Fantasy Football Week 8 Quarterback and Top 100 Flex Rankings
- Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes is the QB1 in Week 8, fantasy’s halfway mark.
- His running back, Kareem Hunt, tops the PPR Flex rankings, non-Todd Gurley division.
- Don’t be afraid to flex your tight end.
The halfway mark of the fantasy season is quietly approaching. Safe to say that the results at midseason are not what most expected heading into the year: a first-year starter (Patrick Mahomes) is leaving the veteran QBs in his dust, and an undrafted, under-appreciated wide receiver (Adam Thielen) leads all his superstar peers in both receptions and yards.
Will the trends continue in Week 8?
Read on to find my Top 20 QBs and Top 100 PPR Flex plays heading into Week 8.
If you’re looking to mix some fantasy football with more traditional wagers, some sportsbooks offer “fantasy betting” option that will allow you to play over/unders on projected fantasy outputs for the week.
NFL Week 8 Top 20 QBs
| Rank | Player (Team) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Mahomes (KC) | DEN | 32.8 | 190.9 | QB 1 | $7,000 |
| 2 | Andrew Luck (IND) | @OAK | 22.7 | 148.5 | QB 3 | $6,300 |
| 3 | Kirk Cousins (MIN) | NO | 17.5 | 143.8 | QB 5 | $5,900 |
| 4 | Aaron Rodgers (GB) | @LAR | BYE | 132.9 | QB 11 | $6,400 |
| 5 | Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) | CLE | BYE | 129.1 | QB 12 | $6,100 |
| 6 | Jared Goff (LAR) | GB | 16.5 | 138.7 | QB 8 | $6,000 |
| 7 | Jameis Winston (TB) | @CIN | 20.1 | 57.5 | QB 32 | $6,000 |
| 8 | Drew Brees (NO) | @MIN | 16.8 | 141.8 | QB 6 | $5,600 |
| 9 | Tom Brady (NE) | @BUF | 21.7 | 135.2 | QB 10 | $6,500 |
| 10 | Deshaun Watson (HOU) | MIA | 10.9 | 127.1 | QB 13 | $6,000 |
| 11 | Matt Stafford (DET) | SEA | 17.6 | 103.8 | QB 19 | $5,600 |
| 12 | Cam Newton (CAR) | BAL | 25.7 | 140.8 | QB 7 | $5,800 |
| 13 | Russell Wilson (SEA) | @DET | BYE | 100.5 | QB 20 | $5,900 |
| 14 | Andy Dalton (CIN) | TB | 7.9 | 120 | QB 14 | $6,200 |
| 15 | Mitch Trubisky (CHI) | NYJ | 31.4 | 136.2 | QB 9 | $6,100 |
| 16 | Carson Wentz (PHI) | @JAX | 18.7 | 96.1 | QB 23 | $5,600 |
| 17 | Baker Mayfield (CLE) | @PIT | 20.9 | 73.8 | QB 27 | $5,700 |
| 18 | Case Keenum (DEN) | @KC | 8.8 | 96.6 | QB 22 | $5,100 |
| 19 | Joe Flacco (BAL) | @CAR | 19.6 | 119.7 | QB 15 | $5,300 |
| 20 | Alex Smith (WAS) | @NYG | 12.7 | 91.7 | QB 24 | $5,000 |
Blah Blah Blah Mahomes Blah Blah
Mahomes just keeps putting up video-game numbers. There is not much left to say at this point; he’s just extremely good at football and surrounded by the best arsenal of weapons in the NFL. With a 42-point lead over the next closest QB, Mahomes is a great bet week in and week out, no matter the matchup. This week, he has division rival Denver, a team he “struggled” against in Week 4 until the 4th quarter. What does “struggling” look like for Mahomes? Just 304 yards with a touchdown and no picks, plus a rushing touchdown.
That might be his floor in Arrowhead this time around.
Kirk Cousins used the Jets for leverage then rubbed their noses in it https://t.co/bjucquCrZq
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) October 16, 2018
Cousins Is A Solid Choice In Daily
Sure there have been a couple bumps in the road for the Vikings, who sit at 4-2-1, but Kirk Cousins has been doing what he was paid a lot of money to do. With 14 TDs through his first seven games and a passer rating over 100, Cousins is the QB5 through seven weeks. He comes at a bit of a discount in Week 9 in a great matchup with one of the league’s worst pass defenses (New Orleans) visiting Minnesota.
