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Flex Rankings for Fantasy Football Week 8

Can you believe we are already in the second half of the fantasy football regular season? There is still a lot of football to be played, but time is of the essence for many fantasy managers. The path to a playoff berth starts now, so let’s get to it! Below are my Week 8 Flex rankings. I am basing these on half-PPR scoring, so adjust as needed based on your league settings. There is another London game on tap for Sunday, so make sure you lock players from Denver and Jacksonville accordingly. Only two teams have a Week 8 bye, so you should have plenty of players to choose from this week. I have ranked over 300 players to help you with those tough lineup decisions. Choose wisely!

Running Back Notes

The Gus Bus is back on the road! Gus Edwards made his long-awaited return to NFL action last week and made an immediate impact. Edwards scored twice in Baltimore’s victory over Cleveland and finished as last week’s RB8 overall. He is now on tap to face a Tampa defense that was just gashed to the tune of 173 rushing yards by the Christian McCaffrey-less Carolina Panthers. But before we assume Edwards is a must-start, I think fantasy managers should exercise some caution this week. Prior to Sunday, Edwards had not played in an NFL game since 2020. His considerable workload (16 carries) was a bit of a surprise given the long layoff. Entering a short week, I would be even more surprised to see Baltimore give Edwards a similar workload in Week 8.

This is not to say that Edwards cannot contribute given a lighter load. Chuba Hubbard was last week’s RB14 against Tampa Bay, and he handled only 11 touches. Edwards is still the Ravens back I would trust most on Thursday. However, I have him at RB32 in my Week 8 flex rankings, which is a bit outside the range of where I would feel comfortable starting him. As for Baltimore’s other backs, I ranked Justice Hill ahead of Kenyan Drake for this matchup. Drake’s 119-yard outburst in Week 6 is looking like the outlier, as he has totaled just 70 rushing yards in his other four games. Hill has only been used sparingly as a change-of-pace back, but he has averaged at least five yards per carry in his last four games. I think it is more likely Hill breaks a big play than Drake, but both are desperation plays only.

After standout rookie running back Breece Hall suffered a season-ending injury last week, the New York Jets immediately traded for former Jaguar James Robinson to bolster their running back room and complement Michael Carter. Carter is the Jets’ back I prefer, at least in the short term until Robinson familiarizes himself with the playbook. But the schedule is not especially friendly for any Jets running back over the next few weeks. In that span, the Jets face the New England Patriots twice and the Buffalo Bills once sandwiched around a Week 10 bye. Both New England and Buffalo are in the bottom-10 in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. I think Carter gets enough volume to buoy him as a potential Week 8 Flex option, but I do not expect him to replace the production that Hall had provided before his injury.

Last week’s bye week has done nothing to change the situation in Los Angeles with regard to Cam Akers. Akers is still away from the team and it appears he has played his last snap as a Ram. Darrell Henderson Henderson led the way in Week 6 with 12 carries. However, six other Rams (excluding Matt Stafford kneeldowns) garnered rushing attempts. I am very interested to see how Henderson is used this week in a tough matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco has given up just 3.36 yards per carry to opposing running backs and the third-fewest fantasy points to the position this season. As is the case with Carter, I think Henderson sees enough volume to warrant a start this week. Given the question marks at wide receiver (see below), Henderson should at least be a solid Flex choice this week.

Wide Receiver Notes

This feels like one of those weeks where are not a whole lot of inspiring wide receivers to consider as Week 8 Flex plays. I think there is a significant drop-off once you get past the top-25 wideouts this week. I feel as though a lot of the wide receivers I ranked as WR3s and WR4s in 12-team leagues are interchangeable. I will update these flex rankings on Sunday, so perhaps some late-week news will help clear up the picture a bit. In the meantime, Michael Quintero’s wide receiver rankings are a solid resource for fantasy managers.

Cincinnati’s passing attack is humming on all cylinders right now. Joe Burrow has thrown for 781 yards in his last two games, and the Bengals’ receivers are eating. Both Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd are top-five fantasy wideouts since Week 6, while Tee Higgins is the overall WR25. Boyd’s recent play may justify starting him in the Flex spot this week. He is slated to have a rather difficult individual matchup against Cleveland slot corner Greg Newsome, so keep that in mind. Opposing quarterbacks have only targeted Newsome on 13 percent of his coverage snaps, and have completed passes at a 66 percent rate. Newsome compares favorably to most slot corners in both of those metrics. I would probably start Boyd this week depending on your other options, but the ceiling may not be as high as it has been in recent weeks.

