Welcome back, IDP Nerds! Week 8 of the fantasy football season presents the toughest test yet for IDP managers. Building a competitive lineup becomes a challenge with six teams on the bye. In a week when your roster depth will be tested, making the correct lineup decisions matters more than ever. This Week 8 IDP Start/Sit Fantasy Football advice highlights the IDPs you can trust, the players to fade, and the hidden gems that can keep your dynasty team competitive.
Catch up with the Week 8 IDP Waiver Wire and check our Week 8 Advanced Stats Start/Sit Preview for final lineup decisions.
Weekly Accuracy Recap | Week 8 IDP Start Sit
Weekly Accuracy Recap | Week 8 IDP Start/Sit
Weekly IDP accuracy metrics for Dynasty Nerds Start/Sit recommendations, Weeks 1–7 of the 2025 fantasy football season.
| Week | Hit Rate | Start Rate % | Sit Rate % | Stream Rate % | Top Performer (Position Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 62.5% | 66.6% | 33.3% | 100% | Jarvis Brownlee — CB1 |
| Week 2 | 37.5% | 66.6% | 33.3% | 0% | Tykee Smith — DB11 |
| Week 3 | 38.4% | 33.3% | 66.6% | 25% | Cooper DeJean — DB17 |
| Week 4 | 61.5% | 83.3% | 66.6% | 25% | Cole Bishop — DB17 |
| Week 5 | 81.8% | 80% | 66.6% | 75% | Marcus Jones — DB8 |
| Week 6 | 36.3% | 60% | 50% | 25% | Yaya Diaby — DL8 |
| Week 7 | 76.9% | 83.3% | 66.6% | 75% | SirVocea Dennis — LB3 |
A strong bounce-back in Week 7 with a 76.9% hit rate overall, our second-best performance of the season. SirVocea Dennis led us with a near 30-point performance, finishing as the LB3 overall. It’s nice to be back on the positive side for our streaming options. After seven weeks, we sit at 56.4% overall in our recommendations. Looking forward to keeping the momentum rolling and looking for another strong week for the IDP Nerds fanbase.
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Players to Start | Week 8 IDP Fantasy Football
Defensive Line | Week 8 IDP Start Sit
| Player | Team | Opponent | Snap% | Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Wright | Browns | Patriots | 46% | âś… |
| Jake Martin | Commanders | Chiefs | 51% | âś… |
Alex Wright | DL | Cleveland Browns
We get started with one of the hottest names at the defensive line position. Cleveland Browns pass rusher Alex Wright is coming off the best stretch of his career with double-digit fantasy points in three consecutive games. Wright has averaged 20 fantasy points per game over this stretch and is the 7th highest scoring DL since Week 5.
The New England Patriots’ offense has been a favorable matchup for opposing defensive linemen this season. The Patriots allow the third most tackles per game (18.6) to the position. They also allow the sixth most sacks per game (3.1) through the first seven games. Fantasy managers can feel confident with Alex Wright as a solid bye-week fill-in.
Jake Martin | DL | Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders’ defense takes another big hit, with Dorance Armstrong, their leading pass rusher, heading to injured reserve. Dan Quinn will turn to his veterans to help in his absence. Jake Martin is coming off his third game this season with at least 3 tackles and a half sack. He has collected 10 fantasy points or more in two of his last three games.
Jake Martin has increased defensive snap share over the previous five games. IDP managers are in a tough spot with so many key players at the DL position on the bye. We are using the data to find hidden production on the waiver wire. Martin has a matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, one of five teams that have surrendered 125 tackles or more to the DL position this season.
Linebackers | IDP Week 8 Start Sit
| Player | Team | Opponent | Snap% | Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Queen | Steelers | Packers | 99% | âś… |
| Azeez Al-Shaair | Texans | 49ers | 97% | âś… |
Patrick Queen | LB | Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers were a bit let down coming off the bye in Week 7. Their defense surrendered 33 points, and their stars played extremely poorly. IDP managers can expect a bounce back, especially from linebacker Patrick Queen. The Steelers LB has been consistent this season; he’s the LB20 in FPPG. Last week was his first game without eclipsing double-digit fantasy points. Despite not being a PFF highly graded player, Queen remains a high-volume tackler and continues to reward IDP managers who have him in their lineups weekly.
The Green Bay Packers are allowing the fifth-most tackles per game (18.2) to linebackers this season. While the storyline will be Aaron Rodgers against his former team, the defenses will play a significant role in the outcome of this game. As long as Patrick Queen is playing an every-down role as he is now, there’s no reason not to expect him to be at minimum a high-end LB2 this week.
