Fantasy football managers are evaluating running back options for Week 8 with several players trending upward or facing difficult matchups. Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins is coming off his best game of the season in Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans, posting 17 carries for 96 yards and two touchdowns plus one catch for 8 yards, totaling 23.4 PPR points. Judkins also performed well against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4 with 21.6 PPR points. The Steelers have allowed a running back to score at least 11.2 PPR points in five of seven games this season, making Judkins a viable No. 2 fantasy running back in all leagues.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is eligible to play in Week 7 at Detroit after missing the first six games on the Commissioner's Exempt List. Coach Matt LaFleur indicated Jacobs could have a limited workload, but he remains the team's best running back. If Jacobs sits, Pierre Strong Jr. emerges as a flex option after 11 carries for 28 yards and five catches for 39 yards in Week 6. The Detroit Lions rank eighth in fewest fantasy points allowed to running backs, though several backs have posted strong games against them this season.
Top Start Candidates
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson projects for 15.7 points against the Miami Dolphins, who rank fourth in most fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Stevenson has scored at least 17.5 PPR points in three of his past four games, including a 48-yard touchdown reception in Week 7. Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Bhayshul Tuten faces an Indianapolis Colts defense that just traded defensive lineman DeForest Buckner; Tuten has scored at least 11.1 PPR points in five straight games, with a season-high 24.7 points in Week 6. Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II has scored at least 14.5 PPR points in four consecutive games, with four touchdowns over that span, and faces a New England Patriots defense that has allowed six running backs to score at least 10.7 PPR points in their past five games.
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason could see increased workload if Aaron Jones (knee) is sidelined; Mason averaged 13.5 PPR points in five games without Jones in 2025. The Detroit Lions have allowed a running back to score at least 14.8 PPR points in four of six games. Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White becomes the lead back with Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) out and has scored at least 11.1 PPR points in three of his past four games against a Philadelphia Eagles defense that has allowed a running back to score at least 10.8 PPR points in five straight games. Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum has scored at least 14 PPR points in three straight games with a touchdown in each, facing a Los Angeles Chargers defense that ranks 10th in most fantasy points allowed to running backs. Denver Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman returned from injured reserve in Week 7 with nine carries for 54 yards and two catches for 15 yards; coach Sean Payton said they need to get Coleman more touches, making him a flex option against the Kansas City Chiefs, who rank eighth in fewest fantasy points allowed to running backs but have allowed four backs to score at least 14.5 PPR points this year.
Sit Candidates and Bust Alerts
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton has scored 7.9 PPR points or less in three of his past four games and shares touches with Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal, making him only a flex in most formats. Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins faces a potential timeshare with Coleman and RJ Harvey, and the Chiefs defense held him to eight catches for 36 yards in Week 1. Seattle Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson could lose work if Zach Charbonnet (knee) and Jadarian Price (chest) return, and the Chicago Bears rank sixth in fewest fantasy points allowed to running backs. Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard, despite a 36.5 PPR point explosion in Week 7, faces a Cincinnati Bengals defense that ranks third in fewest fantasy points allowed to running backs and held Derrick Henry to 5.9 PPR points in Week 7.
