Top 10 Running Back Studs - Best Fantasy Football RB Performances Including James Cook, De'Von Achane, Josh Jacobs And More

Alex breaks down the top 10 running back performances of Week 8, offering insight and analysis into the backfields and what makes them tick. Did your favorite RB give you the week-winning performance you needed?

With Week 8 nearly complete, the season's mid-point is (somehow) upon us. Time flies, huh? 2024 has been quite the whirlwind thus far, but don't fret -- there's still time for everything we know to get turned on its head. Hopefully, that isn't the case, as we've had more twists and turns than an M. Night Shyamalan flick, but, like I said -- we're only about halfway through.

This week started on a high note, with the Los Angeles Rams defeating the Minnesota Vikings 30-20 at home in a stunning turn of events, and it was a pretty good game despite the controversial non-call that ended it. All that aside, scoring was up league-wide this week as just six teams failed to hit the 20-point plateau, and the average combined points per matchup was a robust 48.9 -- the second-highest average of the season (49.2). We could do without the injuries for once, -- as they continue to mount -- but there were points aplenty in the final week of October, and the running backs accounted for their fair share.

Fortunately, no teams were on bye this weekend, which afforded us our first full slate of action since Week 4. Therefore, the only RBs not to qualify for this column are the Pittsburgh Steelers' Najee Harris and Tyrone Tracy Jr. of the New York Giants, whose teams will square off in the concluding matchup of Week 8 on Monday Night Football. Without further ado, let's dive into this week's top PPR running back performances.

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Top 10 Running Backs of the Week (Including SNF)

Here are the top 10 running backs from Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season in PPR scoring:

1. James Cook, Buffalo Bills

James Cook looked spry in Buffalo's convincing 31-10 shellacking of the Seattle Seahawks, consistently showcasing his burst and agility. The third-year back carried the rock 17 times, totaling 111 yards (6.53 YPC) and two touchdowns, adding another 22 through the air on 3-of-3 receiving. Cook gashed Seattle all afternoon, chewing up chunks of yards en route to his second multi-touchdown game of the season.

James Cook races to the pylon and is in for the touchdown ‼️ pic.twitter.com/5KUNv483Em

— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) October 27, 2024

The 25-year-old has been one of the more consistent backs in the league this year, with fewer than 13 fantasy points in just 2-of-7 appearances. It's a wonder Buffalo doesn't utilize him more frequently in their passing attack, as Cook is such a natural receiver -- regularly barely breaking stride while he hauls in his target.

In Week 9, the former Georgia Bulldog will face off against the Bills' division-rival Miami Dolphins and should be in store for another productive day. The Fins allowed 4.6 yards per carry to their opponents heading into Week 8 -- one of the higher marks in the league. Fantasy managers can continue to rely on him as a strong, weekly RB1 play.

2. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins

The collective sigh could be heard 'round the world this week when it was announced that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa would be activated for Miami's Week 8 outing against the Arizona Cardinals. The Dolphins would ultimately lose 28-27, but the offense finally found its legs with the return of their signal-caller, and one of the biggest benefactors was De'Von Achane.

Achane saw ten carries in the loss, splitting backfield work pretty evenly with teammate Raheem Mostert (nine). However, the former handily out-gained him. The 23-year-old racked up 97 yards on his carries -- to Mostert's 19 -- and corralled 6-of-8 targets for 50 yards and a touchdown. The Texas A&M alum's 147 total yards were more than he had in his last three games combined, and the touchdown was his first since Week 2.

Perhaps the most encouraging figure from Sunday's loss is Achane's involvement in the passing game. His target and yardage total were good for second on the team, while the six receptions tied him with WR Tyreek Hill for the most. Mostert scored two TDs on the ground but saw just two targets and was far less effective with his touches.

With this offense trending in the right direction, the former third-round pick has again entered must-start territory, even in a Week 9 matchup against a formidable Bills defense. Achane put up 29.5 PPR fantasy points against them back in Week 2.

3. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

Josh Jacobs put together his best fantasy performance of the season in Green Bay's 30-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, rushing for 127 yards and two scores on his 25 carries. He lost two yards on his only reception. While the receiving output was a season-low, it was his first multi-touchdown game of the year, and no other Packer saw more than four carries.

