Week 8 Players I Love in Fantasy Football

Drake Maye, New England Patriots

Maye has played much better over the last month following a rough first three weeks, and he’s poised to continue that run of strong play in Week 8. The Miami Dolphins are a bottom-10 defense against QBs and have allowed 2.33 TD passes per game on the season, which is less than what the red-hot Maye has averaged in his last four outings.

Others I Like

• Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings: If Murray is going to have a breakout game, this could be it. While the Detroit Lions were marginally better in Week 7, they benefitted from some crucial drops, including a touchdown, and mistakes. Their defense remains ripe for exploitation.
• Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals: The Dallas Cowboys allowed Tanner McKee and a depleted roster to move the ball effectively on them for much of Monday night. An experienced hand like Brissett should be able to generate some value.
• Geno Smith, New York Jets: Smith threw for 287 yards and three TDs this past Sunday. Up next, the free-falling Las Vegas Raiders, who have allowed 245 yards and 2.3 TDs per game to QBs.

Running Backs

Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

Jacobs made his season debut in Week 7 and finished the game with 91 yards and a score on 16 touches. He draws an elite matchup on Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers, who have allowed 156 yards and 1.5 TDs per game to the position—that includes their Sunday loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where the Bucs attempted just 11 passes while running for 258 yards and three touchdowns.

Others I Like

• Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams: Corum has seen inconsistent involvement this year, but he’s coming off a season-best 17-93-1 effort in Week 7. He should see plenty of work again versus a Los Angeles Chargers D that sits 24th in fantasy points allowed to RBs.
• TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots: It’s been a slow start to 2026. A few extra days to rest after a Thursday night loss and a Miami defense that has allowed an NFL-high five TD receptions to backs could help get Henderson going.
• Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals: Love (ankle) has missed the last two games but looks to be on track to return just in time to face the Cowboys, who are one of just seven teams allowing 20-plus fantasy points per game to running backs.

Wide Receivers

DJ Moore, Buffalo Bills

Moore (shoulder) is expected to return exiting the bye, and he finds himself staring down a plus matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, who just allowed the Cincinnati Bengals to hang 35 second-half points on them with Tee Higgins (6-148-1) and Ja’Marr Chase (5-62-1) both scoring. It’s the continuation of a season-long issue for Baltimore, and it gives Moore nice potential this Sunday.

Others I Like

• Stefon Diggs, Washington Commanders: The loss of Terry McLaurin (knee) moves Diggs into the top spot. He can hit the ground running here against a Philadelphia Eagles secondary that has surrendered 185 yards and 1.3 TDs per game to wideouts.
• Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals: Wilson has disappointed recently, averaging 39 yards per game over the past three. Dallas represents another opportunity to right the ship. The Cowboys rank 26th in fantasy points given up to WRs.
• Ja’Kobi Lane, Baltimore Ravens: It sounds like Lamar Jackson (ankle) will return this week, and the Bills rank dead last in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. Zay Flowers will get his, but there could still be enough left over for Lane.

Tight Ends

T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

Hockenson, who began his career with the Lions, gets another chance to stick it to his old club in Week 8. The veteran has enjoyed a mini resurgence this season, and he draws a high-upside matchup in this one. Although they’ve already had their bye, Detroit has yielded the most catches (56), yards (602), and TDs (10) to the position.

Others I Like

• Hunter Henry, New England Patriots: Henry is averaging 56 yards and 0.5 TDs per game over his last four. The Dolphins sit 30th in fantasy points allowed to tight ends.
• Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles: A reliable outlet for McKee, Goedert draws a rematch with the Commanders this Sunday night. In Week 1, he had a 4-77-2 line against them. There’s no Jalen Hurts (blood clot) this time, but the matchup is still tasty.

Defensive Teams

• Los Angeles Rams: LA’s defense has been a disappointment this year, but a matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers might cure what ails them. The Bolts have allowed 21 sacks and lead the NFL with 15 giveaways despite having played just six games.
• Green Bay Packers: This group more than held its own against Dallas and Detroit. They host the Panthers on Thursday night after Carolina allowed five sacks and had four giveaways in Week 7.
• Jacksonville Jaguars:  The Jags return from their bye to face a struggling Indianapolis Colts team that just signaled it was giving up on its season this week.