Between injuries and byes, last week was a wild time for the fantasy football running back landscape. Millions of managers had to get very creative to start two decent RBs. This week's slate couldn't be more different, with a number of backs (hopefully) back from injury and zero teams on bye. Our Week 8 fantasy RB rankings for standard leagues will help you get up to speed and make the crucial start-or-sit decisions to win your week.
Each week, we conduct a detailed analysis of the RB position. We discuss the cream of the fantasy crop 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 ward you off the RBs we view as busts. Once we have covered all that, we get to the most important part: our full running back rankings for the week.
Just a reminder: given the fluid nature of the RB position, we typically make frequent updates throughout the week. Our goal remains to keep you informed and privy to our insights — that way you can achieve your goal of making the best possible roster decisions each week. So, let's get to it, talk about RBs, and get you feeling confident about attacking the eighth week of the NFL slate.
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Which RBs are on bye in Week 8?
After a whopping six teams had byes last weekend, every single NFL team will be playing in Week 8. That means far less streaming with dart-throw waiver-wire guys, but also far more start-or-sit decisions within your RB and flex positions.
WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
It's possible that backs from one of the six teams coming off bye can be found on your waiver wire. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Texans' Devin Singletary, Panthers' Chuba Hubbard, Titans' Tyjae Spears, and maybe even Cowboys backups Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn.
WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Who are the best fantasy RBs in Week 8?
Christian McCaffrey (vs. Bengals in Week 8) remains numero uno against a Cincinnati D that has quietly surrendered 100.5 rushing yards per game to RBs this season. Austin Ekeler (vs. Bears) joins him at the top -- not because Chicago gives up a ton of yards, but because it's an open-door to the end zone for backs. Across the Chi's first six games, RBs scored 21.5 standard fantasy points per outing and a whopping eight all-purpose TDs (four in the air, four on the ground).
Raheem Mostert (vs. Patriots) remains 'Must-Start Mostert" against New England even though Bill Belichick's squad shocked the world by upsetting the Bills in Week 7. James Cook still averaged 4.3 yards per carry and would have finished with far more fantasy production if it hadn't turned into a negative game script for Buffalo. Mike McDaniel's Fish will fry these Pats in South Beach like a chorizo croqueta in Little Havana.
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 Ron Rivera's squad ranks near the bottom of the league barrel in both points and yards allowed per game. Tony Pollard (vs. Rams) and Travis Etienne (@ Steelers) have tougher matchups, but their roles have become so dependable that they're locked in like apple juice pouches are locked into my weekly shopping list.
Hopefully, you didn't shop Isiah Pacheco (@ Broncos) earlier this season. The Chiefs' second-year RB has been running angry since becoming KC's workhorse back. He must be licking his chops to face the Broncos, the NFL's worst run defense by a country mile. Positive matchups bumped both Breece Hall (vs. Vikings) and Aaron Jones (vs. Vikings) into the top 10, as well. Meanwhile, the red-hot Kenneth Walker (vs. Browns) will take on a Cleveland D 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 in Week 8?
Neither New England back would qualify as a sleeper, per se, but Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott (@ Dolphins) both get enough volume to fill in nicely if you have David Montgomery (ribs), James Conner (knee), Kyren Williams (ankle), or De'Von Achane (knee) on the shelf. Entering Week 7, Miami had surrendered 17.6 standard points per game to RBs, and 'Mondre and Zeke are arguably Mac Jones' best skill-position players in a game in which the Pats will be playing catchup all night.
After an incredible Week 7 from the Bears' D'Onta Foreman (@ Chargers), we have to think he's the lead back going into L.A. Khalil Herbert (ankle) remains on IR, Roschon Johnson has failed to clear concussion protocol each of the past two weeks, and Foreman just looked flat-out dominant out there with volume against the Raiders. The Chargers give up almost the same standard points per game to RBs this season, so grab this dude at all costs if he's available!
Gus Edwards (@ Cardinals) takes a big jump well into the top 20 against an Arizona defense that just got gashed by Kenneth Walker III. Gus the Bus had a damn good week, too, putting 144 yards and a TD on 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.
Tyjae Spears (vs. Falcons) won't have as easy a week against an underrated Atlanta defense, but he should be scooped up wherever he's on waivers. He's only 40-percent rostered entering the week, which is baffling. He has arguably looked better than Derrick Henry for most of the season, and he's always a candidate to break one against a young, raw defense like Atlanta. You don't have to start him, but absolutely consider priority-stashing him. The same goes for L.A.'s Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman (@ Cowboys).
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) sits just outside our top 25 rankings, but we're believing in him -- and the offense around him -- less and less. He has netted 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 a total stalwart against the run, but we worry that a motivated Bills front-seven will rally and make things tough on the second-year back again. Game script likely won't help matters.
We have similar worries with Brian Robinson (vs. Eagles), who has averaged just 27.3 ground yards per game over Washington's past four contests. The Eagles defensive line is no fun to face when you're already in a rut.
Could it be that the Zack Moss (vs. Saints) fairy tale could be coming to an end? Now that the rust seems to be off the wheels of Jonathan Taylor since his return from the PUP list, Moss could start fading back into obscurity. Maybe sell now while you still can.
What are the biggest RB injuries in Week 8?
