Week 8 Wide Receiver Preview: Stick with Garrett Wilson
Top Fantasy WRs for Week 8
Let's break down the key usage notes and matchups that are driving our Week 8 WR Rankings.
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1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA
Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads all WRs with six WR1 weeks, including three WR1 overall weeks. His 28.0 PPR points per game is 5.3 points higher than the next closest WR and would be the highest mark ever by a WR if the season ended today. Smith-Njigba has produced as a WR1 regardless of his QB or matchup, leaving him projected as the WR1 overall yet again.
2. Puka Nacua, LAR
Despite picking up a calf injury in practice last week that rendered him questionable for Sunday’s game, Puka Nacua got his usual snap share and supplied 8 catches on 10 targets against the Raiders.
3. CeeDee Lamb, DAL
CeeDee Lamb trails only WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the most WR1 finishes this season with four. His 30.5% target share is the sixth-highest mark among WRs this season, which includes multiple weeks with at least a 40.0% target share, making him one of just two WRs to do so. Lamb projects as a high-end WR1 against a Cardinals defense boosting points to WRs by 6.9%.
4. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN
Ja’Marr Chase hasn’t scored near his levels from previous seasons but remains a safe bet with plenty of upside. He has finished four of six games among the top 16 PPR wideouts, with three of those among the top 11.
5. Zay Flowers, BAL
Zay Flowers has posted lines of 8-53, 6-66, and 8-137-1 over his past three, despite playing without Lamar Jackson. Lamar is expected to return Sunday against Buffalo, giving Flowers a more appealing ceiling in a plus matchup.
6. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET
Amon-Ra St. Brown rested an ankle injury on Wednesday before returning to a full session on Thursday. He’ll be ready to go against a Vikings defense that’s allowed only three WR scores all season.
7. Drake London, ATL
London finished as WR14 in Week 7, catching 7 of 10 targets for 66 yards and a TD. He owns a 29.2% target share (WR8) and does damage after the catch (7.3 yards per reception, WR3). The Buccaneers have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to WRs, and the Falcons pass at the sixth-lowest rate. London’s target share still locks him in as a WR1.
8. Justin Jefferson, MIN
Justin Jefferson has underwhelmed so far with a WR23 rank in PPR points per game. Of course, he’ll remain a lineup lock this week against the Lions. Detroit sits 31st in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs.
9. Tetairoa McMillan, CAR
Played on Thursday Night
10. Christian Watson, GB
Played on Thursday Night
11. George Pickens, DAL
George Pickens has played second fiddle to fellow WR CeeDee Lamb, producing the second-highest target share on the Cowboys at 21.8%. He’s turned that into a 13.9 PPR points per game to rank as the WR25. But facing a Cardinals defense allowing the most total points among all defenses and boosting WR points by 6.9%, Pickens projects as a fringe WR1 in Week 8.
12. Matthew Golden, GB
Played on Thursday Night
13. Tee Higgins, CIN
Tee Higgins has landed among the top 7 PPR wideouts in three of his past four outings. Tennessee’s defense presents nothing that should keep him from another strong showing.
14. Parker Washington, JAC
Parker Washington has racked up 20 targets over just the past two games. The only potential limiter this week might be a Colts team that arrives as a 10-point underdog. That could ding Jacksonville’s passing volume.
15. Jalen Coker, CAR
Played on Thursday Night
16. Garrett Wilson, NYJ
Wilson has taken a backseat to WR Omar Cooper over the last 2 weeks, totaling just 6 catches on 9 targets for 70 scoreless yards. He averaged 8.4 targets over the first 5 weeks -- albeit without Cooper -- and has a long history of strong target earning. Our money is still on Wilson as the Jets’ top target. Stick with him against the Raiders’ 24th-ranked WR defense.
17. A.J. Brown, NE
A.J. Brown logged a limited practice Wednesday before sitting out Thursday's session entirely. Even if he suits up against Miami, his injury concerns and two straight underwhelming performances push him into WR2 territory.
18. Michael Wilson, ARI
Michael Wilson accounted for a 29.7% target share that ranked fifth among WRs through the first four weeks. But since WR Marvin Harrison Jr was traded away, Wilson has commanded just a 17.7% target share, which ranks 39th. He projects to get back on track with a WR2 finish against a Cowboys defense allowing the ninth-most points to WRs.
19. D.J. Moore, BUF
D.J. Moore put in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday, giving him a chance to return from a shoulder injury. If active, he’ll be a WR2 option against a Baltimore unit sitting 25th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs.
