Fantasy Football Rest of Season Rankings: Week 8

Assessing fantasy football player values over the long haul.

These fantasy football rankings track a player’s value for the remainder of the season and are intended to be used as a tool, not necessarily a definitive guide to player valuation.

The scoring system is performance PPR. There is no exact science behind season-long rankings, considering all of the variables and situational uncertainties at work.

Rankings key:
UP/DN is trending up or down from week’s ranking.
NR means the player wasn’t ranked last week.
UP/DN numbering shows where the player was ranked the prior week.

Fantasy football rest of season rankings

Quarterbacks
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Josh Allen, BUF 7
2 Kyler Murray, ARI 12
3 Patrick Mahomes, KC 12 another rough showing, but at least he avoided a concussion on that nasty hit; too much talent to drop him any lower
4 Lamar Jackson, BAL 8 really struggled in Wk 7; the state of BAL’s RBs is an emerging concern
5 Justin Herbert, LAC 7
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
6 Tom Brady, TB 9
7 Dak Prescott, DAL 7 suffered a calf strain in Wk 6; he’s likely to play in Wk 8 following DAL’s bye
8 Matthew Stafford, LAR 11
9 Joe Burrow, CIN 10 UP10 the arrival of Chase has transformed that receiver corps into one of the NFL’s best
10 Jalen Hurts, PHI 14 still generating value, but that offense needs to be adjusted in the worst way
11 Aaron Rodgers, GB 13
12 Matt Ryan, ATL 6
13 Derek Carr, LV 8 UP15 so far, LV is using the Gruden fiasco as a rallying point
14 Kirk Cousins, MIN 7
15 Russell Wilson, SEA 9 on IR w/ a finger injury; eligible to return in Wk 10 but could be out longer
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
16 Ryan Tannehill, TEN 13
17 Teddy Bridgewater, DEN 11 looked banged up in an uninspired loss at CLE on Thursday
18 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT 7
19 Mac Jones, NE 14 UP22 multiple TD passes in 3 of last 4 games
20 Daniel Jones, NYG 10
21 Trey Lance, SF 6 UP28 missed Wk 7 w/ a knee injury; his status for Wk 8 is TBD, but it feels like his time is coming sooner than later
22 Taylor Heinicke, WAS 9 competes hard but makes too many inopportune mistakes
23 Trevor Lawrence, JAC 7
24 Sam Darnold, CAR 13 DN16 benched in Wk 7 and now CAR is heavily rumored to be involved in the Watson sweepstakes
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
25 Carson Wentz, IND 14 UP28 he’s looking better even if the numbers haven’t caught up, yet; he might be worth stashing on your bench
26 Baker Mayfield, CLE 13 DN20 DNP in Wk 7 after he re-injured his labrum; his status for Wk 8 is TBD
27 Jameis Winston, TB 6
28 Tyrod Taylor, HOU 10 UP29 on IR (hamstring); he’s expected to practice this week, but his status for Wk 8 is TBD
29 Justin Fields, CHI 10
30 Tua Tagovailoa, MIA 14 playing better statistically, but if MIA acquires Watson…
31 Jared Goff, DET 9
32 Jimmy Garoppolo, SF 6 returned in Wk 7 after missing game w/ a calf injury; he’ll start in Wk 8, but his grip on the job is slipping
