Week 8 is here, and fantasy football is in full swing. At this point in the season, you could be digging at the bottom of the barrel for a win, or you could be riding high at the top of your league.
One thing is certain though, you've probably run into at least a few forms of running back problems.
We're now at the point in the season where Bye Weeks are going to cause you problems. Not only that but the running back position has been absolutely littered with injuries.
Those injuries obviously hurt a lot of teams. However, it also gives other players a chance to shine and rise up in the fantasy football rankings.
This all makes setting your lineup extremely difficult though. We now have so many moving parts.
With that in mind, who makes the cut for your fantasy football lineup in Week 8? Let's take a look at the running backs and try to determine three “starts” and three “sits”.
RBs to Start in Week 8 in Fantasy Football
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
Usually, Aaron Jones would probably be a no-brainer. One of those players that wouldn't be placed on a “start” list because it's obvious.
For example, no one needs to tell you to start someone like Patrick Mahomes. If he's healthy and the Kansas City Chiefs are playing, you should have him in your lineup.
However, Jones is under different circumstances than normal. He missed Week 7 due to an injury. Now his status for Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings is “questionable”.
That might give you some reservations. If Jones starts, how healthy will he be? Jamaal Williams had a very good game in his absence last week. So the Packers might not feel the need to work their starting running back too hard.
With that in mind, there could be obvious reservations. What if Green Bay wants to take it easy on Jones? This is a 1-5 Minnesota team, so he might not need to work all that hard in the first place.
However, Jones is one of the best in the NFL and a touchdown threat every week. Plug him back into your lineup. Even on limited carries, he is one of the better fantasy football backs.
Carlos Hyde, Seattle Seahawks (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
Carlos Hyde is also questionable. It probably doesn't need to be said, but we'll say it anyway. Monitor his status. If Hyde is out, please don't start him – that's not a good fantasy football strategy.
You could also argue that starting a “non-elite” running back against the San Francisco 49ers is not a great idea.
However, this should be an odd matchup. If Hyde is healthy, he's probably going to get the ball quite a bit.
Obviously, the Seattle Seahawks will want to let superstar quarterback Russell Wilson determine the game. He's one of the very best in the NFL and a legitimate MVP candidate.
That does not mean that they will want to put it all on him though. Hyde should get volume. In fantasy football, volume is a great thing. Even if they don't do much when it comes to averages, a lot of touches mean decent enough numbers.
Expect a healthy Hyde to get at least 25 touches. That will give you something. Especially when you add in the fact that he'll probably reel in a couple of catches as well.
Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Denver Broncos)
The Los Angeles Chargers have a weird running back situation. Austin Ekeler is hurt, and it doesn't really seem like they've figured out what they want to do in that spot without him.
Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley are the two big options. Neither has really shown that they have much of an advantage.
Due to that, you might be wary of starting either.
Jackson is a start this week though. That may seem odd because Kelley actually got more touches last time out.
However, Jackson is going to get you some receptions. The Chargers like using him in the receiving game. So even if his rushing numbers aren't great, those five receptions are already helping build up his points. Throw in some receiving and rushing yards and he's likely getting you at least 10 points.
It's a little risky, but give Jackson a start this week.
RBs to Sit in Week 8 in Fantasy Football
Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins (vs. Los Angeles Rams)
Myles Gaskin was a seventh-round pick in 2019. So far, he's having an incredible 2020 season.
However, some of that is through the eyes of a “he's a seventh-rounder” lens.
340 yards on 82 carries (4.1 yards per attempt) and one touchdown is a nice stat line. It's nothing to get all that excited about when it comes to fantasy though.
He's done solidly in the passing game (27 receptions for 182 yards) but it's not like that's anything to make him the most exciting of running backs.
Still, Gaskin has been phenomenal and done more than enough to merit starting on your team more often than not.
Week 8 is a no-go though.
You could argue it would be a great week to start him. Tua Tagovailoa is making his first career start for the Miami Dolphins. Therefore, starting the running back would be a good idea, right? Clearly they'll want to take pressure off the rookie by running it.
Maybe, but they are also facing off with the Los Angeles Rams. Not exactly a team that's going to make it easy on Gaskin.
Throw in the fact that the Rams could very easily jump out to an early lead, and the run game might get abandoned semi-early. It's better to sit Gaskin this week and bring him back into your lineup for a better matchup.
James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
James Conner is having a fantastic bounce-back year for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Conner is also facing the Baltimore Ravens this week.
On the year, the running back has 451 yards and four touchdowns on 95 carries (4.7 yards per carry). He's even added 15 receptions for 112 yards (receiving has never been his big moneymaker).
However, this is Baltimore we are talking about. We should probably expect a defensive showdown between the two teams.
To be fair, that might actually mean more running from Conner as it helps the Steelers control the pace of the game.
At the same time though, this might be a low-scoring game. So if the Ravens are the team that scores first, the Steelers will want to answer quickly.
That would mean steering clear of one form of offense. Let's be honest, if a team gets up by multiple scores in this one, it's hard to see the other one coming back against their defense.
So if the Ravens get on the board first, obviously Conner won't be touching the ball as much. When he does, it's not like you should expect Baltimore to make things easy on him.
He's a great back and usually an obvious start. But maybe if you have other options look to them this week.
D'Andre Swift, Detroit Lions (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
D'Andre Swift had a massive game in Week 6 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had 14 carries for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
Not surprisingly, that built up the buzz around him again. Swift came into the league this year as one of the more exciting rookies, and this was his breakout game.
That also made his fantasy stock rise. But be wary.
Outside of that one game, Swift has just 21 carries for 69 yards and one touchdown. That's barely three yards a carry.
More importantly, it is almost no volume.
Last week Swift got some more work against the Falcons, running the ball nine times. He did score a touchdown, but picked up only 27 yards on the ground.
The Lions have won their last two games and three-of-their-last-four. That has helped them get back to 3-3 and they are once again in playoff contention.
Due to that, they will not have time for anyone struggling. So going up against a tough Indianapolis Colts team, don't expect any long leashes.
If Swift doesn't pick up yards, he's not going to get carries. They will do whatever they need to in order to win.
The Lions have already proven that Swift is not going to get the biggest workload. So while you might be enticed to start him thanks to his recent touchdown splurge, keep him on the bench for now.
He's too hot-and-cold and you don't want to have to bank on a touchdown to salvage his day.
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