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Below you will find our Week 8 running back rankings, to help determine your RB starts/sits for this week, brought to you by Bill Dubiel (@Roto_Dubs), Nick Mariano (@NMariano53) and Ben Ruppert (@Ben_Ruppert_21).
Featured writer Ben Ruppert also highlights some RB rankings and matchups analysis for Week 8, and draws some matchup conclusions. He tells you who he likes, who he doesn't, and most importantly who he thinks you should be starting in Week 8. You can also check out RotoBaller's overall player rankings here.
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Week 8 Running Backs - Rankings & Matchups Analysis
The injury to Tevin Coleman means Devonta Freeman will be fully unleased for the first time all season. Freeman has started every game for Atlanta this season, out-touching Coleman 127-to-78. While Freeman has more than double the rushing yards of Coleman (508-to-234) Coleman has nearly twice the reception yards (330-to-169). Both backs being extremely effective has helped the Falcons, but for fantasy owners having a one-man backfield is the best scenario there is. Freeman will at least have this week all to himself back there, which is absolute fantasy gold. The Falcons-Packers game has the highest Vegas line of any game this week. With the points flying, expect big results from Freeman.
Melvin Gordon is a bit low on our list, considering his heavy usage in the Chargers offense. Gordon has rushed 138 times this season (fourth in the league), and has also caught 20 passes this season. He is on pace for 361 touches this season, which would put him among the top-10 all-time among Chargers RBs for a single season. Of his 138 rushing attempts, 31 have come in the red zone which leads the league. The Broncos passing defense is superb, but their un defense is lacking a bit. They have allowed the 14th most fantasy points to opposing RBs this season. Gordon’s usage plus his matchup means big things are ahead for Gordon once again this week thanks to the TDs he will pile up.
With Matt Jones out for this week’s London game against the Bengals, it will be Chris Thompson and Robert Kelley filling in at RB. Thompson got the bulk of the work last week after Jones was benched due to an injury and his ongoing fumbling issues. Thompson rushed 12 times for 73 yards, while catching seven passes for 40 yards. However, Thompson has mainly been used as a change-of-pace back in his career, and head coach Jay Gruden said he would stay in that same role. Gruden said that Kelley will be used to fill Jones’ role this week. Kelley looked good in the preseason and in the limited action he has received during the regular season. He should be much more highly ranked now that he is guaranteed a bigger workload this week, and is likely widely available if you need a RB this week.
Though he has only been mediocre over the past three weeks, Christine Michael is in line for a huge game this weekend against the Saints. New Orleans has allowed the second most fantasy points to opposing RBs this season, allowing over 100 yards and nearly two TDs per game this season. Michael hasn’t broken the 65-yard plateau over the past three weeks rushing, but has been able to catch some passes as well out of the backfield. With Russell Wilson still struggling with multiple injuries, Michael will be relied upon even more to gash the Saints defense. Over their past four games, they have allowed opposing RBs to score nine total TDs; Michael is highly ranked for good reason this week.
If what the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting is true, then Latavius Murray should be ranked higher on our board. The SF Chronicle reported earlier this week that Murray would receive the “bulk of the carries” going forward for the Raiders. Murray returned from injury last game and rushed 18 times for 59 yards (3.3 YPC) and two scores against the Jaguars. The 18 rushes were the most any Raiders RB has received this season. DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard have both been in the mix for carries also. Murray faces a Tampa defense allowing the eighth most points to opposing RBs this season. If given the bulk of the work again, Murray could have a big week.
Things will be difficult for Lamar Miller this week, but not because of his matchup, he is still la bit banged up from last week and will be a game-time decision heading into Sunday. Miller injured his right shoulder during last weeks’ game and although it feels a bit better, he is not at 100%. After carrying the load himself all season long, last week he split carries with Alfred Blue with each rushing 11 times. If Miller enters this game not at 100% and splitting carries again, there is no way he finishes as a top-10 fantasy RB this week. Blue should be picked up by Miller owners as a backup plan; he looked just as good as Miller last week with his 11 carries. Detroit is no easy matchup; they have allowed the 11th fewest points to fantasy RBs and have yet to allow a rushing TD this season.
Devontae Booker will make his first start of the season this week at RB, after starter CJ Anderson tore his meniscus and went under the knife for surgery. Booker has looked excellent in limited action this season, rushing a total of 51 times for 244 yards (4.8 YPC) and a TD. Last week he put on his finest performance, with 17 carries for 83 yards and his first NFL TD. Booker has all of the ability to step into Anderson’s shoes, and he has the full support of John Elway and the coaching staff. The loss of Anderson means this Denver backfield becomes a one man show, belonging to Booker. Gary Kubiak loves to run the football, meaning he will have plenty of chances for success in this offense. He has the potential to finish as a top-10 RB not only this week, but for the rest of the season.
Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings - Running Backs
| Rank | Player Name | Pos |
| 3 | David Johnson | RB |
| 5 | Ezekiel Elliott | RB |
| 8 | Spencer Ware | RB |
| 11 | DeMarco Murray | RB |
| 12 | Devonta Freeman | RB |
| 15 | Christine Michael | RB |
| 17 | Jacquizz Rodgers | RB |
| 22 | Devontae Booker | RB |
| 23 | Lamar Miller | RB |
| 24 | Matt Forte | RB |
| 27 | James White | RB |
| 35 | Melvin Gordon | RB |
| 39 | Giovani Bernard | RB |
| 43 | Frank Gore | RB |
| 47 | Mark Ingram | RB |
| 50 | Matt Asiata | RB |
| 51 | Chris Thompson | RB |
| 55 | LeGarrette Blount | RB |
| 58 | Jeremy Hill | RB |
| 60 | Jonathan Stewart | RB |
| 61 | Latavius Murray | RB |
| 63 | Duke Johnson | RB |
| 67 | Jerick McKinnon | RB |
| 68 | Mike Gillislee | RB |
| 70 | Darren Sproles | RB |
| 72 | Isaiah Crowell | RB |
| 76 | Bilal Powell | RB |
| 77 | Matt Jones | RB |
| 80 | Theo Riddick | RB |
| 83 | Ryan Mathews | RB |
| 90 | T.J. Yeldon | RB |
| 92 | Jordan Howard | RB |
| 94 | Chris Ivory | RB |
| 99 | DeAndre Washington | RB |
| 103 | Jamaal Charles | RB |
| 104 | Ka'Deem Carey | RB |
| 105 | Knile Davis | RB |
| 107 | Zach Zenner | RB |
| 111 | LeSean McCoy | RB |
| 118 | Robert Kelley | RB |
| 120 | Fozzy Whittaker | RB |
| 124 | Justin Forsett | RB |
| 126 | Derrick Henry | RB |
| 128 | C.J. Prosise | RB |
| 131 | Dwayne Washington | RB |
| 134 | Jalen Richard | RB |
| 147 | Charcandrick West | RB |
| 148 | Reggie Bush | RB |
| 150 | Alfred Blue | RB |
| 154 | Alfred Morris | RB |
| 158 | Peyton Barber | RB |
| 159 | Robert Turbin | RB |
| 161 | Travaris Cadet | RB |
| 164 | Jeremy Langford | RB |
| 165 | Wendell Smallwood | RB |
| 166 | Aaron Ripkowski | RB |
| 172 | Terron Ward | RB |
| 180 | Andre Ellington | RB |
| 181 | Lance Dunbar | RB |
| 185 | Don Jackson | RB |
| 188 | Jamize Olawale | RB |
| 189 | Tim Hightower | RB |
| 190 | Kapri Bibbs | RB |
| 193 | Jonathan Williams | RB |
Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.