20. Emeka Egbuka, TB
Egbuka missed Week 7 with a concussion. Before that, he owned a 26.2% target share (WR11) and averaged 8.2 targets per game, though he’s scored 2.4 fewer points per game than expected. The Falcons have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to WRs (33.8 per game). Egbuka is a WR2 if active.
21. Germie Bernard, PIT
Bernard finished as WR46 in Week 7 with 3 catches for 27 yards, a week after finishing as WR3. His season usage is modest at 5.3 targets per game (WR49) with a 5.7-yard aDOT (WR100). He makes up for it after the catch (5.2 yards per reception, WR11). Expect Bernard to have a full-time role once again. The Browns have allowed the 17th-most fantasy points to WRs. Bernard is a low-end WR2 with a shaky floor.
22. KC Concepcion, CLE
Concepcion finished as WR8 in Week 7, catching 8 of 10 targets for 129 yards. He holds a 21.7% target share and ranks WR8 in yards after catch per reception (5.7). Still, he’s scored 1.8 fewer points per game than expected, and the Browns are implied for just 18.0 points. The Steelers have allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to WRs (32.8 per game). Concepcion is a low-end WR2.
23. Luther Burden III, CHI
Luther Burden is coming off a season-high 23.7 PPR points in Week 7, which lifted his season rank to WR27 with 13.9 PPR points per game. He’s the Bears’ target leader with a 21.0% target share, ranking 33rd among WRs. But against a Seahawks defense allowing the fewest points to WRs, Burden projects as a low-end WR2 in Week 8.
24. D.K. Metcalf, PIT
Metcalf finished as WR37 in Week 7, catching 2 of 6 targets for 56 yards. The usage remains strong at 8.3 targets per game (WR14) and a 23.6% target share, but he’s scored 3.5 fewer points per game than expected. The Browns have allowed the 17th-most fantasy points to WRs. Metcalf is a low-end WR2 due for positive regression.
25. Rashee Rice, KC
If Rice makes it back from his hamstring injury for Week 8, he’ll step into a tough matchup with a Broncos defense getting All-Pro CB Pat Surtain back. Denver has held Rice to 6-38-0 and 2-19-1 receiving lines in the last 2 meetings.
26. Makai Lemon, PHI
It took the Eagles being down both WRs DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks for Lemon to finally eclipse 50 receiving yards. The rookie WR turned a team-high 8 targets into 67 yards and a TD, leading to a career-high 19.7 PPR points in Week 7. With Smith and Wicks both likely out again, Lemon projects as a WR3 against a Commanders defense allowing the sixth-most points to WRs.
27. Stefon Diggs, WAS
Stefon Diggs leads the Commanders with a 23.2% target share. With fellow WR Terry McLaurin sidelined for the remainder of the season following a torn patellar tendon, Diggs’ high-volume role is expected to continue, as indicated by his 25.0% target share in Week 4 with McLaurin previously out. Diggs projects as a fringe WR2 against an Eagles defense allowing the third-most points to WRs.
28. Keenan Allen, IND
Keenan Allen dipped to just 3 targets in a bad matchup with the Vikings last week, but that following three straight games of 9+ targets and 5+ catches. The continued absence of TE Tyler Warren and WR Josh Downs’ trade request should keep Allen positioned as the target leader in a game they figure to trail (10-point underdogs).
29. Tre Tucker, LVR
Tre Tucker has scored as a top-12 PPR WR in 3 of 7 games. He’s finished outside the top-40 in the other 4, so he’s as volatile as they come. Sunday’s matchup vs. the Jets doesn’t look ideal. New York ranks 11th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs and has allowed the 11th-lowest explosive pass play rate.
30. Ladd McConkey, LAC
Ladd McConkey left the Chargers’ last game early with a concussion, but he has returned as a full practice participant. Unfortunately, he also has yet to exceed 7 targets in a game this season and has reached 5 catches only once.
31. Jameson Williams, DET
Jameson Williams has hit his ceiling outcome in three straight, a stretch marked by a 100-yard outing and a pair of two TD games. The Vikings now present a difficult matchup, as they’re second-toughest in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs.
32. Courtland Sutton, DEN
Jaylen Waddle’s likely absence this weekend would give Sutton more target upside. But it’s still tough to get excited about his fantasy prospects. He’s averaging a career-worst 5.1 yards per target this season. And the Chiefs rank fifth in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs. They held Sutton to 11 scoreless yards on 5 targets back in Week 1.
