Week Eight Positional Rankings

We have officially passed halfway through the fantasy football regular season in most leagues. Assuming a week 14 playoff start, fantasy managers find themselves with just six games remaining before the win-or-go-home fantasy playoff format. While those weeks will surely require near-perfect start/sit decisions, every week leading up to the fantasy playoffs can be just as critical. Even if your team is destined for the playoffs, getting that critical bye week (if possible) can be all the difference between a first-round exit and a fantasy championship.

One of the most challenging aspects of providing this article each week is the possibility of COVID delays. Hence, I will assume that – as of this writing – all games will be played. That way, I can provide the most information possible for you in case these games do wind up occurring.

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. Please note no ATL-CAR players will be found below, as that game has already passed.

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.

Without further ado, let’s dive into week eight’s positional rankings!

Quarterback

Pos	Player	Matchup	Rank
QB	Patrick Mahomes II	NYJ	1
QB	Aaron Rodgers	MIN	2
QB	Russell Wilson	SF	3
QB	Ryan Tannehill	@CIN	4
QB	Lamar Jackson	PIT	5
QB	Josh Allen	NE	6
QB	Carson Wentz	DAL	7
QB	Tom Brady	@NYG	8
QB	Justin Herbert	@DEN	9
QB	Joe Burrow	TEN	10
QB	Jared Goff	@MIA	11
QB	Kirk Cousins	@GB	12
QB	Cam Newton	@BUF	13
QB	Derek Carr	@CLE	14
QB	Baker Mayfield	LV	15
QB	Jimmy Garoppolo	@SEA	16
QB	Ben Roethlisberger	@BAL	17
QB	Philip Rivers	@DET	18
QB	Drew Brees	@CHI	19
QB	Matthew Stafford	IND	20
QB	Tua Tagovailoa	LAR	21
QB	Nick Foles	NO	22
QB	Andy Dalton	@PHI	23
QB	Daniel Jones	TB	24
QB	Drew Lock	LAC	25
QB	Sam Darnold	@KC	26

Start ‘em: Carson Wentz, QB PHI

Wentz has had a remarkable start to the fantasy football season when you consider all of the injuries the Eagles have gone through in 2020. Consistently without his top options, Wentz has managed to turn Travis Fulgham, Greg Ward, and other former bench players into startable fantasy options. Perhaps most surprisingly, Wentz has earned a substantial amount of his fantasy points via rushing touchdowns, scoring five on the season compared to just three in his entire career leading up to 2020.

The Dallas Cowboys – Wentz’s opponent in week eight – have let opposing teams score 34.7 points per game, nearly five touchdowns. The Eagles are big favorites on Sunday Night Football and should score early and often. Wentz is easily a top ten option for this week.

Sit ‘em: Matthew Stafford, QB DET

While he was a solid desperation play in week seven against the Atlanta Falcons (and let’s be honest, who isn’t a good play against the Falcons), Stafford can safely go back to the bench in start one quarterback leagues. Stafford eclipsed 300 passing yards for the first time all season on Sunday, but the veteran quarterback has scored under 20 fantasy points in all but one game so far this season.

While Stafford and the Lions have been improving over the last few weeks, they face a tough Colts defense in week eight that has allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks on the season. The Lions have an implied team total of 23.75 points – which isn’t too bad – but overall this is a matchup to avoid for Stafford if possible.

If you’re desperate: Derek Carr, QB LV

Carr has had a surprisingly solid start to the 2020 season both for the Raiders and for dynasty teams. While nothing flashy, the once-MVP candidate Carr has been consistently throwing for 260+ yards and multiple touchdowns. He has done so in every week this 2020 season with the exception of week one, including three straight games of 19 or more fantasy points.

The Raiders’ week eight opponent – the Cleveland Browns – have been a generous matchup for opposing quarterbacks so far, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the positions. The Raiders are slight underdogs on the day but have a solid implied team total of 24 points. In what projects to be a high scoring game overall, you could certainly do worse than starting Derek Carr.

