Week 8 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Lineup Advice and Smart Sleepers to Exploit

We've reached the midway point of most fantasy-football seasons. Week 8 will bring a pivotal schedule for most managers, and it will get underway with Thursday night's matchup between the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers.

At this point in the season, managers rarely have all of their top draft choices available because of injuries. This year has seen a cascade of significant injuries, and managers will also have to deal with the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers being on bye.

Here, you'll find some early start/sit recommendations for second-tier stars in Week 8. You'll also find a quick rundown of some sleepers who may be available on the waiver wire.

All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Start: Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers

Josh Jacobs made his 2026 debut for the Packers on Sunday after being removed from the commissioner's exempt list.

Any managers concerned that Green Bay would ease him back onto the field need not have worried. He didn't exactly impress as a runner, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry against the Detroit Lions. However, he was heavily involved in the offense and finished with five catches, 91 scrimmage yards, and a touchdown.

Jacobs should maintain a significant backfield role moving forward, as no other back on the roster has been steadily efficient this season running the ball. He's one of the league's better receiving backs, and he has a terrific matchup this week against the Panthers.

Carolina has surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2026 and was just gashed for 258 rushing yards by the Green Bay Packers.

Sit: Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks may ease Zach Charbonnet into the lineup if they decide to play him in Week 8 at all. Seattle designated the bruising ball-carrier for return from last year's ACL tear and initially listed him as questionable before ruling him out for Week 7 over the weekend.

The Seahawks instead leaned on Emanuel Wilson, who had a 100-yard game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Even if Charbonnet is healthy and gets the start, Wilson should see a sizeable role next Monday against the Chicago Bears.

The Bears will be coming off a long week after playing last Thursday, and they've really started to tighten up their run defense. They have surrendered the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs this season.

Charbonnet is rostered in 65 percent of fantasy leagues and is worth scooping up for future use if available. However, managers should not plan to play him against Chicago.

Start: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, New York Jets

The New York Jets lost to the previously winless Miami Dolphins on Sunday, which is obviously a disappointment. However, rookie receiver Omar Cooper Jr. did anything but disappoint for the Jets.

Cooper caught five passes for 115 yards and a touchdown against Miami and finished with more than 22 fantasy points for the second straight week. The Indiana product has quickly become one of Geno Smith's favorite targets, and he should maintain that role against the Las Vegas Raiders this week.

The Raiders have been a middle-of-the-road defense against opposing receivers this season, surrendering an average of 26.6 fantasy points to opposing receiver groups.

While Cooper is quickly rocketing away from sleeper status, he's still only rostered in 39 percent of fantasy leagues. He's a must-add if available, and he's worth a flex start in Week 8.

Sit: Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos looked a little better offensively during Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals. However, they also lost receiver Jaylen Waddle to a chest injury on a poorly executed designed run.

With Waddle's status unclear, one might expect to see a big opportunity for fellow Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton. However, the offense still isn't clicking to a degree where it's comfortable starting Sutton in a tough matchup.

Denver was able to open things up a bit with Bo Nix against Arizona, and Sutton still finished with a modest three catches and 45 yards. He still has not recorded double-digit fantasy points in a game this season.

Sutton won't have an easy time breaking the trend against the Kansas City Chiefs, either. Kansas City has surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers. Sutton delivered just 3.1 points the last time these AFC West rivals faced off.

Other Sleepers to Exploit Off the Waiver Wire

Antonio Williams, WR, Washington Commanders

Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Washington Commanders

*Fantasy scoring and roster information from FantasyPros .