Weekly Positional Rankings: Week Eight
This year, we’re adding something completely new to DLF: Weekly Rankings.
In this series, I’ll give you my top 30 quarterbacks, 60 running backs, 60 wide receivers, and 30 tight ends each week to help you with your start/sit decisions in your leagues. To generate this list each and every week, I examine team trends, Vegas over/unders, implied points, pace of play, among various other factors to build a projection for each player and subsequently adjust rankings for upside and more detailed matchup specifics.
Among the rankings, there will surely be some that surprise you or that you may disagree with. At the end of each position section, I’ll give you my thoughts on some players that perhaps are ranked higher/lower than you might expect and insights as to why they are a good/bad play this week. Ultimately, these rankings should help your start/sit dilemmas and ensure you have the requisite resources to make an informed decision. With bye weeks kicking into full gear, start/sit decisions are even more crucial to your team’s success.
Without further ado, let’s dive into Week Eight’s positional rankings!
Quarterbacks
| Pos | Player | Matchup | Week 8 Rank |
| QB | Deshaun Watson | OAK | 1 |
| QB | Russell Wilson | @ATL | 2 |
| QB | Matt Ryan | SEA | 3 |
| QB | Aaron Rodgers | @KC | 4 |
| QB | Kyler Murray | @NO | 5 |
| QB | Jared Goff | CIN | 6 |
| QB | Matthew Stafford | NYG | 7 |
| QB | Kirk Cousins | WAS | 8 |
| QB | Teddy Bridgewater | ARI | 9 |
| QB | Tom Brady | CLE | 10 |
| QB | Jimmy Garoppolo | CAR | 11 |
| QB | Gardner Minshew | NYJ | 12 |
| QB | Josh Allen | PHI | 13 |
| QB | Jacoby Brissett | DEN | 14 |
| QB | Ryan Tannehill | TB | 15 |
| QB | Jameis Winston | @TEN | 16 |
| QB | Carson Wentz | @BUF | 17 |
| QB | Derek Carr | @HOU | 18 |
| QB | Mason Rudolph | MIA | 19 |
| QB | Matt Moore | GB | 20 |
| QB | Daniel Jones | @DET | 21 |
| QB | Philip Rivers | @CHI | 22 |
| QB | Baker Mayfield | @NE | 23 |
| QB | Mitchell Trubisky | LAC | 24 |
| QB | Andy Dalton | @LAR | 25 |
| QB | Joe Flacco | @IND | 26 |
| QB | Sam Darnold | @JAC | 27 |
| QB | Ryan Fitzpatrick | @PIT | 28 |
| QB | Kyle Allen | @SF | 29 |
| QB | Case Keenum | @MIN | 30 |
Start ‘em: Teddy Bridgewater, QB NOS
After a weak statistical showing in his first three starts this season, Bridgewater has taken the Saints offense under his wing over his last three games. In weeks two through four, he averaged a mere 178 passing yards and had just two touchdowns in total over that span. However, over the past three weeks, he is the QB8 in points per game on the back of 835 yards and seven touchdowns.
With star running back Alvin Kamara injured and, if he plays, unlikely to get his full workload, the Saints will once again lean on their backup QB and Michael Thomas to lead them in the passing game. Against the Arizona Cardinals, who have allowed the fourth most points against per game to opposing quarterbacks and a league high 17 passing touchdowns against, the matchup is one Bridgewater should excel in. As of this writing, Drew Brees has not been declared back from his thumb injury. Should Brees return this week, which would be surprising given the team’s week nine bye, slot him into Bridgewater’s spot in these rankings and start him with confidence.
Sit ‘em: Baker Mayfield, QB CLE
Mayfield has struggled mightily this season, but part of it is due to bad luck in the touchdown column. Particularly in the redzone, his receivers have done him no help, consistently dropping passes. In week eight, coming off of their bye week, the Browns travel to Foxboro to play New England and their historically great defense. In a particularly tough matchup, he shouldn’t be in consideration for a start in start-one QB leagues. However, even in superflex leagues, he should only be considered a desperation play.
Among quarterbacks that have played at least four games this season, Mayfield ranks as just the QB27. In every game this season, he has thrown as many or more interceptions than touchdowns, completing over 60% of his passes in just two of six contests.
We’ve seen the floor for quarterbacks against this New England defense, and it’s not pretty. Ultimately, Mayfield is a low-floor low-ceiling play in week eight, and that deserves a spot on your bench.
If you’re desperate: Ryan Tannehill, QB TEN
The Titans have officially moved on from Marcus Mariota (for now, at least), and Tannehill responded to his first start of the season by throwing for over 300 yards and two touchdowns against the Chargers.
