Thursday night football is here, so let’s gear up for another great week of the 2024 fantasy football season. In order to help you set your lineups, I’ve ranked the top 24 quarterbacks and tight ends for week eight. These rankings are based on statistical analysis, matchup data, sportsbook data, and film. Good luck, let’s go get some wins!
Week 8 QB Rankings
Tier 1
1 Lamar Jackson @ CLE
2 Josh Allen @ SEA
3 Jalen Hurts @ CIN
Tier 2
4 Jordan Love @ JAC
5 Joe Burrow vs PHI
6 Kyler Murray @ MIA
7 C.J. Stroud vs IND
Tier 3
8 Sam Darnold @ LAR
9 Caleb Williams @ WAS
10 Jared Goff vs TEN
11 Brock Purdy vs DAL
Tier 4
12 Geno Smith vs BUF
13 Tua Tagovailoa vs ARI
14 Patrick Mahomes @ LV
15 Baker Mayfield vs ATL
16 Kirk Cousins @ TB
17 Drake Maye vs NYJ
Tier 5
18 Anthony Richardson @ HOU
19 Dak Prescott @ SF
20 Aaron Rodgers @ NE
21 Bo Nix vs CAR
22 Russell Wilson vs NYG
23 Daniel Jones @ PIT
24 Trevor Lawrence vs GB
Must Start: QB
C.J. Stroud vs IND
ESPN Projection - QB18
For the FTR start of the week, the players that will be eligible for this list are all close to being ranked as a back-end QB1/TE1 based on ESPN’s PPR projections. Despite having a pretty bad game in week seven, Stroud is still averaging a respectable 15.1 PPG on the year. I’m not arguing for Stroud to be a tier-one quarterback, but having him in the top 12 seems like a fair take.
I would have understood the argument to drop Stroud lower than QB7 if he didn’t have such a good matchup. Stroud is taking on the Colts in week eight, who have allowed the 7th most fantasy points to quarterbacks (137.3) this year. On top of that, the Texans have an implied team total of 26 points (5th), according to RotoCurve. I would easily rather start Stroud than a waiver wire streamer like ESPN suggests.
Week 8 TE Rankings
Tier 1
1 Brock Bowers vs KC
2 George Kittle vs DAL
Tier 2
3 Trey McBride @ MIA
4 Travis Kelce @ LV
5 David Njoku vs BAL
Tier 3
6 Tucker Kraft @ JAC
7 Kyle Pitts @ TB
8 Evan Engram vs GB
9 Cole Kmet @ WAS
Tier 4
10 Dalton Kincaid @ SEA
11 Cade Otton vs ATL
12 Jake Ferguson @ SF
13 Mark Andrews @ CLE
14 Sam LaPorta vs TEN
15 Dallas Goedert @ CIN
Tier 5
16 Noah Fant vs BUF
17 Hunter Henry vs NYJ
18 Pat Freiermuth vs NYG
19 Zach Ertz vs CHI
Tier 6
20 Dalton Schultz vs IND
21 Isaiah Likely @ CLE
22 Colby Parkinson vs MIN
23 Juwan Johnson @ LAC
24 Chig Okonkwo @ DET
Must Start: TE
Kyle Pitts @ TB
ESPN Projection - TE11
If you expected Kyle Pitts to ascend to an elite tight end this season you’re pretty disappointed but he hasn’t been a total bust. Pitts is averaging 9.1 PPG this season good for a TE7 finish so far. As of late he’s looked really good drawing eight plus targets in his last 2/3 games and he’s scored over 10 points in all of his last three games. With Kirk Cousins looking more comfortable by the week, this is a great sign for Pitts.
Pitts is a solid start regardless, but his matchup this week is fantastic as well. So far this year, the Buccaneers have allowed the 2nd most points (166.8) to tight ends. Heading over to PFF’s TE Matchup tool, Pitts has a 30% advantage, which is one of the highest scores for week eight. It seems like right when you get your hopes up, Pitts lets you down, but all the signs are pointing toward another good week.