Week 8 Fantasy Football RB Rankings (Top 37)

When Aaron Jones had the backfield to himself in weeks 2–5, he finished as RB7, RB18, RB15, and RB18 respectively, essentially never coming off the field. Against the Lions (team total nearly 22 points), Jones is positioned for strong production if healthy. Injury status is uncertain as of early week and ranking is contingent on whether he plays; if both Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason are active but Jones is missing practices, they rank RB27 and RB28 back-to-back.

Bam Knight was RB12 and RB18 in usage over the last two weeks; if Jeremiah Love can achieve that level of usage against Dallas, there is significant upside potential.

Corum is receiving goal-line touches at Kyren Williams' expense in the Rams' run-heavy offense. While he's been RB6 in usage and RB2 in expected points over the past month with huge games in weeks 4-5, he's cooled off in weeks 6-7. The goal-line touch competition limits his ceiling despite the Rams' three-tight-end heavy, run-first scheme.

Breece Hall is projected for a 60/40 backfield split (favoring Hall) against the Raiders; the Jets have averaged 18.2 expected half-PPR points to the backfield collectively, which projects Hall to ~11 fantasy points at 60% usage. This represents a significant decrease from weeks 1–3 when he commanded 71%, 78%, and 93% of backfield touches, averaging nearly 14 points. The Raiders defense has been run on consistently this season, providing a favorable matchup despite reduced volume.

Ranked RB7 on the week and RB14 in consensus rankings, but the source is higher on him than consensus. Irving posted RB2 finish and RB4 usage last week with 24 carries, 106 rushing yards, and two touchdowns (without playing the fourth quarter). Buccaneers' offensive line was dominant last week and is expected to be a top-three or top-four unit; with Baker Mayfield back, the passing game should improve, reducing reliance on backup RBs. Irving has been RB7 in expected points over the past month.

Ranked RB18 but represents a potential buy-low opportunity; Chase Brown got 78% of the workload again but was subbed off at the one-yard line for the touchdown, creating role uncertainty tied to Samaj Prian's involvement. Cincinnati is projected for 28.25 team points with a favorable remaining schedule; Jir Gibbs expressed being "most fearful of being way off on" Chase Brown, suggesting conviction that he should be ranked significantly higher—possibly as high as RB4 in a vacuum—if his role solidifies and goal-line touches consolidate.

Hubbard is ranked RB11 for Week 8 against the Packers in Thursday Night Football. The Packers defense has allowed just 3.3 yards per carry and 0.54 yards before contact per rush outside of their game against the Falcons, presenting a tough matchup. The Panthers' best offensive lineman, Damen Lewis, is out, which will impact Hubbard's performance. However, the Packers are losing linebacker depth—Edin Cooper is out for the season with a torn Achilles, and Zire Franklin is expected to miss another game due to the short week. Hubbard doesn't come off the field often and the Panthers are projected for 22 points. The Packers defense is using Brian Flores-coded schemes with unique line-of-scrimmage pressure, but Hubbard has been a top-10 running back (RB10–RB15 usage) all season, warranting continued reliance on his production until something changes.

Ranked RB19 against Seattle Seahawks; this is "the worst spot for DeAndre Swift the entire year." Bears are projected for 21.75 PPR points, but Seahawks are the best rushing defense of the past two years (2023-2024)—you are not running on them. Swift has been playing through injuries and received 26 carries in recent game, but practice video showed him getting up gingerly after being hit with low pads by coaches, suggesting he is not moving freely or at full health. Kyle Manungai is expected to return from turf toe injury (week 7-8 timeline), which will further reduce Swift's workload. Extended rest between Thursday night and following Monday night is positive for injury recovery, but the matchup and health concerns are significant headwinds.

Despite RB40 and RB44 finishes in the last two games (both losses), Henry's outlook improves significantly with Lamar Jackson's return for Week 8 at Buffalo. With Jackson on the field, Henry averages 21.8 PPR versus 10.1 without him—an 11-point difference. Ravens are projected for 26 points as favorites, and Jackson's presence significantly boosts efficiency across all positions due to his dual-threat ability. However, Henry is A-tier (not S-tier) for the week after disappointing in his last two games, raising concerns about his consistency despite the favorable matchup.

Ranked S-tier for Week 8 against Baltimore despite Ravens allowing fifth-fewest fantasy points to running backs. Bills project for nearly 29 points and Cook is RB2 in rushing yards per game with 1.7 receptions per game and goal-line opportunity even when Josh Allen scores. Cook has a rushing TD in five straight games and the Ravens play sub packages on 72% of opponent runs (third-highest rate), creating light-box conditions that favor the Bills' running game.

Ranked RB5 and S-tier for Week 8 against Arizona with Cowboys projecting nearly 31 points (possibly season-high). Williams has scored a touchdown in all but one game this season with six rushing TDs this month and nine inside-the-five-yard-line carries (four-five converted to TDs). Cowboys' elite offensive line (Tyler Smith back at left guard after missing first month, Tyler Booker in space) and Dak Prescott's strong play support continued top-five finish. Williams is finishing as a top-five running back recently and expected to continue that trend; Cardinals have been unable to stop anybody.