33. Denzel Boston, CLE
Boston finished as WR46 in Week 7, catching 3 of 8 targets for 27 yards. His 16.6-yard aDOT (WR7) and 6.0 yards after catch per reception (WR6) make him a big-play threat on 6.0 targets per game. The Steelers have allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to WRs. Boston is a boom-or-bust WR3.
34. Carnell Tate, TEN
Carnell Tate gets a difficult matchup with the Bengals, who arrive as the No. 10 defense in pass DVOA and has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to outside receivers so far. The rookie’s usage keeps him in consideration, but try to sit him if you can.
35. Wan'Dale Robinson, TEN
Wan’Dale Robinson should be well-positioned for target volume as the week’s biggest underdog and facing a Bengals D that plays outside receivers tough. He can’t climb higher in our projections and rankings, though, because his QB stinks. That has Robinson working on career lows in yards per catch and yards per game, and his fewest receptions per game since 2023.
36. Jakobi Meyers, JAC
Jakobi Meyers is coming off a season-high 10 targets, but this week doesn’t figure to motivate near as much passing volume. The Colts hit the week as 10-point underdogs and just traded their top D-lineman. Meyers should do fine on efficiency but might prove light on opportunities.
37. Josh Downs, IND
Will Josh Downs’ trade request impact his role this week? It’s a fair question, though we didn’t dock his projection at all for that. He doesn’t need that penalty after catching three balls or fewer in three of his past four outings.
38. Khalil Shakir, BUF
Khalil Shakir enters with 11+ PPR points in three straight. The potential return of D.J. Moore may limit the ceiling, but Baltimore isn't a matchup to shy away from. The Bills are implied for 28.75 points, fueling some extra scoring potential.
39. Omar Cooper Jr., NYJ
Cooper has ripped off back-to-back 100-yard games coming off his high-ankle sprain. The rookie is in a full-time role and has drawn a 20% target share over those 2 games. But he’s run extremely hot, with a 92% catch rate, 19.8 yards per catch, and 18.2 yards per target. That’s clearly unsustainable, and we’d still bet on Cooper being the No. 2 target behind Garrett Wilson in a mediocre offense. Treat the rookie as a WR3 against the Raiders’ 24th-ranked WR defense.
40. Malik Washington, MIA
Malik Washington’s primary slot role should ensure he’s not glued to top CB Christian Gonzalez. The issue is a low-volume Miami passing game, one that’s now healthy with the return of Caleb Douglas. View Washington as a WR4 following last week’s 3-27 line.
41. Ryan Flournoy, DAL
Ryan Flournoy’s 15.0% target share is the third highest among all WR3’s of an offense. He’s finished as a WR2 each of the past two weeks and finished as a WR3 in the week prior, coming away with 13.3 PPR points per game since Week 5 to rank as the WR24. Facing a Cardinals defense allowing the 12th-most points to WRs, Flournoy projects as a fringe WR3 in Week 8.
42. Kendrick Bourne, ARI
Kendrick Bourne has come on since Marvin Harrison Jr was shipped to the Texans, commanding a 17.7% target share that ranks 46th among WRs over the past three weeks. He’s turned that into 8.5 PPR points per game and a WR42 rank over that span. Facing a Cowboys defense that’s boosting WR points by 5.7%, Bourne projects as a WR4 in Week 8.
43. Xavier Worthy, KC
Worthy flopped for 11 scoreless yards vs. the Seahawks last week, his worst fantasy outing of the season. His second-worst came vs. the Broncos back in Week 1, when he managed 3 catches for 18 scoreless yards. Worthy is just a WR4 for the rematch, especially with Denver getting All-Pro CB Pat Surtain back.
44. Demario Douglas, NE
Douglas has drawn a healthy 20% target share over the past two games despite A.J. Brown's return. With Romeo Doubs still out and Brown now questionable due to a knee issue, Douglas could see another boost in opportunity. He'll carry WR3 appeal if Brown sits, with deep-league value even if the veteran plays.
45. Jordan Addison, MIN
Jordan Addison has finished better than WR47 in only one of five games. While the Detroit matchup looks favorable, it’s hard to trust Addison beyond WR4 range given the state of the Vikings passing game.
46. Chris Godwin, TB
Godwin finished as WR42 in Week 7, catching 4 of 5 targets for 27 yards. He’s been used almost entirely underneath, with a 3.5-yard aDOT (WR106 of 108), and has relied on yards after catch (6.7 per reception, WR5). Emeka Egbuka returning could cut into his 4.9 targets per game. Godwin is a deep-league WR4 in PPR.