Josh Jacobs is carrying the Packers team tonight 😭 pic.twitter.com/OnId6Gp3TO

— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) October 27, 2024

Jacobs has scored four touchdowns in his last four games and has rushed for 62 yards or more in all but two appearances. He could be in store for even more work, pending the severity of quarterback Jordan Love's (groin) injury.

The 26-year-old will line up across from Green Bay's division rivals, the Detroit Lions, next Sunday, and he'll have a far tougher task against one of the league's top rush defenses.

With uncertainty around Love's status ahead of Week 9, fantasy managers may want to keep an eye on this situation as it develops. Still, the Packers have shown a propensity to lean on Jacobs in their quarterback's absence, and third-year signal-caller Malik Willis performed well in Love's stead if it comes to that.

4. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots

The Patriots picked up their second win of the season this weekend -- a 25-22 victory over a reeling Jets squad -- and Rhamondre Stevenson played a large part in that. The 26-year-old totaled just 48 yards on his 20 carries -- punching in two touchdowns -- while adding another 17 through the air on 3-of-3 receiving.

Stevenson found little room to run against a stout New York defense (2.4 YPC) but saved his day with the two scores, which came from one and three yards out. He's now up to five in total for the year.

Unfortunately, this type of performance likely isn't prescriptive moving forward, as although the touchdowns are nice, the yardage output is mildly concerning. Additionally, rookie quarterback Drake Maye (concussion) left the contest early, and his status for Week 9 is up in the air. If he can't go next Sunday, it will again be Jacoby Brissett leading the way on the road against the Tennessee Titans. That will mark back-to-back challenging matchups for Stevenson, and he'll be more of an RB3.

5. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams

One of my biggest blunders this offseason was doubting Kyren Williams and his ability to repeat the success he boasted in 2023. Boy, was I wrong.

Williams continued his torrid stretch on Thursday Night Football in the Rams' shocking 30-20 defeat of the Minnesota Vikings. The 24-year-old again saw a massive workload, toting the rock 23 times for 97 yards and churning out another 19 yards -- and a TD -- on 5-of-7 receiving. It's the fourth time this year he's seen 20-plus carries and his fifth instance clearing 76 rushing yards.

Perhaps even more impressive is his nose for the end zone. The Notre Dame product is up to ten scores on the season (through seven contests) and has at least one touchdown in his last ten appearances dating back to 2023. Astounding.

Stafford finds Kyren Williams in the end zone! #RamsHouse#MINvsLAR on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/psUbkoyPrn

— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2024

Williams and the Rams get a much easier opponent next weekend in the Seattle Seahawks on the road in a divisional clash. Regardless of matchup, he's in your lineup and an elite RB1 option.

6. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

It'd sure be nice if the Falcons and Buccaneers could play each other every week, am I right? Atlanta took the season series on Sunday, knocking off the Bucs 31-26 at Raymond James Stadium. It was the Kirk Cousins show in this one, as he threw four touchdown passes, but Bijan Robinson still got in on the fun.

The former eighth-overall pick amassed 63 yards on his 13 carries but was heavily involved in the passing game -- bringing in all six of his targets for 37 yards and a touchdown. It's the 22-year-old's third straight game with at least one score, as he's up to four in that stretch. Additionally, he's recorded 100 or more total yards in 5-of-8 appearances -- including three straight. Running mate Tyler Allgeier saw 12 carries of his own but racked up 30 fewer yards.

It's a mildly disappointing effort on the ground as a whole for Atlanta, as Tampa Bay let up the third-most yards per rush attempt heading into Week 8 (5.3 YPC). Still, fantasy managers have nothing to complain about, as it was Robinson's third straight 20-plus point outing.

The Falcons will take on the Dallas Cowboys at home in Week 9, though that isn't the death knell of an outing it's been in recent years. Continue to fire him up as a top-flight RB1.

7. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans

Joe Mixon has proven to be a force in his first campaign with the Houston Texans, as he's been one of the better off-season acquisitions on the field and in fantasy. Mixon went over 100 yards again and scored a touchdown -- a feat he's accomplished in each of his healthy appearances thus far.

