Romeo Doubs, Rashod Bateman, Chris Olave: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 8

Through seven weeks of the 2024 NFL campaign, we've seen plenty of unpredictable performances and enough injuries to drive any fantasy manager mad. It's important to keep in mind that despite how tumultuous the season has been so far, there is still more than enough time to right the ship.

To do so, however, you'll need to make some bold calls in your starting lineup. Romeo Doubs, Rashod Bateman, and Chris Olave are three receivers that might be giving you trouble in Week 8. Can you trust any of them to help lead you to a much-needed W?

Let's take a closer look at Doubs, Bateman, and Olave and discuss the expectations you should have for them this week.

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Should I Start Romeo Doubs for Fantasy Football?

Although Romeo Doubs was drafted behind both Jayden Reed and Christian Watson heading into the season, he is earning more targets per contest than both of them. The third-year pro amassed 10 looks from quarterback Jordan Love last week and finished with eight receptions for 94 yards.

He gets an incredible matchup on Sunday against a Jacksonville defense allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts. While Doubs may be leading the Packers in target rate, Reed is the team's most explosive playmaker and should draw the most attention from the Jaguars' secondary.

This bodes well for Doubs' Week 8 outlook.

Jaguars secondary cures all wounds
Allowing 14-177-1.3 to WRs/Game but it’s been the #2 Receiver thriving

Waddle (15.9)
Shakir (18.2)
Diggs (11.9)
Pierce (22.4)
Allen (21.1)

Firmly Flex Romeo Doubs in Week 8
💥WR7 over last 2 weeks w 14-143-2pic.twitter.com/ySz1CVqH8W https://t.co/SN2T9fOg8g

— Dynasty Dad (@DynastyDadFF) October 27, 2024

Green Bay is favored on the road by 3.5 points, but as long as Jacksonville can stay somewhat competitive, Doubs should have an opportunity to shine. He's a top-tier WR3 and safe flex play this week as the WR26 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start Rashod Bateman for Fantasy Football?

Former first-round NFL Draft selection Rashod Bateman struggled with injuries through the first two years of his career but suited up for all but one contest in 2023 and has been active for every game this season. He hasn't received consistent usage in the Ravens' air attack, but the 24-year-old is quietly putting together a breakout campaign.

Rashod Bateman is currently the WR10 in Fantasy Football over the last 3 weeks.
pic.twitter.com/rV6qTE3tQh

— Alfredo Brown (@AlfredoABrown) October 22, 2024

He's the WR22 in half-PPR scoring through seven weeks and is proving to be an effective downfield threat. While Zay Flowers is expected to play this week, he is dealing with an ankle injury and could be a bit hampered by it against the Cleveland Browns.

Cleveland has been bleeding fantasy points to receivers in 2024, allowing the fifth-most points per game to the position. Baltimore is heavily favored but it's difficult to imagine them winning this game convincingly without Lamar Jackson putting on a show.

Although Bateman doesn't necessarily offer a safe floor for fantasy purposes, it only takes one big play for him to make a significant impact in your starting lineup. He can be viewed as a flex option in most formats and comes in as the WR35 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start Chris Olave for Fantasy Football?

Chris Olave suffered a concussion early in Week 6 and was unsurprisingly inactive last week. Fortunately, he'll make his return on Sunday. Unfortunately, quarterback Derek Carr will not.

Rookie signal-caller Spencer Rattler has struggled to get much going through his first two NFL starts. This week, he and the Saints will be tasked with overcoming a Los Angeles Chargers defense that has been shutting down the pass all year.

Derek Carr is doubtful.

Spencer Rattler is trending to start.

He ranks 33rd in QB efficiency this season – and now he'll face the Chargers Top 10 secondary.

Temper expectations for Chris Olave in his return from a concussion...

— SAL VETRI (@SalVetriDFS) October 27, 2024

With Rashid Shaheed on injured reserve and no other proven weapons in New Orleans' receiver corps, Olave should operate as the go-to guy for Rattler, but this matchup is not one to be excited about. The Chargers are surrendering the third-fewest fantasy points per game to wideouts.

Olave is an extremely talented player that was drafted highly, so it's hard to label him as someone that should be benched. He's still worth deploying in most leagues, but keep your expectations in check. As the WR25 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings, Olave should be viewed as a WR3 with upside.

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