Fantasy Football RB PPR Rankings Week 8: Who to start, sit at running back in fantasy football

Sloan Piva

Fantasy Football RB PPR Rankings Week 8: Who to start, sit at running back in fantasy football image

With seven weeks of the 2023 NFL season in the books, the running back position seems as volatile as ever in fantasy land. We have seen a plethora of injuries, players changing teams and/or roles, sleepers and disappointments, and of course, the Week 7 byepocalypse. But this week, every team will be in action, so the only RB volatility will be our own start 'em and sit 'em decisions. Our Week 8 fantasy RB PPR rankings will make things easier for you during that important decision-making process. 

Each week, we break down the RB position and discuss the most elite options for the upcoming games. We unveil the sleepers you should consider unleashing, as well as the waiver-wire pickups who should be on your radar. We also warn you against starting the RBs we view as busts. We also go over all the most important RB injuries. Once we have covered all that, we get to the most important part: our full running back rankings for the week. 

So, let's break down fantasy's most important position during what's sure to be a pivotal week.

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Which RBs are on bye in Week 8?

After a half-dozen teams had last weekend off, we will have no byes on the Week 8 slate. That means far less streaming with desperation plays, but it also means far more tough start-or-sit decisions with your RB and flex positions. 

WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Be on the lookout for any fringe RBs who were dropped during last week's six-team bye, including Tennessee's Tyjae Spears, Houston's Devin Singletary, and Carolina's Chuba Hubbard.

WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Who are the best fantasy RBs in Week 8?

Stop us if you've heard this before, but Christian McCaffrey (vs. Bengals in Week 8) remains the best of the best. CMC will draw a Cincinnati D that has quietly surrendered 21.3 PPR points per game to RBs this season. Austin Ekeler (vs. Bears) joins him at the top against a Chicago defense that's struggled all season to keep RBs out of the end zone.

Raheem Mostert (vs. Patriots) remains a "must-start" despite a quiet Week 7. James Cook still averaged 4.3 yards per carry and found the end zone last week against New England, so Mostert should get back to his dominant ways in South Beach. 

We also like D'Andre Swift (@ Commanders) to continue running strong behind Philly's dominant offensive line. Washington has allowed 113 rushing yards per game over the past six weeks and was just gashed by Saquon Barkley. Tony Pollard (vs. Rams) and Travis Etienne (@ Steelers) are locked into their roles that see them busy on the ground and through the air.

Isiah Pacheco (@ Broncos) must be licking his chops to face the Broncos, the NFL's worst run defense by a wide margin. Breece Hall (vs. Vikings) and Aaron Jones (vs. Vikings) also have highly favorable matchups. Kenneth Walker (vs. Browns) will also eat against a Cleveland defense that just let the Colts' Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss combine for 182 all-purpose yards. 

WEEK 8 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em

Who are the best fantasy RB sleepers, waiver pickups Week 8?

It may seem risky, but we're confident in starting Rhamondre Stevenson (@ Dolphins) since Miami hasn't been nearly as elite on defense as it has been on offense. 'Mondre might very well be the best pass-catcher in New England, so he represents massive PPR upside in a game that will likely see Mac Jones trailing in the second half. The Fins let Philly rack up 340 total yards of offense on Sunday Night Football in Week 7.

Gus Edwards (@ Cardinals) takes a big jump well into the top 20 against an Arizona defense that just got gashed by Kenneth Walker III. Edwards impressed last week with 64 ground yards and a score as well as 80 receiving yards against the usually-stout defense of the Lions.

We also continue to like the Panthers' Chuba Hubbard (vs. Texans), who has been better and more healthy than Miles Sanders (shoulder) and draws a perennially poor Houston run D this weekend. The Steelers' Jaylen Warren (vs. Jaguars) continues to impress in PPR formats, too, and I'm one of the truthers who thinks Pittsburgh should (and will eventually) play him over Najee Harris. 

WEEK 8 DFS: DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks

Who are the biggest potential fantasy RB busts in Week 8?

Rachaad White (@ Bills) just had his second-best game of the year (99 total yards), but he's posted 2.7 yards per rush or fewer in three games now and failed to eclipse 3.7 YPC in five of six games total. Buffalo hasn't been great against the run, but we worry that a motivated Bills front-seven will rally and make things tough on the second-year back again, even in PPR formats.

The clock might be striking midnight on Zack Moss (vs. Saints). Jonathan Taylor looked like his old self last week, and Moss managed just one catch in Week 7. 

Even if he plays, Miles Sanders (vs. Texans) seems like a massive trap this week, and we want no part of it. It's a home game against a squad that's not known for stopping the run, but Sanders has been pretty easy for even the worst defenses to slow down. Chuba Hubbard seems like the RB to own in this system. Fade Sanders -- or, even better, trade Sanders.

What are the biggest RB injuries in Week 8?

