8 Big-Name Players You May Want to Bench in Week 8

Giovani Bernard, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

If there's anyone's hype I believe in less than Lamar Miller's, it might be Giovani Bernard's. I get it: he can run fast, he can run quick, he can catch things, and he's pretty good at pass blocking. Yet, I haven't seen a lot to convince me he's a top-10 running back in redraft or a top-3 one in dynasty formats.

Sure, among running backs with at least 35 rushes, Bernard ranks 12th in Total NEP. However, he's just 22nd in both Rushing NEP and per attempt Rushing NEP. He's thriving on volume and his receiving ability in order to put up fantasy points, and when your quarterback is the barely-competent Andy Dalton, neither of those qualities should be assumed as givens.

Bernard also has to tote the rock this week against the eighth-ranked Baltimore Ravens rushing defense (per Adjusted Defensive Rushing NEP). The Ravens are a team on the rise right now, and if they score early, look for the Bengals to abandon the rushing game and reduce Bernard's attempts in an effort to catch up.