Fantasy Football Week 8 Wide Receiver Start Decision: Jordan Addison, Ricky Pearsall, Jalen McMillan, Rashod Bateman, Keon Coleman and More

Taking a look at several fantasy wide receiver starting options for week 8.

After putting together a big quarterback start decision story, the big Thursday night start/sit player is Minnesota’s Jordan Addison.

Let’s compare Addison against Ricky Pearsall, Jalen McMillan, Rashod Bateman, Jalen Tolbert, Zay Flowers, Jerry Jeudy, Keon Coleman, Romeo Doubs, Xavier Worthy, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tank Dell.

Looking for start/sit help? Be sure to check out the FantasySP Who Should I Start tool.

Season Stats

Addison has played in four games so far, accumulating 209 yards and a touchdown on 12 catches and 20 targets. He’s had at least 35 yards in each contest.

Pearsall played in his first career NFL game last week, logging 21 yards on three catches and five targets. He’s a big start/sit guy this week after the season-ending injury to Brandon Aiyuk, and with Deebo Samuel Sr., George Kittle and Jauan Jennings all battling injuries.

McMillan has 74 yards and a touchdown on six catches and 15 targets this season. He’s a big start/sit option after the injuries to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.

Bateman has 394 yards and three touchdowns across 21 catches and 30 targets this season. He’s gone over 50 yards in three straight games, and has scored twice in that span.

Tolbert has 290 yards and two scores on 24 receptions and 34 targets. He’s been more involved the past two games, with 130 yards, a score, 11 receptions and 15 targets.

Flowers has 412 yards and a touchdown on 34 receptions and 49 targets. He’s coming off a one-catch game and is dealing with an ankle injury. 

Jeudy has 266 yards and a touchdown across 21 catches and 41 targets this season. He is dealing with a knee injury as well.

Coleman has 326 yards and two scores on 16 grabs and 27 targets. He’s coming off his first 100-yard performance, and has 20 of his targets over the past four games.

Doubs is up to 312 yards and two scores on 23 catches and 34 targets across six games. Since returning from a one-game suspension, Doubs has 143 yards, two touchdowns, 11 catches and 14 targets in two games.

Worthy has 15 catches for 198 yards and two touchdowns across 29 targets. He’s also added 47 rushing yards and two scores on seven attempts.

Smith-Njigba is up to 319 yards and a touchdown on 37 catches and 55 targets. He had a string of three straight games in double figures for fantasy points snapped last week.

Dell has 194 yards and a touchdown on 20 catches and 34 targets this season. He’s coming off a catchless performance, which was preceded by his best fantasy showing of the season.

Week 8 Matchups

Addison takes on the Rams on Thursday night. It’s a slightly below-average matchup, as Los Angeles allows 30 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.

McMillan takes on the Falcons. Atlanta gives up 35 points per week, which is tied for the seventh most in the NFL. Doubs has a really favorable matchup against the Jaguars, who allow a whopping 41 points per game. 

Worthy has a tougher matchup against the Raiders, who surrender just 28 points a week. Dell has an average clash against the Colts, who give up 31 points a week.

Pearsall and the Niners take on Tolbert and the Cowboys. It’s a slightly more favorable matchup for Pearsall, as Dallas allows 32 points, while San Fran gives up 29.

Bateman, Flowers and Jeudy are all in the Ravens, Browns game. It’s a fantastic matchup for Jeudy as Baltimore gives up 43 points per game. Bateman and Flowers have an above-average matchup against the Browns, who allow 35 points per week.

Coleman and Smith-Njigba are in the Bills, Seahawks matchup. Both wideouts have below-average matchups ahead, with Seattle allowing 30 points a week and Buffalo giving up 28.

Projections and Starting Recommendations

In the week 8 wide receiver projections, Flowers is the top receiver of this bunch, at 15 PPR fantasy points. Dell is at 12 points, while Doubs and Smith-Njigba are both at 11.

Jeudy, Worthy, Addison and McMillan are projected for 10 points each. Bateman, Tolbert and Coleman are at nine points, while Pearsall is at eight.

I also like Flowers the best in this group of wideouts. The matchup is right for him to bounce back in a big way.

I like Doubs after that. He’s been surging of late and I think the favorable matchup helps him put up another great fantasy score this week.

I’d take Dell here. He’s also looking to bounce back this week, and I think he does just that.

I’d take Smith-Njigba after that. I think he’ll take on a bigger role with DK Metcalf banged up, or out completely. 

I like Addison here. As long as the game remains somewhat close, I think Addison can put up solid numbers despite playing in Justin Jefferson’s shadow.

I like Worthy after that. I think the Chiefs’ offense is going to get going this week, and I think a score or solid production from Worthy is going to be part of that.

I’d try Coleman here. He’s coming off a big game, and I bet the Bills will look to keep him involved.

I’d roll with Bateman next. I think he continues trending in a positive direction this week. He’s the last player in this list that I lean toward starting - the rest I’d prefer to sit in a standard league.

Jeudy is going here for me. The matchup is awesome, but his production this season has been underwhelming. I just don’t trust him.

Give me Tolbert here. I like how he’s playing, but the matchup scares me off him.

McMillan slots in here for me. I think the Bucs will rely on their ground game, while spreading the ball around in the passing game, leaving McMillan with pedestrian numbers.

Pearsall falls to the last slot for me. He could shoot way up my rankings if Samuel, Jennings or Kittle miss the game, but if they are all out there, I prefer to just stash Pearsall on my bench this week.

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