Week 8 Sit/Start: Running Backs
Start: JK Dobbins — Los Angeles Chargers (vs NO)
Dobbins is one of the top plays of the week. He’s remained a focal point of LA’s offense throughout the season. After being the backup to Gus Edwards in Week 1, Dobbins is averaging 19.4 touches over the last five. The Chargers weren’t able to get the run game going against Arizona, forcing QB Justin Herbert to attempt a season-high 39 passes. They should find it much easier to run it against a Saints defense that has been getting torched recently. The Saints have given up over 213 rushing yards per game over the last three. They struggle tackling and Dobbins is tough to bring down in the open field.
Sit: Tony Pollard — Tennessee Titans (at DET)
Pollard has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy managers who used a mid-round pick on him. He’s been a usage machine in his first year with the Titans. Even last week, Pollard saw 18 touches in a blowout loss to the Bills. However, he managed just 8.5 fantasy points versus a Buffalo team that is allowing the second-most points to opposing running backs. In Week 8, he’ll face off against the Detroit Lions who are allowing the second-least points to opposing running backs. A QB change to Mason Rudolph didn’t do much to help Pollard’s efficiency. He was targeted six times by Rudolph in the passing game, but only caught two of those attempts for 4 total yards.
Start: Kareem Hunt — Kansas City Chiefs (at LVR)
Kareem Hunt has looked excellent in his second stint with the Chiefs. Since joining the team in Week 4, Hunt is averaging over 17 fantasy points per game in PPR leagues. He’s scored in two straight and will look to continue that streak with a division matchup against the Raiders. Vegas gave up two touchdowns to Rams running back Kyren Williams last week and hasn’t looked good since their Week 2 win over the Ravens.
Sit: Rhamondre Stevenson — New England Patriots (vs NYJ)
Rhamondre Stevenson had a forgettable return in Week 7. After missing New England’s previous game, Stevenson returned versus a flimsy Jacksonville defense and managed just 25 yards. He handled seven attempts on the ground and caught two of three targets. Stevenson’s been unplayable in fantasy for three of his last four appearances. Week 8 is a rematch against the division rival Jets. When these teams met in Week 3, Stevenson had 23 yards on six carries and lost a fumble (0.3 FP).
Start: James Cook — Buffalo Bills (at SEA)
There was some concern James Cook would return to a committee in Buffalo’s backfield. Rookie Ray Davis played exceptionally well in Week 6 while Cook sat with a toe injury. In his first game back, Cook immediately seized the No. 1 role and out-carried Davis 12-to-5. Cook wasn’t overly efficient (32 yards), but managed to find the end zone for the sixth time this year. Buffalo travels to Seattle this week to take on the first-place Seahawks. The Seahawks blew out the Falcons last week, but Atlanta still managed 155 rushing yards at a clip of 4.8 YPC.
Sit: David Montgomery — Detroit Lions (vs TEN)
Montgomery was held scoreless in Week 7 after scoring a touchdown in each of Detroit’s first five games. A knee injury sidelined him momentarily, but Montgomery was able to return to the field as the Lions defeated the previously unbeaten Minnesota Vikings. Montgomery seems fine to suit up for Detroit’s next matchup against the Tennessee Titans, but it’s unclear if the injury will hamper him at all. We suggest playing it safe here. The Lions don’t need Montgomery to take down a 1-5 Titans team. Even if Montgomery plays, we’d expect the Lions to cut down his workload in what should be a blowout win.
Start: Jordan Mason — San Francisco 49ers (vs DAL)
Jordan Mason has cooled off considerably recently, but the usage is still there. He toted the rock 16 times last week in the loss to the Chiefs. He’s been allergic to the end zone lately. After scoring in the first two games, Mason has just one TD in his last five. And, it’s not for a lack of opportunity. Mason has had seven chances inside the five-yard line this year and has only cashed in once. Eventually, those numbers will even out. It would be fitting if Mason crossed the goal line multiple times against a Cowboys defense that is particularly weak against the run.