NFL Week 8 Top 100 PPR Flex Rankings
| Rank | Player (Team)(Pos Rank) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Todd Gurley (LAR)(RB1) | GB | 30.6 | 206.6 | RB 1 | $9,800 |
| 2 | Kareem Hunt (KC)(RB2) | DEN | 37.1 | 145.8 | RB 5 | $7,100 |
| 3 | James Conner (PIT)(RB3) | CLE | BYE | 141 | RB 7 | $7,500 |
| 4 | Adam Thielen (MIN)(WR1) | NO | 26 | 179.2 | WR 1 | $8,700 |
| 5 | Saquon Barkley (NYG)(RB4) | WAS | 26.4 | 183.5 | RB 2 | $8,800 |
| 6 | Alvin Kamara (NO)(RB5) | @MIN | 15.5 | 158.5 | RB 4 | $7,400 |
| 7 | James White (NE)(RB6) | @BUF | 29.7 | 143.9 | RB 6 | $7,200 |
| 8 | Joe Mixon (CIN)(RB7) | TB | 8.1 | 82.6 | RB 19 | $7,300 |
| 9 | DeAndre Hopkins (HOU)(WR2) | MIA | 14 | 139 | WR 4 | $7,600 |
| 10 | Davante Adams (GB)(WR3) | @LAR | BYE | 138.7 | WR 5 | $7,900 |
| 11 | Tyreek Hill (KC)(WR4) | DEN | 20.6 | 151 | WR 2 | $8,600 |
| 12 | Odell Beckham Jr (NYG)(WR5) | WAS | 28.2 | 135 | WR 6 | $7,500 |
| 13 | Antonio Brown (PIT)(WR6) | CLE | BYE | 123.8 | WR 11 | $8,500 |
| 14 | AJ Green (CIN)(WR7) | TB | 18.7 | 129.1 | WR 9 | $8,000 |
| 15 | Emmanuel Sanders (DEN)(WR8) | @KC | 27.3 | 140.7 | WR 3 | $6,500 |
| 16 | David Johnson (ARI)(RB8) | SF | 10 | 102.2 | RB 11 | $6,700 |
| 17 | Stefon Diggs (MIN)(WR9) | NO | 10.6 | 118.4 | WR 12 | $6,700 |
| 18 | Michael Thomas (NO)(WR10) | @MIN | 19.9 | 131.8 | WR 8 | $7,300 |
| 19 | Mike Evans (TB)(WR11) | @CIN | 17.7 | 115.1 | WR 13 | $7,800 |
| 20 | Brandin Cooks (LAR)(WR12) | GB | 17.1 | 103.2 | WR 21 | $6,900 |
| 21 | TY Hilton (IND)(WR13) | @OAK | 18.5 | 80.9 | WR 34 | $6,300 |
| 22 | Jarvis Landry (CLE)(WR14) | @PIT | 25.7 | 103.9 | WR 19 | $7,200 |
| 23 | Robert Woods (LAR)(WR15) | GB | 13.4 | 128.2 | WR 10 | $6,800 |
| 24 | Travis Kelce (KC)(TE1) | DEN | 14.5 | 112.3 | TE 2 | $6,800 |
| 25 | Phillip Lindsay (DEN)(RB9) | @KC | 16.6 | 88.5 | RB 15 | $5,200 |
Relive the #Chiefs‘ rout of the #Bengals with all the best Highlights from Patrick Mahomes, Kareem Hunt, and more! https://t.co/47zYwDON0c
— Chiefs Wire (@TheChiefsWire) October 22, 2018
Kareem Hunt’s Surge Will Continue vs Denver
Kareem Hunt’s slow start had owners worried about his role in the KC offense. Now, Hunt owners are sitting back and watching the points pile up as Hunt has vaulted all the way to RB5 through Week 7. Coming off a three-touchdown, 141-yard performance against the Bengals, Hunt should continue his rise against the Broncos’ 31st-ranked run defense. He put up 175 yards and a TD in their first meeting in Denver. He’s not Todd Gurley, but he will give the undisputed fantasy king a run for his money this week.
