Denver Broncos - Fantasy News

Should I Start Demaryius Thomas in Week 8?

by Derek Norton

10/28/17

NFL

Denver Broncos

Demaryius Thomas

Denver’s Demaryius Thomas picked up just nine yards in the Broncos 21-0 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 7. That came just three weeks after a one-catch, 11-yard performance against the Oakland Raiders. So it’s probably safe to add “rock bottom” to Thomas’ range of possible outcomes.

But not everything is bleak for Denver’s top receiver, who will face the Chiefs in Kansas City on Monday night.

Why Should I Start Demaryius Thomas?

Thomas is far and away Denver’s best receiving weapon with Emmanuel Sanders expected to miss another game with an ankle injury. The Broncos could be staring at another loss if Trevor Siemian continues to target the likes of A.J. Derby and Bennie Fowler, so it would be logical to expect Thomas to get something closer to the 14 targets he received in Week 6 against the New York Giants.

At least part of the reason why Thomas struggled against the Chargers was coverage from All-Pro corner Casey Heyward. Thomas did manage an 81-yard reception against Heyward that was called back due to a ticky-tack offensive pass interference call. The narrative around Thomas is totally different if Heyward doesn’t get that call.

If any team could get Thomas back on track, it’s the Chiefs. Wide receivers are absolutely shredding them, with the most recent example coming in Week 7’s Thursday Night Football game when the previously deceased Amari Cooper put up 210 yards and two touchdowns.

The Chiefs have given up a league-high 13 touchdowns to wide receivers. In seven games, they’ve allowed at least one receiver to pick up 90 yards five times. In the other two contests, (Week 4 vs. Washington and Week 5 at Houston) they allowed seven wide receiver touchdowns. If the Chiefs don’t allow at least one receiver to exceed Thomas’s Week 8 Dober projection (10.5) it will be the first time this season.

Why Should I Bench Demaryius Thomas?

Thomas has now failed to score a touchdown in 12 straight games. He hasn’t scored against an AFC West foe since Week 17 of 2015 and hasn’t scored on the Chiefs since Week 13 of 2014. The streak will surely break at some point, but no one could reasonably expect a touchdown from Thomas given his recent history.

That’s especially true considering how poorly Siemian is playing. He ranks 24^th in quarterback rating, 22^nd in touchdowns and 23^rd in yards per attempt. His seven interceptions are tied for the sixth-most in the league. Though the Chiefs are getting torched through the air, they’ve faced Tom Brady, Carson Wentz, Philip Rivers, Kirk Cousins, Deshaun Watson, Ben Roethlisberger and Derek Carr. Most would consider Siemian the worst of the bunch. This could be a week for Kansas City’s defense to get right.

If Thomas struggled against Heyward, he could very well struggle against Marcus Peters. He usually stays on one side, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him stick to Thomas a bit more with Sanders out. If that happens, Thomas ought to feel right at home. In his last three meetings with the Chiefs, he’s averaging five receptions for 50 yards.

Should I Make Demaryius Thomas a Week 8 Fantasy Starter?

No. Mostly because Siemian just isn’t trustworthy, especially at Arrowhead. In his one previous start there, he completed 17 of 43 passes for 183 yards with no touchdown and an interception. That was a prime-time game as well. Given the circumstances, Kansas City’s abysmal pass defense is more likely to show up than Siemian. That would mean Thomas probably has a rough game, too.

Week 8 Fantasy Prediction: Demaryius Thomas Under 10.5 DFPs