The proven computer model at SportsLine has released its Week 8 fantasy football rankings for the 2026 NFL season after simulating every game 10,000 times. The model has outperformed human experts over several seasons and was ahead of the curve on stars like A.J. Brown, Jonathan Taylor, Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Key Matchup Notes
No defense allows more fantasy points to wide receivers than the Buffalo Bills, while the Seattle Seahawks allow the fewest. Buffalo hosts Baltimore with Lamar Jackson (ankle) back, and Seattle hosts Chicago. Rookie wideouts Omar Cooper Jr. (back-to-back 100-yard games), KC Concepcion (8 catches, 129 yards) and Caleb Douglas (two touchdowns) are among the sleepers to watch.
Top Week 8 Fantasy Football Picks
The model is low on running back Quinshon Judkins despite him averaging 83.3 total yards with three touchdowns over his last three games. Judkins faces a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that gives up the seventh-fewest rushing yards and hasn't allowed a touchdown to a running back in three weeks, holding Jonathan Taylor and Bucky Irving under 50 rushing yards each. Judkins averages just 44.5 rushing yards in two career games versus the Steelers and falls outside the top 25 at his position.
Conversely, the model is high on Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange, currently TE20 on the year. Strange has averaged 6.3 catches for 69 yards over his last three games compared to 2.3 catches for 24 yards in his first three. The Jaguars face the Indianapolis Colts, who have allowed five touchdowns to tight ends over the last six games. Strange is projected for 48 receiving yards and ranked TE7, above Travis Kelce and Sam LaPorta.
Surprise Wide Receiver
The model also identifies a surprising wide receiver projected to finish in the top 20 of Week 8 rankings despite being started in less than half of leagues last week. This pick could be the difference between winning and losing. Full rankings for PPR and standard leagues are available via SportsLine.
