Five Takeaways from Week 8

The thought that owners should wait to draft a quarterback is a divisive matter in fantasy football. Compared to the vulnerability and general capriciousness of other positions, the reliability offered by field generals vouches for their heightened selection. On the other end, some argue that, in today’s pass-happy NFL environment, the relative ease in finding a roto arm puts emphasis on grabbing the remaining heavy-duty running backs early and often. Week 8 might have slammed the gravel down on this issue, in favor for the latter theory.

Ben Roethlisberger, he of 522 yards and six touchdowns on Sunday, went in the 11th round according to the FOXSports.com Average Draft Position tool. Second on the day in fantasy scoring was Tom Brady, a man so overlooked that he was dropped in most formats just a month ago. Rounding out the top three was Kyle Orton, who wasn’t even on a team in mid-August.

Conversely, three of the top four performers at running back in Week 8 – Matt Forte, Jamaal Charles and Eddie Lacy – were top-five picks, with the fourth – Arian Foster – owned a 13.9 Average Draft Position mark. Granted, backfield entities are more prone to injuries, but more often than not, when healthy, they produce to their projected output. Use this concept to your advantage next draft season.

Five takeaways from Week 8 action:

1. Why don’t you have Davante Adams on your team yet?

You’re not alone in ignoring the Packers wideout: Adams is available in 96 percent of FOXSports.com Fantasy Football leagues. However, following a vaunted college career at Fresno State (131 receptions, 1,719 yards, 24 touchdowns last season), Adams has posted two outings of 75 yards or more in the last three weeks and has hauled in two touchdowns on the month. Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb remain the primary options in the Packers’ aerial strategy, yet there’s plenty of love to go around in their high-octane offense for Adams to hold weekly fantasy relevancy.

Green Bay returns from the Bye with two dreadful secondaries in Chicago and Philadelphia on its slate. For those seeking a shot in the arm via a WR3 or Flex spot, Adams is your man.

2. Chicago ranks 20th in scoring and 14th in total offense

It’s easy to fall in love with the Bears. On paper, they look so enticing: Forte, two Pro Bowl receivers, Martellus Bennett, who’s leading tight ends in receptions. Alas, Smokin’ Jay Cutler’s ball security, or should we say lack thereof (eight interceptions, nine fumbles, four lost), continues to bridle this unit’s potency. As individual assets, the Bears maintain fantasy consequence. In terms of apprehension regarding playing the offense as a whole, it’s an unfounded claim, evidenced in opposing defenses ranking eighth in points scored versus Chicago. Speaking of which, hopefully this finally puts the “Marc Trestman: Quarterback Whisperer” claims to rest. I actually like Trestman, but here are his “touted” pupils: Brandon Weeden, Jimmy Clausen, Tim Tebow, Jason Campbell and Brock Osweiler. If you’re scoring at home, that’s four backups and a TV commentator. So yeah, maybe we should stop putting stock in Trestman rejuvenating Cutler’s career.

3. All BACK aboard the Keenan Allen Bandwagon

Every chat this year has been riddled with “Time to drop Allen???????” comments, an understandable sentiment given the second-year wideout’s disappointing start to the fall. Conversely, we tried to reassure agitated proprietors that Allen continued to lead the team in targets and receptions, and it would only be a matter of time before he hit pay dirt. Owners who stayed the course – and judging by the started percentage on FOXSports.com, it was a small contingent - were rewarded Thursday night in nine receptions for 73 yards and a score.

So before you bombard us with “Will Allen keep it up or was last week an anomaly?” concerns, yes, Allen merits a starting spot going forward. He may not fulfill his projection as a top-10 WR, but he still has the capacity to finish with a 1,110-yard, six-touchdown campaign, contributions that are prime for a WR2 slot.

4. Keep the faith with Cordarrelle Patterson (even with the walking-boot reports)

If I didn’t add that caveat, someone would have scribed a 500-word email on why I’m an idiot for recommending a player that was seen limping away from the stadium, even if I mentioned it in this below space. Most people only read the headlines and look for photos anyway. Such is the state of journalism in 2014. You’re aren’t even reading this, are you?

Although I wasn’t as high on Patterson’s 2014 forecast as some, the mass exodus on his fantasy value is a tad confusing. True, Teddy Bridgewater’s growing pains may correlate to inconsistent production for Patterson. In that same tone, it’s not like Matt Cassel was the paragon of stability. Moreover, Patterson has been targeted 24 times in the last three games.

Patterson’s upcoming itinerary is lip-licking with dates against Washington, Chicago, Green Bay and Carolina. (To be fair, said clubs view Minnesota in a similar manner.) As a flex with a ridiculously-high ceiling, Patterson, only started in 25 percent of formats last week, warrants a play.

5. Allen Robinson is owned in just 3.4 percent of FOXSports.com leagues

That other Robinson guy is garnering most of the attention is Jacksonville, and rightfully so. However, while everyone in your league is fighting to grab Shoelace off the waiver wire, give the Penn State product a gander. In the past month, the receiver has seen 37 passes in his direction, grabbing 22 for receptions. Taking into account the putridness of the Jaguars’ defense, the offense’s passing mantra should persist. In all formats, Robinson’s roster spot is unquestioned, and in deeper PPR leagues, the rookie deserves a starting spot.

Joel Beall is a writer for FOXSports.com and WhatIfSports.com, and is the host of the Fast Break on FOX podcast. He lives with a Golden Tee machine and a jump shot that’s broken. Reach Joel on Twitter @JoelMBeall