Start me this week!” when asked about his QB’s return.
The Cardinals have also only held opponents under 21 points (three scores) twice so far this season. So, even if the tandem of Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane score on the ground, I’m not worried about passing scores.
Tagovailoa ranks in Tier 4 (QB 15) on The Wolf’s Week 8 Rankings.
Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
vs Atlanta Falcons
Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle, injured reserve) are out in Week 8, meaning whether it’s on the ground or through the air, Tampa Bay may be leaning on its backfield.
Good thing for Rachaad White, despite a three-headed monster in the backfield, is his production and reliability in the passing game.
The Falcons are in the bottom third of the league defending the pass. We saw that just last week when he caught all six of his targets for 71 yards and two touchdowns.
White did have his worst receiving outing of the season in Week 5 against Atlanta, but the offensive dynamic looked much different.
The Bucs are playing on a short week and Mayfield will be playing with receivers who he’s less familiar with. He knows White, and if nothing else, is also a safety blanket in what could still be a back-and-forth game.
White ranks in Tier 4 (QB 31) on The Wolf’s Week 8 Rankings.
Keenan Allen, WR, Chicago Bears
@ Washington Commanders
Washington is in the top third of the NFL in the number of points allowed to opposing receivers so far this season. I’d like to think corner Benjamin St. Juste will be on D.J. Moore, leaving a less experienced defender to body Keenan Allen.
QB Caleb Williams relied on Allen in a similar matchup situation two weeks ago in London. Allen tallied two touchdowns on five catches and 41 yards.
It seems to be a crapshoot who Williams’s favorite target is on a week-to-week basis, but I expect Chicago to control the possession with Jayden Daniels likely missing the contest for Washington. The Commanders should keep the game competitive, but Chicago has the opportunity to take control of the game, and the game plan to do that should be to rely on Allen.
Allen ranks in Tier 5 (WR 31) on The Wolf’s Week 8 Rankings.
Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns
vs Baltimore Ravens
I’m unsure what to make of this game, whether it’ll be a blowout or a division trap game for Baltimore. But what I do know is that regardless Cleveland will likely be playing catch-up.
David Njoku should be Jameis Winston’s favorite target, and we saw a sample of this last week when he caught 10 balls and scored.
Jerry Jeudy remains a joke and the next man up is Cedric Tillman.
Speaking of samples from a week ago, Tillman recorded two fewer targets than Njoku (12) and topped 80 yards on eight catches.
His rapport with Winston is important to recognize as both built chemistry on the Browns’ “B team.”
Baltimore will be without top corner Marlon Humphrey (knee) and Baltimore should put Brandon Stephens, in the opposite corner, either on Njoku or Jeudy. You cannot justify putting him on Tillman.
Even if it’s a garbage-time score, I like the odds in Tillman’s favor in a game most people are thinking will be a blowout.
Tillman ranks in Tier 6 (WR 45) on The Wolf’s Week 8 Rankings.
Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
@ Cleveland Browns
History shows trusting Mark Andrews against the Browns is the right move.
One of Mark Andrews’ favorite teams to go up against – if not his favorite – is Cleveland. Andrews has nine touchdowns against the Browns in 12 career games, as well as 50 catches for 665 yards.
Andrews has three touchdowns in Baltimore’s last two games, and even if the Ravens’ game plan is to run the ball down Cleveland’s throats, I like Andrews around his average of five catches against the division rival.
I’m hoping his scoring streak continues and Baltimore continues remembering that Andrews is one of the best tight ends in the NFL.
Andrews ranks in Tier 4 (TE 15) on The Wolf’s Week 8 Rankings.