The Las Vegas Raiders have run the ball extremely efficiently over the past three weeks. In that stretch, they are 2-1, with their only blemish a one-point loss in Kansas City. The success of their running game has made it difficult for receivers not named Davante Adams to provide quality fantasy numbers. Since Week 3, no Raiders wideout other than Adams has eclipsed four receptions or 55 receiving yards. That makes it difficult for fantasy managers to trust the likes of Hunter Renfrow or Mack Hollins. On paper, this would seem like a good time for one or both to get off the schneid. The New Orleans Saints have allowed the fifth-most points to opposing wide receivers this season. But given their reliance on and success with the run, I cannot recommend either Renfrow or Hollins as a Week 8 Flex play.

The arrow for second-round rookie Wan’Dale Robinson is pointing up. Robinson exited early in Week 1 with a knee injury, and did not see action until Week 6. Since then, he has led the team’s wide receivers in targets in both games he has played. Robinson has caught 9-of-12 targets for 87 yards and a touchdown in that stretch. For a team who is currently is without a receiver in the top-80 in either receptions or receiving yards, Robinson’s recent contributions are a sight for sore eyes. Robinson will face a tough test this week when the Giants travel to Seattle to take on the surprising Seahawks. The good news is that he should face Seattle’s weakest cornerback, Coby Bryant, on most snaps. I currently have Robinson outside my top-40 wide receivers, but I think he has a solid floor considering the lack of receiving threats the Giants have.

Tight End Notes

The Denver Broncos’ offense has been far from unlimited this season. They have the fewest points scored in the NFL and their only top-20 fantasy contributor to this point in the year is kicker Brandon McManus. But rookie tight end Greg Dulcich has now posted consecutive top-12 weekly finishes in his only two appearances of the season. Given how inconsistent scoring has been among the majority of tight ends, you could do worse than continuing to ride the hot hand and well-coiffed mane of the third-round rookie. Denver’s Week 8 opponent, Jacksonville, has been solid against the tight end position this year. However, they did allow Dallas Goedert to catch five passes for 72 yards, so it is not an impossible task by any means. Remember that this game will be played in London, and thus will carry an early start/lock time.

Irv Smith is another intriguing Week 8 tight end play for me. I currently have him outside the top 12 due to his relatively low ceiling. Smith has yet to exceed five catches or 42 yards in any game this season. He enters the week as the overall TE20 in half-PPR formats. But there are few matchups that are better for tight ends than the Arizona Cardinals. Just ask Juwan Johnson, who took over for an injured Adam Trautman and posted last week’s overall TE2 finish. No team has allowed more receptions or receiving touchdowns to opposing tight ends than the Arizona Cardinals. Coming off a Week 7 bye, it is very possible that the Vikings have a plan in place to exploit this matchup. I may very well move Smith up my rankings on Sunday, and I would consider him a solid play this week.