Sit: Chase Brown — Cincinnati Bengals (vs PHI)
The Bengals backfield has been difficult to decipher this year. Moss entered the year as the nominal No. 1 back, but many pundits believed Chase Brown could overtake the veteran on the depth chart. Recently, Brown has been the preferred option, leaving Moss to a backup role. However, Brown hasn’t been effective despite the increase in touches. He averaged just 2.9 YPC in his last game against the Browns, and his fantasy production has dipped each of the past four weeks. The Eagles are terrible against the pass, but have been fairly strong against running backs. Through six games, Philadelphia ranks 27th in points allowed to opposing RBs. Brown could see 12-to-15 touches again, but his production will likely be limited.
Start: Javonte Williams — Denver Broncos (vs CAR)
It seems like the Broncos offense is starting to turn the corner. The run game was especially potent last week, and RB Javonte Williams enjoyed his best day of the year. Against the Saints, Williams rushed for 88 yards on 14 carries and scored his first two touchdowns of the year. He looks to keep up the momentum in a cupcake matchup versus the Panthers. Carolina’s defense allows the most points to fantasy running backs in the league. They’ve surrendered a league-high 13 TDs on the ground. Williams is a great play in this spot.
Sit: Nick Chubb — Cleveland Browns (vs BAL)
Nick Chubb made his long-awaited return to the field last week. Chubb suffered a knee injury in Week 2 last year and worked himself back in just 12 months. The four-time Pro Bowler is one of the league’s top backs, when healthy, and is an explosive player capable of hitting a home run each time he carries the ball. In his first game back, the Browns were predictably careful with his workload. He carried the ball 11 times, caught one-of-two targets, and finished with 32 scrimmage yards and a TD. We could expect a similar amount of usage in his second game. However, the Ravens pose a much more difficult threat than the Bengals. We probably won’t see the Browns unleash Chubb to his full potential until after their Week 10 bye.
Start: Rachaad White — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs ATL)
This is not for the faint of heart. Rachaad White returned after a one-game absence and the Buccaneers are now operating as a three-headed backfield. White ended up leading all backs in touches with 16 and turned in a monster fantasy day (29.10 FP) thanks to hauling in all six of his targets for 71 yards and two scores. White is by far the best receiving back of the group and was forced onto the field due to Tampa trailing for much of its game against the Ravens. We could have a similar script play out over the next few weeks as the Bucs will be without their top two receivers — Mike Evans and Chris Godwin — who both picked up injuries in the loss.
Sit: Sean Tucker — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs BAL)
On the other side of the coin, Sean Tucker can safely be stowed away on your benches in Week 8. Tucker gained some steam after pouring in a monster day versus the Saints in Week 6. The undrafted back out of Syracuse handled 14 carries for 136 yards and a TD, and added three receptions for 36 additional yards and another TD. He finished with 34.2 FP (PPR), the highest among all RBs for the week. Managers raced to pick him off waivers, but the Bucs extinguished all excitement immediately. In Week 7, Tucker handled just 6 opportunities — playing behind the returning White (16) and rookie Bucky Irving (12).
Start: Brian Robinson Jr. — Washington Commanders (vs CHI)
Brian Robinson Jr. returned to the field after a one-game absence and reached the end zone in Washington’s dominant win over the Panthers. He’s been a steady contributor all year despite the presence of veteran running back Austin Ekeler. The fact he can be effective with Jayden Daniels out for most of the game bodes well for Robinson Jr’s. outlook. The Bears boast one of the league’s stingiest defenses, but Robinson Jr. will get a ton of usage in this one. Keeping the ball on the ground is likely the best chance for Washington’s offense to succeed against Chicago.
