NFL Running Back Rankings: Week 8 Fantasy Football

RotoBaller brings you our Week 8 fantasy football running back rankings by authors Zach Wilkens (@LopsidedTrades) and Ryan Rufe (@RyanRufe), along with running back rankings analysis by Zach Wilkens. For even more Week 8 rankings and analysis, be sure to check out our positional rankings for all other positions.

Editor's Note: In case you missed it, Zach Wilkens and Ryan Rufe nailed their rankings in Week 6. They were both ranked in the top 10 overall accuracy scores on FantasyPros for last week's fantasy football rankings, going up against some of the biggest and baddest fantasy gurus in the industry. Zach came in at 4th overall (out of 133 experts), and Ryan cam in at 7th overall. Congrats guys, let's show them some love!

Week 8 Running Back Rankings Analysis

I see seven elite options at RB this week. On paper Demarco Murray should have no problems reaching 100 yards for an 8th straight game. A healthy Arian Foster is among the best RBs in the game, enjoy it while it lasts. LeSean McCoy gets a tough matchup against the Cardinals but he's been improving and so has his offensive line. Center Jason Kelce may return this week which would be a huge help.

Marshawn Lynch has been quiet lately but a matchup against the Panthers should be an excellent remedy. I wouldn't worry at all as an owner. Throughout this year I have felt like the Rams run defense does not get the respect it deserves. They held Murray to 100 yards on the dot and held McCoy, Frank Gore and Lynch to 6 points or less. Jamaal Charles is next and should do better but it's going to be tough.

This could be Jerick McKinnon's big breakout game. He's been improving every week and this is his best matchup yet. I'm expecting big things, he should be in every lineup. Alfred Morris has struggled a lot lately, but I still like him. The Cowboys are a tough matchup but he will pick up the pace. Mark Ingram had a rough return last week but it was against the Lions. He should rebound nicely vs the Packers.

The Rams running back situation is still unclear so don't think Tre Mason is guaranteed to have a big game, but I do like him. Publicly they are still claiming to go with the 'hot hand' approach which is always worrisome, but Mason is best suited to thrive in this offense. I still like Cunningham as well but it wouldn't be a complete shock to see Zac Stacy (who I have lowest) get 10+ touches. I am completely unsold on Denard Robinson. I will be extremely surprised if he gets 100 yards again this week. The offensive line just isn't good enough and neither is he. With Pierre Thomas out, Travaris Cadet will be a nice PPR play. There is no reason he can't get six receptions this week, which is what he did last week.

The Patriots supposedly plan to get Jonas Gray more involved this week. Given Belichick's tendency to surprise, it wouldn't be crazy to see Gray have a fantasy-relevant day. For those really struggling, he is an option. Between the Bills Bryce Brown and Anthony Dixon I favor Brown, but it could go either way. I've seen them compared to Matt Asiata (Dixon) and Jerick McKinnon (Brown) and I like that a lot. Ultimately, Brown is just the more talented back here. He should win out but it doesn't always work that way immediately.

Good luck in Week 8 RotoBallers!

Week 8 Running Back Fantasy Football Rankings