Fantasy Football Week 8 Running Back Rankings

The 2023-24 NFL season has been outstanding so far. Already there have been a ton of breakout players and fantasy duds that have made the game so entertaining. Bye weeks have started to take place. However there are none this week. So Fantasy Managers will have full utilization of their roster and plenty of options to choose from when selecting who to start the week. On top of that, Injuries have started to mount up at this point of the season as well. It’s 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 the 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)

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 not be likely to carry a lineup that week, but has the ability to have a breakout game and is teetering between RB1 and RB2 territory.

Starting RB2- a player who should be started in most lineups and should reach their point projection. This player is started 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 cause 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.

Rankings

Possible Changes that can occur before Sunday

RB5 Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

Saquon Barkley hyperextended his elbow in last week’s game against the Washington Commanders. He was able to finish the game despite suffering the injury. New York could limit Barkley in practice to get him healthier this weekend. If Barkley misses Week 8 against the New York Jets Matt Breida becomes the RB24 between Jaylen Warren and Alexander Mattison.

RB10 Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

Bijan Robinson was extremely limited during last week’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to an illness. There is some uncertainty whether this could hold Robinson out of this week’s game. If Robinson misses Week 8 against the Tennessee Titans Tyler Allgeier moves up to RB20 between Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce. Cordarrelle Patterson becomes the RB41 between Chuba Hubbard and Latavius Murray.

RB18 Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers

Miles Sanders suffered a shoulder injury prior to Carolina’s bye last week. Sanders has been dealing with injuries all season long. If Sanders misses Week 8 against the Houston Texans Chuba Hubbard moves up to RB22 between Rochon Johnson and Rachaad White.

RB22 Rochon Johnson, Chicago Bears

Rochon Johnson suffered a concussion three weeks ago against the Washington Commanders. He sat out the past two games. It is unclear if he will be ready to go this week after shockingly misses last week’s game. If Johnson misses Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers D’Onta Foreman becomes the RB16 between Derrick Henry and Kareem Hunt.

RB56 Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks

Zach Charbonnet missed last week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals with a hamstring injury. If Charbonnet misses Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns DeeJay Dallas becomes the RB59 between Rico Dowdle and Elijah Mitchell.

RB61 Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens

Keaton Mitchell suffered a hamstring injury last week against the Detroit Lions. If he misses Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals Melvin Gordon could be activated off the team’s practice squad to be their third running back.

Players that are currently not expected to play

David Montgomery, Detroit Lions

David Montgomery suffered a rib injury in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is expected to miss “some time” due to the injury. In Montgomery’s absence Jahmyr Gibbs and Craig Reynolds will split the backfield.

Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns

Jerome Ford suffered a high ankle sprain last week against the Indianapolis Colts. He is expected to miss one to two weeks with the injury. While Ford is out Kareem Hunt is expected to lead the backfield while splitting some time with Pierre Strong Jr.

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