With the weekend here, it’s flex analysis time ahead of Week 8’s weekend slate.
Last week, owners brave enough to flex Dallas Cowboys running back Darren McFadden in standard leagues got 22 points for their efforts. It’s the same risk-reward gamble at flex this week with the spot being perhaps the deciding factor in plenty of upcoming fantasy matchups.
Below, let’s slice up the flex positions with a points-per-reception (PPR) outlook for those who prefer the format.
Running Backs
Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett is exactly what owners should look for each week in PPR formats.
The versatile Forsett rarely leaves the field thanks to his pass-catching abilities, as evidenced by the fact he has four or more catches in five games this season.
It’s quite the reliable floor for owners, but keep in mind Forsett also has 14 or more carries in five games at a position where opportunities equal production.
In other words, Forsett will be one of fantasy’s highest scorers as his team plays in what figures to be an offensive shootout with the San Diego Chargers. He’ll see plenty of dumpoffs as the Ravens attempt to keep pace.
Despite the arrival of C.J. Spiller, it’s a similar story for New Orleans Saints back Mark Ingram. He has three or more catches in five games this year, including two contests with six or more grabs. Don’t forget he’s rushed for 50 yards or more in five games, too.
Rotoworld’s Evan Silva paints the matchup best:
Ingram’s in for yet another major day, hype machine touting him across the nation or not.
Wide Receivers
This week’s top feature at wide receiver in PPR formats?
The return of Antonio Brown.
Maybe Brown never really left, but he did go two games with just three catches apiece earlier this year with Ben Roethlisberger hurt. Over his other five outings, though, Brown boasts a minimum of five catches.
With Big Ben in the lineup over his first three games, Brown caught nine, nine and 11 passes, respectively. Big Ben’s back and healthy, so Brown returns to assured fantasy dominance against a Cincinnati Bengals defense that has struggled to contain No. 1 receivers, including Steve Smith Sr. of the Baltimore Ravens and Jeremy Maclin of the Kansas City Chiefs.
While the attention goes to DeAndre Hopkins and others as so-called target monsters, it’s easy to forget about Brandon Marshall of the New York Jets, who catches passes from Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Before Week 7’s four-catch outing, Marshall had a minimum of six catches in every game, more than 100 receiving yards in four of his first five and four touchdowns on the year.
The opportunities aren’t going anywhere. Marshall has 61 targets so far, with Eric Decker coming in second on the team—at 38. To top it all off, the veteran gets to go against the iffy Oakland Raiders defense.
Tight Ends
When it comes to tight end, consistency is key.
Martellus Bennett owners know a thing or two about it. The Chicago Bears tight end continues to thrive no matter who lines up under center in the Windy City, having caught at least four passes in every game.
That’s a nice cushion of a floor for a player at a miserable position to project, especially going into a matchup with a Minnesota Vikings defense that has given up four or more catches to opposing tight ends in five of six games.
Sometimes one has to ignore a bad matchup in favor of consistency at the position, too. This is where Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge comes into play in Week 8.
While a matchup against the Arizona Cardinals screams must-avoid play, Barnidge has six or more catches in four of his last five outings. In that span, he’s scored five times.
The outing without at least six catches? He scored twice.
Again, sometimes matchup has to be ignored. Barnidge‘s emergence this year at the age of 30 personifies the tight end position in fantasy football.
All scoring info courtesy of ESPN standard leagues, as is points-against info and ownership stats as of October 30. Statistics courtesy of ESPN.com. Buffalo, Philadelphia, Washington, Jacksonville on bye.
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