Running Back

Pos	Player	Matchup	Rank
RB	Derrick Henry	@CIN	1
RB	Kareem Hunt	LV	2
RB	Dalvin Cook	@GB	3
RB	Alvin Kamara	@CHI	4
RB	Clyde Edwards-Helaire	NYJ	5
RB	Jonathan Taylor	@DET	6
RB	Josh Jacobs	@CLE	7
RB	Ezekiel Elliott	@PHI	8
RB	Boston Scott	DAL	9
RB	James Conner	@BAL	10
RB	David Montgomery	NO	11
RB	Darrell Henderson	@MIA	12
RB	Giovani Bernard	TEN	13
RB	D’Andre Swift	IND	14
RB	Myles Gaskin	LAR	15
RB	Melvin Gordon III	LAC	16
RB	Justin Jackson	@DEN	17
RB	JaMycal Hasty	@SEA	18
RB	Jamaal Williams	MIN	19
RB	Devin Singletary	NE	20
RB	Jerick McKinnon	@SEA	21
RB	Ronald Jones II	@NYG	22
RB	Leonard Fournette	@NYG	23
RB	Le’Veon Bell	NYJ	24
RB	Carlos Hyde	SF	25
RB	Joshua Kelley	@DEN	26
RB	J.K. Dobbins	PIT	27
RB	Damien Harris	@BUF	28
RB	Malcolm Brown	@MIA	29
RB	Devonta Freeman	TB	30
RB	Latavius Murray	@CHI	31
RB	Zack Moss	NE	32
RB	Gus Edwards	PIT	33
RB	James White	@BUF	34
RB	Lamical Perine	@KC	35
RB	Tony Pollard	@PHI	36
RB	Adrian Peterson	IND	37
RB	Alexander Mattison	@GB	38
RB	DeeJay Dallas	SF	39
RB	Jalen Richard	@CLE	40
RB	Frank Gore	@KC	41
RB	Corey Clement	DAL	42
RB	Rex Burkhead	@BUF	43
RB	Wayne Gallman	TB	44
RB	D’Ernest Johnson	LV	45
RB	Travis Homer	SF	46
RB	Cam Akers	@MIA	47
RB	Ito Smith	@CAR	48
RB	Jeremy McNichols	@CIN	49
RB	Nyheim Hines	@DET	50
RB	AJ Dillon	MIN	51
RB	Kerryon Johnson	IND	52
RB	Jordan Wilkins	@DET	53
RB	Devontae Booker	@CLE	54
RB	Anthony McFarland Jr.	@BAL	55
RB	Matt Breida	LAR	56

Start ‘em: Jonathan Taylor, RB IND

On the vast majority of dynasty teams, Taylor is a plug-and-play weekly starter. However, this week, in particular, is shaping up to be a true breakout game for the rookie, and he should be started in all lineups, including in daily fantasy-style formats. Taylor has commanded at least 14 touches in every game this season, including a solid 16 receptions on the year in six games.

Coming off a bye week, we saw fellow rookie D’Andre Swift explode for over 100 yards and two touchdowns, and Taylor could be in line for the same output. The Detroit Lions rank fourth-worst against running backs this season, and the Colts have a very solid 26.25 implied team total on the week. Start Taylor everywhere you have him and expect a big game.

Sit ‘em: New York Giants running backs

The Giants have overall been a team to avoid from fantasy this season. The team has largely been unable to move the ball downfield consistently, and their tough schedule combined with lack of offensive efficiency has lead to lackluster performances from their running backs this season. While Devonta Freeman has shown low-end RB2 upside, teammate Wayne Gallman has been taking more work from the veteran recently, causing this to be a running back by committee backfield to avoid.

Against a Buccaneers defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points against this season, stay away from Big Blue running backs on Sunday if possible. Neither has much upside.

If you’re desperate: Le’Veon Bell, RB KC

In a patented “Revenge Game” of ultimate proportions, Bell faces the team has was on just a few weeks ago this Sunday: the New York Jets. Now on the Chiefs, Le’Veon Bell is on the much better side of this matchup for fantasy purposes. The Chiefs are staggering 19.5 point favorites and have an implied team total of 34.25 points. Bell only received six touches in his first game with the Chiefs, but he turned that into a solid 39 yards. In a week where the Chiefs are projected to score five touchdowns, Bell remains a solid desperation play with touchdown upside.

