Fantasy Football Week 8 Running Back Rankings

The 2021-22 NFL season has already been extremely entertaining. Bye weeks are starting to take place. This means that running backs like Josh Jacobs and Latavius Murray will be out this week. On top of that injuries have started to mount up at this point of the season. It is always a great idea to evaluate backup options so that way fantasy managers are prepared if star players miss time. Here are the Fantasy Football Week 8 running back rankings.

*Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to reserve/COVID-19 list*

(Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week)

Key:

Must Start- a player who is in your lineup regardless of the matchup or most circumstances. They Will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and in most weeks.

Starting RB1- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a high floor.

High-End RB2- a player who may isn’t likely to carry a lineup that week, but has the ability to have a breakout game and is teetering between RB1 and RB2 category.

Starting RB2- a player who should be started in most lineups and should reach their point projection. This player is started is because of their consistency and moderately high floor

Low RB2- a player who may not be a lock to start for a team every week, but will start more times than not. Their production may not be pretty or win a person their lineup but the production is consistent enough to make a fantasy owner comfortable starting them.

Flex- a player who could float around the territory of being benched, but is started due to the potential to play better than their point projection. However, this player has the potential to flop and causes a fantasy team to lose if he has a bad game.

Deep League Flex- a player who is more of a Hail Mary throw at the position. There are enough reasons to leave this player on the bench, but their upside makes them an attractive option. Desperate times may call for a player like this to be inserted into starting lineups.

Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.

Possible Changes that can occur before Sunday

RB11 Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

Saquon Barkley missed games the past two weeks after spraining his ankle against the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants haven’t been clear on when they expect Barkley to return. If he doesn’t return this week Devonte Booker moves up to RB20 between Leonard Fournette and Zack Moss.

RB15 Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb missed games the past two weeks because of a calf injury. Since Kareem Hunt is on injured reserve D’Ernest Johnson started for Cleveland last week. If Chubb cannot play this week against the Steelers then Johnson moves up to RB24 between Alex Collins and James Conner. Also, Demetric Felton would move up to RB47 between Phillip Lindsay and J.J. Taylor. John Kelly would move up to RB62 between Jeremy McNichols and Travis Homer.

RB23 Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles

Miles Sanders is considered week to week with a low-ankle sprain. It seems unlikely that he will be able to play this weekend against the Detroit Lions. If Sanders does not play Kenneth Gainwell would move up to RB21 between Leonard Fournette and Zack Moss. Boston Scott would shoot up to RB36 between Antonio Gibson and Brandon Bolden. Jordan Howard who is rumored to see some work for the Eagles would move up to RB57 between Marlon Mack and Ronald Jones.