With six teams on bye in Week 8, fantasy owners will need to get creative to put together their best possible starting group.

Will McFadden

With six teams on bye in Week 8, fantasy owners will need to get creative to put together their best possible starting group. Fortunately, you've come to the right place.

Throughout the season, I'll help you build the perfect lineup and become a league legend. Each week, I will recommend three starters at each position as well as two sleepers in matchups I really like. I will also spotlight one Falcons player in each section.

It's not all too difficult to tell someone to start Bijan Robinson or Josh Allen on any given week, and I assume everyone reading this right now would already know to do so. Therefore, I'll try to focus these recommendations on players who might be on the starting or flex bubble.

Running backs to start in Week 8

J.K. Dobbins vs. Dallas Cowboys

Dobbins's snap count has dwindled in recent weeks, but he's got a great matchup against a reeling Cowboys defense that has given up a lot of points to opposing running backs.

Chase Brown vs. New York Jets

Coming off his best game of the season, Brown might finally get going after a disappointing start to the year. With Joe Flacco behind center, the Bengals' offense looked dynamic, and that should open things up for the run game.

Rico Dowdle vs. Buffalo Bills

Although he was in a timeshare after Chuba Hubbard returned from injury last week, Dowdle still looked like the more dangerous runner. While Andy Dalton is a capable backup, Dowdle should get plenty of chances against a Bills defense we last saw giving up a lot of yards to Bijan Robinson.

Sleeper start Kyle Monangai at Baltimore Ravens

If anyone wants to wait one more week to see if Monangai's breakout performance in Week 7 was real, I don't blame you. But the Ravens have allowed the second-most points to running backs this season, so I think there's a good chance for an encore.

Sleeper start Jordan Mason at Los Angeles Chargers

There's a chance Aaron Jones is back for the Vikings on Thursday night, which would eat into Mason's workload, but I still think he has a sneaky good shot at putting up fantasy points in this one.

Falcons spotlight Bijan Robinson vs. Miami Dolphins

Robinson still finished with 92 total yards and a touchdown against the 49ers, but that felt somewhat underwhelming compared to the astronomical numbers he's put up lately. He should get back to that this week against a Dolphins team allowing the third-most points to running backs.

Wide receivers to start in Week 8

Rome Odunze at Baltimore Ravens

It's been a down two weeks for Odunze after a hot start to the season, but he's got a great chance to bounce back in a game against Baltimore that could easily feature a lot of points.

Ladd McConkey vs. Minnesota Vikings

McConkey has finished inside the top 25 at the position each of the last three weeks, and the Vikings just got torched by A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith.

Stefon Diggs vs. Cleveland Browns

The Browns aren't the easiest defense to throw against, but the chemistry between Drake Maye and Diggs is real and worth banking on. I expect Diggs will stay involved throughout this game.

Sleeper start Tez Johnson at New Orleans Saints

Mike Evans's injury opens the door for Johnson to continue to be a staple for the Bucs' offense. He's done well the last two weeks, and his chemistry with Baker Mayfield should only grow.

Sleeper start Troy Franklin vs. Dallas Cowboys

Franklin is a boom-or-bust option, but he's got a matchup with the league's worst pass defense on tap, and the Broncos are riding high.

Falcons spotlight Darnell Mooney vs. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have been stingy against opposing receivers this season, but Mooney is a player the Falcons want to get involved and in a rhythm for the remainder of the fall. He's stilldealing with a hamstring injury, but if Mooney suits up, he should be a key contributor.

Tight ends to start in Week 8

George Kittle at Houston Texans

Kittle had zero points in his first game back, but, c'mon, you're not going to leave him on the bench.

Oronde Gadsden II vs. Minnesota Vikings

The promise of Gadsden has been apparent all season, and in Week 7, he showed exactly what many felt he could be a dynamic weapon who can carry the Chargers' offense. Can he keep it going?

Harold Fannin Jr. at New England Patriots

Running this recommendation back even after a modest performance from Fanning in his first game with David Njoku out. His usage rates still indicate a lot of upside.

Sleeper start Evan Engram vs. Dallas Cowboys

I'm riding with everybody against the Cowboys, and Engram has received at least six targets in each of the last four games.

Sleeper start Jonnu Smith vs. Green Bay Packers

Although the Packers' defense has been strong all season, they have not had as much success against tight ends. Smith is a good candidate to score a touchdown this week.

Falcons spotlight Kyle Pitts vs. Miami Dolphins

Pitts bounced back well from a quiet outing against the Bills, and he had a season-high 10 targets. He looks healthy and involved in this offense and offers legit upside each week.

Quarterbacks to start in Week 8

Daniel Jones vs. Tennessee Titans

Jones is still the QB5 on the season, and he's got a great matchup against a reeling Titans team. The Colts' offense should continue to cruise in this one, making Jones a great starting option during a bye-heavy week.

Dak Prescott at Denver Broncos

Despite the difficult matchup, Prescott is off to one of the hottest starts in his career and at the head of a dangerous offense. The Cowboys can score against anybody, and this weekend is a great test of that.

Joe Flacco vs. New York Jets

I didn't think I'd be recommending a 40-year-old Flacco at any point this season, but his second start with the Bengals looked very promising. This is a good matchup for Flacco and Cincinnati.

Sleeper start Marcus Mariota at Kansas City Chiefs

Reports suggest that Jayden Daniels will miss his third game of the season and Mariota will start Monday night against the Chiefs. Given his mobility, Mariota is a sneaky option if you're looking for a spot starter with players on bye.

Falcons spotlight Michael Penix Jr. vs. Miami Dolphins

Combining my second sleeper recommendation and the Falcons spotlight into one here, because I think Penix could have success against this defense. He's got something to prove and returns home, where he's been much better in 2025.

Up Next

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Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Week 8 Media Availability | Wednesday, Oct. 22nd | Press Conference

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Head Coach Raheem Morris Week 8 Media Availability | Wednesday, October 22nd | Press Conference

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John Parker Romo's 38-yard FG claims first points of the game

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Bijan Robinson's best plays from career-high Week 6 game

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Postgame Interview with Bijan Robinson

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John Parker Romo drills 37-yard FG to give Falcons a two-possesion lead

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Penix Jr. delivers beautiful pass under pressure to Bijan for huge third-down conversion

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