Fantasy Football Week 8: Matt Camp's Week 8 Preview

I’ve often called the NFL a week-to-week league, but in the case of Davante Adams, his change in status was more of a day-to-day situation that affected his fantasy football value. 

He suffered a concussion in Week 6 but was surprisingly cleared in time to play just four days later against the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. Green Bay turned to a quicker, shorter passing attack, and Adams led the charge with 13 receptions for 132 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

In a matter of days, Adams went from a concussion to the hottest waiver-wire pickup heading into Week 8. Will he continue to have such an active role in Green Bay’s offense? If the Packers stick with a similar plan of attack, he should since he can get open quickly, and that seems to be a priority for how they want to operate. 

You won’t see Adams’ teammate, Ty Montgomery, featured in this week’s look at the waiver wire because he’s too widely owned, but when I included him in last week’s edition, he was in the wide receiver section. That’s not how I’d classify him this week.

Because he’s been primarily used as running back in the last two games, there’s a push to give him running back eligibility for fantasy purposes. ESPN leagues have already done that, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, while Yahoo is in the process of reviewing his status. Hopefully, other hosting sites follow suit in time.

Quarterbacks

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Sam Bradford should bounce back against the Bears.

Waiver Wire 

Sam Bradford, MIN

Percent Owned: ESPN – 14.8, Yahoo - 17

Bradford is coming off his worst performance of the season, a loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia. He completed 24 of his 41 attempts for just 224 yards with a touchdown and his first interception of the season. Try to put that game out of your head and look at the bigger body of work, which shows a player completing 67.5 percent of his passes with seven TDs and just one interception. 

In Week 8, the Vikings travel to Chicago to take on the Bears Monday night. Over the last four weeks, the Bears have been a middle-of-the road defense against fantasy quarterbacks, but they gave up 326 yards and three TDs to Aaron Rodgers in Week 7. If you’re reaching for a streamer this week, Bradford should have a good chance to bounce back. 

Week 8 Projection: 265-275 yards, 2 touchdowns

Alex Smith, KC

Percent Owned: ESPN – 39.9, Yahoo – 38

Over the last two weeks, Smith has had outstanding matchups against the Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints, but he didn’t put up big numbers. He was a top-10 finisher in Week 7 with 214 yards and a pair of TD passes in a home win over New Orleans. The lack of volume (46 attempts) in the last two weeks adds to the frustration. This week, Smith gets another good matchup in a game that features a dangerous Colts offense.

In the last four weeks, Indianapolis has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to QBs thanks to 1,105 yards and eight TDs. Smith’s fantasy ceiling will depend on how well Kansas City’s defense does against Andrew Luck. Last week, the Chiefs gave up 367 yards and three TDs to Drew Brees. A similar game would give Smith more reason to throw. 

Week 8 Projection: 245-255 yards, 2 touchdowns

The Matchup Men

As a sneak preview of my weekly rankings, these are the players who are helped or hurt by their matchups. I’ll provide additional analysis and projections in Wednesday’s Big Board.

Matchup Bumps

• Carson Palmer, ARI (at CAR)
• Russell Wilson, SEA (at NO)
• Kirk Cousins, WAS (vs. CIN)
• Aaron Rodgers, GB (at ATL)
• Alex Smith, KC (at IND)
• Matt Ryan, ATL (vs. GB)
• Sam Bradford, MIN (at CHI)

Matchup Concerns

• Jay Cutler, CHI (vs. MIN)
• Drew Brees, NO (vs. SEA)
• Philip Rivers, SD (at DEN)
• Dak Prescott, DAL (vs. PHI)

Running Backs

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The Redskins' trust in Chris Thompson may go a long way.

Waiver Wire 

Devontae Booker, DEN

Percent Owned: ESPN - 33.1, Yahoo - 36

Excitement for Booker shouldn’t come at the expense of C.J. Anderson. As we saw in Week 7, there’s enough fantasy production to go around if both players are used properly. For the first time this season, Booker outsnapped Anderson, 55-45 percent. However, Anderson ran for 107 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, while Booker had 83 yards and a TD on 17 carries. Booker had the only reception between the two. 

Was it a coincidence that Anderson’s first 100-yard effort and best performance since the opener came in a game that featured so much of Booker? Probably not, but if a little extra motivation was needed and it worked, then let’s hope this tandem can continue working together moving forward. Denver would be wise to do so to take some pressure off Trevor Siemian. Booker clearly has value on his own. 

