Week 8 Fantasy Football Projections: Sleepers at Every Offensive Position

There are still three weeks remaining in the 2011 NFL season where top-tier talent will be off the field for the weekend due to bye weeks.

This weekend the Falcons, Bears, Packers, Jets, Raiders and Buccaneers all have the week off.

That means there are likely a lot of holes in fantasy football teams in your leagues.

The way to fill those voids best, is by finding weekly replacements in sleeper picks.

Here are some key sleepers at each offensive position this weekend.

QB Matt Hasselbeck (Tennessee Titans)

Matt Hasselbeck kicked off the 2011 season with the Titans putting up some fantastic numbers. At one point he was ranked behind only Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady in terms of quarterback rating.

In recent weeks his success has dropped off, but much of the blame should be placed elsewhere in Tennessee.

This week could be a step in the right direction for the Titans. They are taking on an abysmal Indianapolis team.

Quarterback is a difficult position to fill for bye weeks. If Hasselbeck is available he is surely worth a start.

RB Pierre Thomas (New Orleans Saints)

Mark Ingram will not play this weekend when the New Orleans Saints take on the winless St. Louis Rams.

After looking back on last week, Pierre Thomas is a must start. The Saints will likely get up big early against the Rams, much like they did against the Indianapolis Colts.

Then, to close the game out the ball will be put in the hands of Thomas.

Last week DeMarco Murray rushed for a Cowboys franchise record 253 yards against the Rams.

Thomas won't put up those numbers, but he will definitely put up some decent stats.

WR Jabar Gaffney (Washington Redskins)

Santana Moss is out and Chris Cooley has been placed on injured reserve.

That means that Jabar Gaffney is going to be the primary receiver for the Washington Redskins this weekend.

If there is one thing that the Buffalo Bills haven't been impressive at, it's been stopping the pass.

Gaffney may not have a career day, but he will do enough to make him a quality start for your fantasy team.

TE Visanthe Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings)

Along with the quarterback change in Minnesota, expect the production of Visanthe Shiancoe to shoot up over the next few weeks.

Rookie quarterbacks typically look to tight ends as outlet receivers, and Christian Ponder did just that in his first start.

Shiancoe was targeted eight times last week. He finished the game with four receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown.

Expect similar, if not better results from Shiancoe this weekend against a Carolina team that gives up the 25th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.