Week 8 Fantasy Football Running Back Preview

Top 50 Fantasy RBs for Week 8

Let's dig into the reasons you should -- or shouldn't -- play these guys ...

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Philadelphia Eagles at Cincinnati Bengals

Saquon Barkley, Eagles

No revenge-game narrative for Barkley this week, like he had against the Giants. But he does find a Bengals defense that ranks just 22nd in rush DVOA. That’s worse than the Giants (14th). Fantasy’s No. 3 back to date doesn’t need the help.

Chase Brown, Bengals

Brown fell back to even with Zack Moss in passing work last week after leading him there in the win over the Giants. His continued rushing lead keeps him easily ahead of his backfield mate. But that passing split – with an edge for Moss most weeks so far – adds downside risk to Brown. There’s upside too, if the Bengals can jump out to a lead. Philly does rank lower in DVOA vs. the run than the pass but carries a more positive rating vs. the pass. Role uncertainty plus no teams having byes this week places Brown just outside the top 24 in our PPR rankings. But he’s a fine option if he’s the highest-rated for your lineup spot.

Zack Moss, Bengals

Moss reclaimed a *slight* edge over Chase Brown in passing usage last week but continued to trail him in rushing work. Moss has garnered 12 touches or fewer in three straight games, including just 7 and 9 the past two weeks. That’s enough to make him an option if you’re digging deep – especially in the case that Philly gets ahead and forces more Bengals passing. But Moss is far from attractive in any format.

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns

Derrick Henry, Ravens

Henry’s on pace for 2,120 rushing yards, which would be enough to break the single-season record. Adding at least one score in each game, there’s no reason to bench the future Hall of Famer.

Justice Hill, Ravens

The Ravens enter the weekend as 8.5-point road favorites – not the type of game that projects to benefit Hill. He’s seen only 12% of RB carries thus far; 68.5% of the backfield targets.

Nick Chubb, Browns

In his 2024 debut, Chubb handled 55% of Cleveland’s rush attempts. He had little room to run against the Bengals. But the usage – coming off a major knee injury – is the key takeaway. Poor game script is likely against Baltimore, putting a dent into Chubb’s upside.

Tennessee Titans at Detroit Lions

Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions

Gibbs had his best game of the season last week with 160 total yards and two TDs. He forced eight missed tackles in the game, and showed his elusiveness. David Montgomery always limits the TD upside for Gibbs, but he is a must start, even against a Titans defense that bottles up the run at times.

David Montgomery, Lions

Montgomery left last week with an injury (but came back) and missed out on extending his TD streak. With Jahmyr Gibbs hitting the big plays, Montgomery disappointed. He is TD dependent in a tough Titans matchup, but the Lions game script may lead to a lot of rushing. Solid RB2.

Tony Pollard, Titans

Pollard disappointed with Tyjae Spears out only mustering 65 total yards. He did dominate the RB touches though and should again this week. The Lions run defense is stout, so Pollard will likely need a TD to be worthwhile. Low-end RB2.

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans

Joe Mixon, Texans

Mixon has finished RB2, RB2, and RB4 in PPR points in his three full games this season. That first RB2 finish came against the Colts back in Week 1. Mixon ripped off 159 yards and a score on 30 carries in that one. Indianapolis heads into the rematch ranked 23rd in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.

Jonathan Taylor, Colts

Taylor is on track to return from a three-game absence for Sunday's game vs. the Texans. RBs sometimes struggle coming off high-ankle sprains, though. And this matchup is tough against the Texans, who rank second in run defense DVOA and third in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. Houston held JT to 48 yards on 16 carries back in Week 1 -- although Taylor did score in that one. Consider him more of a RB2 in Week 8 fantasy lineups.

Green Bay Packers at Jacksonville Jaguars

Josh Jacobs, Packers

Jacobs finally got the first receiving TD of his career and had 92 total yards last week. He is getting bellcow usage for the Packers. The Jaguars run D is tough, but they have allowed the most receiving points to RBs per game. Jacobs is a low end RB1.

Travis Etienne, Jaguars

HC Doug Pederson said that Etienne would remain the starter, but Tank Bigsby has looked great. Etienne has the receiving edge though, and in any type of PPR league, he should have a solid floor. Etienne is a high-end RB3.

Tank Bigsby, Jaguars

Bigsby has been awesome running the ball, but Travis Etienne comes back and will likely remain the starter. The Packers run defense is weak and if Bigsby gets going, he has a high ceiling this week. Bigsby is a high-end RB4 with upside.

Emanuel Wilson, Packers

Josh Jacobs is the bellcow, but Wilson can add a reception here and there. He should be considered a high-end RB5 in hopes of a big play.

