Fantasy Football Week 8: Biggest Sleepers at Every Position
0 of 8
Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillanKevin Sabitus/Getty Images
In Week 8, we will highlight a handful of high-upside rookies who could be short-term sleepers and potential keepers for the remainder of the season.
Last week, New England Patriots rookie Drake Maye pulled through, finishing seventh among quarterbacks in fantasy scoring. Looking ahead to the upcoming slate, another first-year signal-caller could top him with a top-five finish.
At this point in the season, managers should target teams with cluster injuries at skill positions. This week, two top-eight scoring clubs may have to elevate multiple backup wide receivers to fill in for injured starters.
Let's take a look at our sleeper radar. As is the case every week, our selections are available in more than 50 percent of leagues based on FantasyPros' consensus roster percentages.
QB Bo Nix vs. Carolina Panthers (18 Percent Rostered)
1 of 8
Cooper Neill/Getty Images
In seven starts, Bo Nix has completed 61.2 percent of his passes, which ranks 30th among quarterbacks. He's also a consistent threat on the ground, with 255 yards and three touchdowns.
For two of the past three weeks, Nix has finished within the top nine among quarterbacks in fantasy scoring.
This week, Nix could put together strong passing and rushing performances against the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers are tied for sixth in most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Moreover, they've given up the most rushing yards and touchdowns leaguewide. Nix has an excellent chance to rack up 300-plus yards passing and rushing combined for his best outing of the season.
QB Russell Wilson vs. New York Giants (12 Percent Rostered)
2 of 8
Last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers benched Justin Fields for Russell Wilson, and it was the right decision.
After a slow start, Wilson elevated the Steelers offense, throwing for 264 yards and two touchdowns. He finished third in fantasy scoring among quarterbacks.
Against the New York Jets' second-ranked pass defense that allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks, Wilson had his best showing in a long time. In Week 8, he will face the New York Giants' eighth-ranked pass defense that allows the ninth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Wilson should be able to string together highly productive performances in consecutive weeks, with another top-10 fantasy finish among quarterbacks.
RB Braelon Allen at New England Patriots (38 Percent Rostered)
3 of 8
Al Pereira/Getty Images
After a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo called his team "soft."
Over the last two weeks, New England has allowed 73 points and 732 total yards to the Houston Texans and Jaguars. The Patriots rank 21st in rushing yards allowed, and they're one of five teams allowing the third-most rushing touchdowns (nine).
Braelon Allen accumulated at least 46 scrimmage yards in three consecutive contests between Weeks 2 and 4, including two touchdowns in Week 2, but his production has tapered off in recent outings. He has gained just 14 scrimmage yards over the past two weeks.
Nonetheless, left tackle Tyron Smith's offensive holding infraction negated Allen's rushing touchdown in Week 6.
Gang Green should be able to take frequent trips to the red zone and score against the Patriots' 23rd-ranked scoring defense and red-zone defense.
RB Sean Tucker vs. Atlanta Falcons (14 Percent Rostered)
4 of 8
Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can feature pass-catching running backs to replace the production of wide receivers Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (dislocated ankle).
Last week, we suggested Cade Otton. He's an obvious roster keeper after his 100-yard performance against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. This week, Sean Tucker could see a more prominent role in the passing game.
In Week 6, Tucker showcased his big-play ability with three receptions for 56 yards, which included a 36-yard play for a touchdown.
Last week, head coach Todd Bowles told reporters the team plans to use all three of its top running backs in Bucky Irving, Rachaad White and Tucker. Because of the team's critical injuries at wide receiver, White and Tucker may see an elevated number of targets against the Atlanta Falcons.
WR Ricky Pearsall vs. Dallas Cowboys (17 Percent Rostered)
5 of 8
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
The San Francisco 49ers have lost Brandon Aiyuk (torn ACL and MCL) for the season. Deebo Samuel is dealing with pneumonia. Head coach Kyle Shanahan is hopeful that Samuel will suit up on Sunday. Jauan Jennings missed the previous game with a hip injury.
By the way, tight end George Kittle suffered a foot sprain during last week's game with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Quarterback Brock Purdy has to throw the ball to someone, right? He could look to rookie first-rounder Ricky Pearsall, who could be a starter if Samuel or Jennings sit out.
Back in August, Pearsall took a gunshot to the chest in an attempted robbery. He started the season on the non-football injury list and made his NFL debut last week against the Chiefs, hauling in three of five targets for 21 yards.
Pearsall has a decent matchup with the Cowboys, who rank 19th in passing yards allowed.
WR Jalen McMillan vs. Atlanta Falcons (9 Percent Rostered)
6 of 8
Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
Last Monday, in a matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans exited in the second quarter because of a hamstring injury and didn't return.
Late in the contest, Chris Godwin suffered an ankle injury that will require surgery.
This week, quarterback Baker Mayfield will have more practice time with the backup wide receivers in the absence of Evans and Godwin, so it won't be easy to pick which wideout garners most of his attention within a depleted pass-catching group.
That said, Jalen McMillan is a big-play rookie wideout with tremendous upside. He's already hauled in passes for 21 and 32 yards—the latter went for a touchdown in Week 1.
As possession receivers, Trey Palmer and Sterling Shepard may need a high volume of targets to produce WR2 fantasy production. With just two receptions, McMillan can rack up 50-plus yards. If he goes for a touchdown, you would have a quick double-digit output even if you're not in a point-per-reception league.
Take a big swing with McMillan, because it could pay off in a potential high-scoring matchup. Remember, these teams scored 66 combined points in Week 5.
WR Devaughn Vele vs. Carolina Panthers (2 Percent Rostered)
7 of 8
Ric Tapia/Getty Images
In Week 7, rookie wideout Troy Franklin—Bo Nix's collegiate teammate from Oregon—led the Denver Broncos in targets (six), catches (five) and receiving yards (50),
But for context, Franklin racked up 30 yards on one reception in that contest. He's eclipsed 31 receiving yards in one out of six games.
Though Devaughn Vele had a quiet Week 7 (one catch for 20 yards), he's been a more consistent contributor in the Broncos' aerial attack than Franklin this season.
Vele has led the Broncos in catches or receiving yards in two of his three outings and leads the team in receiving yards per game (45.7).
Remember that the Carolina Panthers released veteran slot cornerback Troy Hill last week, and rookie fifth-rounder Chau Smith-Wade has taken over that role.
In a rookie vs. rookie matchup in the slot, Vele could have a solid performance. On top of that, at 6'5", 210 pounds, he should see some red-zone opportunities against a Panthers defense tied for the third-most passing touchdowns allowed.
TE Noah Fant vs. Buffalo Bills (19 Percent Rostered)
8 of 8
Jane Gershovich/Getty Images
After a slow start to the season in a pass-catching role, Noah Fant has seen a recent uptick in target share and production.
Over the past two weeks, Fant has hauled in all 10 of his targets for 128 yards despite playing with a talented wide receiver trio that includes DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and 2023 first-rounder Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Metcalf suffered an MCL sprain last Sunday. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, he's week-to-week with that injury.
Even if Metcalf suits up, he may play a limited role, which may create more opportunities for Fant in the Seahawks' passing game.
Based on the recent trend in Fant's receiving numbers, he can soak up a few more targets if Metcalf has to leave the field more than usual.
Fant gets a middling matchup against the Buffalo Bills, who rank 18th in fantasy points allowed to tight ends and 17th in passing yards allowed.
Looking for more insight to prep for your draft or make some tough roster decisions? Check out all the latest B/R Fantasy Football essentials here.
Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com for details.
Fantasy points scored against statistics are provided by FantasyPros.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.