In week eight, the Titans get a home game against the Buccaneers and their well below average defense. In five of six games this season, Tampa Bay has allowed opponents to score over 30 points. Their 30.8 average points against is third worst in the NFL. This, in some part, has to do with Jameis Winston’s propensity to turn the ball over, putting opponents in great field position. Further, Tampa Bay has allowed the sixth most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks in 2019. From week two on, however, they rank as the third-worst defense against opposing quarterbacks. With an implied team total of 24 points this week, look for Tannehill and the Titans to continue their strong offensive performance from last week.
Running Backs
Start ‘em: Ty Johnson, RB DET
Either a waiver wire pickup for an end-of-bench stash, Johnson is someone fantasy weren’t relying on up until this point but is a solid start this week and moving forward. In relief of the injured Kerryon Johnson on Sunday, he recorded ten carries and four receptions. While his efficiency on the ground – just 29 yards – wasn’t anything to write home about, this came against one of the best rushing defenses in the league in the Minnesota Vikings.
In week eight, Johnson will get to showcase his skills against a Giants defense that just allowed another number two running back, Chase Edmonds, to be the RB1 on the week. While fantasy managers shouldn’t expect a 30+ point performance out of Johnson, look for the rookie to command 60%+ of the Lions touches out of the backfield. Against a Giants defense that ranks sixth-worst against opposing running backs, consider him a good RB2 play with upside.
Sit ‘em: Derrick Henry, RB TEN
The Buccaneers are a great matchup against opposing passing game players, but they’re equally as bad of a matchup against opponent running backs. While allowing the second fewest rushing attempts per game to opposing backs, the Buccaneers have only allowed 2.72 yards per carry, by far the best in the NFL. No other team allows fewer than even 3.5 yards per carry. Although the Titans are home favorites with a relatively high implied team total (24 points), Henry has a scary-low floor in week eight. With his lack of involvement in the passing game and a projected difficult matchup, his only saving grace will be touchdowns in week eight.
Given his RB26 ranking this week, Henry isn’t a “true” sit, as he finds himself a high-end RB3 for the week. However, fantasy managers should be concerned with his realistic four point floor heading into a tough matchup, and the upside isn’t clear. If you have other options at running back and can put a WR in the flex, it’s safe to leave Henry on the bench.
If you’re desperate: LeSean McCoy, RB KC
The veteran McCoy has been better than early round fantasy pick Damien Williams this season, and it hasn’t been particularly close. McCoy has averaged five yards per carry or better in all but one game this season and has been relatively involved in the passing game, catching at least two passes in every game since week one. The frustrating part for McCoy has been his overall snap share, which has not exceeded 50% in any game this season. Thus, other running backs have gotten their fair share of touches, stealing fantasy opportunities away from McCoy. Never exceeding more than 14 touches this season, it’s tough to trust McCoy as anything more than an RB3.
In this matchup against the Packers, however, McCoy is a good upside play. The Packers have allowed the fourth most fantasy points to opposing running backs, and McCoy should lead the KC backfield yet again in week eight. With Matt Moore under center, it’s likely the Chiefs lean on the running game in a plus matchup more than they normally have. McCoy has high-end RB2 upside on Sunday night football this week and should provide a safe floor with the touches he’ll receive.
Wide Receivers
Start ‘em: DK Metcalf, WR SEA
As a rookie, Metcalf has produced admirably for both the Seahawks and dynasty players. While he is averaging just a shade under ten PPR fantasy points per game, his peripheral numbers are much more impressive. He leads the Seahawks in air yards, average depth of target, and yards per reception. His 17% target share is solid in one of the most efficient passing attacks in the league under Russell Wilson.
Last week, Metcalf hauled in four of a team-leading nine targets for 53 yards. With Wilson targeting his top two receivers – Lockett and Metcalf – over 40% of the time since Will Dissly went down, both are in line for solid days against a very beatable Atlanta Falcons secondary. With the highest over/under on the week eight slate at 53.5, this game looks to be a shootout. Metcalf is the ideal high-upside start in week eight with a solid floor.
Sit ‘em: Alshon Jeffery, WR PHI
Jeffery has been the true WR1 in this Eagles offense, as expected, but his performance to date has been lackluster given his share of this Eagles offense. On an approximately 25% target share in games he’s played, he is averaging five receptions for 50 yards and has three touchdowns. This places him as a solid low-end WR2 on the season.
This sit ‘em choice is more matchup-based than due to Jeffery’s performance to date or opportunity measurements. The Eagles travel to Buffalo this week to take on a stout Bills defense. The Bills have been one of the best teams against opposing wide-outs this season, allowing the seventh fewest fantasy points to the position. With an implied team total of just 20.75 this week, the Eagles offense may struggle on the road in this tough matchup. Overall, view Jeffery as a low-end WR3 this week with capped upside. If you have better options, safely leave him on your bench.