Wide Receiver

Pos	Player	Matchup	Rank
WR	Davante Adams	MIN	1
WR	Tyreek Hill	NYJ	2
WR	A.J. Brown	@CIN	3
WR	Tyler Lockett	SF	4
WR	Adam Thielen	@GB	5
WR	D.K. Metcalf	SF	6
WR	Stefon Diggs	NE	7
WR	Kenny Golladay	IND	8
WR	Keenan Allen	@DEN	9
WR	Justin Jefferson	@GB	10
WR	Amari Cooper	@PHI	11
WR	Travis Fulgham	DAL	12
WR	Allen Robinson II	NO	13
WR	Mike Evans	@NYG	14
WR	Brandon Aiyuk	@SEA	15
WR	Cooper Kupp	@MIA	16
WR	Tyler Boyd	TEN	17
WR	Robert Woods	@MIA	18
WR	Tee Higgins	TEN	19
WR	Diontae Johnson	@BAL	20
WR	Chase Claypool	@BAL	21
WR	CeeDee Lamb	@PHI	22
WR	Darius Slayton	TB	23
WR	JuJu Smith-Schuster	@BAL	24
WR	Jarvis Landry	LV	25
WR	Henry Ruggs III	@CLE	26
WR	DeVante Parker	LAR	27
WR	Corey Davis	@CIN	28
WR	Marquise Brown	PIT	29
WR	Mike Williams	@DEN	30
WR	Sterling Shepard	TB	31
WR	Jerry Jeudy	LAC	32
WR	A.J. Green	TEN	33
WR	Cole Beasley	NE	34
WR	Michael Gallup	@PHI	35
WR	Tre’Quan Smith	@CHI	36
WR	Scotty Miller	@NYG	37
WR	Tim Patrick	LAC	38
WR	Golden Tate	TB	39
WR	Nelson Agholor	@CLE	40
WR	Denzel Mims	@KC	41
WR	Mecole Hardman	NYJ	42
WR	Marvin Jones Jr.	IND	43
WR	Rashard Higgins	LV	44
WR	Kendrick Bourne	@SEA	45
WR	T.Y. Hilton	@DET	46
WR	Breshad Perriman	@KC	47
WR	Marquez Valdes-Scantling	MIN	48
WR	Preston Williams	LAR	49
WR	Damiere Byrd	@BUF	50
WR	Demarcus Robinson	NYJ	51
WR	James Washington	@BAL	52
WR	Josh Reynolds	@MIA	53
WR	Greg Ward	DAL	54
WR	Adam Humphries	@CIN	55
WR	Hunter Renfrow	@CLE	56
WR	Zach Pascal	@DET	57

Start ‘em: Brandon Aiyuk, WR SF

With all of the stellar rookie performances this season, Aiyuk has been lost in the shuffle of being a solid fantasy contributor as a rookie. Since week two, Aiyuk has demonstrated a solid 7.4 PPR floor and has had multiple games with over 15 fantasy points this season. With teammate Deebo Samuel out for another stretch of time, Aiyuk will command the WR1 spot in San Francisco with plenty of opportunity for success.

Facing the Seattle Seahawks this week, Aiyuk is primed for a solid outing. The Seahawks have allowed by far the most points per game to opposing wide receivers this season, and the 49ers have a solid 25.5 point implied team total while being 3 point underdogs. In what should be a high scoring game overall, start Aiyuk with confidence as a high-end WR2.

Sit ‘em: Preston Williams, WR MIA

Though Williams has improved the last two weeks before Miami’s week seven bye – with a total of six receptions for 124 yards and two touchdowns in those games – the second-year pro is a risky start in week eight. Rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is set to get the start this week, and while Tua is certainly a top tier prospect, there are reasons to temper expectations for his first start.

The Dolphins play the LA Rams and have an implied team total of just 21.25 points. Additionally, the Rams boast one of the best defenses in the NFL against the pass, allowing opposing wide receivers to score just 16.1 points per game in total – the second-fewest in the NFL. The Dolphins may struggle mightily as they grow under Tua, and it’s best to bench their WR2 – Preston Williams – in week eight as a result.

