Fantasy plays: Players to start and
sit for NFL Week 8
[October 23, 2025]
By DORIAN COLBERT
By Week 8, fantasy football managers start separating the contenders
from the pretenders. The waiver wire is thin, but opportunity is
still everything — and the right matchup can swing your week. Here’s
which players to trust and which to bench heading into this week.
Quarterbacks
Start: Dak Prescott, Cowboys vs. Broncos
Yes, Denver is defending the pass well, but Prescott is perhaps
playing the best ball of his career, throwing 13 touchdown passes
and no interceptions in his past four games. With CeeDee Lamb back
in the fold and a strengthened rapport with George Pickens and Jake
Ferguson over the time Lamb was out, Prescott is matchup-proof these
days.
Other Locks:
— Caleb Williams, Bears vs. Ravens
— Jalen Hurts, Eagles vs. Giants
— Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers vs. Saints
Avoid: Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins vs. Falcons
Tagovailoa has struggled over the past two weeks, throwing six
interceptions and only one touchdown pass. The absence of Tyreek
Hill affects his production, but Tagovailoa still has other viable
playmakers at his disposal. Don’t expect him to turn it around
against a top-two QB defense such as Atlanta’s.
Running backs
Start: Saquon Barkley, Eagles vs Giants
Barkley has been in a slump as of late, failing to top 60 yards on
the ground since Week 2, but if there’s a cure for what ails, it’s
facing his former team. Just look at what Rico Dowdle did against
the Cowboys in Week 6. The Eagles are going to give Barkley every
opportunity to turn it around against the Giants.
Other Locks:
— Christian McCaffrey, 49ers vs. Texans
— Javonte Williams, Cowboys vs. Broncos
Avoid: Alvin Kamara, Saints vs. Buccaneers
Tampa’s linebackers know how to handle dump-offs and force backs to
win between the tackles, where efficiency craters. Kamara’s
passing-game safety valve role won’t save him here — he’s a
volume-only RB2 with little pop.
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Wide receivers
Start: Keenan Allen, Chargers vs. Vikings
Allen is coming off a 14-target Week 7 that produced 119 yards and a
score. The Vikings secondary had been playing well, but they just
gave up 304 yards and three touchdowns combined to DeVonta Smith and
A.J. Brown. Allen is a high-floor PPR option this week at home
against Minnesota.
Other Locks:
— Chris Olave, Saints vs. Buccaneers
— CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys vs. Broncos
— Romeo Doubs, Packers vs. Steelers
Avoid: Xavier Worthy, Chiefs vs. Commanders
Worthy hasn’t topped four targets in his past two outings, and
things aren’t likely to improve with Rashee Rice now entrenched as
Patrick Mahomes’ go-to receiver. You’re relying on a big play to
make your fantasy day with Worthy, and that’s a risk you shouldn’t
have to take.
Tight ends
Start: Harold Fannin Jr., Browns vs Patriots
Don’t get thrown off by Fannin’s lackluster Week 7 output (four
catches for 36 yards). He still led the Browns in receiving, and his
rapport with Dillon Gabriel is as strong as ever. With David Njoku
still questionable, Fannin is a rock-solid play in Week 8.
Other Locks:
— Cade Otton, Buccaneers vs. Saints
— Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. Giants
— Jake Ferguson, Cowboys vs. Broncos
Avoid: T.J. Hockenson, Vikings vs. Chargers
Hockenson is getting looks, but they’re not adding up. He’s yet to
reach 50 yards receiving this season, despite averaging five targets
a game. With Carson Wentz leaning heavily on his two starting wide
receivers, Hockenson just isn’t the tour de force he’s been in the
past.
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