Giants WR Malik Nabers and Texans WR Nico Collins are both on a bye during Week 8. We’re also dealing with some key injuries at wide receiver, including Eagles WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring).
As we try to help set fantasy football lineups, let’s break down our NFL Week 8 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em battle between Cardinals WR Michael Wilson and Bears WR Luther Burden III for your fantasy football picks this week, including PrizePicks projections.
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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em WRs for NFL Week 8: Michael Wilson or Luther Burden III?
Who'd be the better pick out of this NFL Week 8 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em dilemma: Wilson or Burden?
Why Start Michael Wilson?
Michael Wilson PrizePicks Projections: 52.5 Receiving Yards, 4.5 Receptions, 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)
- Wilson has received at least 7 targets in every game this season, including two games with at least 13 targets.
- Per PFF, the former third-round pick ranks eighth in targets (61) and second in routes run (284) among 76 wide receivers.
- Wilson only has 1 drop this season after recording just 2 drops over 126 targets last season.
- Although the fourth-year receiver only has 1 TD, he received 13 red zone targets over his last five games. That included 7 targets inside the five-yard line.
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Why Start Luther Burden III?
Luther Burden III PrizePicks Projections: 52.5 Receiving Yards, 3.5 Receptions (Goblin), 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)
- Burden produced his best stat line of the season in last week’s 30-24 win over the Patriots. Although he was only targeted 4 times, he caught all of them for 130 yards and 1 TD.
- The 22-year-old wideout also played well the week prior, recording 8 receptions for 95 yards in a 31-23 victory over the Falcons.
- Although Burden ranks 65th among 76 wide receivers with an aDOT of 8.2 yards, he is fourth in yards after the catch per reception (7.2).
- Burden leads Chicago with 47 targets. He has been more productive than former first-round pick WR Rome Odunze, who has 38 targets.
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Week 8 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Verdict: Start Michael Wilson
As good as Burden was the last two weeks, he didn’t surpass 63 receiving yards in any of his first five games of the season. He doesn’t have a favorable matchup against the Seahawks, who rank third in dropback EPA/play allowed, according to RBSDM. Per RotoWire, they give up the fewest yards per target to wide receivers (5.84), while also allowing the third-lowest catch rate (56.4%) to the position.
It has been disappointing to see Wilson record a total of 12 receptions for 117 yards over three games since Arizona decided to move on from WR Marvin Harrison Jr., who was traded to the Texans. He was targeted 22 times, though, so his lack of production wasn’t because of an absence of opportunities.
The high probability of a hefty target share puts Wilson in a great fantasy situation for his Week 8 matchup with the Cowboys. They are 30th in dropback EPA/play allowed and allow 25.7 points per game. They are also 28th in yards allowed per target to wide receivers (8.99).
PrizePicks has the over/under for this game at 54.5 points, compared to 46.5 points for the matchup between the Bears and Seahawks. With a few factors pointing in his direction, Wilson is the better fantasy option for NFL Week 8.
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Make NFL Week 8 Picks on PrizePicks
Wilson and Burden are two young wide receivers who could be great fantasy football options for years to come. However, for Week 8, Wilson has a much more favorable matchup, making him the better fantasy football option.
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