| Rank | Player (Team)(Pos Rank) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Tarik Cohen (CHI)(RB10) | NYJ | 22.3 | 96.2 | RB 12 | $5,800 |
| 27 | Christian McCaffery (CAR)(RB11) | BAL | 14 | 110.7 | RB 10 | $7,000 |
| 28 | Marlon Mack (IND)(RB12) | @OAK | 31.9 | 46.8 | RB 47 | $5,400 |
| 29 | Nick Chubb (CLE)(RB13) | @PIT | 14 | 43.3 | RB 52 | $4,700 |
| 30 | Mark Ingram (NO)(RB14) | @MIN | 6.2 | 27.5 | RB 62 | $5,300 |
| 31 | Julian Edelman (NE)(WR16) | @BUF | 14.6 | 43.4 | WR 75 | $6,200 |
| 32 | Tyler Boyd (CIN)(WR17) | TB | 5.7 | 112.7 | WR 14 | $6,700 |
| 33 | Juju Smith-Schuster (PIT)(WR18) | CLE | BYE | 112.1 | WR 15 | $7,400 |
| 34 | Golden Tate (DET)(WR19) | SEA | 10.6 | 105.6 | WR 18 | $6,000 |
| 35 | Latavius Murray (MIN)(RB15) | NO | 22.3 | 72.7 | RB 28 | $4,900 |
| 36 | Kerryon Johnson (DET)(RB16) | SEA | 19.9 | 74.3 | RB 27 | $5,300 |
| 37 | Isaiah Crowell (NYJ)(RB17) | @CHI | 6 | 91.8 | RB 13 | $3,700 |
| 38 | Demaryius Thomas (DEN)(WR20) | @KC | 9.2 | 88.2 | WR 29 | $4,900 |
| 39 | John Brown (BAL)(WR21) | @CAR | 26.4 | 108.2 | WR 16 | $5,900 |
| 40 | Doug Baldwin (SEA)(WR22) | @DET | BYE | 25.3 | WR 104 | $5,500 |
| 41 | DeSean Jackson (TB)(WR23) | @CIN | 11.3 | 101.1 | WR 22 | $5,300 |
| 42 | Josh Gordon (NE)(WR24) | @BUF | 14 | 50.1 | WR 65 | $6,100 |
| 43 | Kenny Golladay (DET)(WR25) | SEA | 5.7 | 93.5 | WR 26 | $5,700 |
| 44 | Zach Ertz (PHI)(TE2) | @JAX | 22.8 | 130.8 | TE 1 | $6,600 |
| 45 | Rob Gronkowski (NE)(TE3) | @BUF | INJ | 70.5 | TE 9 | $6,200 |
| 46 | Lamar Miller (HOU)(RB18) | MIA | 16.9 | 65.9 | RB 30 | $4,700 |
| 47 | Adrian Peterson (WAS)(RB19) | @NYG | 11.7 | 82.2 | RB 20 | $4,900 |
| 48 | Kenyon Drake (MIA)(RB20) | @HOU | 18.7 | 85.2 | RB 16 | $4,900 |
| 49 | Alex Collins (BAL)(RB21) | @CAR | 7.8 | 77.6 | RB 24 | $4,600 |
| 50 | Sterling Shepard (NYG)(WR26) | WAS | 21.7 | 100.8 | WR 23 | $5,200 |
Tiny Tarik Cohen Huge In Fantasy
Sure he only stands 5’6″ tall and weighs in at a mere 181 pounds, but with video game moves and sticky fingers, Tarik Cohen has proven to the Bears coaching staff that he deserves a bigger part in their offense. The Bears only gave Cohen 21 touches in the first three games but the past three games have seen Cohen touch the ball 46 times and gain 378 yards including 22 receptions. As long as his slight frame holds up the Bears can’t keep this electric playmaker off the field.