Week 8 Flex Rankings for Fantasy Football

More Week 8 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex Rankings

RnkPlayerTeamPosOpp
1Derrick HenryTENRB1@HST
2Justin JeffersonMINWR1ARZ
3Cooper KuppLAWR2SF
4Saquon BarkleyNYGRB2@SEA
5Tyreek HillMIAWR3@DET
6Josh JacobsLVRB3@NO
7Stefon DiggsBUFWR4GB
8Davante AdamsLVWR5@NO
9Alvin KamaraNORB4LV
10Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR6@CLV
11Jonathan TaylorINDRB5WAS
12Travis EtienneJAXRB6DEN
13Nick ChubbCLVRB7CIN
14Joe MixonCINRB8@CLV
15Dalvin CookMINRB9ARZ
16Kenneth Walker IIISEARB10NYG
17DeAndre HopkinsARZWR7@MIN
18Dameon PierceHSTRB11TEN
19Rhamondre StevensonNERB12@NYJ
20Jaylen WaddleMIAWR8@DET
21Christian McCaffreySFRB13@LA
22Leonard FournetteTBRB14BLT
23CeeDee LambDALWR9CHI
24Mike EvansTBWR10BLT
25A.J. BrownPHIWR11PIT
26Mark AndrewsBLTTE1@TB
27Raheem MostertMIARB15@DET
28Chris GodwinTBWR12BLT
29Aaron JonesGBRB16@BUF
30Miles SandersPHIRB17PIT
31Chris OlaveNOWR13LV
32Tyler LockettSEAWR14NYG
33Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR15MIA
34Deebo SamuelSFWR16@LA
35D.K. MetcalfSEAWR17NYG
36D.J. MooreCARWR18@ATL
37Amari CooperCLVWR19CIN
38Devin SingletaryBUFRB18GB
39Ezekiel ElliottDALRB19CHI
40Tee HigginsCINWR20@CLV
41DeVonta SmithPHIWR21PIT
42Adam ThielenMINWR22ARZ
43Brandin CooksHSTWR23TEN
44Michael Pittman Jr.INDWR24WAS
45D'Andre SwiftDETRB20MIA
46Najee HarrisPITRB21@PHI
47Gabriel DavisBUFWR25GB
48Tony PollardDALRB22CHI
49Darrell HendersonLARB23SF
50Dallas GoedertPHITE2PIT
51Christian KirkJAXWR26DEN
52Courtland SuttonDENWR27@JAX
53David MontgomeryCHIRB24@DAL
54Michael CarterNYJRB25NE
55Diontae JohnsonPITWR28@PHI
56Terry McLaurinWASWR29@IND
57Drake LondonATLWR30CAR
58Robert WoodsTENWR31@HST
59Tyler AllgeierATLRB26CAR
60Jerry JeudyDENWR32@JAX
61Jakobi MeyersNEWR33@NYJ
62Allen LazardGBWR34@BUF
63Brandon AiyukSFWR35@LA
64Jamaal WilliamsDETRB27MIA
65George KittleSFTE3@LA
66D'Onta ForemanCARRB28@ATL
67Tyler BoydCINWR36@CLV
68T.J. HockensonDETTE4MIA
69Curtis SamuelWASWR37@IND
70James ConnerARZRB29@MIN
71Zach ErtzARZTE5@MIN
72Josh ReynoldsDETWR38MIA
73Garrett WilsonNYJWR39NE
74Darnell MooneyCHIWR40@DAL
75Brian Robinson Jr.WASRB30@IND
76Kyle PittsATLTE6CAR
77Rashod BatemanBLTWR41@TB
78Melvin Gordon IIIDENRB31@JAX
79Chase ClaypoolPITWR42@PHI
80George PickensPITWR43@PHI
81Zay JonesJAXWR44DEN
82Hunter RenfrowLVWR45@NO
83Tyler HigbeeLATE7SF
84Donovan Peoples-JonesCLVWR46CIN
85Gus EdwardsBLTRB32@TB
86Kareem HuntCLVRB33CIN
87Eno BenjaminARZRB34@MIN
88Chuba HubbardCARRB35@ATL
89Romeo DoubsGBWR47@BUF
90Wan'Dale RobinsonNYGWR48@SEA
91Rondale MooreARZWR49@MIN
92Pat FreiermuthPITTE8@PHI
93Mack HollinsLVWR50@NO
94Michael GallupDALWR51CHI
95Allen Robinson IILAWR52SF
96Taysom HillNOTE9LV
97Marvin Jones Jr.JAXWR53DEN
98Noah BrownDALWR54CHI
99Alec PierceINDWR55WAS
100Devin DuvernayBLTWR56@TB
101A.J. DillonGBRB36@BUF
