With two big-time quarterbacks on byes this week (Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert), many of us are going to need to find a streaming option under center. That's why I'm looking at Daniel Jones this week, given the designed QB-run concepts we see in Giants coach Brian Daboll's offensive playbook.
There's more in here, too, including a signal-caller for 2-QB formats, some volume runners and a rookie tight end who can stretch the middle of the field. I've identified some key players -- all rostered in less than 50% of ESPN leagues -- who can be picked up for this week's slate of NFL games. While you might notice some overlap with Eric Moody's pickup column that publishes on Mondays, an important distinction is that the options mentioned in this column are focused solely on this week's matchup and not the players' values for the remainder of the season.
With all of that in mind, let's get into it with the top streaming options for your Week 8 fantasy lineups.
Quarterbacks
Daniel Jones, New York Giants (65.0% rostered; at Seahawks): I go back and forth on Jones as a potential streaming option, given the low-volume passing offense/production in New York. Jones has thrown only six touchdowns this season, with just two games of 200-plus passing yards. However, when Jones is deployed as a runner -- as we saw this past Sunday -- his fantasy totals jump.
Jones posted a season-high 28.78 fantasy points in the Week 7 win over the Jaguars, rushing for 107 yards (and one score) on 11 carries: zone-read, naked boot, plus the second-reaction attempts when he pulls the ball down. Honestly, I really believe the Giants are a much tougher offense to defend when Jones is schemed to carry the ball. Bet on Daboll sticking with the QB run game in the Week 8 matchup versus the Seahawks' defense. (Editor's note: Jones is easily the most-added QB of the week, so he may no longer be available in your league.)
Andy Dalton, New Orleans Saints (17.7% rostered; vs. Raiders): I would give Dalton a good look this Sunday given the matchup versus the Raiders defense. This season, Vegas is allowing an average of 24.0 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, the most in the league. Dalton, who dropped four touchdowns on the Cardinals last week in a high-volume passing night due to game flow, has thrown a touchdown in four straight games. And with rookie wide receiver Chris Olave on the field, there will be opportunities for Dalton to test the top of the Raiders' secondary with third-level throws. He's another deeper-league streaming option in Week 8.
Taylor Heinicke, Washington Commanders (8.5% rostered; at Colts): I don't love this matchup for Heinicke, and I think he can play a little chaotic at times as a thrower. Still, we are looking at an option here for 2-QB formats, and Heinicke did throw for two touchdowns (14.4 fantasy points) in the Week 7 upset win over the Packers.
So, what do want to see from the Commanders' No. 2 quarterback in this game versus a Colts defense that will lean on single-high coverages? Rhythm throws to the middle of the field. Start there. Set him up to target Terry McLaurin on dig balls. Use the running backs, too. Underneath concepts. Let's scheme for Heinicke, with scripted verticals that we sprinkle into the game plan -- and he will have to make some plays outside of structure in this one. You almost want him to move at times to create positive opportunities as a thrower (and runner) to gain some fantasy production.
Other potential options: Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers (24.2% rostered; at Rams), Marcus Mariota, Atlanta Falcons (24.1% rostered, vs. Panthers), Jacoby Brissett, Cleveland Browns (11.6% rostered; vs. Bengals)
Running backs
D'Onta Foreman, Carolina Panthers (58.0% rostered; at Falcons): Foreman could be one of the top waiver claims in your league this week after logging 16.5 PPR points and 145 total yards (on 17 touches) in Week 7 versus the Tampa Bay defense. However, I'm writing about Foreman here because he's the Panthers back I want to roster on my team. He has the downhill juice to push through contact, and he's more explosive than you think once he stretches the ball past the second level. These are good traits to have for a Panthers team that will continue to be run-heavy on offense. Give me Foreman over Chuba Hubbard (35.2% rostered) in Carolina as a potential flex play versus the Falcons' defense in Week 8, although Hubbard is also a viable second-choice option.
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (48.3% rostered; at Panthers): I feel like we've been discussing the Falcons' backfield rotation for weeks here. I'm going to settle on Allgeier simply because of the consistent volume, plus the Falcons' dedication to running the ball regardless of the game situation. Allgeier scored his first touchdown of the season in Week 7 versus the Bengals on a goal-line run, while logging 15 carries. He now has seen double-digit carries for four straight games. You are taking a shot on a volume runner here in a matchup versus the Panthers' defense -- one who will see the ball in the low red zone. Allgeier is a deeper-league flex in Week 8.
Other potential options: Keaontay Ingram, Arizona Cardinals (1.3% rostered; at Vikings)
Wide receivers
Darius Slayton, New York Giants (1.7% rostered, at Seahawks): I like Slayton as an outside target for Jones from a scheme/matchup perspective. If I'm playing in a deeper league, it might be time to take a look at Slayton in the Week 8 game versus the Seahawks. Slayton has logged at least 13 PPR points and six targets in two of his past three games, and he found the end zone this past Sunday on a 32-yard throw from Jones. You can play Slayton as a lower-tier WR3 knowing he will get some one-on-one opportunities versus single-high coverage, as well as working the second/third level of the field.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns (11.4% rostered; vs. Bengals): With double-digit PPR points in three of his past four games, plus the physical traits/speed to stretch defenses vertically, Peoples-Jones has some fantasy upside this week in 12-team or 14-team formats versus the Bengals' defense. Over that four-game stretch, Peoples-Jones has seen a total of 27 targets, with 19 receptions. I think you can take a chance here given the volume and his ability to flip the field (in an instant) on coach Kevin Stefanski's schemed deep-ball throws.
Other potential options: Marvin Jones Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (24.6% rostered; vs. Broncos in London), Noah Brown, Dallas Cowboys (5.4% rostered, vs. Bears)
Tight ends
Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos (27.8% rostered; at Jaguars in London): Dulcich posted season highs in both receptions (6) and targets (9) in Week 7, all with Brett Rypien starting at quarterback for the Broncos. If Russell Wilson is back in Week 8 versus the Jaguars, however, I still like Dulcich as a seam stretcher for a Denver offense that needs a TE element in the passing game. In the Week 6 matchup versus the Chargers with Wilson under center, Dulcich caught 2 of 3 targets for 44 yards and a touchdown. He can be streamed this Sunday with both Travis Kelce and Gerald Everett out due to bye weeks.
Other potential options: Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals (55.1% rostered; at Browns), Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings (36.9% rostered; vs. Cardinals), Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (33.0% rostered; vs. Broncos in London)
Defense/special teams
Tennessee Titans (31.1% rostered; at Texans): The Titans had 20 fantasy points in the win over the Colts, which led all defenses through the end of Week 7's Sunday action. This unit has now recorded three sacks in each of its past three games, with a total of seven takeaways and one defensive score during that stretch. Tennessee is really stunting its defensive fronts to create pressure, and the secondary is playing top-down on the football. This is a very good spot to play the Titans.
Other potential options: Carolina Panthers (8.7% rostered; at Falcons), Indianapolis Colts (47.4% rostered; at Commanders)