3 Fantasy Football Sleepers for NFL Week 8

NFL Sleepers for This Week in Summary

• Jake Ferguson, TE, Cowboys
• T.J. Hockenson, TE, Vikings
• Antonio Williams, WR, Commanders

Every fantasy football week presents new opportunities to uncover value, and some of the best options aren't always the biggest names. Whether it's a favorable matchup, an expanded role, an injury creating opportunity or a player showing signs of a breakout, the fantasy landscape can change quickly from one week to the next.

With that in mind, here are some fantasy football sleepers to consider for this week. These players may not be automatic starts in every league, but each has a combination of opportunity and upside that makes them worth a closer look for the week ahead.

We'll reference our NFL projections. All NFL odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and may change after this article is published.

Best Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 8

Jake Ferguson, TE, Cowboys

Jake Ferguson hasn't done much lately, but this is an excellent bounce-back spot for the Dallas Cowboys tight end. The Arizona Cardinals have surrendered 40 receptions for 418 yards and 5 touchdowns to tight ends through seven games, putting Ferguson in one of his best matchups of the season. Ferguson has scored three touchdowns this year, and playing in a Dallas offense that should have plenty of scoring opportunities gives him some touchdown upside. He's a viable sleeper for fantasy managers searching for help at a thin tight end position.

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Vikings

The matchup alone makes T.J. Hockenson one of the week's most appealing tight end sleepers. Through six games, the Detroit Lions have allowed an NFL-high 602 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns to tight ends, with the position piling up 56 catches on 73 targets against them. Hockenson has shown that he can still deliver when given enough volume, highlighted by a 13-catch, 119-yard performance earlier this season. With the Minnesota Vikings getting the best tight end matchup in football, Hockenson has a clear path to a strong fantasy showing.

Antonio Williams, WR, Commanders

The Washington Commanders will need someone to pick up the slack with Terry McLaurin sidelined, and rookie Antonio Williams could be one of the biggest beneficiaries. Williams has recorded a 70.8% route rate with McLaurin off the field this season, and when McLaurin missed Week 4, Williams saw a season-high 22.2% target share. Head coach Dan Quinn has also specifically indicated that Williams is a player who could receive more targets moving forward. That increased opportunity makes Williams an intriguing deeper-league sleeper against the Philadelphia Eagles, a team he burned for 4 catches, 64 yards, and a touchdown in their first meeting.

Fantasy Football Sleepers FAQ

What is a fantasy football sleeper for this week?

A fantasy football sleeper for this week is a player who isn't widely viewed as a must-start but has a favorable combination of matchup, opportunity and recent production that could lead to a strong fantasy performance.

How do you identify fantasy football sleepers each week?

We look at factors such as recent usage, snap counts, targets, touches, red-zone opportunities, injuries and the player's individual matchup. Changes in a player's role can also create new sleeper opportunities from week to week.

Should I start a fantasy football sleeper this week?

That depends on your league, your roster and the player's situation. A sleeper can be a strong option when you're dealing with an injury, a bye week or a difficult matchup for one of your usual starters, but it's important to consider each player's floor as well as their upside.

Do fantasy football sleepers change every week?

Yes. Sleeper candidates can change significantly as the season progresses because of injuries, emerging players, coaching decisions, matchups and changing workloads. That's why it's useful to reevaluate potential sleepers each week.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.