The 28-year-old was once more the recipient of 20-plus carries (25), churning out 102 yards and a score on the ground. Additionally, he hauled in 4-of-6 targets for 32 yards. Ten of the Oklahoma product's carries went for six or more yards, and he could have had an even bigger day had he not lost ten yards on two of his rushing attempts.

The former second-round pick is the PPR RB16 through eight weeks despite missing three full contests. He ranks second in fantasy points per game (21.8), just behind Derrick Henry's 21.9. Mixon and the Texans get a quick turnaround in Week 9 for a matchup against the New York Jets on All Hallow's Eve.

It's a significantly more challenging outing, but the former Cincinnati Bengal has been a large part of Houston's offense and can be relied upon again, perhaps just with a slightly diminished ceiling. Also, he could be called upon for an even more significant role with uncertainty surrounding Stefon Diggs (knee). Diggs' injury in the third quarter of the victory was of the non-contact variety.

8. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

Detroit did precisely what great teams are supposed to do to sub-par ones in Week 8 against the Tennessee Titans -- mop the floor with them. The Lions became the second team this season to hang 50 points on an opponent, trampling the Titans 52-14. Despite not needing him much, Jahmyr Gibbs still turned out an excellent performance.

The second-year phenom was electric on his limited touches, turning 11 carries into 127 yards and a TD while gaining another six yards on his lone target. His score was a 70-yard foot race where he went untouched up the sideline, turning the corner and blowing by Tennessee's defenders.

I feel the need, the need for speed. @jahmyr_gibbs1 #TENvsDET 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/3uBlQJaDL6

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 27, 2024

The dynamic duo of Gibbs and David Montgomery -- or Sonic and Knuckles as they enjoy being dubbed -- have proven to be a nightmare for opponents, tearing through even the league's toughest opposition.

That trend should continue in Week 9 when the Lions square off against their division-rival Green Bay Packers. Through seven games, the Pack had allowed just 4.3 YPC to opposing rushing attacks -- one of the better marks in the league. Still, Gibbs is a weekly RB1 play on one of the league's top offenses.

9. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears

Even coming out of a bye week, D'Andre Swift kept on rolling in Chicago's 18-15 loss to the Washington Commanders. Despite his team losing, Swift put up his best-rushing total of the season, racking up 129 yards and a touchdown on his 18 totes. He failed to earn a target in the passing game.

The 25-year-old picked up chunks of yardage all game, including a sweet 56-yard touchdown in which he weaved through the Commanders' defense on a sweep, out-sprinting everyone up the sideline to the house. It was the third time in his last four games that he ripped off a long gain of at least 36 yards.

D'ANDRE SWIFT GETS THE BEARS RIGHT BACK INTO THE GAME

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/QA7bmpXgIf

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 27, 2024

The Georgia product will look to continue his white-hot stretch the next time out when Chicago hits the road to take on the Arizona Cardinals. Heading into Week 7, Arizona had allowed the fifth-most rush yards to opposing offenses (977) and the fourth-most rushing first downs (60). Swift will be a high-end RB2.

10. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

It was fantastic to see Jonathan Taylor look no worse for wear after missing three games with a high-ankle sprain. The former Wisconsin Badger looked explosive against the Texans, taking 20 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He also brought in his sole target for a 12-yard gain.

Taylor ripped off multiple big gains of seven, eight, 12, 13 (twice), 18, and 28 yards en route to his third 100-plus rushing yard performance of the season. He probably would have had an even more massive afternoon if six of Indy's 13 possessions didn't end in a punt.

The 25-year-old is one of the most dynamic backs in the league, but quarterback Anthony Richardson's inexperience has hampered this offense on multiple occasions. Still, Taylor continues to put together valuable fantasy outings despite the tumult of the Colts' passing attack.

Indianapolis gets one of the league's more formidable rush defenses in Week 9 when they travel to U.S. Bank Stadium to take on the Minnesota Vikings. Even against a staunch defense, Taylor will be a fringe RB1.

Thanks for reading, and best of luck in all your matchups in Week 9!

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