Welcome to the fantasy football Week 8 running back rankings hub!
Injuries and COVID-19 cases suffered by teammates elevate Cleveland’s Nick Chubb and Green Bay’s Aaron Jones to the No. 2 and 3 RB spot this week. Week 7 answered the questions surrounding the 49ers’ backfield: Elijah Mitchell is the clear-cut lead back and JaMycal Hasty has the passing catch back job completely sewn up. NYJ’s Michael Carter has already had his breakout game, he’s the full-on bellcow for Gotham’s oft-forgotten team.
Below you will find my top-60 running backs for Week 8. These rankings are geared toward .5PPR scoring formats for Week 6 of the 2021 NFL season but should aid those who play in both non-PPR and full-point PPR formats. I’ve also included my top RB streaming option this week and DFS play of the week (cost via FanDuel).
Check back throughout the week to see how expectations have changed as news continues to roll in, enhancing our prognostication abilities. Feel free to hit me up on twitter @Ginger__Nic for any fantasy related advice.
Stream of the Week: Kenneth Gainwell at Detroit Lions
It’s chalky but simple, Gainwell handled lead back, dual threat duties after Miles Sanders’ exit in Week 7 (ankle) and is expected to play that role again in Week 8. There’s some talk of Jordan Howard being active and Boston Scott will surely factor in, but Gainwell should get first crack at a Junior Varsity-esque Lions’ front-seven. Detroit’s NEFF run defense rating of 44.7% ranks 21 in the NFL and their 26.9 .5PPR RB PPG allowed is the 4th highest average of 2021. Gainwell should have a floor of 12 touches but realistically could see 18 or more, with nearly half coming via the passing game. Ranked at his floor, he’s a mid-to-low RB2.
DFS Play of the Week: Aaron Jones ($8,000) at Arizona Cardinals
Misfortune arrived in a hurry this week when All Pro WR Davante Adams landed on the COVID-19/Reserve List on Monday and No. 2 WR Allen Lazard followed suit on Tuesday. It’s not a coincidence that Jones’ three eight-target outings—his career-high single game sum—all occurred with Adams inactive. Sans both Adams and Lazard, Jones may enter the 9-10 target territory tomorrow night. Enhancing Jones’ potential outcome, Arizona is also likely to be missing key components of their defensive front. DL J.J. Watt suffered a shoulder injury last week and has failed to practice on both Monday and Tuesday while rotational hogmollies Rashard Lawrence (calf, DNP/DNP) and Corey Peters (COVID-19/Reserve List) are equally in jeopardy of missing the bout.
Week 8 Running Back Rankings
Rank | Name | Team | Opp |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Derrick Henry | TEN | at IND |
2 | Nick Chubb | CLE | vs. PIT |
3 | Aaron Jones | GB | at ARI |
4 | Jonathan Taylor | IND | vs. TEN |
5 | Dalvin Cook | MIN | vs. DAL |
6 | D'Andre Swift | DET | vs. PHI |
7 | Ezekiel Elliott | DAL | at MIN |
8 | Austin Ekeler | LAC | vs. NE |
9 | Alvin Kamara | NO | vs. TB |
10 | Darrell Henderson Jr. | LAR | at HOU |
11 | James Robinson | JAC | at SEA |
12 | Cordarrelle Patterson | ATL | vs. CAR |
13 | Najee Harris | PIT | at CLE |
14 | Elijah Mitchell | SF | at CHI |
15 | Joe Mixon | CIN | at NYJ |
16 | Damien Harris | NE | at LAC |
17 | Chuba Hubbard | CAR | at ATL |
18 | Leonard Fournette | TB | at NO |
19 | Khalil Herbert | CHI | vs. SF |
20 | Chase Edmonds | ARI | vs. GB |
21 | Darrel Williams | KC | vs. NYG |
22 | Kenneth Gainwell | PHI | at DET |
23 | Devontae Booker | NYG | at KC |
24 | Michael Carter | NYJ | vs. CIN |
25 | Antonio Gibson | WAS | at DEN |
26 | Javonte Williams | DEN | vs. WAS |
27 | James Conner | ARI | vs. GB |
28 | Melvin Gordon III | DEN | vs. WAS |
29 | Myles Gaskin | MIA | at BUF |
30 | J.D. McKissic | WAS | at DEN |
31 | Tony Pollard | DAL | at MIN |
32 | Samaje Perine | CIN | at NYJ |
33 | Zack Moss | BUF | vs. MIA |
34 | Alex Collins | SEA | vs. JAC |
35 | AJ Dillon | GB | at ARI |
36 | JaMycal Hasty | SF | at CHI |
37 | Ty Johnson | NYJ | vs. CIN |
38 | Brandon Bolden | NE | at LAC |
39 | Devin Singletary | BUF | vs. MIA |
40 | Nyheim Hines | IND | vs. TEN |
41 | Mike Davis | ATL | vs. CAR |
42 | Demetric Felton | CLE | vs. PIT |
43 | Rashaad Penny | SEA | vs. JAC |
44 | Boston Scott | PHI | at DET |
45 | Jordan Howard | PHI | at DET |
46 | Jermar Jefferson | DET | vs. PHI |
47 | Damien Williams | CHI | vs. SF |
48 | Sony Michel | LAR | at HOU |
49 | Alexander Mattison | MIN | vs. DAL |
50 | Salvon Ahmed | MIA | at BUF |
51 | Jerick McKinnon | KC | vs. NYG |
52 | Ronald Jones II | TB | at NO |
53 | Mark Ingram II | NO | vs. TB |
54 | Giovani Bernard | TB | at NO |
55 | D'Ernest Johnson | CLE | vs. PIT |
56 | Royce Freeman | CAR | at ATL |
57 | Jeremy McNichols | TEN | at IND |
58 | Chris Evans | CIN | at NYJ |
59 | Darrynton Evans | TEN | at IND |
60 | Joshua Kelley | LAC | vs. NE |