After a week in which we really had to dig deep on our fantasy football rosters given the amount of teams on a bye, we have a pretty good slate of games to look at in Week 8. And as always in this piece, it's about the tape -- the schemes, the matchups, the trends -- with the goal of finding deeper-league options worthy of starting or players you might want to downgrade when it's time to set your lineup.
This week, I want to look at a rookie wide receiver who can give you volume versus zone coverage. There's a tight end we need to discuss more based on offensive scheme, too. And I see a QB1 who might not bounce back given the defensive matchup he has on the schedule.
So, let's get into it. Here are the players to upgrade, downgrade and monitor on the Week 8 NFL schedule.
Players to upgrade in Week 8
Dalton Schultz, TE, Dallas Cowboys
When Patriots coach Bill Belichick deploys bracket coverage versus an opposing receiving threat, then we should take notice. And that's exactly what we saw from the Patriots' defense in Week 6 when they used some dedicated doubles versus Schultz in specific game situations. Yes, there is real competition for targets in this Dallas offense. We know that. But we also need to start focusing on Schultz as a mid-to-back-end TE1 who can give you both volume and fantasy scoring production.
Schultz has caught at least five passes and posted better than 12 PPR points in each of the past four games. Plus, Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is scheming plays for Schultz. Those are the play-action boot throws for quarterback Dak Prescott, the seam balls and the designed concepts to get Schultz open versus two-deep coverage, which he will see from the Vikings this Sunday.
Want to see an example? Here's a breakdown piece we did on the Cowboys' offense earlier this season from the NFL Matchup show. Occupy the top of the secondary, influence the underneath defender and create an open window throw for Prescott to find Schultz for an easy six.
Offensive execution has been a strong point for @Dak, OC Kellen Moore, and the #DallasCowboys. Here, @MattBowen41 shows how views from the skybox allow staff to identify the void on this Post/Wheel concept for the TD pass. Big game Sunday. #NFL @GregCosell | #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/ZEgfQxLWOb
— NFL Matchup on ESPN (@NFLMatchup) October 2, 2021
I currently have Schultz as TE7 in my Week 8 ranks. And even with a tougher matchup against Mike Zimmer's defense, I do think Schultz continues to see steady volume for one of the league's top offensive units.
DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Smith hasn't reached the end zone since Week 1 on a schemed route to give the rookie free access off the ball versus man coverage. And the only time Smith has topped the 100-yard receiving mark this season was back in Week 4 against a struggling Kansas City defense. However, with a pretty good matchup this Sunday against the Lions, I like Smith as an upside WR3 in PPR formats.
Detroit will sprinkle in some man coverage, based on down and distance or game situation, but the Eagles can prep for more two- and three-deep zone shells here. And that means designed throws from quarterback Jalen Hurts to interior windows. Toss in some RPO targets, too, and I think Smith can get you 5-7 receptions in this game, with some catch-and-run balls on crossers and in-breakers. Play the matchup and the anticipated volume for a wideout who has seen a total of 30 targets in his past four games.
Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Ryan's movement traits have diminished. We can see that on the tape. And it does create some concern for me here against a multiple-front Carolina defense that can heat up the pocket (18 sacks on the season). But we aren't writing about the fantasy quarterback locks, like a Kyler Murray or Josh Allen, in this piece. So, I would be willing to take a risk here with Ryan -- who has thrown for more than 330 yards in each of his past two games -- as a deeper-league starter in Week 8.
The bump in production from rookie TE Kyle Pitts helps here, too. He's being deployed as a wide receiver in this Atlanta offense. One-on-one throws for Ryan, plus the designed concepts off play-action. The video below is an example from the Week 7 win over Miami:
Maybe I'm chasing recent production from Ryan here, but I'm also betting on wide receiver Calvin Ridley and Pitts as volume targets. And, if you need a fill-in starter -- like I do in my 12-team home league with Russell Wilson still on the shelf -- I'm going to look for 18-20 fantasy points from Ryan this Sunday.
Players to monitor in Week 8
C.J. Uzomah, TE, Cincinnati Bengals
Uzomah has caught a touchdown in three of his past four games and gives this Cincinnati offense some big-play juice at the position. And I love how quarterback Joe Burrow distributes the ball. But I simply don't trust the volume here -- yet. Need to see more.
Carson Wentz, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Wentz can be viewed as a streaming option/deeper-league stater this Sunday versus the Titans, but I'm looking ahead to the Week 9 matchup versus the Jets and the Week 10 game against the Jaguars. Wentz has now scored 17 or more fantasy points in each of his past four games. He's pushing the ball down the field on third-level throws, and the Colts are scheming up red zone route combinations, too.
Players to downgrade in Week 8
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
If you roster Herbert, then you start him in Week 8. So, we understand that, right? However, I do think we need to manage some expectations versus the Patriots and Belichick's defense. The Patriots are allowing an average of only 16.3 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. And as I mentioned above, you will see bracket coverage, most likely on third downs and in the low red zone. My bet there? Look for two defenders to follow and double against wide receiver Keenan Allen.
Now, the Chargers can counter here, with pre-snap movement and alignment to get Allen off the ball clean. And I also expect Belichick to bring pressure at the running back, which will force Austin Ekeler to stay in protection more, rather than getting out into the route.
Herbert needs a bounce-back week for managers after posting a season-low 11 fantasy points in the Week 6 loss to Baltimore. I'm just not sold that he lights up Belichick's defense on Sunday.
Julio Jones, WR, Tennessee Titans
I really like the matchup for Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill versus the Colts' defense. A.J. Brown, too. The zone windows will be out there for Tannehill to pepper the middle of the field on play-action throws. Crossers and in-breakers with seven (or eight) defenders in the run box versus Derrick Henry.
So, where does that leave Jones in a matchup against an Indianapolis defense that plays zone on 63.7% of coverage snaps? You can scheme that up for him to attack open turf after the catch. However, Jones has recorded just five receptions in his past two games, and he hasn't produced double-digit fantasy points since the Week 2 game versus a Seattle defense that lacked coverage discipline. I'm going to take a pass here on Jones. Remember, this is a run-heavy offense, and Brown is seeing the target volume now.