I took one on the chin last week having all my starts underperform. It happens and so we are on a new week. By now we kind of see which path some teams are taking. Some just have not got it together causing for great matchups, usually, for your IDP. On the other hand, some offenses are clicking making it difficult to start any defender against because they are hardly making mistakes. With that being said we are onto the halfway point of the season. Week 8 is finally here. Before we jump in let’s take a look at those that underperformed last week.
*Side note- a sit to me is somebody that will get 10 or less fantasy points for you.*
Week 7 Starts (5 Fail)
Vita Vea– 4pts – Fail; Jonathan Allen– 6pts – Fail; Divine Deablo– 8pts – Fail; Patrick Surtain– 7pts – Fail; Justin Reid– 9pts – Pass
Week 7 Sits (3 Pass, 2 Fail)
Jonathon Cooper– 10pts – Fail; Chris Jones– 1pt – Pass; Kaden Elliss– 12pts – Fail; James Bradberry– 6pts – Pass; Quandre Diggs– 9pts – Pass
This week I am introducing some pivot options too! Guys I will not go into detail about, but I am comfortable starting or sitting beyond the guys I speak about. Now let’s get into my week 8 Starts & Sits for IDP!
START
DL- Josh Sweat (PHI) @ Washington Commanders (START)
Sweat is on a two-game sack streak. He now plays against the Commanders, a team that has allowed a league high 40 sacks. Sweat has not gotten more than 5 tackles in a game. He brings the pressure. On the season, he has 5.5 sacks (2 from last week) plus 2 forced fumbles through 7 games. It is possible he fills the stat sheet this week.
DL- George Karlaftis (KC) @ Denver Broncos (START)
Karlaftis has one of the easier matchups in the league this week. He faces Right Tackle Mike McGlinchey, the teams worst graded offensive lineman with a 53.7 overall grade. Wilson has been protected better than Howell, but he still has 20 sacks on the season. Karlaftis has 1.5 sacks over the last two games. With his matchup this week, it is possible he brings heavy pressure towards Wilson. Possibly connecting for a sack or couple tackles for losses.
LB- C.J. Mosley (NYJ) @ New York Giants (START)
This could possibly be Mosley’s best matchup thus far this season. Whether it is Daniel Jones or Tyrod Taylor calling the shots, Mosley will break down what is happening before they blink. He is a lock for 8+ tackles. His 88.1 overall coverage grade makes him a value in the passing game. He could be in line for a top five week!
LB- Jack Campbell (DET) vs Las Vegas Raiders (START)
Last week Campbell saw his first week over 65% of snaps. He did allow 100% of targets to be caught for one touchdown. This is bad and good for him. Bad because you never want that. Good because between all the Raiders’ quarterbacks, they have thrown the most interceptions this season with 12 total. My point is if he gets the same amount of snap share with targets thrown his way, there is a chance he gets an interception. Plus, nobody at the Raiders’ helm is close to the talent of Lamar Jackson (who he played last week). The rookie has not impressed much this season. I feel this could be a “I was the right choice in the first round” type of week for Campbell.
DB- Budda Baker (AZ) vs Baltimore Ravens (START)
Baker’s first game off injured reserve and he played 100% of snaps. He did allow both targets to be caught, one being for a touchdown. He also had 6 solo tackles with a tackle-for-loss. Lamar Jackson is better than Geno Smith. The Ravens wide receivers are not as “elite” as the ones in Seattle. I think Baker can capitalize again on 5+ solo tackles with a possible tackle for a loss, or two.
Pivot Options:
Eagles- Haason Reddick
Chargers- Joey Bosa
Ravens- Patrick Queen
Dolphins- Eli Apple
Bengals- Daxton Hill
SIT
DL- Gregory Rousseau (BUF) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (SIT)
With Ed Oliver out, the thought was Rousseau could take over the line. He has yet to do that. He saw a decrease in snap share last week to 50% of snaps. This defensive line may not be as successful in bringing pressure this week. The Bucs have only allowed 8 sacks on the season. Keep him sidelined this week.
EDGE- Zaven Collins (AZ) vs Baltimore Ravens (SIT)
Collins is not seeing over 65% of snaps. He is no threat from the edge. Only 12 pressures through 7 games. He is barely at 2 tackles per game. He was somebody I was high on to start the season. He just is not taking any sort of control. He is a sit this week because even if he gets through the protection, Lamar Jackson can escape his pressure.
LB- Kwon Alexander (PIT) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (SIT)
He saw a two-week hiatus of seeing less than 50% snap share before entering the bye week. The first three weeks he was seeing over 60% of snaps with double digit fantasy points. Bye week happens, great time to rest. He comes back to see over 60% snap share again. He ended up having one of his worst fantasy performances for his season. Now he goes against a team with a vertical offense. Plus, it is possible he continues to take a back seat in this linebacker room. Last week he had a missed tackle rate of 50%. He is a sit for me until further notice.
DB- Terrell Edmunds (TEN) vs Atlanta Falcons (SIT)
Edmunds just got traded to the Titans. He might need time to adjust to his new playbook. Not only that, the Falcons like to run the ball. This means it could be a better opportunity for opposite safety Amani Hooker. Hooker lines up more in the box to help stop the run from time to time. Edmunds can be a starter at times. But this week with a new team against a run heavy team I will keep him on the bench.
DB- AJ Terrell (ATL) @ Tennessee Titans (SIT)
On the opposite side of the ball, I am also benching star corner Terrell. Even on 100% of snaps he will need the receiver he is guarding to be heavily targeted to make a difference. The Titans, in my opinion, will be run heavy this week, more than any other. They are looking at having rookie Will Levis start with Malik Willis as the backup. Levis can throw as he has good arm strength. However, against a strong secondary like Atlanta I think it is possible they do not let him throw much. This would hurt Terrell as he is great in coverage, but his weakness is tackling.
Pivot Options:
Colts- Kwity Paye
Broncos- Nik Bonitto
Raiders- Divine Deablo
Cowboys- Micah Parsons
Lions- Brian Branch
That is my week 8 start/sits for the IDP positions.
Thank you for reading. Follow me on X at @ThePPRShow for more! If you need offensive start/sit advice, give @TFFGRobbie a follow for his weekly offensive start/sit articles! Peace & Love.
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