If you’re desperate: Olibisi Johnson, WR MIN
Johnson comes into week eight’s Thursday night football game with a lot of upside if Adam Thielen is unable to play.
In week seven, he recorded the same number of targets as fellow wideout Stefon Diggs and managed to find the endzone as well. While Diggs is of course the better play, and a WR1 in his own right this week, the rookie looks to be in a good spot as well against a bad Redskins defense. The Redskins have allowed ten touchdowns to opposing wide receivers this season, just one off the league worst Eagles, as well as the 11th most fantasy points to the position. The Vikings will undoubtably lean on Dalvin Cook and Diggs on Thursday night, but Johnson is a great desperation play in a good matchup.
Tight Ends
| Pos | Player | Matchup | Week 8 Rank |
| TE | Austin Hooper | SEA | 1 |
| TE | Travis Kelce | GB | 2 |
| TE | George Kittle | CAR | 3 |
| TE | Darren Waller | @HOU | 4 |
| TE | Evan Engram | @DET | 5 |
| TE | Zach Ertz | @BUF | 6 |
| TE | Jimmy Graham | @KC | 7 |
| TE | Gerald Everett | CIN | 8 |
| TE | Vance McDonald | MIA | 9 |
| TE | Greg Olsen | @SF | 10 |
| TE | TJ Hockenson | NYG | 11 |
| TE | Noah Fant | @IND | 12 |
| TE | Kyle Rudolph | WAS | 13 |
| TE | Eric Ebron | DEN | 14 |
| TE | Delanie Walker | TB | 15 |
| TE | OJ Howard | @TEN | 16 |
| TE | Jack Doyle | DEN | 17 |
| TE | Ben Watson | CLE | 18 |
| TE | Mike Gesicki | @PIT | 19 |
| TE | Tyler Higbee | CIN | 20 |
| TE | Dallas Goedert | @BUF | 21 |
| TE | Dawson Knox | PHI | 22 |
| TE | Foster Moreau | @HOU | 23 |
| TE | Darren Fells | OAK | 24 |
| TE | Tyler Eifert | @LAR | 25 |
| TE | Ricky Seals-Jones | @NE | 26 |
| TE | Vernon Davis | @MIN | 27 |
| TE | Chris Herndon | @JAC | 28 |
| TE | Josh Oliver | NYJ | 29 |
| TE | Cameron Brate | @TEN | 30 |
Start ‘em: Jimmy Graham, TE GB
Aside from a two-game stretch where Graham didn’t catch a pass, he’s been a very solid fantasy option. Over the past four weeks, he ranks third on the team in targets and is tied for the team lead with two receiving touchdowns. He’s been a focal point of the offense since Davante Adams has gone down, and that looks to continue on Sunday night against the Chiefs.
While Kansas City has been good against tight ends in the redzone, allowing just one touchdown on the season, opponents have been focusing on their tight ends against this defense. Offenses have targeted their tight ends 69 times against Kansas City, which is the second most in the NFL. In fact, the Chiefs rank in the top five in targets, receptions, and receiving yards allowed to opposing tight ends. Graham’s usage and matchup make him a strong start.
Sit ‘em: Tyler Eifert, TE CIN
Eifert has had fairly consistent usage throughout 2019, seeing at least two targets in all but one game this season. He’s even had four or more targets in four games thus far. However, his upside is simply non-existent in a putrid Bengals offense. The oft-injured veteran has yet to surpass 30 receiving yards in a game and has just one touchdown. In a week eight matchup against San Francisco, he shouldn’t be on your radar unless you’re truly desperate for three fantasy points. He’ll likely get that, but not much more. He can stay on your bench this week and likely for weeks to come, even in a barren tight end world.
If you’re desperate: Noah Fant, TE DEN
Fant has had a lot of opportunity this season and hasn’t made the most of it. Having seen three targets in all but one game this season, he still ranks outside the top 30 in points per game at tight end. Notably, though, he has a 17% market share of air yards for the Broncos on just 10% of his team’s targets. He’s been targeted on high value passes, and with Emmanuel Sanders out of town, Fant is in line for increased work on Sunday. Against a Colts defense that has allowed the sixth most points per game to opposing tight ends, his projected increased usage as well as a solid matchup makes him a good upside play in week eight, which is all you can really ask for from a desperation tight end play.
That concludes this week’s rankings article! As this series is released on Thursdays, be sure to follow any lingering injuries and changing injury status updates for players as Sunday approaches. If you’re wondering about a player I didn’t dive into detail about, feel free to reach out to me @FFzinger on Twitter. Best of luck this week, and I’ll be back next week to give week nine’s positional rankings.
- Week 17 Positional Rankings - January 1, 2022
- Week 16 Positional Rankings - December 23, 2021
- Week 15 Positional Rankings - December 16, 2021