102Corey DavisNYJWR57NE
103Parris CampbellINDWR58WAS
104Robert TonyanGBTE10@BUF
105K.J. OsbornMINWR59ARZ
106Antonio GibsonWASRB37@IND
107James RobinsonNYJRB38NE
108Isaiah McKenzieBUFWR60GB
109Olamide ZaccheausATLWR61CAR
110Hayden HurstCINTE11@CLV
111Evan EngramJAXTE12DEN
112Damien HarrisNERB39@NYJ
113Dawson KnoxBUFTE13GB
114Mike GesickiMIATE14@DET
115Foster MoreauDENTE15@JAX
116Nico CollinsHOUWR62TEN
117Dalton SchultzDALTE16CHI
118DeVante ParkerNEWR63@NYJ
119Darius SlaytonNYGWR64@SEA
120Darren WallerLVTE17@NO
121Irv Smith Jr.MINTE18ARZ
122Tyquan ThorntonNEWR65@NYJ
123Latavius MurrayDENRB40@JAX
124Rachaad WhiteTBRB41BLT
125Khalil HerbertCHIRB42@DAL
126Noah FantSEATE19NYG
127Hunter HenryNETE20@NYJ
128Terrace Marshall Jr.CARWR66@ATL
129Kalif RaymondDETWR67MIA
130Marquise GoodwinSEAWR68NYG
131Nick Westbrook-IkhineTENWR69@HST
132Caleb HuntleyATLRB43CAR
133Nyheim HinesINDRB44WAS
134Chase EdmondsMIARB45@DET
135Rex BurkheadHSTRB46TEN
136Harrison BryantCLVTE21CIN
137Juwan JohnsonNOTE22LV
138Sammy WatkinsGBWR70@BUF
139Michael ThomasNOWR71LV
140Dontrell HilliardTENRB47@HST
141Chris MooreHSTWR72TEN
142Tre'Quan SmithNOWR73LV
143Cade OttonTBTE23BLT
144Jahan DotsonWASWR74@IND
145Jarvis LandryNOWR75LV
146Marcus JohnsonNYGWR76@SEA
147Marquez CallawayNOWR77LV
148Tyler ConklinNYJTE24NE
149Will DisslySEATE25NYG
150Robbie AndersonARZWR78@MIN
151Elijah MooreNYJWR79NE
152Shi SmithCARWR80@ATL
153Alexander MattisonMINRB48ARZ
154Cole KmetCHITE26@DAL
155Julio JonesTBWR81BLT
156Mark Ingram IINORB49LV
157Equanimeous St. BrownCHIWR82@DAL
158Jordan AkinsHSTTE27TEN
159Jeff Wilson Jr.SFRB50@LA
160Bennett SkowronekLAWR83SF
161Trent SherfieldMIAWR84@DET
162Foster MoreauLVTE28@NO
163Austin HooperTENTE29@HST
164Van JeffersonLAWR85SF
165Brevin JordanHSTTE30TEN
166Braxton BerriosNYJWR86NE
167Samaje PerineCINRB51@CLV
168Kenneth GainwellPHIRB52PIT
169Jauan JenningsSFWR87@LA
170K.J. HamlerDENWR88@JAX
171Phillip DorsettHSTWR89TEN
172Richie James Jr.NYGWR90@SEA
173J.D. McKissicWASRB53@IND
174DeeJay DallasSEARB54NYG
175Chris MyarickNYGTE31@SEA
176Logan ThomasWASTE32@IND
177Tommy TrembleCARTE33@ATL
178Jaylen WarrenPITRB55@PHI
179Quez WatkinsPHIWR91PIT
180Justice HillBLTRB56@TB
181Tom KennedyDETWR92MIA
182Dante PettisCHIWR93@DAL
183Ian ThomasCARTE34@ATL
184Kyle JuszczykSFRB57@LA
185James CookBUFRB58GB
186Laviska Shenault Jr.CARWR94@ATL
187Khalil ShakirBUFWR95GB
188David BellCLVWR96CIN
189JaMycal HastyJAXRB59DEN
190Christian WatsonGBWR97@BUF
191Tanner HudsonNYGTE35@SEA
192Jonnu SmithNETE36@NYJ
193Keaontay IngramARZRB60@MIN
194Pharaoh BrownCLVTE37CIN
195Kylen GransonINDTE38WAS
196Malcolm BrownLARB61SF
197Kendrick BourneNEWR98@NYJ
198Avery WilliamsATLRB62CAR
199Craig ReynoldsDETRB63MIA
200Mo Alie-CoxINDTE39WAS
201Chigoziem OkonkwoTENTE40@HST
202Zack MossBUFRB64GB
203Nelson AgholorNEWR99@NYJ
204Brock WrightDETTE41MIA
