Early Week 8 fantasy football rankings: 30 risers and fallers

Posted by Admin October 21, 2024 Football

The 2024 NFL season continues to be the gift that keeps on giving for fantasy managers.

In Week 7 (MNF pending), Russell Wilson finished as the QB1, Marcus Mariota was the QB6, Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Keon Coleman were WR1s, and Jonnu Smith was the TE1. Just as everyone predicted.

With many already looking ahead to next week, here’s a look at my way-too-early Week 8 fantasy football rankings. Toggle between standard, half PPR (point per reception), and full PPR to see where players rank in your league’s format.

Our team at USA TODAY Sports has you covered with plenty of content to help with your Week 8 lineup and roster decisions. Wondering who the best waiver-wire claims are? We have that covered so you can make your pickups. Need to know what players you can drop? We have that as well. We also have a list of the 10 best buy low/sell high candidates.

Please note: These rankings will change significantly as the week goes on. Check back on Sunday morning for final updates.

Week 8 fantasy football quarterback rankings: Risers and fallers

UP: Jordan Love – The Jaguars are ceding 23.7 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, 3 more than the next closest team. Love has ranked as a top-seven quarterback in three of his last four games.
UP: Tua Tagovailoa – It looks as if Tua is set to return, which would be a huge boost to the entire Miami offense. He’ll be facing a Cardinals defense that’s allowing the fourth-most points per game to the position.
UP: Bo Nix – After finishing as the QB14 in Week 7 (MNF pending), Nix has now ranked as a top-16 option in five of his seven outings in 2024. A matchup with the Panthers’ lackluster defense awaits in Week 8.
DOWN: C.J. Stroud – The 23-year-old totaled just 86 yards through the air against Green Bay, and has now finished as the QB14 or worse in five of his last six games.
DOWN: Patrick Mahomes – The two-time MVP is currently the QB15 in Week 7 with two games pending. He’s now ranked as the QB14 or lower in 11 straight games. Woof.
DOWN: Anthony Richardson – He salvaged an abysmal Week 7 performance with 56 yards on the ground, but Richardson has now finished as the QB19 or lower in three of his four complete games this season.

Week 8 fantasy football running back rankings: Risers and fallers

UP: De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert – Tua’s return improves the outlook of every Dolphins player, including their backs. In half-PPR formats, Achane was the RB6 and RB3 in Tagovailoa’s two starts. Meanwhile, Mostert has garnered double-digit touches in back-to-back games and his valuable goal line role makes him a viable flex play.
UP: Kareem Hunt – Over his last two games, Hunt has totaled 200 scrimmage yards and three scores on 52 touches. Expect the Chiefs to lean on him once again versus a Raiders front that’s surrendering the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing backfields.
UP: Javonte Williams – He exploded for 111 yards and two tuddies against the Saints, and now Williams gets an even tastier matchup in the Panthers. Carolina is giving up four more half-PPR points per game to backs than any other team.
UP: Rico Dowdle – Head coach Mike McCarthy has said that Dowdle needs to touch the ball more. Dowdle was already fantasy’s RB9 in the three games prior to Dallas’ bye, so his arrow is pointing up for Week 8.
DOWN: Chuba Hubbard – After finishing as a top-10 back for three straight games after Andy Dalton took over at quarterback, Hubbard has dropped to RB20 and RB18, respectively, over his last two. He’ll go up against a Broncos team that just limited Alvin Kamara to 24 yards on 13 touches in Week 7.
DOWN: Alvin Kamara – The veteran ranked as the RB7 or higher in three of his first four games, but has since posted RB26, RB17, and RB33 finishes. The Chargers are third-stingiest against backs in 2024.
DOWN: Tony Pollard – After finishing as the RB11 in Week 1, Pollard has ranked as the RB15 or worse in his last five games. He gets a tough draw in Week 8, as the Titans travel to Detroit to take on the pass-funnel Lions.
DOWN: Devin Singletary – In his first game back from injury, Singletary played just 22% of snaps and totaled six touches. He’s better off left on benches until further notice.

Week 8 fantasy football wide receiver rankings: Risers and fallers

UP: Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle – There isn’t much to say here. Hill and Waddle get a massive bump if Tua does indeed return, and they’ll be facing a Cardinals secondary that’s ceding the fifth-most fantasy points to wideouts this season.
UP: Deebo Samuel Sr. and Jauan Jennings – Brandon Aiyuk was 21st in the league with a 22.3% target share, and he’s now out for the season with a torn ACL and MCL. Those targets will have to trickle down somewhere. Deebo and Jennings should be primary beneficiaries.
UP: George Pickens – In his first game with Russell Wilson behind center, Pickens scored his first touchdown of 2024 to go along with 111 yards and five receptions. He’s certainly back in the top-20 conversation.
UP: Romeo Doubs – In Week 7, Doubs led the Packers in routes, target share, and air yards. He also garnered one of the two red zone targets. He’s a high-end WR3 against a Jaguars team that’s allowing the fourth-most points to receivers.
UP: Cedric Tillman – In Cleveland’s first game since trading Amari Cooper, Tillman racked up 12 targets. The result was eight receptions for 81 yards. He’s an upside flex, especially if Jameis Winston gets the nod at quarterback.
DOWN: Malik Nabers – After returning from a two-game absence due to a concussion, Nabers posted season-lows in receptions and yards. The rookie averaged 15 targets per game in the three games before the injury and was limited to eight looks in Week 7.
DOWN: Diontae Johnson – The 28-year-old has finished as the WR60 and WR65 in two of his last three games. A potential matchup with Patrick Surtain II awaits in Week 8.
DOWN: Jaxon Smith-Njigba – After failing to make much of a fantasy impact as a rookie, JSN is having a rather disappointing sophomore season, failing to finish higher than WR30 in all but one contest so far. That said, if DK Metcalf were to miss time, JSN’s target share should skyrocket.
DOWN: Josh Downs – After averaging 10 targets, eight receptions, and 72.3 yards in his previous three games with Joe Flacco, Downs managed just one reception for three yards with Richardson spraying the ball all over the stadium.

Week 8 fantasy football tight end rankings: Risers and fallers

UP: David Njoku – The veteran finished tied with Brock Bowers for the most targets in the league in Week 7. He’s a top-five option at tight end until further notice.
UP: Hunter Henry – In Drake Maye’s two starts, Henry has finished as the TE8 and TE4, respectively. He’s a TE1 even in a tough matchup with the Jets.
DOWN: Sam LaPorta – After averaging 7.1 targets per game in 2024, LaPorta is drawing just 2.8 looks per contest this season. He has finished as the TE14 or worse in four of his last five games.
DOWN: Dalton Schultz – It doesn’t seem to matter that Nico Collins is not in the lineup – Schultz simply isn’t a viable fantasy option. The veteran has yet to finish higher than TE20 this season.