5’6″ Tarik Cohen remains a deadly red zone weapon
(via @ChicagoBears)pic.twitter.com/H11TfN4M3z
— Bleacher Report NFL (@BR_NFL) October 21, 2018
I am also high on Marlon Mack and Nick Chubb this week, as both have great matchups and figure to get the lion’s share of the workload for their respective teams. At this point in the season, they are the highest upside RB2s you are going to find.
| Rank | Player (Team)(Pos Rank) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Sammy Watkins (KC)(WR27) | DEN | 11.4 | 71.6 | WR 46 | $4,600 |
| 52 | Tyler Lockett (SEA)(WR28) | @DET | BYE | 90.8 | WR 27 | $5,200 |
| 53 | Alshon Jeffery (PHI)(WR29) | @JAX | 21.8 | 79.6 | WR 36 | $5,800 |
| 54 | Will Fuller (HOU)(WR30) | MIA | 12.8 | 82.9 | WR 32 | $6,100 |
| 55 | Chris Carson (SEA)(RB22) | @DET | BYE | 51.3 | RB 41 | $4,300 |
| 56 | Corey Clement (PHI)(RB23) | @JAX | 4.2 | 52.7 | RB 38 | $3,900 |
| 57 | Chris Thompson (WAS)(RB24) | @NYG | INJ | 62 | RB 31 | $5,500 |
| 58 | Jordan Howard (CHI)(RB25) | NYJ | 11.8 | 60.8 | RB 33 | $4,800 |
| 59 | Matt Brieda (SF)(RB26) | @ARI | -0.5 | 80.5 | RB 22 | $5,000 |
| 60 | George Kittle (SF)(TE4) | @ARI | 20.8 | 98.7 | TE 4 | $5,500 |
| 61 | Jordy Nelson (OAK)(WR31) | IND | BYE | 74.3 | WR 42 | $4,700 |
| 62 | Marquise Goodwin (SF)(WR32) | @ARI | 4.4 | 50.1 | WR 64 | $5,000 |
| 63 | Devin Funchess (CAR)(WR33) | BAL | 18.2 | 84.4 | WR 31 | $5,400 |
| 64 | Taylor Gabriel (CHI)(WR34) | NYJ | 5.6 | 78.5 | WR 39 | $5,100 |
| 65 | Geronimo Allison (GB)(WR35) | @LAR | BYE | 59.9 | WR 56 | $5,000 |
| 66 | Eric Ebron (IND)(TE5) | @OAK | 6.1 | 104.6 | TE 3 | $4,900 |
| 67 | David Njoku (CLE)(TE6) | @PIT | 15.2 | 72.7 | TE 8 | $4,600 |
| 68 | OJ Howard (TB)(TE7) | @CIN | 11.7 | 67.1 | TE 12 | $3,900 |
| 69 | Trey Burton (CHI)(TE8) | NYJ | 27.6 | 80.7 | TE 6 | $4,800 |
| 70 | Chris Godwin (TB)(WR36) | @CIN | 10.9 | 78.8 | WR 37 | $4,500 |
| 71 | Michael Crabtree (BAL)(WR37) | @CAR | 11.6 | 87.9 | WR 30 | $4,800 |
| 72 | Allen Robinson (CHI)(WR38) | NYJ | 1.4 | 65.5 | WR 51 | $5,600 |
| 73 | Dede Westbrook (JAX)(WR39) | PHI | 5.7 | 82 | WR 33 | $4,600 |
| 74 | Nelson Agholor (PHI)(WR40) | @JAX | 8 | 78.7 | WR 38 | $4,600 |
| 75 | Mike Davis (SEA)(RB27) | @DET | BYE | 50.4 | RB 42 | $3,600 |
Plenty Of Depth At Tight End
After Hunter Henry went down before the season it was hard to get real excited about any of the tight end talent outside of the consensus top 3. Through 7 weeks, tight end has become one of the more exciting and enticing positions. Talented youngsters George Kittle, OJ Howard and David Njoku have been making plays, and vets on new teams — Eric Ebron and Trey Burton — have been integral parts in their respective offenses. If you were fortunate enough to backup a stud like Travis Kelce or Zach Ertz with one of these guys, get them both in your lineup. Don’t look now but a once bland and boring position is all of the sudden booming with talent and production.