Arizona Cardinals at Miami Dolphins

James Conner, Cardinals

Conner’s solid season continued in Week 7, as he forced a stunning 15 missed tackles (per PFF). He’s also hit 85+ rushing yards in three of his past four matchups. He visits Miami as a 3.5-point underdog, but in a close game, another 18+ touches would be likely.

De’Von Achane, Dolphins

Achane came off a Week 5 concussion last week and posted solid usage numbers: 57% snaps, 42% rush attempts, 66% routes, 14% target share. While Raheem Mostert will mix in, Achane remains a big-play threat with elevated scoring upside. Note that Week 8 will bring the return of Tua Tagovailoa.

Raheem Mostert, Dolphins

Last week, Mostert acted as the “1B” option behind De’Von Achane. We expect a similar split going forward, but the Arizona matchup at least helps on the efficiency front. They’ve allowed 4.5 YPC to RBs this year and just lost LB Dennis Gardeck to an ACL tear.

New York Jets at New England Patriots

Breece Hall, Jets

After five games, Hall ranked 16th among RBs in carry share (57.5%) and fourth in target share (14.2%). In two weeks since the coaching change, he ranks first in both categories: 83.3% carries and 20.3% targets.

Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots

Stevenson’s at least a good bet to outperform his first meeting with the Jets. He delivered just 23 rushing yards and his only catchless outing back in Week 3. But he’s also a weak bet for good production. Stevenson finished three of the past four games with 62 total yards or fewer than 43 rushing yards or fewer. He’s also coming off his second game of fewer than 10 touches. He did at least easily lead Antonio Gibson in work last week.

Antonio Gibson, Patriots

Gibson looked like he had a shot to challenge Rhamondre Stevenson’s grip on the backfield at one point. Then he managed just 19 rushing yards and 43 total yards in the loss to Houston, with Stevenson out. And then Gibson totaled just 13 yards on 4 touches in Stevenson’s Week 7 return.

Braelon Allen, Jets

Allen has seen Breece Hall take back league-leading shares of both carries and targets over the two weeks since the Jets switched coaches. That’s meant just 6 total touches for Allen across the two games.

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bijan Robinson, Falcons

Robinson is hitting his stride having 24 touches for 143 yards and a TD. He has been an RB1 in each of the last two weeks as the offense has shifted to feature him. He is a top-5 option this week as always especially after the Bucs were killed by the Ravens on the ground last week.

Rachaad White, Buccaneers

White split snaps almost evenly with Bucky Irving, but he found the end zone twice in a last ditch comeback effort against he Ravens. Game script may determine which Bucs RB is worth having, but White is the best bet for receiving work. He is a high-end RB3.

Bucky Irving, Buccaneers

Irving split snaps almost evenly with Rachaad White and was outscored by White in fantasy. Irving has been the better runner for most of the season, but White found the end zone twice last week. Irving is a solid RB2.

Tyler Allgeier, Falcons

Allgeier gets some touches but continues playing behind Bijan Robinson, obviously. If the Falcons gets up early or have a run-heavy game script, a TD is always possible, but Allgeier is a hail mary RB4 only.

Sean Tucker, Buccaneers

Tucker was clearly third in the Bucs RB pecking order, and when they got down early, he barely saw the field. With the right game script, Tucker could have some solid touches, but he is more of an RB4 this week. 

New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Chargers

Alvin Kamara, Saints

Kamara just signed a contract extension, putting to bed any trade rumors. He’s the PPR RB2 on the strength of a position-high 43 targets. Despite a shaky offense, Kamara’s volume keeps him on the RB1 fringe.

J.K. Dobbins, Chargers

Dobbins’ usage has spiked without Gus Edwards, but the production hasn’t followed. In fact, he’s notched only 3.1 YPC since Week 3. Part of that is a tough schedule, but looking ahead, New Orleans doesn’t project as a difficult task. They’re 31st in rush defense DVOA.

Buffalo Bills at Seattle Seahawks

Kenneth Walker, Seahawks

Walker has been as advertised with the Seahawks shifting more work to him on offense. He had 16 touches for 93 yards and two TDs last week and another TD called back in the game. He is a high end RB1 and the focus will be to exploit the Bills mediocre run defense.

James Cook, Bills

Cook hasn’t been used in the passing game as much as he needs to be to have RB1 numbers, but the explosive Bills offense always gives him a chance to score. He came back from his toe injury to only have 32 yards on the ground. He should get more work this week, but is only an RB2 despite the poor Seahawks rush defense.

Ray Davis, Bills

Davis didn’t do much with Cook back, but he continued to flash hard-nosed running, breaking tackles throughout the game. His upside is capped as the clear back-up on the team though, so Davis is an RB4 this week in hopes for a TD against a poor Seahawks rush defense.

Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks

With Kenneth Walker’s dominance, Charbonnet hasn’t cracked fantasy relevance since Walker returned from injury. He is the clear back-up who would need a Walker injury to be relevant. RB4 only.

Carolina Panthers at Denver Broncos

Javonte Williams, Broncos

Williams delivered 111 total yards and two scores in a plus matchup vs. the Saints last week. Now comes an even better matchup against the Panthers, who rank dead last in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs, providing a 56% scoring boost to the position. The Broncos' 26-point implied total for this one is fourth highest on the week. It's the best spot Williams will get all season.

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers

Despite a dud from Carolina's offense last week, Hubbard still managed to finish 23rd among RBs in PPR points. That gives him six straight top-25 finishes. Hubbard is in a tough spot this weekend with QB Bryce Young back under center and matchup with the Broncos, who rank eighth in run defense DVOA. But Hubbard should see enough volume to at least return RB2 value.

Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos

McLaughlin has been the Broncos' clear No. 2 RB over the last four games, averaging just 5.5 carries and 1.8 targets per game. There should be more work to go around for the backfield this week, though, with Denver big 10-point favorites over the Bryce Young-led Panthers. Carolina ranks dead last in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. McLaughlin is a viable Week 8 flier for fantasy teams hurting at RB.

Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders

Kareem Hunt, Chiefs

This backfield clearly belongs to Hunt. He’s handled 63% and 75% of the backfield carries over his past two, and with Isiah Pacheco still out, he faces little competition for touches. The Raiders turn up an excellent scoring matchup – especially without DL Christian Wilkins (foot).

Alexander Mattison, Raiders

The Chiefs have allowed only 3.3 YPC to enemy RBs – plus only two total RB scores. Mix in negative game script, and Mattison is an unlikely RB2.

Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders

D’andre Swift, Bears

Swift has had three straight weeks as an RB1 and a juicy match-up against the Commanders this week. With the Bears OL gelling, especially in run blocking, Swift could continue his streak of dominance this week. Swift is a high end RB2 with RB1 potential.

Brian Robinson, Commanders

Robinson had a solid return from injury last week, rushing 12 times for 71 yards and a TD. As his health increases, so should the rushing volume. The best way to attack the Bears is on the ground, and without Jayden Daniels, that is through Robinson. He has RB2 potential.

Austin Ekeler, Commanders

Ekeler hasn’t performed well when Robinson is in the lineup, but if the Commanders get down early, Ekeler could become a checkdown option for Marcus Mariota. TD potential is low, but Ekeler is likely an RB4 due to his pass catching ability.

Roschon Johnson, Bears

With how bad the Commanders run defense has been, Johnson could get some goal line carries and perhaps find a TD. He is a low end RB4 who is TD dependent.

Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers

Jordan Mason, 49ers

Mason finished the week with a full practice and no injury designation for the second straight week. He posted limited numbers against a tough Chiefs defense, but Brock Purdy vultured a pair of 1-yard TDs. And Mason handled 14 of 15 HB carries for the game. This week finds a Dallas defense that’s eighth most friendly to RB scoring. San Francisco remains a 4-point favorite in spite of the injuries. That includes WR Deebo Samuel and TE George Kittle being questionable. Don’t be surprised if we get a run-heavy game this week.

Rico Dowdle, Cowboys

Dowdle carried just five times in the lopsided loss to Detroit the last time he played. He also logged just 8 and 7 carries in the Cowboys’ previous two losses. This team doesn’t look prepared to go to San Francisco and win. There’s at least some reception upside. Dowdle drew 5+ targets in each of the team’s three losses.

New York Giants at Pittsburgh Steelers

Najee Harris, Steelers

Harris has tallied back-to-back games of 100+ rushing yards. Game script should favor plenty of rushing in this one, as Pittsburgh enters as 6.5-point home favorites.

Tyrone Tracy, Giants

After Week 7, HC Brian Daboll said Tracy has “earned more playing time.” That was following a late-game blowout loss, but he saw 67% of the routes, 40% of the carries, and an 18% target share. Devin Singletary will still mix in, and the Steelers matchup remains tough. So you’re best off treating the rookie as a pure FLEX option.

Devin Singletary, Giants

The Steelers have allowed only three RBs to hit 50 rushing yards in 2024. Meanwhile, Singletary seems to have fallen into a timeshare with rookie Tyrone Tracy. We’ll see if Singletary can capture a larger share of the work now two weeks back from a groin injury. Regardless, we don’t see a high ceiling here.

Jaylen Warren, Steelers

Cordarrelle Patterson returned to practice on Thursday, and his potential return could eat into Warren’s touches. Warren saw 12 carries in Week 7, but five of them came on the final drive with the game out of reach.

 

Got Other Start-Sit Questions?

Matt and Jared run through some of the bigger Week 7 lineup questions in this preview show ...