Are there too many IDP starting lineup decisions for you this week? Can’t decide which linebacker or edge rusher to start? Which safety gets the nod this week?”
This will not be the typical ‘obvious starters’ type of article. Always start your studs like Maxx Crosby, Jordyn Brooks, and Derwin James. What needs to be shared is who we start and sit out of the not-so-obvious players. You will not see the Top 10-ranked players in these articles because we all already know to start these players. These players could be ranked #11 or #37.
The bye-mageddon has arrived this week, with the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks all off in Week 8.
***Please note that all rankings are pulled from FantasyPros.com’s current weekly rankings for DL, LB, and DB.
More NFL Week 8 Fantasy Football Advice From IDP+
Week 8 – DL/Edge Starters
Alex Wright – Cleveland Browns
Wright has been on a tear lately to the tune of the #9-ranked DE/Edge combined over the past three weeks. In the last 3 games combined, Wright has produced 15 tackles (9 solo), 5 tackles for a loss, 1 QB hit, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. This included games against two of the top six-ranked teams in allowed points to opposing DE/Edge players. This week, Wright plays the Patriots, who are the #20-ranked team in allowed points to opposing DE/Edge players. He has played anywhere from 51% to 68% of the defensive snaps, which is second on the team. The #43-ranked DL for Week 8 will be a top 24 scorer this week.
A’Shawn Robinson – Carolina Panthers
The Panther DTs have been on a roll over the past four games, with two of them ranked in the top 16 during this time period. Robinson is the “other” DT that deserves to be started this week. He has faced two of the top nine teams in points allowed to opposing DTs this year. Despite the tough competition, he has posted 16 tackles (8 solo), 3 tackles for a loss, 2 QB hits, 2 sacks, and 2 passes defended. Week 8 brings the Bills to town with their #30 ranking in points allowed to opposing DTs. Robinson is ranked at just #47 for DL this week—another player who will post top 24 numbers.
Laiatu Latu – Indianapolis Colts
After missing time to begin the season due to a hamstring injury, Latu is starting to round into form. He has posted 23+ points in two of the last four games. Week 8 brings the worst offense in points allowed to opposing DE/Edge players. The Titans have given up the second-most sacks this season, with 30 over just 7 games. The #15 ranking for Week 8 still seems too low.
Week 8 – DL/Edge Sits
Jaelan Phillips – Miami Dolphins
As the #18-ranked DL this week, Phillips would be expected to produce about 5 tackles with a sack or other splash play. The problem is that he has hit 4 tackles just once back in Week 2. Phillips has just two sacks on the season and one fumble recovery this year. He has hit double-digit scoring just twice in his seven games. This week will have him facing the Falcons and their #9-ranked team in points allowed to opposing DE/Edge players. This is not a great matchup for Phillips, and he should be on your bench this week.
Tuli Tuipulotu – Los Angeles Chargers
The #17 DL for Week 8 has five games of 1 tackle or less in the 7 games he has played. He is facing a weak opponent in terms of points allowed to opposing DE/Edge players, but that is not enough to trust him in your lineups this week. Over 60% of his total season points were achieved in just one week.
Week 8 – LB Starts
Shemar James – Dallas Cowboys
James has played 90% or more of the defensive snaps over the past two games. The rookie has been solidifying his spot in the starting lineup for the past three games. In those 3 games combined, James has delivered 35 tackles (18 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 3 QB hits, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. He is the #3 scoring LB over the last 3 weeks combined. He is ranked as the #23 LB for this week, likely because of the Broncos and their #6 ranking in points given up to opposing LBs this season. The Giant’s LB group produced 14 tackles last week, and James should at least produce 7-8 tackles himself. Start him with confidence this week.
Barrett Carter – Cincinnati Bengals
Carter has played 100% of the defensive snaps over the past two weeks. Logan Wilson has been relegated to spot duty these days. Carter has posted 22 tackles, with 15 of them being solo, over the last 2 games. The Jets come to town in Week 8 with their #21-ranked offense in points allowed to opposing LBs. The opportunities for Carter will be plentiful, and he will exceed his #15 ranking for this week.