Azeez Al-Shaair | LB | Houston Texans
The Houston Texans’ linebacker rotation has again frustrated fantasy managers this season, which is likely to continue. We can only count on Azeez Al-Shaair being the top option and playing the most consistent snaps. It hasn’t been his best season by any stretch of the imagination, as the LB52 overall. I’m banking on him having extra motivation with a revenge game scenario against his former team. The San Francisco 49ers have been a top-10 favorable matchup for opposing linebackers this season. They surrendered 19 tackles to the Falcons’ starting linebackers in Week 7. Fantasy managers can start Azeez Al-Shaair with confidence in Week 8.
IDP Trivia | Which DL in the Week 8 Start/Sit has averaged 20 FPPG since Week 5 and currently ranks as the 7th highest-scoring DL over that stretch?
Week 8 Defensive Backs | IDP Start Sit
| Player | Team | Opponent | Snap% | Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cole Bishop | Bills | Patriots | 95% | âś… |
| Ashtyn Davis | Dolphins | Falcons | 71% | âś… |
Cole Bishop | DB | Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills’ defense badly needs a get-right game, which has been a weakness this season. The injuries are piling up at linebacker. I love this spot in Week 8 for second-year safety Cole Bishop to have a big game. The former Utah DB has collected at least four tackles in 83% of his games this season.
The Carolina Panthers remain a top option for opposing safeties this season, allowing 15.6 tackles per game. The Week 8 CheatChart provided by the great @MonCalFF is another data point showing the boost to the Bills’ defensive backs in this matchup. The last time we had Cole Bishop in this spot, he came up big, finishing as the DB17 overall. The young DB could see an increase in box snaps with the injuries to the Buffalo linebackers, increasing his tackle floor for this Week 8 matchup.
Ashtyn Davis | DB | Miami Dolphins
You know I always have that defensive back you can pick up late in the week with the upside to add value to your lineup. Week 8 will not be any different. Miami Dolphins safety Ashtyn Davis has really improved his play recently. I recommended him as a Week 8 Waiver Wire DB this week, and he’ll also be one of our starts this week.
The veteran DB has seen a 100% defensive snap share over his past two games and has delivered an average of 16 FPPG in those games. Davis is the DB22 over that stretch and finds himself with a favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, who have allowed nearly 16 tackles per game to the safety position. To this point, the most impactful bye week of the season shouldn’t be as challenging to navigate, at least at the DB position with a sneaky value like Ashtyn Davis available.
Top IDPs to Stream in Week 8 | Start/Sit Fantasy Football Advice
| Player | Pos | Team | Opponent | Stream |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kris Jenkins Jr. | DT | Bengals | Jets | âś… |
| Elijah Roberts | DT | Buccaneers | Saints | âś… |
| Michael Jackson | CB | Panthers | Bills | âś… |
| Kool-Aid McKinstry | CB | Saints | Buccaneers | âś… |
Kris Jenkins Jr. | DT | Cincinnati Bengals
The New York Jets have become the top option when looking for streaming options. The offensive line allows the most sacks per game (4.4) and has surrendered an abysmal 6.7 sacks per game over their last three games. Kris Jenkins could have a solid game this week. The Bengals DT is playing 49% of the snaps this season and has collected at least two tackles in every game.
Elijah Roberts | DT | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might have found another productive player in Elijah Roberts. The former SMU defensive lineman has been impressive as of late. Roberts has two sacks on the season despite playing just 40% of the snaps. He saw his highest snapshare, 68%, in the Week 7 loss to the Detroit Lions. The New Orleans Saints allowed four sacks in their last outing. I like the chances Elijah Roberts will get a sack and continue improving his dynasty stock.
Michael Jackson | CB | Carolina Panthers
I’m not sure anyone expects the Buffalo Bills offense to struggle for the third consecutive game. The feeling is that Josh Allen will have the team prepared to return to their 30 points per game pace we have seen over the last few seasons. Michael Jackson is a player I project to put up a double-digit fantasy performance in CB-required leagues this week. The Carolina DB is averaging 11 FPPG this season and is the CB19. The Buffalo offense remains a top 3 option for opposing cornerbacks, and that should be enough for fantasy managers to feel confident in Jackson this week.
Kool-Aid McKinstry | CB | New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints cornerbacks are back to being fantasy gold for IDP managers. Kool-Aid McKinstry continues to have one of the coolest names in football and his fantasy production backs it up. McKinstry has four games of 15 fantasy points or more this season. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been a favorable matchup this season as one of nine teams to allow 90 tackles or more to the cornerbacks.
Looking for more Data? Check out The Week 8 CheatChart— The Dynasty Nerds quick-tool to help you with your DFS Lineups, Start/Sit Calls & Prop Bets
Players to Sit | Week 8 IDP Start/Sit
| Player | Pos | Team | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Young | DL | Saints | Buccaneers |
| Germaine Pratt | LB | Colts | Titans |
| Andre Cisco | DB | Jets | Bengals |
Chase Young | DL | New Orleans Saints
Chase Young has returned to action for the New Orleans Saints after missing the first five games of the season. The former 2nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft still possesses the ability to wreck a game. The matchup this week is screaming fade to me for Week 8. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have allowed the second fewest tackles to defensive linemen this season (86). Young was only able to collect three tackles in two games against Tampa Bay last season. IDP managers are facing challenging lineup decisions this week but all the data points to Young as a recommended sit for Week 8.
