Terrelle Pryor, Quarterback, Oakland Raiders

Week 8 unfortunately presents fantasy owners with many roster dilemmas as we have six quarterbacks on bye weeks and others sadly dealing with injuries. With that, Pryor may be on your radar this week to start in Week 8 as the Raiders play in Pittsburgh. If you have other options than Pryor, you should consider them. While the Pittsburgh defense isn’t always that threatening, it has limited opposing quarterbacks on the road to the third fewest fantasy points. Pryor’s skills are still developing and the Raiders offense is quite less than stellar which makes Pryor a risky start in Pittsburgh this week.

Projected Statistics: 18/29, 218 yards, one touchdown, one interception

Tom Brady, Quarterback, New England Patriots

I have been holding off putting Tom Brady’s name in the list of players to avoid, but let’s face it; Brady just is not worthy of holding an elite must-start stud status each week. He currently ranks 21st in quarterbacks and surprisingly Geno Smith, Jake Locker and Michael Vick have more fantasy points, with the latter two missing games. The Week 8 matchup against the Dolphins will not be the most ideal for Brady and his struggling slew of receivers. Brady has been held below 250 passing yards four times already this year, and the Miami defense could cap him again. If your backup quarterback has been performing consistently better than Brady, I would continue to roll with him in Week 8. If you have to start Brady, be prepared for low-mid QB2 numbers to avoid disappointment.

Projected Statistics: 23/40, 260 yards, one touchdown, one interception

Steve Smith, Wide Receiver, Carolina Panthers

In Week 8 Smith and the Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Thursday Night Football, where Smith should see a heavy dose of Darrelle Revis while the other Panthers receivers remain open for Cam Newton to target. Only once in the last five games against the Buccs has Smith surpassed an 80-yard game which suggests that once again Smith will produce less than optimal fantasy points. With only three receiving touchdowns this season, Smith does not appear to be a WR with a ton of upside in Week 8.

Projected Statistics: Five receptions, 61 yards, zero touchdowns

Julian Edelman, Wide Receiver, New England Patriots

It’s not too shocking to read Edelman’s name listed here due to Brady’s troubles and the debut of Rob Gronkowski to the Patriots offense. With Gronkowski’s emergence back to his team, look for Brady to heavily target him while the rest of the wide receivers fight for his attention like hungry puppies. Edelman was only targeted seven times last week compared to Gronkowski’s 17. Since Week 3, Edelman has only averaged 59.6 receiving yards per week branding him to a WR3. He is a flex fill in at best against Miami in Week 8 and his owners should bench him for a better replacement.

Projected Statistics: Three receptions, 39 yards, zero touchdowns.

Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars

Blackmon and the Jaguars visit the San Francisco 49ers in Week 8, which certainly does not present the most model week for the Jaguars to finally achieve their first win. Blackmon is dealing with lingering hamstring soreness that held him out of practice Wednesday, and he faces competition in the backfield with fellow wide receivers, Cecil Shorts and rookie Mike Brown sniping his targets. Clearly his hamstring is effecting his production which has dropped off severely from his first two starting weeks. While you may not have many other viable starting options, be prepared for WR3 numbers if you place Blackmon in your lineup.

Projected Statistics: Six receptions, 71 yards, zero touchdowns

Mike James, Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

James was surely the hottest name in the waiver wires proceeding into Week 8 resulting from the terrible shoulder injury suffered by fellow back, Doug Martin last Sunday, which could keep him sidelined for many weeks. What we do know at this time is Martin will not play in Thursday night’s game in Week 8 which makes James the starting running back as the 0-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to play the Carolina Panthers on their home turf. The Panthers defense is daunting and has only surrendered two rushing touchdowns all season. While James’ owners feel compelled to start him, he is not a recommended start this week. Martin, in reality had yet to produce true RB1 numbers, so do not expect any better from James in Week 8 against such a tough defense.

Projected Statistics: 23 attempts, 78 yards, one reception, 5 yards, zero touchdowns

Chris Ivory, Running Back, New York Jets

Ivory has been nothing but a fantasy backfire all season. Up through Week 6 Ivory had produced just slightly over 10 fantasy points total, long since forcing the hands of fantasy owners to dump him to the waivers, or flat out bench him. In Week 7 the Jets had a wild hair and decided to start Ivory who rushed for 104 yards on 34 carries. Well that’s dandy considering there were probably only five people in the fantasy football world who started Ivory. On the surface 104 yards is decent, but it only equates to 3.1 yards per carry. Likely the Jets will let Bilal Powell play this week too, so split carries coupled with facing a staunch Bengals run defense in Week 8, shouldn’t make you dash to the waivers to claim Ivory. Unless your other options are worse, leave Ivory alone.

Projected Statistics: 11 attempts, 34 yards, two receptions, 15 yards, zero touchdowns

Jason Snelling, Running Back, Atlanta Falcons

Week 8 possibly introduces the return of Snelling’s fellow, veteran starting running back, Steven Jackson, who has been out since Week 2 due to a hamstring injury. As of late, Snelling has been taking a backseat to running back Jacquizz Rodgers, producing low-end RB2 fantasy numbers. This pattern will continue as the Falcons play in Arizona to face stingy defensive matchup against running backs. If Jackson plays, he should see the bulk of the early down carries with Rodgers handling the goal line duties. This leaves just a smidge of room for Snelling to earn you any fantasy points. He should be benched in Week 8, but reserved in case Jackson encounters a set-back.

Projected Statistics: 4 attempts, 14 yards, one reception, 9 yards, zero touchdowns

Jordan Cameron, Tight End, Cleveland Browns

Cameron is a surprising name to be listed within the players to avoid in Week 8, however fantasy owners should be cautious starting your studly tight end against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. The Chiefs have allowed the fewest fantasy points and zero touchdowns so far to opposing tight ends. Devaluing Cameron a bit further in Week 8 is a change in quarterbacks once again, as the Browns have decided introduce Jason Campbell into their starting lineup. Cameron’s finest performances came with quarterback Brian Hoyer, who unfortunately remains injured, so Cameron’s production and targets have suffered as a result of revolving quarterbacks in Cleveland. If you own another TE1-2 with a more favorable matchup, I encourage starting him this week.

Projected Statistics: Five receptions, 64 yards, zero touchdowns

Jared Cook, Tight End, St. Louis Rams

The season-ending injury resulting in the absence of the Rams quarterback, Sam Bradford does not paint a pretty outlook for Cook or the Rams receiving squad. The Rams face a grim outlook in Week 8 for Monday Night Football, as they host the Seattle Seahawks, whose defense should create all kinds of chaos for the Rams. If Cook is your primary tight end, you might see who is on the waivers to substitute this week, in order to evaluate how dependable Cook plays with rusty back-up Quarterback Kellen Clemens under center, and keeping in mind the Seahawks offer the sixth fewest points to opposing tight ends.

Projected Statistics: Three receptions, 44 yards, zero touchdowns