Tatum Bethune – San Francisco 49ers
Bethune was the guy who was awarded the leader role when Fred Warner went down with his ankle injury. Bethune has not disappointed in his two performances yet, with 10 tackles in each game. 9 of those tackles were solo tackles, and he has a tackle for a loss also. The second year LB gets the Texans this week, and their #20-ranked offense in points allowed to opposing LBs this season. His #25 ranking for this week seems a bit too low, so plug him into your lineup with confidence.
Week 8 – LB Sits
Jihaad Campbell – Philadelphia Eagles
Campbell has lost his 100% defensive snap share with the return of Nakobe Dean. Last week was his lowest defensive snap count since Week 2. Week 7 was his lowest production of the season with just three tackles credited to him. Do not trust the #35 ranking this week against the Giants and their #16 ranking in points allowed to opposing LBs this season.
Pete Werner – New Orleans Saints
Werner has just 3 games with more than 5 tackles in his 7 games played this year. He plays the Buccaneers this week, who are the #22-ranked team in allowed points to opposing LBs. The #44 ranking even seems high this week. He needs to gain some consistency this season before we can start putting him back into our lineups again.
Week 8 – DB Starts
Quick Tip – When having a hard time deciding on a DB to start, and a rookie CB is one of those players, always choose the rookie CB if they are going against a pass-heavy team.
Andru Phillips – New York Giants
Phillips is the #4-ranked DB in scoring for 2025. He has double-digit scoring in every game this year, with four of these contests giving him 25 points or more. The second year CB is very rounded in his game and how he delivers points to your squad. For the season, Phillips has posted 37 Tackles (31 solo), 4 tackles for a loss, 1 fumble recovery, 8 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. This week, he faces the Eagles and their #15 ranking in points allowed against opposing CBs. Phillips will deliver tackles in the run game, also, which will put him well ahead of his #31 DB ranking for this week.
Xavier Watts – Atlanta Falcons
Watts is your #45 scoring DB, but has had his bye already. The rookie has double-digit scoring in every game, with two games of nine tackles in each. He has moved up to the #17-ranked DB this week due to all the byes and injuries. He will be a top 10 DB in Week 8 as they play the Dolphins, who give up more points than everyone, except one, to opposing Safeties this season. Watts has solidified the spot next to Jessie Bates and will produce at a top level for a long time.
Mekhi Blackmon – Indianapolis Colts
Very quietly, Blackmon has become a top producer over the past three weeks. In fact, he is the #4-ranked DB over the last 3 weeks, combined with 3 straight 20+ point performances. He has at least five tackles in every game this season except one. In these last three games, Blackmon has delivered 4 passes defended and 2 interceptions to his 16 tackles (13 solo) combined. He will simply blow away his #52 ranking for this week as he goes against the Titans.
Week 8 – DB Sits
Chamarri Conner – Kansas City Chiefs
Conner is the #10-ranked DB for Week 8. Conner has two single-digit performances over his past five games, with just one game having a score above 17 points. These are not the numbers of a top 10 DB. Plenty of other options are available for you this week, even with the byes and injuries. Their week 8 opponent is also a bad matchup, as they are the 8th toughest matchup for opposing CBs this season.
Minkah Fitzpatrick – Miami Dolphins
The #12 option for week 8 is Fitzpatrick. 3 of his last 5 performances have been very ordinary, with only 9 tackles combined in 3 of his last 4 games. The Dolphins are a mess and look to be falling apart. This week, he gets the Falcons, and the mess will continue to get messier. Stay away from as many Dolphins as you can this week.
Thank you for checking out my Week 8 IDP Start/Sit Advice article! You can read all of my articles on my IDP+ author page. Be sure to follow me on X at @OldMan_FF and @IDP_Plus (we have offense, too), and please consider becoming a subscriber. Week 4 IDP Start Sit
