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Andy's running back start 'em, sit 'em picks for fantasy football Week 8 lineups (2025). Read his expert RB start/sit advice for Rhamondre Stevenson, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rico Dowdle, others.
Welcome back, RotoBallers, to another edition of our weekend start 'em sit' em columns. Last weekend, we crushed our picks once again, with Rhamondre Stevenson enjoying the best game of his season, while Travis Etienne Jr. and Kenneth Walker III lived up to their bust title.
In this week's edition, we will express concern about RB2s who have been performing at a high level.
In this weekly piece, we don't look at those must-start options because if you have them, you start them. Instead, we look at those mid-range RB2/flex options that are on the verge of start territory. Let's take a look at which running backs we should lock into our fantasy lineups and which ones are better off on our bench. Don't see the running back you're looking for? Be sure to check out more running back start 'em sit 'em content, and our Week 8 RB rankings on RotoBaller. Let's dive in!
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
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Week 8 Starts - Potential Fantasy Football Booms
J.K. Dobbins - Denver Broncos vs. Dallas Cowboys
The 26-year-old wasted little time making an impact during his first five games in Denver. During this stretch, Dobbins produced as a high-end RB2, averaging 14.5 PPR points per game. He posted 5.2 YPC and punched in four touchdowns.
However, over his last two games, Dobbins has been nearly unstartable. He has averaged just 6.5 PPR points per game and has seen his YPC drop to a much lower 4.3. Despite this slump, managers should feel confident putting Dobbins in their lineup as a solid RB2.
This Sunday, the Broncos will play host to the Dallas Cowboys. Through seven weeks, the Cowboys have surrendered the sixth-most PPR points to opposing RBs, which will provide Dobbins with an elite opportunity to bounce back. Seeing Dobbins continue to log over 50% of the total snaps and operate as the clear RB1 over rookie RJ Harvey makes him a must-start option this weekend.
Denver should have little trouble reaching the red zone against Dallas, which will give Dobbins elite TD upside.
Jaylen Warren - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers
After a brief period of concern where it appeared Kenneth Gainwell could legitimately carve into Warren's workload, those doubts were quickly silenced last Thursday evening. During their tough loss to the Bengals, Warren led the way in the rushing attack, taking 16 carries for 127 yards. He also caught four of his five targets for 31 yards.
Jaylen Warren Highly Efficient on the Ground Thursday, Adds Value as Receiverhttps://t.co/gjyVAkLYOP
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 17, 2025
Since logging a season-low 45% of the snaps in Week 1, Warren has averaged 14.8 attempts per game with 4.3 targets per game over his last four games. During this stretch, Warren has averaged 14.7 PPR points per game without finding the end zones, suggesting he has been very efficient in his opportunities.
Even though he may be concerned about starting him this weekend, facing a potent Green Bay rushing defense, his expected volume pushed him into high-end RB2 territory. The Packers enter this game allowed the third-fewest PPR points to opposing RBS, but Warren remains a high-end RB2.
If the Steelers can get in the red zone, expect Warren's TD slump to come to a screeching halt.
Isiah Pacheco - Kansas City Chiefs vs. Washington Commanders
The final RB to fire up in your Week 8 lineups is Isiah Pacheco of the Kansas City Chiefs. Pacheco has been a difficult RB to trust as he has spent most of the campaign in a committee, playing alongside Kareem Hunt and, more recently, emerging rookie, Brashard Smith. However, Pacheco has slowly begun to emerge as he is the leader in the backfield.
Since Week 5, Pacheco has logged at least 56% of the snaps in each game and even eclipsed the 60% mark in two of them. In Week 7, Pacheco took a season-high 15 carries for 57 yards and was finally able to rush in his first rushing score of the campaign.
In addition, Hunt (knee) suffered an injury in this contest, which opened up even more opportunities for Pacheco. While Smith has seen a larger role in the passing game, with Hunt trending downward, Pacheco is now the favorite for early-down work, and more importantly, the goal-line.
Facing the Commanders, who allowed 116 yards and a score to Javonte Williams in Week 7, puts Pacheco in a prime position to enjoy his best game of the campaign.
Isiah Pacheco Seizing Lead Rusher Role in Kansas City? https://t.co/0V8vUd3aAk
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 22, 2025
Week 8 Concerns - Potential Fantasy Football Busts
Rhamondre Stevenson - New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns
After sitting at the top of my must-starts last weekend, Stevenson falls to my potential busts. Stevenson enjoyed an excellent showing in Week 7, totaling a season-best 88 yards on 18 carries. He also punched in his third rushing score of the campaign. In this game, Stevenson logged a season-high 77% of the snaps as well, ensuring he is the clear workhorse of the backfield.
However, facing the Cleveland defense, Stevenson quickly drops into RB3 territory. The Browns have allowed the second-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs this season. Given his modest efficiency (3.6 YPC), Stevenson will be touchdown-dependent. If he can find his way into the end zone, he could push for another 12.0+ PPR point showing.
If not, expect him to return to the 6.8 PPR points per game he averaged in Weeks 3 and 4.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs
Jacory Croskey-Merritt looked to have found his footing after his impressive 29.0 PPR performance in Week 5 against the Chargers. However, despite facing two weaker defenses in Weeks 6 and 7, Croskey-Merritt stumbled, posting 7.8 PPR points in Week 6 against the Bears and just 4.2 PPR points last weekend against the Cowboys.
Both of these defenses are within the top 8 in terms of PPR points allowed to opposing RBs.
Given that he did not find much success against them, Croskey-Merritt could be in for another rough showing facing a Kansas City Chiefs defense that has begun to round into form. Last weekend, they held Ashton Jeanty to just 21 yards and Jahmyr Gibbs ot just 65 yards the week prior.
With Jayden Daniels (hamstring) already ruled out, the Commanders may have trouble keeping up with the Kansas City offense that welcomed back their WR1, Rashee Rice, last week. Expect them to keep pushing the ball downfield in hopes of keeping this game competitive.
Given his difficult matchup on paper and high odds for a negative game script, Croskey-Merritt is a low-end FLEX play in Week 8.
Rico Dowdle - Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills
My final running back to avoid is Rico Dowdle. After averaging 33.1 PPR points per game in two contests in which Chuba Hubbard was sidelined with a calf injury, Dowdle returned to a timeshare in Week 7, which significantly hindered his output. In this game, Dowdle saw 46% of the snaps and took 17 attempts for 79 yards. Through the air, he caught one of his two targets for 17 yards.
Hubbard saw 54% of the snaps and took 14 attempts for 31 yards.
Even though it appears Dowdle is the more effective back and could once again see the slight majority in attempts (even if he logs fewer snaps), he still projects to carry risky RB2 value this weekend. Given his lower usage, Dowdle is extremely touchdown-dependent. Even if Dowdle continues to average 6.7 YPC, if he cannot find time in the end zone or see targets, his ceiling remains quite limited.
Facing the Buffalo Bills in a game in which the Panthers could be trailing, expect the team's primary pass-catching option, Hubbard (20 targets in five games), to once again hinder Dowdle's output.
Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle Will Continue to Split Work https://t.co/E0Cayl6Sv2
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 20, 2025
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