Week 8 PPR Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans, Opponent: Indianapolis Colts
Henry is having the best statistical season for a Running Back ever so far. He is RB1 every single week the rest of the year (minus his bye week).
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers, Opponent: New England Patriots
Ekeler had a rough game last weekend since he was pulled out of the game plan after the Chargers were down 34-6 in the game. Even against the Patriots who have a great defense, Ekeler should excel as the #2 RB until Christian McCaffrey returns.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints, Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs have an elite rush defense, but Kamara should excel in the passing game and catch two touchdowns against a spotty pass defense. He is also coming off of a huge week where he pulled in 10 receptions for over 100 yards and a touchdown.
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars, Opponent: Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have the worst rush defense in the NFL and Robinson should run for over 100 yards with two touchdowns against them.
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts, Opponent: Tennessee Titans
Taylor is coming off of 3 good performances in a row. The Titans don’t have a defense, so Taylor should have a fantastic game in both the run game and the passing game.
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings, Opponent: Dallas Cowboys
Cook should have a pretty good game, even against a tough Cowboys defense. I would lock him in as always as RB1 in your leagues.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers, Opponent: Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have had a good defense all year, but Aaron Jones is still Aaron Jones and this high-powered Packers offense will put up a lot of points. This will be a shootout and I am expecting Jones to have a huge day.
Ezekiel Elliot, Dallas Cowboys, Opponent: Minnesota Vikings
Elliot has been so consistent since his Week 3 breakout performance and the Vikings have a really bad defense. Start Zeke with confidence this weekend.
Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers, Opponent: Cleveland Browns
Harris is a beast in the passing game and the run game, and even though he is playing a good defense in the Browns, Harris should have a solid game regardless.
D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions, Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
Swift is the Lions’ #1 option on offense, and the Eagles’ defense has been up and down all season long. Start Swift with confidence this weekend.
Cordarelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons, Opponent: Carolina Panthers
Patterson is great, but the Panthers have the #1 rush defense in the league and a really good pass defense as well. Except Patterson’s production to regress a little bit this week.
Saquon Barkley/ Devontae Booker, New York Giants, Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs
Whichever Running Back plays should have a huge day against one of the worst defenses in football.
Nick Chubb/D’Ernest Johnson, Cleveland Browns, Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
One of these guys will play against the Steelers and whichever one does, will be involved in the offense a ton. The Steelers have a great defense, but since touches are everything in Fantasy Football, one of these guys will get a lot of touches so start him.
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals, Opponent: New York Jets
Mixon is up and down with his production, but he is going up against the Jets, who will undoubtedly give up a lot of rush yards. Start him this weekend.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers, Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
Hubbard is coming off of a bad week, but the Falcons’ defense is awful. Start him.
Chris Carson/ Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks, Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
Whichever Running Back starts should benefit from going up against the Jaguars’ spotty defense. Obviously, Chris Carson is a much better RB and has a higher chance of going off, but even Collins should play well if he starts.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers, Opponent: Chicago Bears
Mitchell is coming off of a huge 17 point fantasy performance, but he does not catch any passes so his fantasy upside is limited. I don’t think Jimmy Garoppolo will play well against the Bears, meaning Mitchell should get a ton of carries. However, unless Mitchell rushes for a touchdown or two, his production this weekend is limited since the Bears have a fantastic defense. I would sit Mitchell this weekend.
Khalil Herbert/Damien Williams, Chicago Bears, Opponent: San Francisco 49ers
One of these guys will start at Running Back, but the 49ers have a dominant front 7 on the defensive line. I would sit these guys this weekend.
Darrel Williams, Kansas City Chiefs, Opponent: New York Giants
Will Williams be implemented more into the offense? I don’t think so. This weekend, Patrick Mahomes will throw 4 touchdowns and the run game will be non-existent.
Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team, Opponent: Denver Broncos
Gibson would be much higher if he wasn’t going up against one of the best defenses in all of football. Gibson has been dealing with injuries all season long and its evident. His receiving work is where he fantasy production lies, but I would sit him this weekend against the Broncos.
Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Opponent: New Orleans Saints
Fournette has been solid all season long, but I think that the Bucs will pass way more than they run against the Saints, which limits Fournette’s output. I would sit Fournette this weekend.
Damien Harris, New England Patriots, Opponent: Los Angeles Chargers
Rhamonde Stevenson or Damien Harris? Who will be involved more in the offense? Harris always. I think Harris is the primary back that the Patriots will stick with, but I don’t like his fantasy outlook against the Chargers even after a good performance last week that resulted in 25 fantasy points.
Darrell Henderson Jr, Los Angeles Rams, Opponent: Houston Texans
Henderson Jr. should have a decent game, but Matthew Stafford should exploit the Texans’ secondary and throw for 4 touchdowns, limiting the run game. Henderson’s production lies on whether he will get a touchdown or not.
Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills, Opponent: Miami Dolphins
Moss had an inconsistent week against the Titans and almost salvaged his fantasy day, had the Bills given Moss the run play on fourth down instead of Allen. Either way, the Dolphins’ defense is terrible and Moss, even though he is heavily touchdown reliant for production, could have a good game. I would still sit him though just because of his dud of a game two weekends ago.
Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals, Opponent: Green Bay Packers
Edmonds and James Conner share snaps and targets now, and even though I don’t love the Packers’ run defense, I think the Cardinals will have to win in a shootout meaning Murray will throw the ball most of the game. Edmonds is reliant on pass-catching, but I would sit him since he is too risky to start right now, especially with other weapons like DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk, A.J. Green, Zach Ertz, and Rondale Moore on the field.