Sit: Tyrone Tracy Jr. — New York Giants (at PIT)
It’s hard to trust a rookie in this spot. Tyrone Tracy Jr. has been a nice surprise for the Giants in his first year. He starred against the Bengals two weeks ago, registering 22.7 FP thanks to hauling in six receptions. The week before, Tracy gashed the Seahawks for 129 yards on the ground. The Eagles slowed him (and the rest of the Giants offense) down in Week 7. Tracy managed just 23 yards on six carries and caught three receptions for nine yards. The Giants have only scored 10 points in their last two games. They might get held to single digits again when they face the Steelers in Week 8. Tracy will find it difficult to gain much yardage against one of the best defenses in football.
Start: Najee Harris — Pittsburgh Steelers (vs LAC)
Harris has played well as of late. He was held out of the end zone and averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game over the first five weeks. Harris scored TDs in the last two and is up to 18 FP per game. He gets a juicy matchup against the Giants in Week 8. The Eagles dominated the Giants on the ground their last time out. Running backs Saquon Barkley and Kenneth Gainwell combined for 232 yards on 30 carries. Pittsburgh should be able to control the ball in this one, allowing Harris to see 20-to-25 opportunities in a lopsided victory.
Sit: Ezekiel Elliott — Dallas Cowboys (at SF)
This is not the Ezekiel Elliott of old. The former All-Pro is averaging just 3.0 YPC through six weeks and managed just 17 yards on the ground against the Lions. Week 8 sees Dallas preparing for a 3-4 49ers defense playing with a chip on their shoulders. Beating San Francisco will come down to Dak Prescott and the Dallas passing game, giving us enough motivation to bench Elliott for another week.
Start: Tank Bigsby — Jacksonville Jaguars (vs GB)
Tank Bigsby is making a case to become Jacksonville’s No. 1 back, even after Travis Etienne Jr. returns. The former Auburn runner has rushed for over 100 yards twice in the last three weeks. He dominated the Patriots on the ground, finishing with 118 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns. He plays with an aggressive style and it meshes well with the Jaguars’ vertical attack. We could see him getting a ton of usage against the Packers. Green Bay’s defense has feasted on turnovers this year. Interceptions have plagued Trevor Lawrence for most of his career. Keep the ball in Bigsby’s hands and the Jags could pull off an upset.
Sit: Travis Etienne Jr. — Jacksonville Jaguars (vs GB)
There’s no guarantee Etienne ends up suiting up for Week 8. Hamstring injuries can linger for multiple weeks. However, even if he does play, Etienne should be nowhere near your lineup. He’s been one of the biggest draft busts of the year, and it has nothing to do with injuries. He simply hasn’t played well. And, Bigsby has now been excellent in two of Jacksonville’s last three games. HC Doug Pederson has said Etienne is still the No. 1 back on Jacksonville’s depth chart. But, Bigsby is playing at a much higher level and Etienne has been massively ineffective.
Start: Josh Jacobs — Green Bay Packers (at TEN)
Josh Jacobs is starting to establish a groove with his new team. The former Raider notched the first receiving touchdown of his career last week, and ended the day with 92 scrimmage yards on 17 opportunities. The Jaguars will be the worst defense Green Bay has faced all year. They’re allowing the sixth most points to opposing running backs thus far. Jacobs should feast against a banged-up group.
Sit: Alvin Kamara — New Orleans Saints (at LAC)
In most cases, fantasy managers won’t have the depth to afford benching Kamara. He ranks second among all running backs (PPR) through eight weeks. He’s first in receptions and targets, second in receiving yards and tied for third in rushing touchdowns among RBs. The Saints are thin with Rashid Shaheed out for the season, and Chris Olave and Taysom Hill nursing injuries. However, the offense has been feeble for two weeks. Sure, Kamara caught six passes last week and still managed just 8.4 FP in PPR leagues. The Saints visit the Chargers this week, who rank 30th in points allowed to opposing running backs. Season-long managers should temper expectations, and potentially bench Kamara if there’s a top-20 option lurking on your bench. Those participating in daily leagues should avoid putting him in their lineups entirely.