Rashod Bateman or Romeo Doubs Week 8 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Fantasy Football projections for WRs
Rashod Bateman and Romeo Doubs - they are two wideouts who have tended to be overlooked in favor of two things: All-Pro/Pro Bowl running backs who can be monstrously productive on their day and big, burly pass-catching tight ends whom defensive backs usually cannot cover sufficiently.
But without them, their respective teams' entire offensive strategies will fall apart since secondaries can just blanket the receiving game at will. So who does his job at opening up offensive opportunities better? This fantasy analysis aims to find out.
Is Rashod Bateman a good fantasy pick in Week 8?
Rashod Bateman is the second of the Batimore Ravens' first-round receivers in the Lamar Jackson era. But unlike Marquise Brown, who at least managed a thousand-yard season before being sent to Glendale, he has yet to even just meet the expectations of his draft position (#27), not hitting 600 yards in each of his first three seasons.
In his last game, he proved that he could rise to the occasion, being the team's best pass-catcher against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (121 yards and a touchdown on just four catches). But a repeat performance should not be expected against the Cleveland Browns, who are still defensively dangerous despite their 1-6 record.
Sack machines Myles Garrett and Za'Darius Smith can pose a threat to Lamar Jackson's passing. And then there is the secondary that boasts Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Martin Emerson, Grant Delpit, and Juan Thornhill, who can shut down the long-range game that Bateman and Zay Flowers specialize in.
So the Ravens' best offensive bets will to run the ball, whether it be with Jackson, Derrick Henry, or Justice Hill; and throw to tight ends Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and Charlie Kolar, who will be too big and strong for the defensive backs to stop.
Is Romeo Doubs a good fantasy pick in Week 8?
Romeo Doubs is one-fourth of a monstrous wideout corps that also includes Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks. Furthermore, he is one-sixth of a monstrous offensive corps that also includes tight end Tucker Kraft and running back Josh Jacobs.
That is a major problem for the Jacksonville Jaguars' defense. Sure, Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker can blitz and sack Jordan Love; but beyond that? Devin Lloyd is their only other front-seven player worth anything; and their secondary is not among the most talented in the AFC, let alone the entire league.
Whom should I start between Rashod Bateman and Romeo Doubs?
Sportskeeda's Start Em/Sit Em tool has a very easy answer for this: Doubs. He is facing a weaker opponent who has struggled to defend, and thus struggled to win.
Granted, the Browns have also struggled to win; but quarterback Deshaun Watson and the offense are very likely bearing most of the blame for struggling to produce. The defense, especially when it comes to the aerial game, can still be very deadly, which means Bateman and co. will be limited to short- and mid-range connections that can make the secondary second-guess their routes.