Whew. That’s the title of my last blurb and my general sentiment on this week’s rankings. With several fantasy-relevant teams on a bye, and the slew of high-profile injuries piling up, the Week 8 Top-75 gets ugly quickly.
Several new names make their appearance in this vaunted space, some due to injuries some due simply to lack of depth at the position. As per previous weeks, a trend I see again is that I am a big fan of using the tight end at the flex position this season.
MY MISSION STATEMENT
What frustrates me above all else are so-called fantasy advice columns that fit into one of two categories:
1) They refuse to stray from conventional wisdom, often until it’s weeks too late to save or help your season or
2) They only offer rankings commentary on the “big-name” guys that everyone knows to play anyway. Gee, Adrian Peterson will have a bounce back week and I shouldn’t bench him for Danny Woodhead? Thanks!
Each week I will examine what I consider to be the most pressing issues facing fantasy owners. I will try to focus only on issues that you may actually be concerned with, namely: marginal flex players, tough matchup decisions, and above all else, how to assimilate new information from the previous week. This is a column of the people, by the people, for the people. And as long as I’m offering oaths, I promise to always tackle the difficult conundrums as I see them, not be chained by conventional wisdom, and not allow traditional or draft-position bias to affect my weekly rankings.
Week 8 Top 75
1. Marshawn Lynch
2. Jamaal Charles
3. Lesean McCoy
4. Calvin Johnson
5. Dez Bryant
6. AJ Green
7. Adrian Peterson
8. Knowshon Moreno
9. Eddie Lacy
10. Demaryius Thomas
11. Wes Welker
12. Jimmy Graham
13. Frank Gore
14. Reggie Bush
15. Rob Gronkowski
The Big Boys
Obviously, I’m ranking Jimmy Graham as if I expect him to play. Unfortunately, we’ve heard so little out of New Orleans (and Graham missed practice Wednesday) that this might just be wishful thinking. Two tight ends in the top 15? Yeah, I think so. Gronk looked like… Gronk. So for now I will rank him as such. Adrian Peterson at number 7? My reasoning: Josh Freeman is supposedly still starting. Yeah. Yikes. I really like Eddie Lacy this week. If the Minnesota Vikings defense can make Peyton Hillis look good, imagine what the much more competent and youthful Lacy can do.
16. Jordy Nelson
17. Victor Cruz
18. Vincent Jackson
19. Julius Thomas
20. Alfred Morris
21. Pierre Garcon
22. Eric Decker
23. Le’Veon Bell
24. Antonio Brown
25. Tony Gonzalez
26. Fred Jackson
27. Darren McFadden
28. Desean Jackson
29. Marques Colston
30. Jordan Cameron
Redskins and Broncos and Steelers, Oh My!
I think Denver-Washington has a chance… just a chance mind you… to be reminiscent of the instant-classic Denver-at-Dallas game we saw three weeks ago. As such, I’ve ranked most of the pertinent weapons on both teams rather highly. Earlier this season, I was ready to jump ship on the Steelers as a whole. They looked bad. Their offensive line play was atrocious. But somehow, despite a horrible start, I do think there are two very viable (especially during a bye week) fantasy options in Pittsburgh. Marques Colston interests me greatly, particularly if teammate Jimmy Graham doesn’t play or is limited. The Bills can be beaten via the air and we are all still waiting on Colston’s big break-out game of 2013. I think this is the week.
31. Fred Jackson
32. Giovani Bernard
33. Josh Gordon
34. Jordan Reed
35. Jason Witten
36. Harry Douglas
37. Vernon Davis
38. Jarret Boykin
39. Cecil Shorts
40. Justin Blackmon
41. Stevan Ridley
42. Darren Sproles
43. CJ Spiller
44. Joseph Randle
45. Steve Smith
Injuries and Memories
I think most owners have been considering benching CJ Spiller for weeks now, or perhaps already have. He’s certainly not a must-start, not even in the flex. I still like Giovani Bernard’s talent and I think he has more good weeks than bad from here on out. I really, really don’t trust Stevan Ridley at all. He’s just a week-ruiner. I think even if James Jones is active (which it’s not clear he will be), Jarret Boykin is still a strong start. See the note above about Washington at Denver, but Jordan Reed is quickly emerging as a talented NFL player and strong fantasy start. Keep an eye on Demarco Murray. He practiced in a limited basis on Wednesday and if he or Lance Dunbar is able to go, Joseph Randle’s value takes a big hit.
46. Larry Fitzgerald
47. Zac Stacy
48. Greg Olsen
49. Anquan Boldin
50. Terrance Williams
51. Denarius Moore
52. Chris Ivory
53. Jacquizz Rodgers
54. Mike Wallace
55. DeAngelo Williams
56. Maurice Jones-Drew
57. Khiry Robinson
58. Pierre Thomas
59. Julian Edelman
60. Hakeem Nicks
61. Rueben Randle
62. Charles Clay
63. Peyton Hillis
64. Steve Johnson
65. Michael Floyd
66. Mike James
67. Roy Helu
68. Andre Ellington
69. Golden Tate
70. Mike WIlliams
71. Willis McGahee
72. Jeremy Kerley
73. Greg Jennings
74. Brandon Bolden
75. Lamar Miller
Whew!
That got ugly. Real ugly. It’s difficult to predict which New Orleans back will get touches, but this week if you’re in a pinch, you could do worse than play Pierre Thomas or Khiry Robinson. I like Robinson’s upside abit better, though he’s less involved in the passing game. I’m not giving up on Andre Ellington yet… let’s hope the same is true for the Arizona coaching staff. I don’t know Brandon Jacobs’ status nor how the Giants intend to use Hillis/Jacobs is Jacobs is good to go, but for now I’m sticking with HIllis. Also, I think Steven Jackson doesn’t play. I have no inside information, but it’s just a hunch based on how his status has been trending. I’ve ranked Jacquizz Rodgers a bit conservatively. If news comes down that Jackson is out, he should move up significantly.
Best of luck in week 8! Almost halfway home.
As always you can tweet me @petethegreekff