If you’re desperate: Henry Ruggs, WR LV

Ruggs has been exactly what fantasy managers thought for the Raiders so far: a stellar deep threat option. Ruggs has just an 11% target share on the season but has a team-leading 28% air yard share and a 19.8 average depth of target. The targets Ruggs earns are high value for fantasy managers, and those targets should come in batches in week eight.

Ruggs and the Raiders face the Browns this week in what projects to be a high scoring game. The Raiders, while underdogs, have a 24 point implied team total, which is the fourth-highest among underdog teams this week. The Browns have allowed the third-most points to opposing wide receivers on the season, and Henry Ruggs has a 100-yard, two-touchdown game in his range of outcomes this week. He is a high ceiling flex play this week.

Tight End

Pos	Player	Matchup	Rank
TE	George Kittle	@SEA	1
TE	Travis Kelce	NYJ	2
TE	Darren Waller	@CLE	3
TE	Mark Andrews	PIT	4
TE	Rob Gronkowski	@NYG	5
TE	Hunter Henry	@DEN	6
TE	Jonnu Smith	@CIN	7
TE	Jared Cook	@CHI	8
TE	Noah Fant	LAC	9
TE	Robert Tonyan	MIN	10
TE	T.J. Hockenson	IND	11
TE	Evan Engram	TB	12
TE	Mike Gesicki	LAR	13
TE	Richard Rodgers	DAL	14
TE	Trey Burton	@DET	15
TE	Harrison Bryant	LV	16
TE	Jimmy Graham	NO	17
TE	Dallas Goedert	DAL	18
TE	Dalton Schultz	@PHI	19
TE	Greg Olsen	SF	20
TE	Eric Ebron	@BAL	21
TE	Drew Sample	TEN	22
TE	Tyler Higbee	@MIA	23
TE	Irv Smith Jr.	@GB	24
TE	David Njoku	LV	25
TE	Gerald Everett	@MIA	26
TE	Will Dissly	SF	27
TE	Cameron Brate	@NYG	28
TE	Kyle Rudolph	@GB	29

Start ‘em: Jonnu Smith, TE TEN

After a scorching hot start to the fantasy season, Smith has taken a back seat to stud teammate AJ Brown over the last few weeks. Including a game left due to injury, Smith has scored just four fantasy points over the last two weeks. Fantasy managers shouldn’t fret, though, and plug Jonnu right back into their lineups for week eight.

Smith and the Titans face the Bengals this week and are projected to score 29.5 points, the second-most on the week only behind the Chiefs. The Bengals let rookie tight end Harrison Bryant as well as David Njoku score last week against the Browns, and overall they rank fourth-worst against the tight end position this season. The process is right to plug and play Jonnu Smith this week, and he ranks as a mid-range TE1 accordingly.

Sit ‘em: Tyler Higbee, TE LAR

While the Rams and projected to beat the Dolphins on Sunday, favored by 3.5 points, this game posts one of the lowest over/unders of the week in what may be a defensive struggle. After scoring three touchdowns in week two, Higbee has been underwhelming for fantasy in 2020. In five of six games played this season, Higbee has caught three or fewer passes.

As of now, it’s unclear if Higbee even plays in week eight, but if he does, expect the tight end to struggle against a Miami defense that has allowed the third-fewest points to opposing tight ends. This is just overall a matchup to avoid playing Higbee in, even if he plays.

If you’re desperate: Richard Rodgers, TE PHI

Desperate fantasy managers who played Rodgers on Thursday night football were rewarded for their gamble with solid double-digit PPR outing from the veteran tight end. Rodgers looked like a focal point of the Eagles offense, which has historically used tight ends well, commanding eight targets in the game. While it’s possible Dallas Goedert makes his return to the Eagles for Sunday Night Football, Rodgers should have a sizeable target share even if Goedert returns.

The Eagles are no stranger to two tight end sets, and it’s unclear just how healthy Goedert will be. The Eagles have a very solid 25.75 implied team total, and Rodgers should see five or more targets. He’s a great desperation option once again.

That concludes this week’s rankings article! 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.