Fantasy Football Warning Signals for Week 8: Geno Smith, Miles Sanders, and Tyler Lockett

Week 8 of the fantasy football season is underway and while we may have drafted certain players at a premium, it is okay to consider benching them despite their name value. We often hear the phrase "start your studs" and it is a tried and true method, especially earlier in the season. When injuries, tough matchups, and/or questionable team situations arise, we must adjust. Today, I'll be looking at Geno Smith, Miles Sanders, and Tyler Lockett.

This may be difficult to stomach benching a player drafted within the top 100 for a possible free-agent acquisition, but sometimes such measures must be taken to ensure victory throughout the fantasy football season.

Here is a look at some fantasy football players who have shown warning signals recently, and you should think twice about putting them in your lineup in Week 8. Will they bounce back or continue to underperform? For any and all issues or concerns, contact @RotoSurgeon on X.

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Quarterback Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 8?

Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks vs. Cleveland Browns

The Browns' defense ranks 1st in total DVOA (via FTN) while 2nd in both pass and run defense. Only two quarterbacks have scored as QB1s against them this season and one was Lamar Jackson. Last week's Gardner Minshew performance is certainly worth noting given his four total TDs (two rushing). However, that could just be an aberration given the chaos of Deshaun Watson's early performance and the change in Cleveland's gameplan once he was benched.

Even with the Seahawks at home, DK Metcalf potentially returning this week, and the emergence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Geno Smith is best left on benches or even waivers with a matchup in Baltimore next week and his performance thus far in 2023.

Who To Start Instead?

Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Wilson may be disappointing in real life (since last season), but he is QB14 in fantasy PPG and rushing much more this season at the highest yards per attempt of his career. The Chiefs' defense may rank top-five and fourth in pass defense according to DVOA but they can be exposed on the ground as they sit 21st in run defense.

ALL DAY, 1️⃣4️⃣!

📺: CBS | @SuttonCourtland pic.twitter.com/28Te4Ldyf7

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 22, 2023

Yes, Wilson struggled in his last matchup versus the Chiefs but playing in Arrowhead on a short week is no small ask. With a full week of prep, a healthy set of weapons, and the emergence of a competent run game between Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin, Wilson should be much more capable of pushing the ball downfield in what should be a high-scoring matchup against the always potent Kansas City Chiefs.

Running Back Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 8?

Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers vs Houston Texans

Miles Sanders is coming off of a BYE and potentially past the injuries that limited him early in the season as he was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, but ignoring his struggles would be short-sighted. Sanders is averaging 3.6 yards per touch on 76 touches this season while his backfield mat Chuba Hubbard is averaging 4.5 yards per touch on 67 touches.

Typically, measuring players on efficiency metrics on the surface is unfair when they are distant in touch totals or play for different teams but in this case, we have two backs on the same team within nine touches of one another. Hubbard is objectively out-playing Sanders but to his chagrin, Sanders was paid by the Panthers this past offseason and they are incentivized by their sunk cost to continue starting him.

Missed Tackles Forced and Yards from Scrimmage Per Touch, through Week 7

- Ekeler does not seem to be breaking as many tackles as usual with his high ankle sprain

- Miles Sanders is probably at real risk to Chuba Hubbard

- Dameon Pierce has struggled mightily pic.twitter.com/NMlJSbujVL

— Ryan Heath (@QBLRyan) October 25, 2023

Nevertheless, sitting winless through six games with a change in offensive play-caller through the bye, Sanders may have his role reduced and give way to Hubbard starting and handling more touches while both are active.

Who To Start Instead?

Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens @ Arizona Cardinals

Edwards is averaging 15.3 touches per game over the past four games and just had his best outing of the season in Week 7 against a stout Lions' defense. 144 yards and a touchdown on 15 touches is difficult to ignore in lineups the following week, especially when facing a Cardinals' defense that ranks bottom-three against both the run and pass.

Presumably, the Ravens will not find it difficult driving the ball downfield against Arizona. After a herculean performance from Lamar Jackson in a statement game the week prior, he and the offense should slow things down by keeping the ball on the ground with Edwards. Upwards of 20 touches in a run-friendly game script are in range for the fifth-year power back.

Wide Receiver Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 8?

Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks vs Cleveland Browns

This season has been unfortunate for Tyler Lockett as his output overall and per target has shrunk. Lockett still leads the team in targets but there are questions as to how long this will last given the recent emergence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the return of DK Metcalf.

While Lockett's 289 yards and two TDs on 40 targets (7.2 yards per target) is not awful, it is quite pedestrian by his standards. Both touchdowns came in an overtime game versus the Lions in a dome and over the past three weeks, Lockett has not played over 77% of the snaps in any game.

On Wednesday's injury report, Lockett was said to be dealing with a hamstring and this could certainly affect his status and output come Sunday. In a matchup against the aforementioned elite Browns defense, it is best to bench Lockett and look elsewhere at WR.

Who To Start Instead?

Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos

Rashee Rice is a name to know if he is still on your waiver wire. His role in the Chiefs' offense has grown over the past few weeks as he saw a season/career-high 59% of the offense's snaps in Week 7. Rice has produced a healthy 305 yards and three TDs on 34 targets (9 yards per target) and is coming off his best fantasy performance yet with 17 PPR points with a line of five catches, 60 yards, and a touchdown.

Rashee Rice snaps/routes by week...

Week 1: 20/12
Week 2: 12/6
Week 3: 39/21
Week 4: 32/17
Week 5: 20/10
Week 6: 35/23
Week 7: 40/30

He was second in targets in Week 7 behind Travis Kelce and ran the second-most routes of any KC receiver.

It's (close to) happening! https://t.co/O7vOS7hn6m

— Zachary Krueger (@ZK_FFB) October 23, 2023

As Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid begin to trust their rookie WR more, the sky is the limit in a unique offense with many moving pieces. This matchup against a Broncos' defense ranking dead-last overall and against the pass should bode well to build on last week's stat line.

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