205Matt BreidaNYGRB65@SEA
206Cody HollisterTENWR100@HST
207Demarcus RobinsonBLTWR101@TB
208C.J. UzomahNYJTE42NE
209Damiere ByrdATLWR102CAR
210Jelani WoodsINDTE43WAS
211Isaiah LikelyBLTTE44@TB
212Boston ScottPHIRB66PIT
213O.J. HowardHSTTE45TEN
214Mason KinseyTENWR103@HST
215Colby ParkinsonSEATE46NYG
216Kenyan DrakeBLTRB67@TB
217Brandon PowellLARWR104SF
218Scotty MillerTBWR105BLT
219Geoff SwaimTENTE47@HST
220Cam SimsWASWR106@IND
221Cole TurnerWASTE48@IND
222Armani RogersWASTE49@IND
223Travis HomerSEARB68NYG
224Dee EskridgeSEAWR107NYG
225Jake FergusonDALTE50CHI
226Johnny MundtMINTE51ARZ
227Breshad PerrimanTBWR108BLT
228Darrel WilliamsARZRB69@MIN
229N'Keal HarryCHIWR109@DAL
230Rashid ShaheedNOWR110LV
231Brandon BoldenLVRB70@NO
232Kenny GolladayNYGWR111@SEA
233Greg DortchARZWR112@MIN
234Parker HesseATLTE52CAR
235Adam TrautmanNOTE53LV
236Durham SmytheMIATE54@DET
237David SillsNYGWR113@SEA
238Ray-Ray McCloud IIISFWR114@LA
239John BatesWASTE55@IND
240Cedrick WilsonMIAWR115@DET
241Peyton HendershotDALTE56CHI
242Dyami BrownWASWR116@IND
243Patrick RicardBLTRB71@TB
244A.J. GreenARZWR117@MIN
245Zach GentryPITTE57@PHI
246Reggie GilliamBUFRB72GB
247Myles GaskinMIARB73@DET
248Deon JacksonINDRB74WAS
249Amari RodgersGBWR118@BUF
250Samori ToureGBWR119@BUF
251Tutu AtwellLAWR120SF
252Justin JacksonDETRB75MIA
253Rashard HigginsCARWR121@ATL
254KhaDarel HodgeATLWR122CAR
255Quintin MorrisBUFTE58GB
256Denzel MimsNYJWR123NE
257Ty JohnsonNYJRB76NE
258Zach PascalPHIWR124PIT
259Snoop ConnerJAXRB77DEN
260Josh OliverBLTTE59@TB
261Giovanni RicciCARTE60@ATL
262Tyler KroftSFTE61@LA
263Eric SaubertDENTE62@JAX
264Cam AkersLARB78SF
265Marlon MackDENRB79@JAX
266MyCole PruittATLTE63CAR
267Kyle RudolphTBTE64BLT
268Dax MilneWASWR125@IND
269Jamal AgnewJAXWR126DEN
270Kendall HintonDENWR127@JAX
271Damien WilliamsATLRB80CAR
272Bryan EdwardsATLWR128CAR
273Chris ConleyTENWR129@HST
274Eric TomlinsonDENTE65@JAX
275Marcedes LewisGBTE66@BUF
276Jack StollPHITE67PIT
277Ameer AbdullahLVRB81@NO
278James ProcheBLTWR130@TB
279Trey SermonPHIRB82PIT
280Dan ArnoldJAXTE68DEN
281Jeff SmithNYJWR131NE
282Nick VannettNOTE69LV
283Velus Jones Jr.CHIWR132@DAL
284Dare OgunbowaleHSTRB83TEN
285Ross DwelleySFTE70@LA
286Ty MontgomeryNERB84@NYJ
287Alec IngoldMIARB85@DET
288Jesper HorstedLVTE71@NO
289Jonathan WilliamsWASRB86@IND
290Jake KumerowBUFWR133GB
291Brittain BrownLVRB87@NO
292Dylan SoehnerNOTE72LV
293Kevin HarrisNERB88@NYJ
294Trey McBrideARZTE73@MIN
295River CracraftMIAWR134@DET
296Josiah DeguaraGBTE74@BUF
297Keelan ColeLVWR135@NO
298Jordan MasonSFRB89@LA
299Raheem BlackshearCARRB90@ATL
300Teagan QuitorianoHSTTE75TEN
301Anthony SchwartzCLVWR136CIN
302Zamir WhiteLVRB91@NO
303Mike DavisBLTRB92@TB
304Mitchell WilcoxCINTE76@CLV
305Charlie KolarBLTTE77@TB
306Dareke YoungSEAWR137NYG
307Jalen ReagorMINWR138ARZ
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