Fantasy Football: Week Eight Staff Must Start, Must Sit and Sleeper Picks
By J.T. McGrath
J.T. McGrath
START: Joique Bell, RB – Detroit Lions
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The Lions travel to London this weekend, where they will be “hosted” by the Atlanta Falcons and their 32nd-ranked, porous run defense. Reggie Bush is questionable to play, and if he winds up as inactive, then you are looking at Bell as an RB1. Atlanta has been a massive disappointment this season, but at a fantasy owner, you are salivating at the opportunity to play against them. Keep an eye on Bush’s status, as he will also directly impact third-stringer, Theo Riddick’s fantasy relevance. With Bush out, Riddick also garners PPR flex appeal.
SIT: Keenan Allen, WR – San Diego Chargers
ZERO. Zero is the number of touchdowns Allen has scored this season. And that goes right along with his ONE game with greater than 60 receiving yards. I know it’s frustrating, especially when undrafted guys (or ones taken in very late rounds) like Eddie Royal and Antonio Gates are racking up all the points. The worst part is Allen’s value is so low right now, that he doesn’t even have much trade value, outside of maybe a tuna sandwich. The only thing you can do is wait and hope Philip Rivers starts looking his way more often and soon. You drafted Allen as your high-end WR2, but he’s not even on the FLEX radar right now.
SLEEPER: Mark Ingram, RB – New Orleans Saints
With Pierre Thomas expected to be sidelined a few weeks and Khiry Robinson having been ruled out for this weekend, the remaining New Orleans’ backs get a value boost. Travaris Cadet will likely handle the bulk of passing back opportunities, but Ingram still looks like the early-down and goal line back, which makes him the guy to own in standard leagues. Against the Green Bay “Cheese Heads,” who ironically sport a Swiss cheese-like run defense (most rushing yards allowed), Ingram could be a sneaky play to rack up some solid yardage and a TD or two as an RB2/FLEX.