Trey Burton’s big game vs. the Patriots is a boon for a #Bears offense that may be becoming a “pick your poison” proposition for opposing defensive coordinators. Film Study: https://t.co/pDHrconOYk
— dan durkin (@djdurkin) October 24, 2018
| Rank | Player (Team)(Pos Rank) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | TJ Yeldon (JAX)(RB28) | PHI | 17.8 | 117 | RB 9 | $5,200 |
| 77 | LeSean McCoy (BUF)(RB29) | NE | 0.1 | 45.9 | RB 49 | $5,500 |
| 78 | Aaron Jones (GB)(RB30) | @LAR | BYE | 32.9 | RB 60 | $4,100 |
| 79 | Greg Olsen (CAR)(TE9) | BAL | 8.5 | 22.6 | TE 44 | $4,200 |
| 80 | Jared Cook (OAK)(TE10) | IND | BYE | 84 | TE 5 | $5,000 |
| 81 | Danny Amendola (MIA)(WR41) | @HOU | 20.4 | 65.4 | WR 52 | $4,500 |
| 82 | Christian Kirk (ARI)(WR42) | SF | 8.7 | 72 | WR 45 | $4,500 |
| 83 | Marvin Jones (DET)(WR43) | SEA | 5.9 | 64 | WR 53 | $4,800 |
| 84 | Wendell Smallwood (PHI)(RB31) | @JAX | 5.7 | 58.4 | RB 36 | $3,800 |
| 85 | Jalen Richard (OAK)(RB32) | IND | BYE | 59.5 | RB 35 | $4,200 |
| 86 | Duke Johnson (CLE) (RB33) | @PIT | 5.9 | 51.4 | RB 39 | $3,900 |
| 87 | Raheem Mostert (SF)(RB34) | @ARI | 11.8 | 22.2 | RB 68 | $3,800 |
| 88 | Carlos Hyde (JAX)(RB35) | PHI | DNP | 77.1 | RB 25 | $4,100 |
| 89 | Doug Martin (OAK)(RB36) | IND | BYE | 14.4 | RB 78 | $4,400 |
| 90 | Buck Allen (BAL)(RB37) | @CAR | 5.4 | 76 | RB 26 | $4,000 |
| 91 | Royce Freeman (DEN)(RB38) | @KC | 9.7 | 61 | RB 32 | $3,800 |
| 92 | Kenjon Barner (NE)(RB39) | @BUF | 3.6 | 6.3 | RB 89 | $3,500 |
| 93 | Nyheim Hines (IND)(RB40) | @OAK | 5.2 | 84 | RB 17 | $3,800 |
| 94 | Kyle Rudolph (MIN)(TE11) | NO | 2.6 | 68.2 | TE 10 | $3,600 |
| 95 | Jimmy Graham (GB)(TE12) | @LAR | BYE | 67.9 | TE 11 | $4,700 |
| 96 | Jordan Reed (WAS)(TE13) | @NYG | 6.3 | 52.8 | TE 13 | $4,500 |
| 97 | Willie Snead (BAL)(WR44) | @CAR | 6.6 | 73.9 | WR 43 | $4,200 |
| 98 | Chris Hogan (NE)(WR45) | @BUF | 12.3 | 61.4 | WR 55 | $3,900 |
| 99 | Chris Ivory (BUF)(RB41) | NE | 13.6 | 47.9 | RB 46 | $4,400 |
| 100 | Frank Gore (MIA)(RB42) | @HOU | 4.3 | 49.9 | RB 43 | $3,600 |
Scanning the Week 8 Bargain Bin
The Packers’ Aaron Jones is hard for me to ignore, unfortunately Mike McCarthy seams to feel differently. Until there is a change in Green Bay, he will be hard to rely on.
With Albert Wilson on IR and Kenny Stills ruled out for Week 8, Miami’s Danny Amendola will accumulate targets this week and down the road. He’s a solid season-long add as well as a DFS play. Want a stat to back it up? Amendola has managed at least 6 catches in Brock Osweiler’s two starts, and those were with a healthy Stills and Wilson.
Raider RB Jalen Richard could be a good play with Beast Mode (Marshawn Lynch) going to the IR. Richard already has 31 catches through 6 games and his playing time will only increase. The trust factor in Oakland is an issue for me right now as I am half expecting the Raiders to just come out and forfeit. I know I’m not the only one wondering what in the hell is Gruden doing.
Raheem Mostert (49ers), Kenjon Barner (Patriots) and Chris Ivory (Bills) could offer some value as well, depending how injury issues or trade propositions go for their teammates.
Always keep an eye on player availability as the week goes on. The active/inactive status for questionable players is generally still TBD at the time of my writing.
Good luck in Week 8!
Nick Ferris is a seasoned fantasy football vet of over 20 years. He's an expert in everything from best ball to daily fantasy sports. Although arm chair quarterback is as close he ever got to the field - or are we counting 7v7 touch? - he has been fortunate enough to coach some youth football.
