We are officially halfway through the fantasy football regular season, at least for most leagues.

For fantasy football IDP leagues, there are still several players available to improve rosters, and every NFL team is playing in week 8.

 

 

 

2024 Fantasy Football Week 8 IDP Overview

In the words of the eight-time Super Bowl champion Bill Billichick, ‘No days off, No days off!’ In fantasy football IDP leagues that means a few starters are going to be available, even in deeper leagues.

This week's risers, waivers, and matchups feature players that can carry fantasy football teams to a championship.

Fantasy Football IDP Risers

Derick Hall is a defensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks and has had steady production over the season. He was not on any IDP radars prior to the season, and has easily surpassed his rookie sack total, and close to surpassing his total of 30 last year.

Hall and the Seahawks have two games before their bye, both on the road. Keep an eye out for Hall and monitor his progress as he rises up the board.

Eric Kendricks is the green-dot linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, signifying he communicates with the defensive coordinator. He is on the riser board due to the fact the Cowboys are on the bye week. He did not play in week 6 or 7 but could be a sneaky riser for week 8. 

IDP managers are always seeking a high floor player and Kendricks is exactly that. In addition to that Dallas’ next three opponents are the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, and Philadelphia Eagles, teams with a high volume of running plays. 

Kendricks could have three solid fantasy football scores coming off of two weeks of rest. He is a riser worth an add on a week which fantasy managers aren’t scrambling to fill roster spots. 

Kevin Byard is a safety for the Chicago Bears and coming off of a bye week. This is a major advantage for fantasy football managers going forward. He is not only a riser but a player that could be a set and forget defensive back for the remainder of the fantasy football season.

Byard does not have several statistics, 3 passes defended, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery. But he is a tackling machine with 39 through 6 games. The Bears play the Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals, and New England Patriots the next three weeks, and Byard could have an excellent stretch of games.

The Commanders and Cardinals have high passing offenses, and the Patriots will likely be starting a rookie quarterback. 27 tackles and a couple turnovers are well within play for the rising Kevin Byard.

 

 

 

Fantasy Football Week 8 IDP Waiver Wire Targets

Brian Burns, Defensive Lineman - New York Giants

Brain Burns was built up as one of the premiere offseason acquisitions of the NFL, and he is playing well lately. He had single point fantasy football performances in three of his first four games, but the new, New York Giant is starting to find his rhythm in the Big Apple.

Burns has been leaned on heavily without Kayvon Thibodeaux, and he has stepped up. The New York Giants have been better than expected this season, and the Giants next three opponents are the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders, and Carolina Panthers. The Giants could be playing with a lead in those games, and Burns would have opportunities for sacks… the IDP equivalent to a touchdown.

Go put FAAB money on Brian Burns in your leagues right now and ride his next three weeks before the Giants bye week.

Troy Andersen, Linebacker - Atlanta Falcons

Troy Andersen has been injured and has not played since week 4 when he recorded 16 tackles and a ‘pick six’. That is an over 45 point game in some formats. With week 8 here, Andersen could be placed back into the lineup, and we will know more after Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday practices. 

If he is healthy, he will be a starter and a force in IDP leagues. Without the injury he was on pace to be a top 15 linebacker and should be a starter in any IDP fantasy football league. Put a waiver on Andersen and have an elite Fantasy Football Week 8 IDP and moving forward. 

Donte Jackson, Defensive Back - Pittsburgh Steelers

Most fantasy football general managers have not heard of Donte Jackson, even in IDP leagues. However he has three interceptions on the season, and two in back-to-back weeks (five and six). The Steelers have a nasty defense that has carried them to a winning record, and he has been a major contributor to their success.

Jackson and the Steelers host the New York Giants in week 8, the last before their bye. Daniel Jones’ quarterback play is much improved, but turnovers are a realistic possibility and Jackson could be looking to add to his totals before a week of rest. Get him off of waivers with low FAAB spent and start him against Daniel Jones.

 

 

 

NFL Week 8 IDP Matchups To Capitalize On

Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams: Thursday, 8:15 PM ET

There are few things more enjoyable in fantasy football than having a high scoring Fantasy Football Week 8 IDP player on Thursday night. Jared Verse can do just that against the visiting Minnesota Vikings. The second-year player has been a force for the Rams, which is needed after Aaron Donald’s retirement. 

The Vikings have utilized Sam Darnold’s arm and passing attack, but there have been glimpses of the old Sam Darnold showing in October. This could be a high scoring game, which would force Darnold to have several pass attempts. This would allow Verse to improve on his impressive stat total, with sacks, quarterback hits, and tackles for loss. Take advantage of what could be a great start to week 8.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams: Thursday, 8:15 PM ET

A second high scoring Fantasy Football Week 8 IDP player for Thursday night is Blake Cashman of the Vikings. He has had hit or miss games thus far but a short week against an offense that has 63 plays per game, could be a good thing for Cashman. Kyren Williams could have a heavy workload, and Cashman would be there to meet him on most of those run plays.

He is coming off of turf toe and it is worth monitoring, but he will also be available in several IDP leagues due to this. He has 39 tackles in 5 games and is a solid run stopper capable of playing pass defense. If he is healthy in week 8 another double-digit point game should easily be achieved.

Carolina Panthers vs. Denver Broncos: Sunday, 4:25 PM ET

Xavier Woods is quietly having a great season. The Panthers offense has been terrible, and their IDPs have benefitted from it. Woods is averaging over 7 tackles per game and will have ample opportunity to earn that many if not more against the short passes of Bo Nix. 

Woods will also come up and tackle in the run game, and the Denver Broncos like to run outside with their quicker backfield. Nix has 47 rush attempts and Woods will be on the look for him scrambling outside of the pocket. Also, an interception against a rookie quarterback is a realistic possibility, which would result in a great IDP score.