Germaine Pratt | LB | Indianapolis Colts
The Tennessee Titans are one of the toughest matchups for opposing linebackers this season, surrendering just 12.4 tackles per game. Veteran LB Germaine Pratt has kept his dynasty value alive after his release from the Raiders he rejoined his former defensive coordinator Lou Amaruno in Indianapolis. However, Pratt is going to remain a part time player and in a LB2 role alongside Zaire Franklin. The uncertainty in snap share combined with a disaster of a matchup should have fantasy managers looking elsewhere to fill their LB spot this week.
Andre Cisco | DB | New York Jets
This week we highlight Andre Cisco as a recommended sit at defensive back. Cisco is averaging 12 FPPG this season and has yet to record a 20 point week. He has been consistent for those IDP managers looking for safe production. At this point of the season you can find a higher upside potential player to fill your DB slot. The Cincinnati Bengals are the only team allowing less than 10 tackles per game to the safety position this season. Don’t hesitate to throw a one week streaming option in your lineup this week and fade Andre Cisco.
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Hidden IDP Gems | Week 8 Fantasy Football Start/Sit
- Brian Burns needs just five fantasy points this week to overtake Byron Young as the DL1 and top IDP scorer overall this season.
- Tremaine Edmunds is the only LB this season with multiple 30-point performances.
- Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper have combined for 14 sacks this season—accounting for 41% of the Denver Broncos’ total.
- Cedric Gray’s breakout season continues. He’s averaging 10 tackles per game through 7 games.
- Paulson Adebo remains a cheat code in CB-required formats. He’s 2nd in the NFL in solo tackles with 41. The next closest CB is Cooper DeJean with 33.
- The importance of using the Waiver Wire—Drake Thomas (LB45), Barrett Carter (LB58), and Tatum Bethune (LB77) look like long-term LB plays and were free in nearly all leagues to start the 2025 season.
FAQ | Week 8 IDP Start/Sit Fantasy Football
Q1: Who are the top IDP starts for Week 8 fantasy football?
A: The best Week 8 IDP starts include Alex Wright (DL, Browns), Patrick Queen (LB, Steelers), and Cole Bishop (DB, Bills). Each has a plus matchup based on tackle and snap data — Wright faces a Patriots front allowing over 3 sacks per game, Queen draws Green Bay’s high-volume rushing attack, and Bishop benefits from extra box snaps against Carolina.
Q2: Which IDPs should I bench in Week 8?
A: Sit candidates this week are Chase Young (DL, Saints), Germaine Pratt (LB, Colts), and Andre Cisco (DB, Jets). Each faces one of the lowest tackle-rate matchups at their position, making them risky lineup plays during the six-team bye stretch.
Q3: Who are the best streaming IDP options for Week 8?
A: Kris Jenkins Jr. (DT, Bengals), Elijah Roberts (DT, Buccaneers), Michael Jackson (CB, Panthers), and Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB, Saints) headline the Week 8 streamers. Each offers strong floor production and matchup-driven upside for managers replacing bye-week starters.
Q4: Which under-the-radar IDPs could break out in Week 8?
A: Jake Martin (DL, Commanders) and Ashtyn Davis (DB, Dolphins) both project to exceed expectations. Martin’s expanded role against Kansas City’s pass-heavy offense raises his sack potential, while Davis has logged back-to-back 100 percent snap shares and is averaging 16 FPPG since Week 6.
Q5: How should IDP managers handle the six-team bye in Week 8?
A: Focus on steady snap counts and tackle efficiency. Players like Azeez Al-Shaair and Paulson Adebo offer reliable weekly floors that keep your roster competitive while avoiding volatile, sack-only profiles.
Q6: Which IDP positions are providing the most fantasy value through Week 8?
A: Defensive linemen continue to pace the leaderboard thanks to consistent pressure metrics, but linebackers remain the most stable scoring position. Defensive backs with hybrid or box roles — such as Cole Bishop and Ashtyn Davis — are narrowing the gap in overall fantasy value.
Q7: What’s the best mid-season strategy for IDP roster success?
A: Stay proactive with waiver pickups like Drake Thomas and Barrett Carter. Monitor snap shares daily, and pivot quickly when injuries open new roles. The most successful Week 8 IDP managers use data-driven trends rather than name value to gain a competitive edge.
Trivia Answer | Alex Wright of the Cleveland Browns has been on a three-game double-digit fantasy streak. (click to return)