33 Zach Wilson, NYJ 6 suffered a knee injury in Wk 7; he’s expected to miss 2-4 weeks
34 Geno Smith, SEA 9
35 Deshaun Watson, HOU 10 trade deadline is Nov. 2; if he’s moved will the NFL impose immediate discipline?
36 Ryan Fitzpatrick, WAS 9 DN35 on IR w/ hip injury; he’s set to have an MRI in two weeks, so his potential return date remains uncertain
Running backs
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Derrick Henry, TEN 13
2 Alvin Kamara, NO 6
3 Ezekiel Elliott, DAL 7
4 Jonathan Taylor, IND 14 UP5 last 4 games: 551 yds, 6 TDs; and he’s topped 20 touches in just one of those 4
5 Nick Chubb, CLE 13 missed last two games w/ a calf injury; expected back in Wk 8
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
6 Austin Ekeler, LAC 7
7 Dalvin Cook, MIN 7
8 Aaron Jones, GB 13 never got going in Wk 7’s pass-heavy game plan
9 Najee Harris, PIT 7
10 James Robinson, JAC 7
11 Joe Mixon, CIN 10 ignore his 50/50 split w/ Perine in Wk 7; most of Perine’s carries came when the game was effectively over
12 D’Andre Swift, DET 9
13 Antonio Gibson, WAS 9 UP15
14 Christian McCaffrey, CAR 13 on IR w/ a hamstring injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk 9
15 Darrell Henderson, LAR 11
16 Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL 6 UP17 he has taken over as RB1 in ATL
17 Saquon Barkley, NYG 10 missed last two games w/ an ankle injury; has an “outside chance” to return in Wk 8
18 Leonard Fournette, TB 9
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
19 Damien Harris, NE 14
20 Elijah Mitchell, SF 6 UP29
21 Miles Sanders, PHI 14 suffered a sprained ankle in Wk 7; he’s unlikely to play in Wk 8 and is week-to-week
22 Chase Edmonds, ARI 12
23 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC 12 on IR w/ a knee injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk 9
24 James Conner, ARI 12
25 David Montgomery, CHI 10 DN20 on IR w/ a knee injury; eligible to return in Wk 8 but likely to be out beyond that
26 Javonte Williams, DEN 11
27 Josh Jacobs, LV 8 DN21 suffered a chest injury in Wk 7; it’s believed he avoided serious injury. LV is on bye in Wk 8
28 Jamaal Williams, DET 9
29 Alex Collins, SEA 9 UP40 if the season keeps going south, you have to wonder about Carson’s status for the rest of 2021
30 Zack Moss, BUF 7
31 Kareem Hunt, CLE 13 DN27 on IR w/ a calf injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk 10
32 Melvin Gordon III, DEN 11
33 AJ Dillon, GB 13 two fumbles on just four touches in Wk 7
34 Darrel Williams, KC 12
35 Khalil Herbert, CHI 10 UP47 has impressed the past two games; his emergence could allow CHI not to rush Montgomery back from injury
36 Chuba Hubbard, CAR 13 DN31
37 Devin Singletary, BUF 7
38 D’Ernest Johnson, CLE 13 UP62 stepped in and gained 168 total yds and a TD in Wk 7; he could hold legit value until Hunt returns from IR
39 Tony Pollard, DAL 7
40 J.D. McKissic, WAS 9
41 Chris Carson, SEA 9 placed on IR w/ a neck injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk 10, but it sounds like he’ll likely be out beyond that
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
42 Myles Gaskin, MIA 14 UP49
43 Mark Ingram, HOU 10 Taylor’s eminent return should be a boost for Ingram
44 Michael Carter, NYJ 6
45 Kenyan Drake, LV 8 UP53 cautiously optimistic about Drake, even though his uptick in usage came w/ Jacobs getting hurt
46 Nyheim Hines, IND 14
47 Kenneth Gainwell, PHI 14 UP48
48 Sony Michel, LAR 11 dealing w/ a shoulder issue; had just 2 carries in Wk 7
49 Latavius Murray, BAL 8 DNP in Wk 7 w/ an ankle injury; BAL is on bye in Wk 8
50 Alexander Mattison, MIN 7
51 Ronald Jones, TB 9
52 Devontae Booker, NYG 10
53 Mike Davis, ATL 6 DN36 he appears firmly behind Patterson on the depth chart now
54 Trey Sermon, SF 6
55 Devonta Freeman, BAL 8
56 David Johnson, HOU 10 UP64
57 Samaje Perine, CIN 10 UP65 returned after missing Wk 6 following a positive COVID test; has run effectively when given the chance
58 Giovani Bernard, TB 9
59 Marlon Mack, IND 14 IND is still exploring trade options I guess
60 Rhamondre Stevenson, NE 14 inactive (coach’s decision) in Wk 7; looks like we’re back to square one on that… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
61 Salvon Ahmed, MIA 14 NR he joins the rankings w/ Malcolm Brown (quad) going on IR
62 Carlos Hyde, JAC 7
63 Damien Williams, CHI 10 DN46 returned after missing Wk 6 due to a positive COVID test; his role was greatly diminished
64 Ty’Son Williams, BAL 8
65 Ty Johnson, NYJ 6 NR had 71 yds before suffering a concussion in Wk 7; his status for Wk 8 is TBD
66 Phillip Lindsay, HOU 10 DN57
67 Rashaad Penny, SEA 9 NR activated from IR (calf) in Wk 7; he could carve out a role w/ Carson out of action
68 Darrynton Evans, TEN 13 activated from IR (knee) and played in Wk 7
69 Justin Jackson, LAC 7
70 Tarik Cohen, CHI 10 DN69 on the PUP list w/ a knee injury; it doesn’t sound as though he’s close to returning
Wide receivers
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Cooper Kupp, LAR 11 UP2 leads the NFL in receptions, yards and TDs
2 Davante Adams, GB 13 placed on COVID list and appears likely to miss Wk 8
3 Justin Jefferson, MIN 7
4 Tyreek Hill, KC 12 DN4 there are some legitimate concerns about KC at this point
5 Terry McLaurin, WAS 9
6 DeAndre Hopkins, ARI 12
7 DK Metcalf, SEA 9 DN5 caught an 84-yard TD on the fifth play of the game in Wk 7 and then had one catch the rest of the way
