5 must starts in fantasy football for Week 8

Week 8 is upon us and as any week in fantasy football does, it brings plenty of lineup indecision. My personal struggle is how to get T.Y Hilton into my starting lineup. I know that’s a prosperous “struggle” to have, but currently Tyler Boyd is in my flex and I really like him against the Buccaneers. But I also like T.Y. against the Raiders! Decisions, decisions.

That is exactly what this article is for: to alleviate the pain of making those decisions. Here are five players that I am SUPER high on this week and if they’re on your team, they need to be in your starting lineup. (Or at least taken with some consideration. I don’t know how your team is constructed, you could have like Melvin Gordon, Kareem Hunt, James Conner and Tarik Cohen on your team. If so, are you really going to start any of the running backs I’m talking about? Hell no.)

I made an effort to pick players that you might be debating on since a “must start” article is kinda dumb if it’s filled with RB1s and WR1s. To make things fun, I’ve including a ranking with each player where I think they’ll finish this weekend in standard scoring.

Last week’s picks: 2-3

Season picks: 2-3

Let’s begin!

RB Phillip Lindsay vs Kansas City Chiefs

Week 8 rank: RB10

Who knows where Phillip Lindsay falls under my “don’t pick obvious starts” rules but I think I’m making up for it calling him a top 10 back this week. Honestly though, this shouldn’t be a tough decision for those lucky enough to have Lindsay. The Chiefs defense has looked better in the past two weeks, but much in the way The Phantom Menace looks better when compared to The Clone Wars and Revenge of the Sith. The Chiefs are still the second worst team at stopping opposing backs, allowing a generous 25.7 points per game. Lindsay bout to eat!

WR Brandin Cooks vs Green Bay Packers

Week 8 rank: WR12

Jordan made Cooks his lock this week on the RB1 Podcast (come to think of it, Nic made Lindsay his lock. I locked up Adrian Peterson for what it’s worth. I like Adrian Peterson this week as well) and he sold me on why Cooks will have a big game this week. The Packers defense has allowed at least big pass play of at least 40 yards to opposing teams so far this year and just got torched by the speedy Marquise Goodwin on Monday Night Football two weeks ago. Sean McVay’s seen that tape and can’t wait to load up all the shot plays this weekend and Cooks has the speed to wreak havoc on this defense. I’m in.

WR Jordy Nelson vs Indianapolis Colts

Week 8 rank: WR16

I feel dirty writing about Jordy here because I’ve long been preaching the “Jordy is old and useless” gospel but here we are. Jordy is the number one guy in Oakland—now that Amari Cooper got shipped off to Dallas—and with the number one receiver role comes number one receiver scoring. Plus, did you know that in three out of his last four games, Jordy’s found the endzone? I didn’t. I had no idea Jordy was scoring touchdowns. In all likelihood, Jordy will find the endzone again as the Colts have allowed the fourth most touchdowns and 11th most fantasy points to opposing receivers the last four weeks.

WR Chris Godwin vs Cincinnati Bengals

Week 8 rank: WR20

I will ride the Chris Godwin train until Rasputin’s little green demons come and overheat the engine and blow up the bridge that we’re speeding towards. Even then, I’ll do anything I can to stay aboard. Godwin still is relatively touchdown dependent and obviously competing with Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson for touches but he’s still second on the team in targets, catches and is first in touchdown receptions. He gets a nice matchup this week as the Bengals pass defense has been struggling recently. In three out of the past four games, they have given up double digit standard scoring outputs to at least two opposing receivers. All aboard the Godwin train!

RB Kenjon Barner vs Buffalo Bills

Week 8 rank: RB22

Even with the good news regarding Sony Michel, I highly doubt we see him on the field this weekend. That means it’s James White/Kenjon Barner time in New England! Obviously if you have White you’ve been starting him everywhere all season long so me telling you to is no help. Barner on the other hand is the perfect player for me to bang the table for. When Michel went down last week, the Patriots gave Barner the bulk of the ground work, recording 10 carries for 36 yards. It seems Barner will be their grinder between the tackles and that in it of itself is enough to garner legit FLEX/RB2 value against a Bills’ defense that’s giving up the 11th most fantasy points to opposing backs.