Williams is finishing as a top-five running back recently and expected to continue that trend; Cardinals defense has been unable to stop anybody for about five years, creating a favorable matchup.

Warren is ranked RB14 and leads the NFL in per-touch metrics among all running backs; he's the most explosive element of the Steelers offense. He's seen 62% of carries with Dowel back (up from 48% in weeks 1-3), though Hayden Dattle has eaten into some work and the Browns' elite linebackers may limit his explosiveness. However, the Browns allow 10+ yard runs at the highest rate in the NFL (16%), which favors explosive backs. Warren is projected to settle in nicely as a fantasy running back, fitting as a B-tier lead back.

Ranked RB16 in this ranking but RB33 in consensus, suggesting undervaluation. He has one game with 26 touches but other games show 12, 15, 12, and 13 touches. Matchup against Dallas Cowboys (who haven't stopped the run or pass all season) is favorable; if he gets rested in third/fourth quarters like previously, he could exceed his average touch total.

Taylor is ranked RB12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have allowed just 51.5 rushing yards per game this season with a high success rate against the run. However, Taylor has rushed for the most yards against Jacksonville over the last two seasons, with his two highest rushing totals against them being 74 and 70 yards. The matchup is complicated by the loss of left guard Quinton Nelson, who is likely the best left guard in the game and has been instrumental in Taylor's biggest runs. The Colts' offensive line now has below-average starters at multiple spots. Jacksonville's defense is so dominant that teams facing them have the lowest neutral run rate in the league, choosing to pass instead. The Colts' team total has dropped to 18.5 (24th in the league) since the Nelson trade, creating unfavorable game script. Additionally, backup Seth McGawan is stealing snaps—he took more market share in the Vikings game than in any prior game this season—adding another layer of concern. Taylor is ranked RB3 with 22 touches per game but posted RB24 expected points last week, the fewest in recent years.

Ranked as RB next in line at Detroit Lions matchup; ranking assumes Aaron Jones is out. Vikings running back room has averaged 18.5 expected half-PPR points collectively. When Aaron Jones had the backfield to himself (weeks 2-5), he posted RB7, RB18, RB15, and RB18 finishes. Mason would not catch as many passes as Jones, representing a meaningful difference in receiving usage and overall fantasy upside compared to Jones's baseline, but if Jones misses, Mason is in a good spot against the Lions with team total near 22 points.

Jacobs is ranked RB13 facing the Panthers' 31st-ranked rushing defense (by DBA, EPA, PFF grade). Panthers allow 153 rushing yards per game and 26.7 half-PPR points to running backs; giving Jacobs 75% of that workload projects favorably. The team total is 25.5 points at home on Thursday night. Jacobs had a touchdown and a drop in recent action but is expected to see his workload ramp up; he's projected to hit 14-15 carries per game going forward, with reduced pass-catching volume compared to recent weeks. Jacobs was out there for a bunch of receptions and Marshon Lloyd was mixing in on the ground, but Jacobs' workload is expected to increase.

Ranked RB2 for Week 8 against Denver Broncos, with the source suggesting he could be pitched as RB1 overall depending on Kansas City's offensive line health. Walker had 191 yards in Week 1 against Denver and dominated the linebacker group repeatedly. While the Broncos defense has improved with the return of an edge rusher and Pat Tan at linebacker, the source views them as a tier below the elite defenses (Vikings, Seahawks) and notes Walker is the best tackle-breaker in the NFL facing a defense that has struggled with consistent tackling this season.

Williams is ranked RB8 for Week 8. The Rams are projected for 26 points and are 6.5-point favorites; the formula indicates Williams is likely to score a touchdown this week. Over the past month, he's been RB6 in usage and RB2 in expected points, with huge games in weeks four and five. Recent usage has dipped slightly due to drive-by rotation and Blake Corum receiving some goal-line carries, but Williams remains a core part of the Rams' run-heavy offense.

Ollie Gordon is the clear lead back in the Cardinals backfield and is ranked in B tier for Week 8 vs. the Patriots; he consistently produces explosive plays regardless of opponent, receives a high volume of touches, and commands all goal-line work. The Cardinals are 31st in neutral pass rate (43%), driving additional rushing volume to Gordon. Malik Willis has not been used as a goal-line threat, further consolidating Gordon's red-zone opportunity share.

Ranked RB15; Barkley has outstanding per-touch production this season with positive outcomes on essentially every touch. Health is the key factor—if his back issue is resolved and not a lingering hamstring problem, he belongs in the A-tier, possibly toward the end. Tanner McKee is a slight upgrade for Barkley's fantasy value because McKee won't run around and do the tush push, keeping the offense more grounded. With Damen Pierce likely out and Elijah Mitchell showing poor tape, Barkley should see significant workload and is a necessary element to the Eagles offense.