Fantasy Football Week 8 Positional Power Rankings

Sportz Nation Staff
3 minutes ago
4 min read

by Zak Drapeau, Matt Hylen and Joseph McLaughlin 10/23/2025 Sportz Nation

Quarterbacks

1. Josh Allen at CAR

2. Patrick Mahomes vs WAS

3. Jalen Hurts vs NYG

4. Baker Mayfield at NO

5. Daniel Jones vs TEN

6. Dak Prescott at DEN

7. Bo Nix vs DAL

8. Caleb Williams at BAL

9. Drake Maye vs CLE

10. Justin Herbert vs MIN

11. Jordan Love at PIT

12. Joe Flacco vs NYJ

13. Aaron Rodgers vs GB

14. Brock Purdy at HOU

15. Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson is #15 on my list because he's only practiced once and is still questionable this week or else he would be #2, just behind Allen.

Some differences this week include Dak's rise to #6 even though he'll face the Broncos; he's been so good this year. Drake Maye is sliding a bit down to #9 when facing Cleveland's D.

Joe Flacco makes his debut on this list after his incredible performance last week and playing the Jets this week.

Justin Herbert should be higher, but I really believe the Vikings will pressure him on about 80% of pass plays, and even though the Bucs are missing so many weapons, Baker stays high on the list because he's just great this year.

____________________________

Running Backs

Credit to Bandon Magnus/2024 Atlanta Falcons

1. Johnathon Taylor vs TEN

2. Bijan Robinson vs MIA

3. Christian McCaffrey at HOU

4. De’Von Achane at ATL

5. Derrick Henry vs CHI

6. Breece Hall at CIN

7. Josh Jacobs at PIT

8. Saquon Barkley vs NYG

9. James Cook at CAR

10. Rashaad White at NO

11. Chase Brown vs NYJ

12. J.K. Dobbins vs DAL

13. Cam Skattebo at PHI

14. D’Andre Swift at BAL

15. Javonte Williams at DEN

With multiple teams having their bye this week, the RB rankings will look a little different this time around. My top three for week 8 should come as no surprise, as Taylor, McCaffrey, and Robinson have all been spectacular so far this season.

To me, after the top three comes a little drop-off into my second tier, which ranges from 4-6. It’s a smaller tier, but I do think Achane, Henry, and Hall will all have better weeks than those below them. They, of course, are the workhorses of their respective offenses, and their matchups are great in terms of fantasy production.

My third tier, ranging from 7-11, consists of RB1 caliber players that may need a TD in order to break into the scene. Granted, they should be very safe starts, but may need a TD to break the bank for your fantasy squad. But then again, these guys are all proven within their backfield and could produce at any moment.

My fourth and last tier is the 12-15 range. All these guys are pretty interchangeable to me, but don’t necessarily have the ceiling the RBs above them may hold. They are all RedZone threats that can produce efficient numbers on the ground, but may be a small victim of their passing games as the game progresses.

____________________________

Wide Receivers

Photo Credit: Michael Owens/Getty Images

1. Ja'Marr Chase vs NYJ

2. Justin Jefferson at LAC

3. CeeDee Lamb at DEN

4. Drake London vs MIA

5. Rashee Rice vs WSH

6. Courtland Sutton vs DAL

7. Emeka Egbuka at NO

8. Rome Odunze at BAL

9. A.J. Brown vs NYG

10. Chris Olave vs TB

11. Michael Pittman Jr. vs TEN

12. Zay Flowers vs CHI

13. DK Metcalf vs GB

14. Devonte Smith vs NYG

15. Ladd McConkey vs MIN

Week 7 had a lot of crazy things happen, and one of them was the long-awaited return of Rashee Rice from his suspension. Immediately, Rice made an impact on the Chiefs' offense in their 31-0 shutout of the Las Vegas Raiders, catching seven passes for 42 yards and two touchdowns. I am placing him in the top five as the Chiefs have a favorable matchup against a weaker Commanders secondary at home.

Amon-Ra St. Brown normally is in the top five on this list every week, but is left off for Week 8 due to Detroit's bye week. Drake London moves up to No. 4 against a struggling Dolphins defense, and Courtland Sutton moves up to the No. 6 spot playing the league's worst defense in the Dallas Cowboys.

Other receivers closer to the bottom of the top 15 with favorable matchups are Rome Odunze against Baltimore's 30th-ranked defense and Michael Pittman Jr. against the Titans' defense. Some receivers may struggle in Week 8, but I believe they will still have a positive impact. CeeDee Lamb will be playing the Broncos' defense, but he is the cornerstone of Dallas' offense. DK Metcalf may also struggle against Green Bay's defense, but he still should have a solid performance in the game.

____________________________

Tight Ends

Photo by Sergio Estrada/ USA Today Sports

1. Tyler Warren vs TEN

2. Tucker Kraft vs GB

3. Jake Ferguson at DEN

4. George Kittle at HOU

5. Travis Kelce vs WAS

6. Dallas Goedert vs NYG

7. Oronde Gadsden vs MIN

8. Kyle Pitts vs MIA

9. Dalton Kincaid at CAR

10. Cade Otton at NO

11. Hunter Henry vs CLE

12. Harold Fannin at NE

13. Juwan Johnson vs TB

14. Mason Taylor at CIN

15. Zach Ertz at KC

George Kittle falls a bit on the list because of his blank sheet coming off the injury, but it's likely he makes a strong showing in Houston as the 49ers try to get him back involved.

Oronde Gadsden makes his debut on the list as high as #7 after back-to-back strong weeks. Mason Taylor also makes an appearance with Tyrod Taylor back to throwing him balls, especially against the Bengals.

Dalton Kincaid is questionable to play this week, so his placement may skew a bit. Speaking of injuries, Tampa Bay's pass catchers should see a huge uptick with Mike Evans being sidelined again, and Cade Otton could very well be included in that.

I like Zach Ertz in Washington's offense but not in Kansas City, so I want to put him higher for his target shares but had to keep him at #15.

____________________________