The 2025 NFL Season is here, and with it comes some lineup questions. Which moves should you make to maximize your points? Let this weekly post be your guide as I offer one start and one sit suggestion at QB, RB, WR, and TE. These suggestions are based on my rankings compared to the consensus each week. And because we want to measure our success, check back each week for a recap on how I did.
For this project, a start is a player I think will finish in the Top 12 at QB or TE and the Top 24 at RB or WR. A sit is a player I think will finish outside those metrics. Before we dive into this week’s suggestions, let’s review how we did last week. All scoring is courtesy of Fantasy Pros.
Before we look forward, it’s time to look back at Week 8.
Week 8 Starts
QB: Joe Flacco, QB7 Hit. Flacco stayed hot, even if the Bengals stumbled.
RB: Quinshon Judkins, RB41 Miss. Judkins struggled and got hurt. This pick didn’t work out.
WR: Rashee Rice, WR2 Hit. Rice had a big night on Monday.
TE: Jake Ferguson, NA Miss. Ferguson was held without a catch…
Start Record: 2-2
Week 8 Sits
QB: C.J. Stroud, QB11 Miss. Stroud had his best game in the last two years.
RB: Alvin Kamara, RB33 Hit. Kamara continues to have diminishing returns in a struggling offense.
WR: Keon Coleman, WR57 Hit. Coleman isn’t getting enough volume.
TE: Evan Engram, TE17 Hit. Despite a good offensive output, Engram missed the Top 12.
Sit Record: 3-1
And now, on to the Week 9 picks.
Quarterbacks
Start: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
About: In his first year with Jim Harbaugh, Herbert was part of a run-heavy offense that impacted his fantasy upside. It made sense that we’d see the same thing in year two. Instead, Herbert has been unleashed with a better pass-catching group. He’s QB4 on the season through eight weeks, and now he gets to play the Titans. It’s wheels up for Herbert.
Sit: Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders
About: A week off hasn’t helped me forget that Geno is in a big hole in 2025. He’s thrown 10 interceptions in seven starts. Heading into the bye week, the team even looked at Kenny Pickett. Geno is on a long-term deal, but he’s looked lost in a struggling offense. Facing a decent Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense won’t do him any favors.
Running Backs
Start: Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
About: The Colts have been the NFL’s hottest team, and that’s thanks in large part to Taylor. He’s RB1 and making a case for NFL MVP or Offensive Player of the Year honors. He’s scoring touchdowns in bunches, too. This week, the Colts are on the road in Pittsburgh. In years past, it would have made sense to moderate expectations against the Steelers. But this isn’t the same Steel Curtain on defense. I’m firing up Taylor and expecting another big show.
Sit: Woody Marks, Houston Texans
About: Marks has been looking good the past month in the backfield for the Texans. That included another strong performance in Week 8. But this week, he faces a stout Broncos’ defense. While teams have sometimes found success throwing deep or over the middle on the Broncos, there’s been precious little running room. I don’t think that changes for Marks.
Wide Receivers
Start: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
About: JSN had a breakout in 2024. In the off-season, the Seahawks reshaped the offense around him. Turns out, that was a good move. In a season where top receivers have struggled with injuries or inefficient offenses, JSN has been incredible. Despite a bye in Week 8, he’s still WR2 overall, averaging more than 22 points per game. He’s had great chemistry with Sam Darnold and looks like a star on the field and in your lineup.
Sit: Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers
About: Golden was the first receiver taken in the First Round by the Packers in a long time. He had good speed and looked like a potential star. But it hasn’t materialized on the field. The Packers have been one of the best teams in the league, but he’s just WR62 on the season and hasn’t developed much chemistry with Jordan Love. Now that Christian Watson is back in the mix, it’s even harder to predict his target share weekly. He’s a sit.
Tight Ends
Start: Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
About: While I haven’t been in love with the options at receiver for the Packers, one pass-catcher has been consistent. Kraft is TE2 on the season, averaging more than 16 points per game. He has a great connection with Love and should be a fixture in your fantasy lineup.
Sit: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
About: Henry is TE8 on the season, which would make him seem like an attractive target. He’s been a reliable part of the Patriots’ pass offense for the past few years, even though the pass offense as a whole has struggled. But this season, his ranking is thanks to a couple of big games early. As the Patriots’ pass offense has gotten better over the last few weeks, Henry’s role has diminished. Could he still finish in the Top 12? It’s possible, but I don’t trust he’ll get enough volume to be a good start.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
