5 must starts for fantasy football in Week 8

After Week 6’s resounding must starts success, it was more of a mixed bag in Week 7. There were really strong performances from Josh Jacobs (16.4 points, RB12), Hunter Henry (15.7 points, TE5) and Gardner Minshew (21 points, QB9), and though Brandin Cooks was the lowest scoring of the Rams’ receivers, he still gave you 9.9 points but didn’t really go off as predicted. Finally and apologies if you started David Montgomery based on my advice. The Bears incredulously decided that Mitch Trubisky needed to attempt 54 passes in his first game back from a dislocated shoulder, and therefore ran the ball just seven—SEVEN—times against a season average of 24. Ugly stuff and one I’ll be avoiding again despite the obvious talent.

Moving on, here are my must starts to help you win your fantasy match up this week.

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RB James White, Patriots vs Browns - 92.4% owned

White is such a solid PPR play, if you have him he needs to be rostered every week. He’s seen an average of nine targets per game over the past four weeks and has had at least 11 points in every start in 2019. With the Patriots offense being carried somewhat by the incredible defense this season, White is the one person to put up points every week.

RB Tarik Cohen, Bears vs Chargers - 72.7% owned

Similar to White, Tarik Cohen has established a decent floor in the passing game, averaging seven targets per game and coming off back to back double digit scores either side of the bye week. Facing a Chargers defense that is 27th against the pass, Cohen should translate those targets into a bigger yardage performance and maybe even pop one into the end zone as he’s only managed to get in the paint once in 2019.

WR Ted Ginn, Saints vs Cardinals - 9.3% owned

This doesn’t change for me whether its Drew Brees or Teddy Bridgewater quarterbacking against the Cardinals (signs point towards a return for Brees). Arizona’s pass defense ranks 28th in the NFL and Ginn still has the electric straight line speed to exploit that on the fast track in the Superdome.

WR Kenny Stills, Texans vs Raiders - 44.5% owned

With Will Fuller set to miss several weeks, Stills steps up and into the second receiver spot for the Texans. Stills has three double digit games in his five starts, including four catches for 105 yards last week in the defeat to the Colts. At home against a Raiders pass defense that is ranked 30th, Still couldn’t wish for a better match up opposite Deandre Hopkins who will dictate the coverage and give him favorable matchups.

RB Ty Johnson, Lions vs Giants - 63.9% owned

With Kerryon Johnson being placed on IR with a knee injury this week, Ty Johnson immediately assumes the starting role in the running game for the Lions (until they make a trade for Melvin Gordon that is). In limited work last week after his namesake went out, Jonson turned 14 touches into 9.7 fantasy points. That may not be anything special, but there is volume coming his way and in fantasy, any guaranteed volume is a must start. Thrown in the Giants’ bottom 10 run defense and Johnson may be the steal of Week 8.

Bonus Start: D/ST Pittsburgh Steelers vs Miami Dolphins - 75.8% owned

The worst kept secret in fantasy is out as the Steelers’ defense has gone from 30% to over 75% owned this week. Despite the Dolphins’ offense showing a few signs of life under Ryan Fitzpatrick last week, they still remain the league’s worst offense, and by quite a distance. The Steelers were a top 10 fantasy defense before their bye and with a friendly match up like this in Week 8, they could end up as an elite fantasy unit by the time the weekend is out.