Week 8 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Advice for Fringe Flex Fantasy Football Starters

As is the case in the NFL, fantasy football managers cannot simply rely on their biggest stars each and every week. This is, in part, because bye weeks are a hindrance in fantasy instead of a welcome break.

The Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers will be off in Week 8. This means the managers of players like Nico Collins, Chris Olave, Malik Nabers, and Christian McCaffrey may have to rely on fringe starters to make it through the week.

Here, you'll find start/sit recommendations for some of the top fringe flex options, based on past production, upcoming matchups, projected role, and point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Start: Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

New York Jets running back Braelon Allen has been a fill-in for Breece Hall as the latter recovers from a quad injury. Hall appeared close to returning for Week 7, and there's a very real chance that he'll be back for Week 8. However, managers should expect to see Allen retain a sizeable workload.

The Jets won't want to overload Hall in his first game back, and with Allen playing extremely well, they'll have no reason to do so. The third-year back has averaged 4.6 yards per carry this season and has topped 12 fantasy points in three straight games.

Allen delivered a season-high 19.4 fantasy points last week and could have similar production this week, even in a dual-backfield role.

The Jets are set to host the Las Vegas Raiders, who have surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.

Sit: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Denver Broncos

AP Photo/Scott Strazzante

J.K. Dobbins rewarded fantasy managers with a touchdown run in Week 7, but logged just six carries for 23 yards on the day. The Denver Broncos' backfield rotation makes him a very risky play moving forward and an avoidable choice in Week 8.

RJ Harvey has emerged as Denver's top receiving back, and rookie Jonah Coleman is starting to gain traction as a potential leading rusher.

"Got to get him more touches," head coach Sean Payton said after Coleman's nine-carry, 54-yard outing in Week 7, per Susanna Weir of the team's official website.

Dobbins will undoubtedly maintain a role in the backfield rotation, but his floor is low, and he faces a tough Week 8 matchup. The Kansas City Chiefs have surrendered the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Start: Michael Wilson, WR, Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson was a veritable must-start last season, but he has cooled off considerably in 2026, especially recently.

Wilson did deliver 10.6 fantasy points in Week 7, but he failed to reach double digits in Weeks 5 and 6. He spiked with a 25.9-point outing in Week 2 and has averaged fewer than 10 fantasy points in his other six games this season.

However, managers should trust Wilson this week in a favorable matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. While Dallas' defense showed some signs of life on Monday night, it still can't be considered good.

Dallas has surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season.

Sit: A.J. Brown, WR, New England Patriots

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

The Miami Dolphins' inability to defend the run consistently has led opposing teams to regularly attack them on the ground. This is a big part of the reason why Miami has been problematic for some receivers in fantasy.

Jets rookie Omar Cooper Jr. had a strong outing against the Dolphins last week, but Miami held No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson to just two catches for 26 yards.

In all, Miami has surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers this season.

This is a matchup that doesn't bode well for New England Patriots receiver A.J. Brown, who was supposed to be a weekly must-start in PPR formats. Brown failed to develop a connection with Drake Maye, has yet to reach seven fantasy points in a game, and will draw a ton of attention from the Dolphins' defense on Sunday.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.