The NFL can be tough for injuries which creates plenty of waiver wire activity and streaming options for fantasy football. Here I will take a look at some of the trendy fantasy players and whether they boomed or busted in week 8.
BOOM
Cade Otton TB TE 24.6 Points
Once Chris Godwin and Mike Evans both got hurt last week, the question became who would fill their target share for the Buccaneers? Answer: Cade Otton.
Otton led the team with 10 targets and hauled in 9 of them for 81 yards and 2 touchdowns. His 24.6 fantasy points is the most among all tight ends through Sunday, which happened to be National Tight End day.
Week 8’s TE1 is a top-flight starter and should be in your lineup even after Mike Evans returns.
Cedric Tillman CLE WR 25.4 Points
Other than the Dawg Pound, Cedric Tillman was the biggest beneficiary of Jameis Winston taking over as the Browns starting QB.
The trade of Amari Cooper allowed Cedric Tillman to enter the lineup and catch fire for those who streamed him this week in fantasy football. He caught 7 of his 9 targets for 99 yards and 2 TDs. His week 8 boom and 25.4 fantasy points deserve another start next week as a strong flex play or low end WR2.
Bo Nix DEN QB 29.76 Points
Bo Nix was a popular streaming option in week 8 against the awful Panthers defense and he did not disappoint. He finished 28/37 for 284 yards for 3 TDs and added another TD on the ground.
29.76 fantasy points is the highest of his young career. He has thrown 7 TDs and rushed for 2 in his last 4 games, proving that he is only improving and becoming more valuable to fantasy owners.
We get heavier into bye’s starting next week and Bo Nix should be on your radar as a streaming option if you get in a pinch and need a QB to start.
BUST
Jalen McMillan (7.2) & Trey Palmer (3.9) TB WR’s
McMillan and Palmer were popular streaming options in week 8 in place of injured wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The pair combined for just 6 receptions for 64 yards and 0 TDs. McMillan added a 17-yard rush bringing their total to 11.1 fantasy points.
The Buccaneers found their receiving production elsewhere. 24 of Baker Mayfield’s passing targets and all 3 of his TDs went to RBs and TEs while 22 targets were spread out among 5 different wide receivers.
Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer should be on the bench if you choose to roster them at all. They are no more than a stash in deep redraft leagues.
Caleb Williams CHI QB 9.34 Points
Before his bye week, Bears QB Caleb Williams caught fire finishing weeks 5 & 6 as QB6 and QB1. His return didn’t go as planned in week 8 against the Commanders defense.
Williams completed only 10 of 24 passes for 131 yards and 0 TDs. He added 41 rushing yards, but it wasn’t enough to help his abysmal 9.34 fantasy points.
It’s hard to trust Caleb Williams in his rookie year which has been hot and cold. He’s worth rostering, but should only be in your lineup due to injuries or a bye week.
Packers Wide Receivers
The Packers used a heavy dose of Josh Jacobs in week 8 which didn’t fare well for the wide receivers.
Romeo Doubs had been the hot hand lately with 19.4 and 13.4 points in his last 2 games before leading the Packers receivers in week 8 with only 8.7.
None of the Packers’ talented quartet of Doubs, Reed, Watson, and Wicks finished with double-digit points.
Jayden Reed is the only one I would feel confident with in my lineup each week. Doubs is a strong flex option with Wicks and Watson being used in streaming situations only.
All points values are from FanDuel.