Fantasy football Week 8 WR preview: Don't give up on McMillan, Metcalf and the Panthers-Steelers duos

In Week 7, we had Tetiaroa McMillan, Jalen Coker, DK Metcalf, and Germie Bernard all ranked in our top 24 at receiver. All four receivers from the Steelers and Panthers disappointed. And in most cases, we are telling you to go right back to them.

The problems for these two duos weren't exactly the same. The Panthers were simply overwhelmed by the pressure Tampa Bay applied to Bryce Young, and Young responded very poorly. The reason I am optimistic is that Young has been pressured at a similar rate all season long. It's just that most weeks, he had beaten the pressure with deep shots to McMillan and Coker. In Week 7, he did beat the pressure deep once, but it was a deep shot to Darren Waller for a 50-yard touchdown. I wouldn't bet on that happening again. Both McMillan and Coker are top 12 receivers in my early projections, as close to must-start receivers as you can get.

In Pittsburgh, the story was different. The Saints didn't put up a fight against either the Steelers defense or the Steelers running backs. That led to fewer pass attempts from Aaron Rodgers and fewer targets for Metcalf and Bernard. I am slightly concerned about a repeat of that in Week 8 because the Browns pass defense has been much better than their run defense and the offense has been spotty at best. Still, Metcalf and Bernard both crack the top 24.

I will say, the Bernard situation could change. As of Tuesday morning, we aren't ranking DJ Moore or Emeka Egbuka. It is quite possible that changes by Wednesday night. It's equally possible they both rank ahead of Bernard. It's also true that there are seven other receivers within two points of Bernard in the projections that I couldn't blame you if you wanted to start over him. That is particularly true for fellow rookie KC Concepcion, who had his coming-out party in Week 7.

Here is the rest of the Week 8 WR preview:

3.73 -- Zay Flowers leads all qualified receivers at 3.73 yards per route run. If Lamar Jackson is 100%, Flowers could make a run at WR2 for the rest of the season.

4.77 -- Omar Cooper Jr. has been a full yard per route run better than Flowers, on a much smaller sample. 

28.2% -- DJ Moore has a 28.2% target per route run rate. If he's back in Week 8, he is a must-start receiver.

10.3% -- Matthew Golden has a very bad 10.3% drop rate. We don't care until it affects his target share.

9 -- Michael Wilson leads all receivers with nine targets inside the 10-yard line. He has caught one of them. There should be regression coming.

16.62 -- Denzel Boston's 16.6 aDOT is too high for a reliable starting receiver in Fantasy. But it's perfect for a boom/bust flex if you need one.

12.67 -- Travis Hunter is averaging 12.67 yards per target this season. It's fair to wonder if he starts getting more snaps on offense.

43 -- Keenan Allen has 43 targets this season. Josh Downs has 46 and he has played one more game.

My full set of Week 8 Fantasy football projections for every position is now available here. Find out which of my favorite plays are projected to score higher than consensus rankings and which don't live up to their draft hype, at least in Week 8. Projected stats for all starting wide receivers are updated throughout the week, so make sure you check back later in the week for changes.

Week 8 Fantasy WR preview: McMillan, Metcalf primed for a rebound Heath Cummings 2 min read

Week 8 Fantasy waiver wire: Coleman, White lead must-add targets Jamey Eisenberg 12 min read

Week 8 Fantasy football rankings, projections, PPR strategy Ross Kelly 3 min read

Dave Richard's Week 8 Fantasy football trade chart: Trade to win now Dave Richard 3 min read

Week 8 QB preview: Kyler gets a dream matchup as a must-start Heath Cummings 2 min read

Week 8 Fantasy RB preview: Josh Jacobs rises, committees loom large Heath Cummings 2 min read

Week 8 Fantasy risers and fallers: Bucky Irving climbs, Dobbins dips Heath Cummings 5 min read

Week 7 Fantasy winners and losers: Judkins shines, Wilson struggles Dave Richard 3 min read

Week 7 Fantasy Football standouts: Week 8 early waiver wire adds Dan Schneier 3 min read

Fantasy stock watch: Buy low on Purdy, not so fast on Skattebo Adam Aizer 5 min read