Week 8 Projection: 15 carries, 72 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 14 receiving yards

Chris Thompson, WAS

Percent Owned: ESPN – 14.1, Yahoo - 15

Have the fumbles finally caught up with Matt Jones, and if so, does that make Thompson the most trustworthy running back in both fantasy and reality coming out of Washington’s backfield? According to Liz Clarke of the Washington Post, head coach Jay Gruden called Jones’ fumbling a “tough deal,” and Jones could lose carries as a result. Jones had just 10 carries in Week 7, while Thompson wound up with 12 (73 yards) and Robert Kelley had four for 15 yards.

The difference within the group is Thompson’s role in the passing game. In the loss to the Lions, he had season highs in targets (seven) and receptions (seven) for 40 yards. That gives him 22 receptions on 26 targets for 184 yards and TD for the season. Kelley had one catch for one yard, while Jones had none.

One of the most telling stats is how the snaps have been divided. Thompson outsnapped Jones, 59-32 percent, in Week 7 and has played 221 total snaps to Jones’ 221. Thompson played more snaps than Jones in four of seven games. So even though we could see more of Kelley, Thompson looks like the safest fantasy back for the Redskins.

Week 8 Projection: 11 carries, 48 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 32 receiving yards

Matt Asiata, MIN

Percent Owned: ESPN – 25.9, Yahoo – 22

Ankle issues plagued Jerick McKinnon throughout the afternoon in Week 7, and after going down in the second quarter and returning in the third quarter, he went down again at the end of the quarter and didn’t see the field in the fourth. Asiata played a season-high 75 percent of the snaps and ran for 55 yards on 12 carries and caught six of eight targets for 25 yards.

According to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, McKinnon said of the injury, “So it’s all about getting my body right for next week and working with the training staff to make sure I’m ready to go.” McKinnon’s optimism aside, you have to consider adding Asiata as the next man up if McKinnon can’t play with a matchup against the Bears looming on Monday Night Football.

Week 8 Projection: To be determined based on McKinnon’s status

Wendell Smallwood, PHI

Percent Owned: ESPN – 5.5, Yahoo – 5

Another late-game fumble by Ryan Mathews might open the door just a little bit wider for Smallwood. Mathews carried 14 times for 56 yards with 45 percent of the snaps compared to Smallwood’s 13 yards on four carries on just 9 percent of the snaps. Yet Mathews’ second fumble in three games had Doug Pederson talking about alternative solutions.

According to Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Pederson said of Mathews, “We’ve got to continue to either find out if he’s tired, where he’s at at the end of the game; if we need to put Wendell or Darren [Sproles] in there—we’ll find out more about that. But by no means am I down on Ryan at all.”

Pederson added, “I would lean more toward running the ball probably with the runners that we have.” The committee seems to be sticking around, so Smallwood would be a speculative add for fantasy with the hope he might overtake Mathews at some point if the fumbles continue.

Week 8 Projection: 6 carries, 24 rushing yards

The Matchup Men 

Matchup Bumps

• Spencer Ware, KC (at IND)
• Christine Michael, SEA (at NO)
• C.J. Anderson/Devontae Booker, DEN (vs. SD)
• Matt Forte, NYJ (at CLE)
• Jacquizz Rodgers, TB (vs. OAK)
• Giovani Bernard/Jeremy Hill, CIN (vs. WAS)

Matchup Concerns

• Devonta Freeman, ATL (vs. GB)
• Ryan Mathews, PHI (at DAL)
• Jonathan Stewart, CAR (vs. ARI)
• Jordan Howard, CHI (vs. MIN)
• Isaiah Crowell, CLE (vs. NYJ)

Wide Receivers

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Getting ahead on Corey Coleman would be wise.

Waiver Wire 

Davante Adams, GB

Percent Owned: ESPN – 17.2, Yahoo - 20

Something may have clicked for Adams and the Packers offense in Week 7. Just four days after suffering a concussion, Adams was cleared to play against the Bears and led Green Bay with 13 receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns on 16 targets. His numbers were season highs across the board, and the Packers ended up with three players posting at least 10 receptions.

Aaron Rodgers averaged just 5.82 yards per attempt, but he threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns on 56 attempts, and the Packers won with ease. The ability to get open quickly put Adams, Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery in the spotlight, while Jordy Nelson managed just a single catch for nine yards on four targets. Nelson looks a little slower and has trouble getting open, so his role could diminish as Adams flourishes.

