DFS: Week 8 Running Back Value Rankings
Here are theScore's running back value rankings for Week 8 (Thursday night and Sunday morning games excluded):
Value Rankings
QB| RB | WR | TE
Top 5
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doug Martin (TB) | at ATL | Low |
| 2 | Todd Gurley (STL) | at SF | Low |
| 3 | Marshawn Lynch (SEA) | at DAL | Low |
| 4 | Mark Ingram (NO) | vs. NYG | Low |
| 5 | Chris Johnson (ARI) | at CLE | Low |
Gurley is going to see extremely high ownership again in Week 8, but Martin is a slightly better play given his lower salary and equally tasty matchup against a porous Atlanta run defense. "Beast Mode" should romp over the struggling Cowboys, while Johnson is in a great position to build off his strong Week 7 showing as he faces the Browns' league's-worst run defense.
Next 5
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Le'Veon Bell (PIT) | vs. CIN | Low |
| 7 | Devonta Freeman (ATL) | vs. TB | Low |
| 8 | Adrian Peterson (MIN) | at CHI | Low |
| 9 | Justin Forsett (BAL) | vs. SD | Low |
| 10 | Matt Forte (CHI) | vs. MIN | Low |
The second tier is littered with big-name players. Bell and Freeman are no-brainers despite their cost, while Peterson should have a big game against a suspect Bears defense. Forsett has a plus encounter with a visiting Chargers team allowing a league-worst 5.3 yards per carry, while Forte should enjoy some home cooking against the Vikings.
Best of the Rest
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Giovani Bernard (CIN) | at PIT | Medium |
| 12 | Danny Woodhead (SD) | at BAL | Medium |
| 13 | Jonathan Stewart (CAR) | vs. IND | Medium |
| 14 | Ronnie Hillman (DEN) | vs. GB | Medium |
| 15 | Alfred Blue (HOU) | vs. TEN | Medium |
| 16 | Antonio Andrews (TEN) | at HOU | Medium |
| 17 | Carlos Hyde (SF) | at STL | Medium |
| 18 | Chris Ivory (NYJ) | at OAK | Medium |
| 19 | Duke Johnson Jr. (CLE) | vs. ARI | Medium |
| 20 | Latavius Murray (OAK) | vs. NYJ | Medium |
Bernard has established himself as one of the best mid-tier options thanks to a low floor and plenty of touches. Hillman should be the No. 1 backfield option in Denver this week, and gets a decent home matchup against Green Bay. Ivory is banged up and may find things difficult against an Oakland run defense limiting opponents to 3.7 yards per carry.
Nothing to See Here
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | James Starks (GB) | at DEN | High |
| 22 | Jeremy Hill (CIN) | at PIT | High |
| 23 | Frank Gore (IND) | at CAR | High |
| 24 | Eddie Lacy (GB) | at DEN | High |
| 25 | Darren McFadden (DAL) | vs. SEA | High |
| 26 | Rashad Jennings (NYG) | at NO | High |
| 27 | C.J. Anderson (DEN) | vs. GB | High |
| 28 | Chris Polk (HOU) | vs. TEN | High |
| 29 | Charles Sims (TB) | at ATL | High |
| 30 | Isaiah Crowell (CLE) | vs. ARI | High |
It's hard to know how the Packers' backfield will shake out for its Week 8 encounter with Denver, but neither back is a recommended play against a tough Broncos defense. McFadden will be hard-pressed to repeat his stunning Week 7 success with the visiting Seahawks looming, while Sims may be a sneaky value play against Atlanta.