8 Ja’Marr Chase, CIN 10 UP15 I know it’s only been seven games, but how can he not be a top-10 fantasy WR at this point?
9 Mike Evans, TB 9 UP12 can be a little hit or miss w/ so many other options in TB, but Evans’ weekly upside is as high as anyone
10 Keenan Allen, LAC 7
11 Stefon Diggs, BUF 7
12 Mike Williams, LAC 7 struggled w/ a knee issue in Wk 6; should be better after LA’s Wk 7 bye
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
13 Deebo Samuel, SF 6 UP16 he kind of IS the SF passing game right now, at least until Kittle returns
14 D.J. Moore, CAR 13
15 CeeDee Lamb, DAL 7
16 A.J. Brown, TEN 13 UP22 looking good since returning from his hamstring injury
17 Diontae Johnson, PIT 7
18 Adam Thielen, MIN 7
19 Calvin Ridley, ATL 6 DN13 returned in Wk 7 after missing ATL’s last game for personal reasons
20 Brandin Cooks, HOU 10 Taylor’s return should be a boost for Cooks
21 Robert Woods, LAR 11
22 Antonio Brown, TB 9 missed Wk 7 w/ an ankle injury; his status for Wk 8 is TBD, and the team has a bye in Wk 9
23 Chase Claypool, PIT 7
24 Chris Godwin, TB 9 UP27
25 Amari Cooper, DAL 7
26 Tyler Lockett, SEA 9 DN22 hasn’t had an impact game since Wk 2
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
27 Michael Pittman Jr., IND 14 UP37 posted a 4-105-1 line in a monsoon!
28 Courtland Sutton, DEN 11
29 Tee Higgins, CIN 10 how long before the attention Chase draws allows Higgins to put up bigger numbers?
30 Marquise Brown, BAL 8 UP32
31 Jaylen Waddle, MIA 14
32 Julio Jones, TEN 13 DN26 played in Wk 7 despite aggravating a hamstring injury in Wk 6; the production just isn’t there, though
33 Marvin Jones, JAC 7
34 DeVonta Smith, PHI 14 DN31 there’s little to like about PHI’s passing game right now
35 Emmanuel Sanders, BUF 7
36 Henry Ruggs III, LV 8
37 Kenny Golladay, NYG 10 missed last two games w/ a knee injury; he’s week-to-week
38 Laviska Shenault Jr., JAC 7
39 Allen Robinson II, CHI 10 DN34 CHI franchised A-Rob at a cost of nearly $18M; he’s on pace for a 56-607-2 season
40 Rondale Moore, ARI 12
41 Corey Davis, NYJ 6
42 Odell Beckham Jr., CLE 13 dealing w/ a shoulder injury but did play in Wk 7
43 A.J. Green, ARI 12
44 Darnell Mooney, CHI 10
45 Jakobi Meyers, NE 14
46 Michael Thomas, NO 6 DN40 on the PUP list w/ an ankle injury; eligible to return but is reportedly weeks away from playing
47 Jamison Crowder, NYJ 6
48 Cole Beasley, BUF 7
49 Hunter Renfrow, LV 8 UP53
50 Curtis Samuel, WAS 9 missed second straight game w/ a groin injury; his status for Wk 8 is TBD
51 Jerry Jeudy, DEN 11 on IR w/ a high ankle sprain; expected to return in Wk 8
52 Jarvis Landry, CLE 13 activated from IR (knee) and played in Wk 7
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
53 Mecole Hardman, KC 12
54 Sterling Shepard, NYG 10 DN46 missed his third game in four weeks w/ a hamstring injury in Wk 7; his status for Wk 8 is TBD