Week 8 Projection: 6 receptions, 68 yards, 1 touchdown

Jamison Crowder, WAS

Percent Owned: ESPN – 39.5, Yahoo – 38

If you picked Crowder up before Week 7, you were rewarded with his best game as a professional. He led the team with nine targets, seven receptions and 108 yards in a loss to the Detroit Lions. He played at least 75 percent of the snaps for the second straight week and the third time this year, as Jordan Reed remained out with a concussion. 

Crowder now leads the team with 391 receiving yards and three touchdowns and averages more than six targets and more than four receptions per game. His fantasy status and role in the offense likely depend on Reed’s availability, but by this point, you would hope the Redskins know that Crowder should be a regular part of their passing game regardless of the injuries around him in the receiving corps. 

Week 8 Projection: To be determined based on Reed’s status

Corey Coleman, CLE

Percent Owned: ESPN – 31.5, Yahoo - 41

Should you be getting ahead on Coleman (broken hand)? Last week, he told Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer that he was due for an X-ray Monday and if it went well, he’d be clear to practice. According to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal on Monday, head coach Hue Jackson said he knew Coleman is making progress but wasn’t sure about his chances of practicing this week.

Even if Coleman isn’t back for Week 8, scooping him off the waiver wire now as a potential WR3 with upside is a smart move if you can afford to possibly live with him on your bench for at least another week. Remember that he had five receptions on eight targets for 104 yards and two scores against the Baltimore Ravens in his last game played back in Week 2.

Week 8 Projection: To be determined based on status

Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN

Percent Owned: ESPN - 1.1, Yahoo – 2

I've included Patterson in my top waiver adds for the last two weeks, yet based on his availability, no one is running to snatch him up. If you did before Week 7, he rewarded you with seven receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. That’s his best stat line of the season, and it coincides with Patterson’s season-high 67 percent of the snaps. Those have jumped in each game since Week 3.

With Stefon Diggs struggling to perform after a hot start and concerns about Jerick McKinnon’s ankle injury, the Vikings need to stick with what’s working, and that’s Patterson. He might not be a prototypical receiver, but Minnesota has found ways to keep him involved, and he’s rewarding the team with solid production.

Week 8 Projection: 6 receptions, 56 yards

The Matchup Men 

Matchup Bumps

• Stefon Diggs/Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN (at CHI)
• T.Y. Hilton, IND (vs. KC)
• Larry Fitzgerald, ARI (at CAR)
• DeAndre Hopkins, HOU (vs. DET)
• Brandon Marshall, NYJ (at CLE)

Matchup Concerns

• Tyrell Williams, SD (at DEN)
• Golden Tate/Marvin Jones, DET (at HOU)
• Kelvin Benjamin, CAR (vs. ARI)
• Alshon Jeffery/Cameron Meredith, CHI (vs. MIN)

Tight Ends

Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Jack Doyle has caught the eye of Andrew Luck.

Waiver Wire

Jack Doyle, IND

Percent Owned: ESPN – 15, Yahoo - 33

In about a year, Doyle has gone from annoying backup who randomly scores to waiver-wire wonder as a top streamer in Week 7. With Dwayne Allen sidelined yet again, Doyle came through with nine receptions on 10 targets for 78 yards and a late touchdown that helped the Colts come back to defeat the Tennessee Titans in Week 7. 

Even though this was Doyle’s first real game in the spotlight, he’s had a pretty good year. He’s second to T.Y. Hilton in targets (33), receptions (29) and yards (282) and is tied with Hilton with four touchdowns. He has a tough matchup with the Chiefs in Week 8 but is probably worth keeping around if you don’t start him and still have room on your roster. 

Week 8 Projection: 4 receptions, 41 yards

Vernon Davis, WAS

Percent Owned: ESPN – 28.6 Yahoo - 23

Davis’ fantasy status remains directly related to Jordan Reed’s return from a concussion. Reed has been out the last two weeks, and Davis has been a great replacement in both fantasy and reality. With a fantasy-friendly matchup against the Lions in Week 7, Davis caught all six of his targets for 79 yards and was knocked out of bounds just short of the goal line on a potential touchdown. 

According to John Keim of ESPN.com, Reed has been cleared to practice this week but still needs final clearance from an independent doctor to play in Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals in London. Once Reed is back, Davis will fade back into fantasy obscurity, but until that happens, he still has value.

