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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