Fantasy Football Week 8 Running Back Start/Sit: Rachaad White, Rhamondre Stevenson, Nick Chubb, Alexander Mattison and More
These are the running backs you have to get in your lineup this week and the ones you should leave on your bench.
Start
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
White is a must-start this week, especially in PPR formats. With Chris Godwin and Mike Evans sidelined for the foreseeable future, we believe that he will see a significant bump in targets, similar to what we saw last season.
It doesn't hurt that Bucky Irving is also banged up with a toe injury. There is optimism that Irving will be able to play, nevertheless, he could be less than 100% and toe injuries are always a re-injury risk.
Plus, White is the bigger threat in the passing attack. The Bucs are going to have no choice but to utilize their backs more with all the injuries they are dealing with and he will be the main beneficiary, along with tight end Cade Otton out of the usual starters.
De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa is back this week and fantasy owners should rejoice. All of our weapons in Miami are back and ready to be plugged into our lineups.
The last five weeks have been a nightmare, but hopefully a distant memory for the remainder of the season. Achane immediately becomes the RB1 you drafted heading into the season. He also has a nice matchup against a hapless Arizona Cardinals' defense. Forget all the bad times you've dealt with this year and get him back in your lineup. Set it and forget it.
Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins
If you can't tell, we are all in on the Miami offense this week. Along with Achane, Mostert can be plugged back in as an RB2 or flex option. We expect this running back room to revert back to what it was pre-Tua injury.
Achane and Mostert will split touches, with Mostert having both big play and TD upside. There is a good chance Achane now owns the RB1 spot, but this offense has proven it can sustain two startable running backs on a weekly basis.
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
The Jets' defense is now living off of reputation. Their defense isn't close to what it was last season and the main reason is because they can't stop the run. This defense has been dominated up front and the only hope the Pats have of competing in this game is pounding it up the middle early and often.
New York has really struggled in New England and we aren't sold that they are lock to win big in Week 8. There is risk that comes with starting any Patriots' players, nevertheless, the volume will be there for Stevenson in a solid matchup at home.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
We have been hard on Williams in the past, and even coming off a great game, we still don't believe he's a particularly good player. However, the matchup against the Carolina Panthers has been a slam dunk for each and every running back that has faced them this season, and often times the backup as well.
Andy Dalton being sidelined for Week 8 only guarantees that the game script will be fantastic for the Broncos' running backs. Not only should Williams be viewed as a high-end RB2, but you can consider starting the other Broncos' backs in your flex.
Sit
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
As great as Hubbard has been with Dalton under center is as bad as he was when Bryce Young was starting. Unfortunately, Dalton is out this week with a sprained thumb and Young will be back in the lineup.
There is a chance that the team now realized their only hope of doing anything is riding Hubbard. However, there is also a real chance the defense simply stacks the box while the Panthers get blown out and the running game is once again non-existent like it was the first two weeks. Any player in Carolina is a scary start this week against a strong Broncos' defense.
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Chubb scored a TD last week, but wasn't very good, carrying the ball 11 times for just 22 yards. This week he has a bad matchup against the Baltimore Ravens and will likely be in a horrible game script. The Ravens are going to score a ton of points and force the Browns to be throwing the ball for the majority of the game.
With Pierre Strong serving as the primary pass-catching back, Chubb will be limited. With limited volume, it's hard to depend on Chubb, who we aren't even sure how good he still is on the ground coming off a serious knee injury.
Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders
The Chiefs have been dominant against running backs this season. No team is giving up fewer fantasy points to the position. At this point, you have to consider strong running back options against them, let alone a lower-level option like Mattison. It will be tough to start anybody on the Raiders this week, especially the running backs.
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