Weekly Rankings: Ranking Each Position for Week 8

With Week 7 behind us, its time to move on to Week 8. I’ll rank each position for PPR leagues before Thursday Night Football each week. Below each set of rankings, I’ll provide commentary on my more difficult decisions of the week. Best of luck in Week 8!

I’ve published without notes to make sure to get this to you before the Thursday night kick-off. Check back later for my full write-up

 

• The quarterback position thins out this week with Patrick Mahomes, Matt Ryan, and Drew Brees all questionable to play and Dak Prescott and Lamar Jackson on a bye. It’s hard to imagine Mahomes being anywhere near 100% if he plays, but it would also be tough to leave him on your bench. A hobbled Mahomes probably still slots in around QB8 this week. Ryan might have a slightly better shot at playing, though would be less than 100%. He profiles as a back end QB1 if he plays. Brees is making a push to play, though the Saints would be wise to hold him out one more week with the bye week approaching. Brees would likely be a top 10 quarterback if he plays, in a nice home matchup against Arizona.
• Kirk Cousins revenge game, you like that! I like that! Cousins is on fire and should have his way with a bottom of the barrel Washington team.
• In a watered-down quarterback week, Jacoby Brissett and Teddy Bridgewater look like appealing options. Both are at home, both have run their offenses efficiently, and both have excellent support systems, giving them both a solid floor this week from a fantasy perspective.

 

• James Conner and Todd Gurley both get ideal matchups in Week 8, ranking RB4 and RB5 respectively. If health allows them to get full volume, these are blowup spots, and we may get to see flashes of their dominant 2018 selves. Either player’s backup (Benny Snell Jr. and Darrell Henderson) would be enticing options if late-week injury news develops. Both Snell and Henderson have the potential for mop-up work as well and could be flex options for desperate owners.
• Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb are in similar spots, both drawing tough matchups. Henry at least plays at home and gets a Tampa Bay team that should allow the Titans to stay close, giving them ample opportunities to establish the run. Chubb is the better all-around player but gets a brutal matchup on the road in New England. You still have to start them, but temper expectations.
• The Bears are a tough defense, although last week’s meltdown against the Saints is concerning. Teams have been able to get the ball to their running backs in the passing game against the Bears, however, leading me to prefer Austin Ekeler over Melvin Gordon this week. As Gordon runs into a brick wall time after time, Ekeler should get the ball in space, and targets are more valuable in fantasy than carries after all. Ekeler is a solid PPR option despite the tough matchup on paper.
• Chase Edmonds looks set to get the start this week with David Johnson on the wrong side of questionable. Only three teams have given up fewer fantasy points to the running back position than the Saints, however, don’t expect a repeat performance of his three-touchdown game against the Giants last week.

 

(Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire)