The 2023 NFL season has officially arrived and that means it’s time for weekly fantasy football rankings. Every Monday, we’ll release a new set of fantasy football rankings for the week ahead with evaluations and preview of the top fantasy players and matchups at each position.
Our weekly fantasy rankings are influenced by NFL stat, our defensive rankings and player evaluations throughout the season.
Here is our Week 8 fantasy football rankings.
Week 8 fantasy QB rankings
| RANK | PLAYER | OPPONENT |
| 1 | Jalen Hurts (Q – Leg) | @ Commanders |
| 2 | Lamar Jackson | @ Cardinals |
| 3 | Patrick Mahomes | @ Broncos |
| 4 | Josh Allen | vs Buccaneers |
| 5 | Trevor Lawrence | @ Steelers |
| 6 | Tua Tagovailoa | vs Patriots |
| 7 | Joe Burrow | @ 49ers |
| 8 | Jared Goff | vs Raiders |
| 9 | Justin Herbert | vs Bears |
| 10 | C.J. Stroud | @ Panthers |
| 11 | Brock Purdy | vs Bengals |
| 12 | Dak Prescott | vs Rams |
| 13 | Desmond Ridder | @ Titans |
| 14 | Matthew Stafford | @ Cowboys |
| 15 | Derek Carr | @ Colts |
| 16 | Kirk Cousins | @ Packers |
| 17 | Gardner Minshew | vs Saints |
| 18 | Geno Smith | vs Browns |
| 19 | Kenny Pickett | vs Jaguars |
| 20 | Tyson Bagent | @ Chargers |
Fantasy analysis and matchup previews for our Week 8 fantasy QB rankings will be released on Monday. We’ll provide additional updates leading up to Sunday, October 29.
- Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles – Jalen Hurts did suffer a knee injury on SNF, requiring a brace to finish the game. For now, he’s expected to play in Week 8. If Hurts is on the field, he has a golden opportunity to pepper DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown with targets against a Commanders’ defense that has allowed 14 passing touchdowns and nearly 1,800 passing yards in seven games.
- Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens – It’s amazing what happens when Ravens’ receivers catch the football. Lamar Jackson has played at an MVP level this season, the players around him have just been slow to play at a high level. If Week 7 was a sign of this offense getting comfortable, Jackson is about to go on an electrifying fantasy run.
- Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs – In his last meeting against Denver, Patrick Mahomes only managed a single touchdown and threw a pick. This past Sunday, the Chiefs’ offense looked like it finally found its stride. Denver’s pass defense isn’t historically bad anymore, but this is still a spot for Mahomes to record 300-plus yards and two scores.
- Josh Allen Buffalo Bills – Josh Allen has thrown three interceptions in his last three games, but he still boasts a 93.4 QB rating over that stretch while averaging 264.3 rushing yards per contest with two scores on the ground. Against a middle-of-the-pack Buccaneers’ pass defense, Buffalo should take advantage of a short week with a rebound performance.
- Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence just had one of his best performances of the season on an injured knee against a top-10 defense. With the benefit of 10 days rest, Lawrence’s numbers in Week 7 will be dictated by the offensive line. Jacksonville has held up well in pass protection in recent games and a clean effort would put Lawrence on a path to 250-plus yards and multiple touchdowns.
- Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins – Tua Tagovailoa probably isn’t going to finish as a top-five fantasy QB in Week 8 because Bill Belichick has proven he can at least limit Miami’s explosive plays. Even if a 300-yard performance with three touchdowns isn’t coming, New England’s vulnerable pass rush and some injuries in the secondary still provide Tagovailoa a road to a very productive fantasy day.
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals – We’ve seen enough from Joe Burrow to view him as an elite fantasy quarterback for the rest of the season, but the San Francisco 49ers defense has held its opponents to a 67.2 QB rating this season and the 49ers’ pass rush will have success against the Bengals’ line.
- Jared Goff, Detroit Lions – Jared Goff plays like an All-Pro quarterback at home, demonstrated by his 113.3 QB rating at Ford Field in 2023. If the Raiders can’t stop a DII quarterback, imagine what Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown will do.
- Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers – For as much as we like this matchup against the Chicago Bears secondary, other numbers matter. Justin Herbert has only completed 57% of his throws in the last three games and that 4-4 TD -INT line has meant a lot of points left on the board. Until this Chargers’ offense gets fixed, which might not happen with Mike Williams on IR, Herbert’s fantasy ceiling takes a big hit.
- C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans – In their final two games before the bye week, the Carolina Panthers defense allowed 480 passing yards and six touchdowns through the air. None of the injured starters are coming back anytime soon. Plus, this is a chance for C.J. Stroud to get revenge on the team that passed on him. Roll with Stroud in Week 7, it could be an outstanding fantasy day.
- Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers – While the Bengals’ defense is playing better as of late – 5-7 TD-INT rate, 59.8% completion – it doesn’t have the personnel or experience (younger players are more undisciplined) to hold up well against Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Brock Purdy doesn’t offer an elite fantasy ceiling, you can trust him to deliver top-12 production.
- Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys – Mike McCarthy’s offense can’t be classified as good, but it does produce plenty of red-zone trips. As for the opponent, the Los Angeles Rams defense has allowed a 90-plus QB rating to three different opponents this season.
- Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons – While the Falcons’ offense is frustrating to many in fantasy football, it is having some success. Desmond Ridder has three rushing touchdowns this season and he can give you 2-3 additional points on the ground without finding the end zone. Plus, Tennessee’s secondary has allowed a 101 QB rating with a 71.5% completion rate to quarterbacks this season.
- Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams – It all comes down to the Rams’ offensive line. When Los Angeles protects Stafford, he’s a top-10 fantasy quarterback. Against an extremely athletic Cowboys’ pass rush, time to throw will be a problem. However, the Cowboys defense has allowed a 100-plus QB rating in the two games since Trevon Diggs went down.
- Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints – Not only does Derek Carr have three offensive weapons that can carry him to fantasy relevance, he also has a good matchup in Week 7. Indianapolis has allowed 232.6 passing yards per game this season and 7 yards per attempt. The Saints’ wealth of receiving options will help Carr reach a decent fantasy floor.
Week 8 fantasy RB rankings
| RANK | PLAYER | OPPONENT |
| 1 | Christian McCaffrey | vs Bengals |
| 2 | Kenneth Walker III | vs Browns |
| 3 | Travis Etienne Jr | @ Steelers |
| 4 | Tony Pollard | vs Rams |
| 5 | Austin Ekeler | vs Bears |
| 6 | Saquon Barkley | vs Jets |
| 7 | Breece Hall | @ Giants |
| 8 | Alvin Kamara | @ Colts |
| 9 | Raheem Mostert | vs Patriots |
| 10 | Bijan Robinson | @ Titans |
| 11 | D’Andre Swift | @ Commanders |
| 12 | Jonathan Taylor | vs Saints |
| 13 | Jahmyr Gibbs | vs Raiders |
| 14 | Isiah Pacheco | @ Broncos |
| 15 | Derrick Henry | vs Falcons |
| 16 | James Cook | vs Buccaneers |
| 17 | Dameon Pierce | @ Panthers |
| 18 | Joe Mixon | @ Bengals |
| 19 | Gus Edwards | @ Cardinals |
| 20 | Aaron Jones | vs Vikings |
| 21 | Javonte Williams | vs Chiefs |
| 22 | Akexander Mattison | @ Packers |
| 23 | Rhamondre Stevenson | @ Dolphins |
| 24 | Miles Sanders | vs Texans |
| 25 | Rachaad White | @ Bills |
| 26 | Brian Robinson Jr | vs Eagles |
| 27 | Jerome Ford | @ Seahawks |
| 28 | Najee Harris | vs Jaguars |
| 29 | Royce Freeman | @ Cowboys |
| 30 | Justice Hill | @ Cardinals |
Week 8 fantasy previews and matchup analysis for our running back rankings will be provided on Tuesday morning. A second round of updates will be provided on Friday.
Week 8 fantasy WR rankings
| RANK | PLAYER | OPPONENT |
| 1 | A.J. Brown | @ Commanders |
| 2 | Tyreek Hill | vs Patriots |
| 3 | Stefon Diggs | vs Buccaneers |
| 4 | Ja’Marr Chase | @ 49ers |
| 5 | Amon-Ra St. Brown | vs Raiders |
| 6 | Cooper Kupp | @ Cowboys |
| 7 | Keenan Allen | vs Bears |
| 8 | Chris Olave | @ Colts |
| 9 | CeeDee Lamb | vs Rams |
| 10 | Davante Adams | @ Lions |
| 11 | Puka Nacua | @ Cowboys |
| 12 | DK Metcalf | vs Browns |
| 13 | Brandon Aiyuk | vs Bengals |
| 14 | DeVonta Smith | @ Commanders |
| 15 | Zay Flowers | @ Cardinals |
| 16 | Mike Evans | @ Bills |
| 17 | Chris Godwin | @ Bills |
| 18 | Drake London | @ Titans |
| 19 | DJ Moore | @ Chargers |
| 20 | Terry McLaurin | vs Eagles |
| 21 | Nico Collins | @ Panthers |
| 22 | Diontae Johnson | vs Jaguars |
| 23 | Amari Cooper | @ Seahawks |
| 24 | Calvin Ridley | @ Steelers |
| 25 | Jaylen Waddle (Q – Back) | vs Patriots |
| 26 | George Pickens | vs Jaguars |
| 27 | Christian Kirk | @ Steelers |
| 28 | Adam Thielen | vs Texans |
| 29 | Michael Pittman Jr | vs Saints |
| 30 | Garrett Wilson | @ Giants |
| 31 | Tee Higgins | @ 49ers |
| 32 | Tyler Lockett | vs Browns |
| 33 | Marquise Brown | vs Ravens |
| 34 | Jakobi Meyers | @ Lions |
| 35 | Jordan Addison | @ Packers |
Fantasy analysis and matchup previews for our top 25 wide receivers will come out on Tuesday. Additional updates will be provided on Friday.
Related: Heisman Watch 2023
Week 8 fantasy TE rankings
| RANK | PLAYER | OPPONENT |
| 1 | Travis Kelce | @ Broncos |
| 2 | Mark Andrews | @ Cardinals |
| 3 | Dallas Goedert | @ Commanders |
| 4 | Sam LaPorta | vs Raiders |
| 5 | T.J. Hockenson | @ Packers |
| 6 | Darren Waller | vs Jets |
| 7 | Jake Ferguson | vs Rams |
| 8 | George Kittle | vs Bengals |
| 9 | Evan Engram | @ Steelers |
| 10 | Kyle Pitts | @ Titans |
| 11 | Jonnu Smith | @ Titans |
| 12 | Logan Thomas | vs Eagles |
| 13 | David Njoku | vs Seahawks |
| 14 | Hunter Henry | @ Dolphins |
| 15 | Dalton Kincaid | vs Buccaneers |
| 16 | Dalton Schultz | @ Panthers |
| 17 | Cole Kmet | @ Chargers |
| 18 | Chigoziem Okonkwo | vs Falcons |
| 19 | Tyler Higgbee | Tyler Higbee |
| 20 | Michael Mayer | @ Lions |
Submit start/sit fantasy questions or request fantasy matchup previews on Twitter to @Matt_Sportsnaut
Week 8 fantasy rankings – Best fantasy defenses for Week 8
You can check out our D/ST rankings for Week 8, with evaluations on the top matchups, below.
Week 8 fantasy rankings – Best fantasy kickers this week
Dive into our K rankings for the upcoming week below.