We're obviously still keeping an eye on the 49ers' Christian McCaffrey (oblique), but we're mirroring the 49ers' cautious optimism. You'll still want to roster Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell as insurance, though. Mason has the touchdown upside, while Mitchell has between-the-20s appeal. Both will be heavily involved against a bad Bengals' run D.
The Browns' Jerome Ford (ankle) suffered what looked like a high-ankle sprain in Week 7 after initially looking fantastic against the Colts. If it's minor, he could be back next week. If it's as ugly as it looked, maybe we won't see him for a few weeks. Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong would be the immediate benefactors if Ford misses Cleveland's tilt with the Seahawks, but Pete Carroll's squad hasn't been too generous to backs lately.
Falcons dynamic rookie Bijan Robinson dealt with a severe migraine last week, but it seems he should be fine for Atlanta's matchup with the Titans. We did knock him down a bit, though, because Tennessee has a strong run D and Tyler Allgeier has looked good in his complementary role.
Lions power runner David Montgomery (ribs) has been out since the Lions' Week 6 win over Tampa Bay, but rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) has returned to action. Montgomery is once again expected to be out against Las Vegas on Monday night.
We'll also continue to monitor Roschon Johnson's potential return from a concussion ahead of Chicago's road matchup with the Chargers while Khalil Herbert remains on IR with his high-ankle sprain. Like we said before, though, D'Onta Foreman is the man to own in that backfield right now.
Miles Sanders (shoulder) missed Carolina's game before its Week 7 bye, and he's no sure thing to suit up against Houston this week. Monitor him closely and be ready to employ Chuba Hubbard if needed.
James Conner (knee), Kyren Williams (ankle), and De'Von Achane (knee) remain on IR and will all be out at least two more weeks.
We'll continue to update our standard RB rankings throughout the week, so check back for updates.
Fantasy RB Rankings Week 8: Who to start, sit at running back
Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring
Rank Player
1 Christian McCaffrey, 49ers vs. Bengals
2 Austin Ekeler, Chargers vs. Bears
3 Raheem Mostert, Dolphins vs. Patriots
4 D'Andre Swift, Eagles @ Commanders
5 Tony Pollard, Cowboys vs. Rams
6 Travis Etienne, Jaguars @ Steelers
7 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs @ Broncos
8 Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks vs. Browns
9 Breece Hall, Jets @ Giants
10 Aaron Jones, Packers vs. Vikings
11 Alvin Kamara, Saints @ Colts
12 Josh Jacobs, Raiders @ Lions
13 Derrick Henry, Titans vs. Falcons
14 Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions vs. Raiders
15 Saquon Barkley, Giants vs. Jets
16 Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots @ Dolphins
17 D'Onta Foreman, Bears @ Chargers
18 Dameon Pierce, Texans @ Panthers
19 Gus Edwards, Ravens @ Cardinals
20 Jonathan Taylor, Colts vs. Saints
21 James Cook, Bills vs. Buccaneers
22 Joe Mixon, Bengals @ 49ers
23 Alexander Mattison, Vikings @ Packers
24 Bijan Robinson, Falcons @ Titans
25 Javonte Williams, Broncos vs. Chiefs
26 Chuba Hubbard, Panthers vs. Texans
27 Kareem Hunt, Browns @ Seahawks
28 Tyjae Spears, Titans vs. Falcons
29 Rachaad White, Buccaneers @ Bills
30 Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders vs. Eagles
31 Miles Sanders, Panthers vs. Texans
32 Najee Harris, Steelers vs. Jaguars
33 Zack Moss, Colts vs. Saints
34 Jaylen Warren, Steelers vs. Jaguars
35 Emari Demarcardo, Cardinals vs. Ravens
36 Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos vs. Chiefs
37 Darrell Henderson, Rams @ Cowboys
38 Latavius Murray, Bills vs. Buccaneers
39 Craig Reynolds, Lions vs. Raiders
40 Royce Freeman, Rams @ Cowboys
41 Dalvin Cook, Jets @ Giants
42 AJ Dillon, Packers vs. Vikings
43 Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles @ Commanders
44 Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots @ Dolphins
45 Jeff Wilson Jr., Dolphins vs. Patriots
46 Tyler Allgeier, Falcons @ Titans
47 Pierre Strong, Browns at Seahawks
48 Elijah Mitchell, 49ers vs. Bengals
49 Antonio Gibson, Commanders vs. Eagles
50 Jamaal Williams, Saints @ Colts
51 Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks vs. Browns
52 Roschon Johnson, Bears @ Chargers
53 Damien Williams, Cardinals vs. Ravens
54 Jordan Mason, 49ers vs. Bengals
55 Zamir White, Raiders @ Lions
56 Darrynton Evans, Bears @ Chargers
57 Justice Hill, Ravens @ Cardinals
58 Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Buccaneers @ Bills
59 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs @ Broncos
60 Joshua Kelley, Chargers vs. Bears
61 Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs @ Broncos
62 Rico Dowdle, Cowboys vs. Rams
63 Boston Scott, Eagles @ Commanders
64 Cam Akers, Vikings @ Packers
65 Tank Bigsby, Jaguars @ Steelers
66 Matt Breida, Giants vs. Jets
67 Samaje Perine, Broncos vs. Chiefs
68 Deuce Vaughn, Cowboys vs. Rams
Week 8 RB fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
Draft Sharks projections for the new week will update every Tuesday and be constantly adjusted throughout the week
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