David Montgomery (ribs) and Roschon Johnson (concussion) missed last week, and we're not convinced either will play this week. Johnson (@ Chargers) is much more likely than Montgomery (vs. Raiders) to suit up, but D'Onta Foreman (@ Chargers) seems to have run away with the starting job in Chicago. Jahmyr Gibbs (vs. Raiders) will continue to hold things down for Detroit.

Jerome Ford (ankle) and Bijan Robinson (migraine) were hobbled in Week 7 and have different outlooks going into Week 8. Robinson (@ Titans) seems likely to bounce back and get his usual 15-plus touches, but Ford is much more up in the air. If he's out, look for Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong (@ Seahawks) to split touches. 

We'll also have to monitor Miles Sanders (shoulder), who missed Carolina's Week 6 game before their bye. Christian McCaffrey (oblique) will also need to be watched closely after being a game-time decision in Week 7.

Kyren Williams (ankle), James Conner (knee), De'Von Achane (knee), and Khalil Herbert (ankle) remain on IR and out until at least Week 10. 

We'll continue to update our RB PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for updates.

Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 8: Who to start, sit at running back

Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring formats 

Rank    Player
1    Christian McCaffrey, 49ers vs. Bengals
2    Austin Ekeler, Chargers vs. Bears
3    Raheem Mostert, Dolphins vs. Patriots
4    Travis Etienne, Jaguars @ Steelers
5    Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs @ Broncos
6    Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks vs. Browns
7    Tony Pollard, Cowboys vs. Rams
8    Breece Hall, Jets @ Giants
9    D'Andre Swift, Eagles @ Commanders
10    Aaron Jones, Packers vs. Vikings
11    Alvin Kamara, Saints @ Colts
12    Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions vs. Raiders
13    Josh Jacobs, Raiders @ Lions
14    Saquon Barkley, Giants vs. Jets
15    Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots @ Dolphins
16    Derrick Henry, Titans vs. Falcons
17    Gus Edwards, Ravens @ Cardinals
18    D'Onta Foreman, Bears @ Chargers
19    Dameon Pierce, Texans @ Panthers
20    James Cook, Bills vs. Buccaneers
21    Jonathan Taylor, Colts vs. Saints
22    Bijan Robinson, Falcons @ Titans
23    Joe Mixon, Bengals @ 49ers
24    Javonte Williams, Broncos vs. Chiefs
25    Chuba Hubbard, Panthers vs. Texans
26    Alexander Mattison, Vikings @ Packers
27    Kareem Hunt, Browns @ Seahawks
28    Najee Harris, Steelers vs. Jaguars
29    Zack Moss, Colts vs. Saints
30    Rachaad White, Buccaneers @ Bills
31    Jaylen Warren, Steelers vs. Jaguars
32    Tyjae Spears, Titans vs. Falcons
33    Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders vs. Eagles
34    Miles Sanders, Panthers vs. Texans
35    Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos vs. Chiefs
36    Darrell Henderson, Rams @ Cowboys
37    Emari Demarcardo, Cardinals vs. Ravens
38    Craig Reynolds, Lions vs. Raiders
39    Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles @ Commanders
40    Jeff Wilson Jr., Dolphins vs. Patriots
41    Tyler Allgeier, Falcons @ Titans
42    Latavius Murray, Bills vs. Buccaneers
43    Royce Freeman, Rams @ Cowboys
44    Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots @ Dolphins
45    Dalvin Cook, Jets @ Giants
46    Pierre Strong, Browns at Seahawks
47    AJ Dillon, Packers vs. Vikings
48    Antonio Gibson, Commanders vs. Eagles
49    Elijah Mitchell, 49ers vs. Bengals
50    Jamaal Williams, Saints @ Colts
51    Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks vs. Browns
52    Roschon Johnson, Bears @ Chargers
53    Zamir White, Raiders @ Lions
54    Damien Williams, Cardinals vs. Ravens
55    Jordan Mason, 49ers vs. Bengals
56    Joshua Kelley, Chargers vs. Bears
57    Justice Hill, Ravens @ Cardinals
58    Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Buccaneers @ Bills
59    Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs @ Broncos
60    Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs @ Broncos
61    Rico Dowdle, Cowboys vs. Rams
62    Boston Scott, Eagles @ Commanders
63    Cam Akers, Vikings @ Packers
64    Tank Bigsby, Jaguars @ Steelers
65    Matt Breida, Giants vs. Jets
66    Samaje Perine, Broncos vs. Chiefs
67    Deuce Vaughn, Cowboys vs. Rams

Week 8 RB PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

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Sloan Piva

Sloan Piva Photo

Sloan Piva is a content producer for The Sporting News, primarily focused on betting, fantasy sports, and poker. A lifelong New Englander, Sloan earned his BA and MA in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts and now lives in coastal Rhode Island with his wife and two kids.