Week 8 NFL Fantasy Football Rankings: King Henry Reigns Supreme

What a rough week for injuries. Week 7 was pretty brutal for byes and it was compounded with injuries. So it’s time to start fresh and look ahead to Week 8. John Daigle has his waiver wire watch ready for Week 8 and it’s essential reading for me, personally, after last week. I was able to sneak some D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard onto some rosters last week but will have to do some extra work this week. We will look ahead to Week 8 courtesy of 4for4’s half-point PPR Rankings.

What Stands Out: Josh Allen is in the toughest matchup of this top 10 group, which should hopefully mean a big passing week.

Analysis: Allen is basically matchup-proof at this point, as evidenced by his outrageous projection this week in a tough matchup against Green Bay. Jalen Hurts and Kirk Cousins are both back from bye weeks and back in the top 10. Lamar Jackson has struggled the last few weeks and gets the Tampa Bay defense on a short week. The Lions' defense had been giving up points to everyone until a recently-back-from-injury Dak matched up, but surely an extra week back for Tua should allow him to improve his timing that he said the break hampered. Don’t look now but Daniel Jones is a solid fantasy quarterback and has been playing well in real-life as well (at least with his feet). For me, I can’t quit Tom Brady no matter how much I want to. I’m at least spared on the main DFS slate this Sunday. Outside of the top 10 is pretty ugly and I’m not sure I’d want to take many shots on guys, but maybe whoever starts for the Saints in a purely matchup-based play against the Raiders? Yuck.

Full Week 8 QB Rankings

What Stands Out: King Henry is back.

Analysis: Derrick Henry has been all over these top 10 rankings so far this season, but a matchup against the Texans is just what the doctor ordered. Saquon Barkley is also in a fantastic matchup against the Seahawks. Nick Chubb has a difficult matchup against the Bengals, but he’s just so talented. Every week I think I don’t have enough Chubb in all forms of fantasy football, and most weeks I’m right. Josh Jacobs has been seeing elite volume and combining it with elite efficiency as well. Since Week 3, he’s second in touches behind Henry and third in fantasy points per touch behind Austin Ekeler and Breece Hall (of players with over 60 touches). Another player with high fantasy points per touch is Ken Walker, and while the matchup against the Giants isn’t great, he’s still been an elite scorer since Rashaad Penny went down.

Christian McCaffrey versus the Rams with a full week of practice? I think there are some concerns about the defensive matchup, but the volume and efficiency should be there. It’s still weird seeing Jonathan Taylor ranked this low, but especially with the quarterback change, I don’t love having Colts across my various fantasy teams right now. After seeing a season-low 57% of the snaps in Week 5, Dalvin Cook was up to 83% in Week 6 before the bye. That should be a good sign moving forward. Outside of the top 10, Raheem Mostert is becoming Raheem Must-start? Especially with a matchup against the Lions on tap.

Full Week 8 RB Rankings

What Stands Out: It only took one week for DeAndre Hopkins to return to the top 10.

Analysis: Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson, and Stefon Diggs return to the top 3 after their bye weeks even with difficult matchups this week. Kupp has proven he can have monster nights against the 49ers' defense as Sean McVay continues to force-feed him the ball. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both land in the top 10 with a matchup against the Lions and (hopefully) a potential shootout on deck. Ja’Marr Chase is coming off back-to-back monster weeks and despite getting banged up he still has an exploitable matchup against Cleveland. We’d all be viewing Mike Evans a little differently this week had he not dropped a walk-in touchdown against the Panthers, but a Baltimore secondary that has been beaten all season should provide him an opportunity to redeem himself. As for Hopkins, he’s back and Kyler Murray was loving life as he had his #1 target back. He should continue to feed Hopkins again this week. Outside of the top 10, is D.J. Moore back to alpha status with McCaffrey and Robbie Anderson gone, or was it just one week? I’m keeping my eye out.

Full Week 8 WR Rankings

What Stands Out: When Kansas City or Baltimore are on bye these rankings are uglier than normal.

Analysis: With no Kelce this week, the top 10 is tough to look at. Especially for those who are upset that Taysom Hill is classified as a tight end and is now inside the top 10 rankings. Sorry! Mark Andrews didn’t practice again on Tuesday which has me a little nervous. George Kittle had a great week and it coincided with the return of Trent Williams. I’m not thrilled if I have Tyler Higbee this week or Robert Tonyan this week, but I’d have to start them. I think you have to start Taysom Hill again with a solid matchup assuming you don’t have one of the top 6-7 options. Speaking from experience, it doesn’t feel great, but here we are. Outside of the top 10 is dangerous, but hopefully, Irv Smith Jr.’s matchup is enough to carry him to a top 10 week. Tight ends against Arizona feels like it has been profitable for years.

Full Week 8 TE Rankings