47. Rome Odunze, CHI
Rome Odunze is producing a 17.0% target share on the season that ranks as the third highest among Bears pass catchers and 51st among all WRs. He’s turned that into a WR56 standing with 8.6 PPR points per game. That doesn’t bode well for a matchup against a Seahawks defense allowing the fewest points to WRs, leaving Odunze projected as a fringe WR4 in Week 8.
48. Ja'Kobi Lane, BAL
Last week, Ja'Kobi Lane essentially matched Rashod Bateman in route rate (75% to 73%). The rookie also held the narrow edge in targets (15% to 12%). It’s an excellent development for the rookie, especially considering how he’d missed most of the season with a wrist fracture. We’d prefer to keep Lane on benches while we see how he performs alongside Lamar Jackson, but there’s certainly potential for him to become a useful WR down the stretch.
49. Antonio Williams, WAS
After accounting for a 40.0% route share over the first three weeks, Antonio Williams has been on the field for at least a 70% route share in each week since. With fellow WR Terry McLaurin out for the season with a torn patellar tendon, Williams is set up for another boost in route share and projects as a fringe WR4 against an Eagles defense allowing the third-most points to WRs.
50. Caleb Douglas, MIA
Caleb Douglas returned with a bang last week, posting 2 catches for 70 yards and 2 TDs on just 3 targets. Don't expect a repeat of that efficiency, but his 81.5% route rate suggests he'll remain a key part of Miami's passing attack. New England presents a neutral matchup for WRs, although the Dolphins' limited passing volume keeps Douglas in WR5 territory.
51. Quentin Johnston, LAC
We’re certainly hoping to see much better results out of the bye from a Chargers pass offense that has plenty of talent. But Johnston has only exceeded 1 catch twice through five appearances so far. We’ll need to see it before believing it.
52. Darius Cooper, PHI
Darius Cooper has posted 12.0 PPR points per game across three games that fellow WR DeVonta Smith has missed this season, compared to just 6.2 when he hasn’t. He’s also accounted for at least an 85% route share each week Smith was out. With Smith likely sidelined again for Week 8, Cooper projects as a WR5 against a Commanders defense boosting WR points by 3.7%.
53. Marquise Brown, PHI
With both WRs DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks out last week, Marquise Brown operated as the Eagles’ WR2 commanding a 15.2% target share that trailed WR Makai Lemon and TE Dallas Goedert for the team lead. Brown has played in just two games due to an ankle injury, but with Smith and Wicks likely out again, he projects as a WR5 against the Commanders.
54. Laquon Treadwell, IND
There’s mild opportunity upside for Laquon Treadwell in an offense that arrives as a 10-point underdog. That could drive more Colts passing volume, and perhaps Josh Downs’ trade request alters his role. But Treadwell has managed just 2 catches in three straight games, a span that included a season-high 8 targets in Week 5. So there’s not much intrigue here.
55. Cooper Kupp, SEA
Cooper Kupp has yet to finish as a WR2 this season. But with WR Rashid Shaheed sidelined following a knee injury, Kupp steps in as the WR2 for the Seahawks. He’s posting a 12.6% target share on the season ranking 77th among WRs, and with an elevated role ahead of a Week 8 matchup against a Bears defense reducing points to WRs by 8.7%, Kupp projects as a WR5.
56. Keon Coleman, BUF
Coleman carried some momentum into the Week 7 bye, finding the end zone in three straight games. He also saw nearly full-time playing time in his past two outings with D.J. Moore sidelined. Moore's potential return against Baltimore adds uncertainty, though. Coleman offers WR3/flex appeal if Moore remains out but carries considerable risk otherwise.
57. Rashod Bateman, BAL
A healthy return from Ja’Kobi Lane means Rashod Bateman is no longer a clear No. 2 WR. Even with Lamar Jackson trending toward a return, Bateman isn’t a recommended fantasy option.
58. Treylon Burks, WAS
59. Elic Ayomanor, TEN
Elic Ayomanor set season highs in targets (7) and receptions (3) last time out but is still averaging just 1.4 catches per game in one of the league’s worst offenses.
60. Adonai Mitchell, NYJ
Mitchell returned from his injury as the Jets’ No. 3 WR, registering a 55% route rate and 10% target share. He’s off the fantasy radar unless and until that playing time rebounds.
