Scott Engel is in his 14th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and weekly fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com and he is also a host on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.

Scott finished as a top 15 player ranker in Fantasy Football Week 5 and as a top 10 ranker in Week 2 on FantasyPros.com. He was the No. 1 tight end ranker for Week 5.

Fantasy football players face one of the biggest challenges of the season in Week 8, as six NFL teams, including the Seahawks, will be on bye weeks. The other five teams that will be off include the Lions, Rams, Jaguars, Raiders, and Cardinals.

This will be the heaviest amount of teams on a bye this season, so fantasy leaguers will have to dig deeper for fill-in starters. It's certainly not going to be easy to replace Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is emerging as an elite fantasy wide receiver in 2025.

Smith-Njigba is the No. 1 receiver in fantasy football, leading all players at his position in total points (155) and Fantasy Points Per Game (22.1). He is the only WR with 150-plus points and an average of 22.0-plus FFPG. JSN is looking like a crux of fantasy football teams that will contend for a championship this year.

This week, we go deeper than usual for starting options, because that is what the bigger bye situation requires, and there are always injuries to consider, too. Many of the players featured here are not among the top-ranked starters at their respective positions. Analysis is based on PPR scoring and players are listed in order of starting preference.

NFL Week 8: Wide Receivers To Start

START Marvin Mims Jr.: The Denver WR is an ideal Week 8 replacement for Smith-Njigba or any other regular starter that you may be without this week, such as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Davante Adams or Marvin Harrison Jr. Mims is an upside play in a great matchup. You should also check your league's free agent list to see if he still might be available.

If you already picked up Mims, that is because of the top fantasy draw against the Dallas pass defense, which has allowed an NFL-high 12 TD receptions to opposing WRs. The Cowboys also have allowed the second-most Fantasy Points Per Game to WRs. Last week, Mims posted season highs in catches (six), targets (seven) and yardage (85).

START Jaylin Noel: Houston has been searching for a steady No. 2 WR for a while, and this first-year WR might be making a bid to see a larger role in the passing game. In Week 7, Noel came through with his best performance yet, catching four of seven targets for 77 yards.

The Texans are dealing with some notable injuries at WR, which could increase Noel's involvement in the passing game this week against the 49ers. He has at least earned more frequent targets based on last week's outing.

START Luther Burden III: This rookie has already flashed some promise, and this may be a week where we see the Ben Johnson-led Bears offense start to emerge more. Baltimore's pass defense ranks 28th in FFPG allowed to WRs. Burden can deliver downfield on a big play or two, and provide the quality fantasy output you will need this week.

START Rashid Shaheed: Spencer Rattler does not hesitate to challenge defenses, and Shaheed is his best pure deep threat. We could see a higher-scoring affair between Tampa Bay and New Orleans. Shaheed can contribute whether the Saints are staying in the game or playing from behind.

More Fantasy Football WRs To Start in Week 8: Troy Franklin, Xavier Legette, Alec Pierce, Rashod Bateman, Elic Ayomanor. These WRs may also be on your league's free agent list if you are still looking for a one-week play.

NFL Week 8: Running Backs To Start

START Chuba Hubbard: The Carolina RB returned to action last week, and should continue to share playing time with recent breakout performer Rico Dowdle. While Hubbard might continue to play a 1A complementary role to Dowdle, the matchup is ideal to use Hubbard as a Week 8 fantasy bye replacement.

Buffalo has allowed eight rushing TDs to RBs this season, which ranks 30th in the NFL. The Panthers will also want to utilize both of their top RBs to control the clock as much as possible while also easing pressure on QB Bryce Young. Dowdle is a must-start and Hubbard is a quality streaming option this week.

START Tyler Allgeier: Fantasy football players will always want to consider starting RBs who face the Dolphins. Miami's run defense is the worst in the league, allowing 159.3 rushing yards per game. While Bijan Robinson is naturally my top-ranked RB of Week 8, Allgeier also can function as a productive lineup plugger.

Both Atlanta RBs can post good numbers against the Dolphins. If the Falcons move out to a big lead, we could see Allgeier get a healthy number of carries, especially later in the second half.

START RJ Harvey: J.K. Dobbins will be the lead RB for Denver against the Cowboys, and he should definitely be started as a high-end fantasy RB2 this week. Harvey is working as the clear No.2 RB for the Broncos, yet he could help your fantasy team with adequate production in Week 8.

Dallas ranks 29th in rushing yards allowed to RBs. Harvey caught a TD pass last week and facing the Cowboys defense usually elevates the potential output of many offensive players. Harvey might be a threat as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield this week.

START Kareem Hunt: The Kansas City offense has all its pieces again and may start to click even more now as the team looks to get back to the top of the AFC this week. Hunt is working hard for every yard and has functioned as one of the preferred goal-line runners for the Chiefs.

More Fantasy Football RBs To Start in Week 8: Woody Marks, Kyle Monangai, Justice Hill, Kenneth Gainwell. Be sure to check if any of these RBs are available on free agency, even after waivers run for the week.

NFL Week 8: Quarterbacks To Start

START Joe Flacco: In his first game as a Bengal, Flacco prepared quickly and injected instant life into the offense. He obviously now has the weaponry to post satisfactory fantasy numbers when the matchup is right. He gets a good draw against the winless Jets, who have allowed eight TD passes to QBs over the past four weeks.

START Aaron Rodgers: Over the past four weeks, no team has allowed more FFPG to QBs than Green Bay. The matchup is perfect in the ultimate "revenge game" scenario for Aaron Rodgers. Expect him to shine again after he passed for four TDs for the second time this season in Week 7 . Don't hesitate to use one of the two oldest QBs in the game this week.

NFL Week 8: Tight Ends To Start

START Mason Taylor: The Bengals have been the best matchup for fantasy TEs this season. New York's best player to attack the Cincinnati defense this week might be Taylor. The rookie has been targeted five or more times in four of his last five games, and Taylor was targeted 12 times in Week 5.

START Noah Fant: In the same game, you should also consider Fant, as Flacco has often shown a strong willingness to involve the TEs in the passing game. New York ranks 24th in FFPG allowed to TEs. The former Seahawk caught a TD pass in Flacco's first game with the Bengals.

NFL Week 8: Defenses to Stream: Atlanta (vs. Miami), Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Minnesota), San Francisco (vs. Houston).