Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 8: Smart Sleepers to Exploit and Lineup Advice

Week 8 is on the proverbial doorstep, which means most season-long fantasy leagues have reached the halfway mark.

Whether your team is barreling toward a postseason berth or looking to climb back in it, making the right lineup decisions this week will be critical. Managers will have plenty of options, as no teams are on bye this week, but that doesn't mean every choice will be an easy one.

Injuries and tough matchups can impact decisions or leave managers scrambling for sleeper help off the waiver wire. Here, you'll find a little early advice for the Week 8 fantasy slate.

All picks are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Start 'Em: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, New England Patriots

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 15: Ezekiel Elliott #15 of the New England Patriots runs against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of a game at Allegiant Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

With running backs like David Montgomery and James Conner battling injuries, managers may need a fill-in at RB or in the flex this week. It's worth checking to see if New England Patriots back Ezekiel Elliott is available.

Elliott is rostered in 46 percent of Yahoo leagues and 40 percent of ESPN leagues.

Consistency hasn't been Elliott's strongest trait this season, but he has found the end zone in consecutive Weeks. He also saw double-digit carries in Week 7 for the first time since he carried 16 times for 80 yards against the New York Jets in Week 3.

Rhamondre Stevenson is still very much the Patriots back to prioritize this week, but Elliott still has low-end starting value against a Miami Dolphins team that surrendered the 13th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs through the first six weeks.

The risk with Elliott is that if the Patriots fall behind early, he may not get many opportunities—he had just five carries in the first meeting. With few viable RBs on the waiver wire, though, Elliott's red-zone potential makes him worth a claim for those in a pinch.

Sit 'Em: Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 15: Brian Robinson Jr. #8 of the Washington Commanders runs the ball during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. has been a viable flex starter on occasion this season, but he's been extremely up and down. In Week 6, for example, he had two catches, 56 scrimmage yards and a touchdown, This past week, he did find the end zone but finished with only 23 scrimmage yards.

Robinson is extremely risky moving forward, as both Antonio Gibson and Chris Rodriguez Jr. have begun cutting into his workload. Rodriguez was Washington's leading rusher on Sunday.

Rodriguez, by the way, is rostered in less than one percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

The other issue for Robinson this week is a matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. He had 51 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in the first meeting with Philadelphia, but he also saw the bulk of the backfield work.

The Eagles allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs through the first six weeks. If Robinson's reduced workload continues, he's best left on the bench this week.

Sit 'Em: Russell Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 12: Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws a sidearm pass in the second quarter of an AFC West matchup between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs on Oct 12, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Managers clinging to the hope that Russell Wilson will emerge as a top fantasy option should look elsewhere this season. While the Denver Broncos signal-caller has had the occasional good game, he's thrown one or fewer touchdowns in each of the past two weeks.

Wilson's game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6 was a dismal affair, with the 34-year-old compiling just 95 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The game wasn't a fluke, either, as the Chiefs defense has become a genuinely impressive unit this season.

Kansas City has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks through six weeks.

Managers looking for an alternative might want to consider Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent, who is expected to fill in for Justin Fields once again this week. Bagent didn't have overwhelming numbers in Week 7 (162 yards, 1 TD), but he'll face a Los Angeles Chargers team that surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks through Week 6.

Bagent is available in over 90 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Start 'Em: Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 17: Jake Ferguson #87 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball during a football game at AT&T Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Managers unhappy with their current TE production or dealing with an injury—Pat Freiermuth just landed on injured reserve—should take a long look at Jake Ferguson of the Dallas Cowboys this week.

Ferguson has emerged as Dak Prescott's go-to target at tight end, and he's tied for third on the team with 29 targets. Rookie tight end Luke Schoonmaker ranks second among Cowboys tight ends with six targets and one reception.

While Ferguson is coming off a disappointing one-catch, 15-yard game, he should bounce back against the Los Angeles Rams. L.A. allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends through Week 6.

Expect Ferguson to return to the level of production he had in Weeks 2-5, where he averaged 4.5 receptions and 41 yards. The 24-year-old is rostered in only 46 percent of Yahoo leagues and 45 percent of ESPN leagues.

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*Fantasy scoring and roster information via FantasyPros.