Week 8 Projection: To be determined based on Reed’s status

The Matchup Men

Matchup Bumps

• Travis Kelce, KC (at IND)
• Gary Barnidge, CLE (vs. NYJ)
• Zach Ertz, PHI (at DAL)
• C.J. Fiedorowicz, HOU (vs. DET)
• Jimmy Graham, SEA (at NO)
• Cameron Brate, TB (vs. OAK)

Matchup Concerns

• Jason Witten, DAL (vs. PHI)
• Greg Olsen, CAR (vs. ARI)
• Delanie Walker, TEN (vs. JAC)
• Jack Doyle, IND (vs. KC)

Defenses

William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets play the Browns this week. Enough said.

This will typically focus on the best streaming options widely available in both ESPN and Yahoo leagues based on the matchups.

New York Jets

Percent Owned: ESPN – 22.2, Yahoo - 22

The Jets have had a rough year on defense, so instead of being a weekly starter like years past, they haven’t given you many reasons to even roster them this season. However, they held the Ravens offense to just 10 points last week, picked off Joe Flacco twice, sacked him once and recovered a fumble.

On Sunday, they head to Cleveland for a matchup with the Browns. Over the last four weeks, the Browns have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to defenses. During that span, they gave up 13 sacks and scored just 76 points. Cleveland has been a good team to target with streaming defenses all season, and this week is no different.

Week 8 Projection: 2 sacks, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, 18-20 points allowed

Tennessee Titans

Percent Owned: ESPN – 36.8, Yahoo - 40

Over the last month, Tennessee has had a top-12 fantasy defense despite not scoring a touchdown. In those four games, the Titans racked up 14 sacks and four interceptions.

Take a look at the Titans on a short week when they host the Jaguars on Thursday. In the last four weeks (three games), Jacksonville gave up six sacks, threw three interceptions and scored 63 points. Blake Bortles might be the worst starting QB in the league through seven weeks and is definitely someone you want to target if you have the defense he’s facing in a given week.

Week 8 Projection: 1 interception, 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 16-18 points allowed

Kickers

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Caleb Sturgis has been very accurate this season.

During the season, the kickers on the rise or those entering favorable matchups with a lot of points forecasted will be featured in this section.

Caleb Sturgis, PHI

Percent Owned: ESPN – 27.4, Yahoo – 14

Since coming off the Week 4 bye, Sturgis hasn’t missed on any of his seven field-goal attempts or five extra-point tries. In fact, of his 15 field-goal attempts, his only miss came back in Week 1, and his only extra-point miss came in Week 2. He's a solid kicker in an Eagles offense that should bounce back in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Camp's Corner

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What becomes of James White when Dion Lewis returns?

Instead of including Dion Lewis in the running backs section of the waiver wire, I wanted to address his situation separately. While he became eligible to return to the active roster for practice last week, the Patriots have 21 days to make that move, which doesn’t even guarantee he'll return to game action right away. 

If you’ve been stashing Lewis with an injured reserve spot, or if you have a big enough roster to wait out his return, continue to do so with the hope he can help you down the road. If you need his roster spot for someone who can help you immediately, it might be wise to give him up via trade or by outright cutting him. 

Originally, the assumption was that Lewis would return to action in the role he played last season, which averaged out to seven carries and more than five receptions per game. Lewis averaged nearly 89 total yards per game with his activity as a runner and receiver, which made him a strong RB2 and borderline RB1. 

Can you still make that assumption with the production the Patriots are getting out of LeGarrette Blount and James White? White averages around five targets, four receptions and 35 receiving yards per game. Since Tom Brady’s return in Week 5, White is averaging more than six targets, almost five receptions and about 47 receiving yards per game.

Meanwhile, Blount is averaging more than 20 carries and almost 81 rushing yards per game and has eight touchdowns on the season. He played a bigger role in the offense without Brady but is still averaging more than 18 carries per game in the three weeks with Brady in the lineup. 

You can’t assume anything when it comes to Bill Belichick, and given how the backfield is performing without Lewis, his role won’t necessarily be as big as last year’s whenever he does make his 2016 debut. If you’re stashing Lewis, the safe assumption is he’ll be a RB3/flex option upon his return. If he’s more than that, consider it a bonus.

Stats provided by FantasyPros and NFL.com. Snap counts provided by Pro Football Focus. ESPN and Yahoo ownership percentages are accurate as of Tuesday afternoon.

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