The 2025-26 NFL season is underway which means we are in the thick of fantasy football season! The fantasy landscape has already changed since the preseason due to breakout players and major injuries across the league. Bye weeks are starting to take place. This means that quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff will be out this week. It would be irresponsible to start a player with a rough matchup over a player with a more favorable one that is ranked or projected to perform similarly. Here are fantasy football Week 8 quarterback rankings.
[Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to Injured Reserve 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]
Must Start- a player who should definitely be in your lineup that week because of the combination of matchup and talent. They will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and could repeat the production most weeks.
Starter- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a high floor.
Low-End Starter- a player who should be started in most lineups but can possibly bottom out and finish below average on a given week. A high ceiling play in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.
Streamer- a player who could be a perfect replacement for a starter for a week or two. Starting this player may not win you your lineup but they will make sure that your production out of that position will not lose you your matchup either. Also a viable option in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.
Deep League Streamer- a player who could fill a void at a position in a deeper league. Their ceiling may be close to average point production at the position but their floor is enough to get through the week. A reasonable player to have in your lineup in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.
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.
| Category | Name | Opponent | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Must Start | Josh Allen | vs Carolina Panthers | QB1 |
| Must Start | Patrick Mahomes | vs Washington Commanders | QB2 |
| Must Start | Lamar Jackson* | vs Chicago Bears | QB3 |
| Must Start | Jalen Hurts | vs New York Giants | QB4 |
| Must Start | Jayden Daniels* | vs Kansas City Chiefs | QB5 |
| Starter | Daniel Jones | vs Tennessee Titans | QB6 |
| Starter | Justin Herbert | vs Minnesota Vikings | QB7 |
| Starter | Caleb Williams | vs Baltimore Ravens | QB8 |
| Low-End Starter | Baker Mayfield | vs New Orleans Saint | QB9 |
| Low-End Starter | Bo Nix | vs Dallas Cowboys | QB10 |
| Low-End Starter | Drake Maye | vs Cleveland Browns | QB11 |
| Low-End Starter | Jaxson Dart | vs Philadelphia Eagles | QB12 |
| Low-End Starter | Dak Prescott | vs Denver Broncos | QB13 |
| Low-End Starter | Jordan Love | vs Pittsburgh Steelers | QB14 |
| Streamer | Brock Purdy* | vs Houston Texans | QB15 |
| Streamer | Aaron Rodgers | vs Green Bay Packers | QB16 |
| Streamer | Michael Penix Jr.* | vs Miami Dolphins | QB17 |
| Deep League Streamer | C.J. Stroud | vs San Francisco 49ers | QB18 |
| Deep League Streamer | Carson Wentz* | vs Los Angeles Chargers | QB19 |
| Deep League Streamer | Joe Flacco | vs New York Jets | QB20 |
| Deep League Streamer | Spencer Rattler | vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers | QB21 |
| Leave on the Bench | Tua Tagovailoa | vs Atlanta Falcons | QB22 |
| Leave on the Bench | Tyrod Taylor | vs Cincinnati Bengals | QB23 |
| Leave on the Bench | Andy Dalton | vs Buffalo Bills | QB24 |
| Leave on the Bench | Cam Ward | vs Indianapolis Colts | QB25 |
| Leave on the Bench | Dillon Gabriel | vs New England Patriots | QB26 |
QB3 Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury. After their bye week Jackson missed practice on Monday. If Jackson misses. Week 8 against the Chicago Bears Cooper Rush becomes the QB26 below Dillon Gabriel.
QB5 Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels suffered a hamstring injury last week against the Dallas Cowboys. It is not concerned a long-term injury but his status is up in the air for this week’s game. If Daniels misses Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs Marcus Mariota becomes QB17 between Michael Penix Jr. and C.J. Stroud.
QB15 Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy missed the past three games with a toe injury. He is currently considered week-to-week and could return this week. If Purdy misses Week 8 against the Houston Texans Mac Jones becomes QB21 between Spencer Rattler and Tua Tagovailoa.
QB17 Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr. suffered a bone bruise in his foot/ankle area. He is considered day-t0-day with the injury. If Penix Jr. misses Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins Kirk Cousins becomes QB17 between Aaron Rodgers and C.J. Stroud.
Justin Fields, New York Jets
Last week Justin Fields was benched for Tyrod Taylor in the loss to the Carolina Panthers. Aaron Glenn has not named a starting quarterback by Tuesday afternoon. However it seems likely that Taylor will start for the Jets going forward. Fields fantasy value was very volatile. Taylor will be consistent but should not be near fantasy lineups in standard fantasy leagues. He is a low-end starter during bye weeks in two quarterback leagues.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young suffered a high-ankle sprain last week against the New York Jets. He will likely miss the next couple of weeks. Andy Dalton will start the Carolina Panthers while Young is out. Dalton’s fantasy value should be similar to what Young was done for the Panthers this season. This shouldn’t spark much change from what is going on in Carolina.
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