55 Tyler Boyd, CIN 10
56 T.Y. Hilton, IND 14 did not play in Wk 7 w/ a quad injury; his status for Wk 8 is TBD
57 Christian Kirk, ARI 12
58 Russell Gage Jr., ATL 6 UP61 returned in Wk 7 after missing three games w/ an ankle injury
59 Brandon Aiyuk, SF 6 DN50 if not for that absurd muffing of a punt, would you have even known Aiyuk played in Wk 7?
60 Robby Anderson, CAR 13
61 Rashad Bateman, BAL 8 UP68
62 Tim Patrick, DEN 11 it’ll be interesting to see what his role is w/ Jeudy returning
63 Marquez Callaway, NO 6
64 K.J. Osborn, MIN 7
65 DeVante Parker, MIA 14 DN60 missed third straight game w/ a hamstring injury; his status for Wk 8 is TBD
66 Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET 9 DN63
67 Bryan Edwards, LV 8
68 Kalif Raymond, DET 9 UP75
69 Jalen Reagor, PHI 14
70 Sammy Watkins, BAL 8 DN62 missed last two games w/ a hamstring injury; he could return in Wk 9 following BAL’s bye
71 Michael Gallup, DAL 7 on IR w/ an ankle injury; designated to return but has not been activated
72 Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE 13 injured his groin in warmups and did not play in Wk 7; his status for Wk 8 is TBD
73 Van Jefferson, LAR 11
74 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB 13 on IR w/ a hamstring injury; he has a chance to return in Wk 8
75 Jamal Agnew, JAC 7
76 James Washington, PIT 7
77 Kadarius Toney, NYG 10 DN71 missed Wk 7 w/ an ankle injury; his status for Wk 8 is TBD
78 Nelson Agholor, NE 14
79 Josh Gordon, KC 12 not doing anything thus far
80 Will Fuller, MIA 14 on IR w/ a broken finger; eligible to return in Wk 8 but is unlikely to do so
Tight ends
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Travis Kelce, KC 12
2 Darren Waller, LV 8 missed Wk 7 w/ an ankle injury; on bye this week
3 Mark Andrews, BAL 8
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
4 Kyle Pitts, ATL 6 UP5 another week or two of his recent production level and he’ll be in the top tier
5 T.J. Hockenson, DET 9
6 George Kittle, SF 6 on IR w/ a calf injury; eligible to return in Wk 9
7 Dallas Goedert, PHI 14 returned after missing Wk 6 due to a positive COVID test
8 Dalton Schultz, DAL 7
9 Mike Gesicki, MIA 14 UP12
10 Rob Gronkowski, TB 9 DN8 missed four straight games w/ a rib injury; his status for Wk 8 is TBD, but team is on bye in Wk 9
11 Hunter Henry, NE 14 has scored a TD in four consecutive games but yardage continues to underwhelm
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
12 Noah Fant, DEN 11
13 Zach Ertz, ARI 12 UP17 led ARI in receiving and scored in his Cardinals debut
14 Tyler Higbee, LAR 11
15 Robert Tonyan, GB 13 had his best game of the year (4-63-1) in Wk 7
16 C.J. Uzomah, CIN 10 UP28 five TDs in his last four games
17 Jared Cook, LAC 7
18 Dawson Knox, BUF 7 DN13 suffered a broken hand in Wk 6; he’s expected to miss multiple games
19 Logan Thomas, WAS 9 on IR w/ a hamstring injury; eligible to return in Wk 8
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
20 Pat Freiermuth, PIT 7
21 Evan Engram, NYG 10
22 Ricky Seals-Jones, WAS 9 UP27 playing well and should hold value until Thomas returns from IR
23 Tyler Conklin, MIN 7
24 Jonnu Smith, NE 14 suffered a shoulder injury in Wk 7 and did not return; his status for Wk 8 is TBD
25 Cole Kmet, CHI 10 UP26
26 Dan Arnold, JAC 7
27 Gerald Everett, SEA 9
28 Adam Trautman, NO 6 NR
29 Austin Hooper, CLE 13
30 Blake Jarwin, DAL 7
Defensive teams
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Bills, BUF 7
2 Buccaneers, TB 9 UP3
3 Rams, LAR 11
4 Steelers, PIT 7
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
5 Cardinals, ARI 12 UP7
6 49ers, SF 6
7 Ravens, BAL 8 DN5 is there a more inconsistent group in the NFL right now?
8 Cowboys, DAL 7
9 Patriots, NE 14
10 Bears, CHI 10 DN9 it felt like TB could’ve hung 60 on them in Wk 7
11 Saints, NO 6 finally generated some pressure, albeit v Geno Smith
12 Colts, IND 14 UP16
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
13 Browns, CLE 13 DN10
14 Packers, GB 13 UP17
15 Vikings, MIN 7
16 Chargers, LAC 7
17 Bengals, CIN 10
18 Panthers, CAR 13 DN14 the bloom is off the rose in Carolina
19 Broncos, DEN 11 DN13
20 Seahawks, SEA 9 NR as they did in 2020, SEA’s D looks to be rounding into form