Fantasy Football Week 8 Rankings: Latest Position-by-Position Rundown

Unless you started Emmanuel Sanders this week, you're probably in need of some last-minute fantasy football advice.

If you were unlucky enough to have been matched up against somebody who started Sanders, you might want to have that white flag at the ready. This could be one of those anomalous weeks you simply write off.

However, don't capitulate completely. Take a gamble or two and hope they hit.

With Sunday and Monday night in mind, below is a not-so-scientific breakdown of each position, with the skill positions also examined. The players highlighted rarely crack the "elite" category on a weekly basis, but they should provide strong numbers in Week 8.

Quarterbacks

Rank	Player	Opponent
1	Aaron Rodgers, GB	New Orleans Saints
2	Drew Brees, NO	Green Bay Packers
3	Andrew Luck, IND	Pittsburgh Steelers
4	Russell Wilson, SEA	Carolina Panthers
5	Tony Romo, DAL	Washington Redskins
6	Tom Brady, NE	Chicago Bears
7	Ryan Tannehill, MIA	Jacksonville Jaguars
8	Matthew Stafford, DET	Atlanta Falcons
9	Cam Newton, CAR	Seattle Seahawks
10	Carson Palmer, ARI	Philadelphia Eagles

In general, Ryan Tannehill is one of the more frustrating quarterbacks in the league. He has all the physical tools necessary to be a Pro Bowl QB, but it's never come together for him. When gauging his fantasy potential, looking past that disappointment can be hard at times.

With that said, it's easy to see why Tannehill could post impressive numbers in Week 8.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. They rank 30th in yards allowed per game (280.1), and they're allowing opposing QBs to get 7.8 yards per attempt (25th). Football Outsiders is slightly more kind, ranking the Jags 20th in pass defense DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average).

In addition, Tannehill looks to be making steps in his development:

He's on pace to set a career high in touchdowns and tie a career low in interceptions. Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald highlighted Week 4, when Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin cast some doubt on the team's QB situation, as the moment when Tannehill began his transformation:

"

There are many reasons for his breakthrough. Play-caller Bill Lazor has shrunk the field, all but eliminating those pesky long passes that vex Tannehill. There has been much more read-option, and Tannehill’s legs have accounted for the team’s two longest plays from scrimmage.

Plus, he has grown more confident in Lazor’s offense by the week.

But, just maybe, Philbin’s strangely handled week leading into the Oakland game had an effect, too, however small.

"

As long as he can avoid costly turnovers, which shouldn't be a problem against a Jacksonville defense that's intercepted two passes, Tannehill could crack the Top Five this week.

Running Backs

Rank	Player	Opponent
1	DeMarco Murray, DAL	Washington Redskins
2	Arian Foster, HOU	Tennessee Titans
3	Matt Forte, CHI	New England Patriots
4	Jamaal Charles, KC	St. Louis Rams
5	Marshawn Lynch, SEA	Carolina Panthers
6	Andre Ellington, ARI	Philadelphia Eagles
7	Le'Veon Bell, PIT	Indianapolis Colts
8	LeSean McCoy, PHI	Arizona Cardinals
9	Giovani Bernard, CIN	Baltimore Ravens
10	Eddie Lacy, GB	New Orleans Saints

Quite frankly, there's nothing not to like about Andre Ellington this season. He's not going to jump ahead of guys like DeMarco Murray, Arian Foster and Matt Forte by season's end, but few running backs are as consistently strong week in and week out.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Ellington is one of three running backs to amass 75 yards or more in every game this year:

"

Andre Ellington is one of three RBs to have at least 75 total yards from scrimmage in every game this season (D. Murray, L. Bell)

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 19, 2014"

The Arizona Cardinals aren't going to stop handing him the ball anytime soon, either. As Kent Somers of AZCentral.com pointed out, the team became much more successful after increasing Ellington's role in the offense:

If you want even more good news, Ellington has been the most targeted Cardinals receiver in the last three weeks, per Mike Clay of Pro Football Focus:

The Cardinals offensive line isn't the best when it comes to run blocking. When you couple that with an underrated Philadelphia Eagles run defense, Ellington looks to have a ceiling to his fantasy potential in Week 8.

Bleacher Report's Anita Marks projects him to have 105 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.

Between his work on the ground and through the air, Ellington should comfortably finish in the Top 10 of fellow RBs.

Wide Receivers

Rank	Player	Opponent
1	Jordy Nelson, GB	New Orleans Saints
2	Antonio Brown, PIT	Indianapolis Colts
3	Dez Bryant, DAL	Washington Redskins
4	Julio Jones, ATL	Detroit Lions
5	Alshon Jeffery, CHI	New England Patriots
6	Golden Tate, DET	Atlanta Falcons
7	T.Y. Hilton, IND	Pittsburgh Steelers
8	Randall Cobb, GB	New Orleans Saints
9	Brandon Marshall, CHI	New England Patriots
10	Jeremy Maclin, PHI	Arizona Cardinals

When it comes to playing against the New England Patriots, it pays to be No. 2. Due in large part to the presence of Darrelle Revis, New England defends WR1s better than it does WR2s, according to Football Outsiders.

That opens the door for Alshon Jeffery to outshine Brandon Marshall in Week 8.

Of course, the Pats have been stingy when it comes to doling out fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. According to Fantasy Football Today, they've surrendered the third-fewest points per game to WRs.

Revis and his teammates won't be looking past the Chicago Bears whatsoever with the Denver Broncos coming up in Week 9, per Christopher Price of WEEI:

With that said, New England will have its hands full trying to limit Marshall, Forte, Jeffery and Martellus Bennett. The Patriots can't cover everybody, so some Bears player is bound to slip through the cracks.

Jeffery and Alfonzo Dennard, who will line up against him, have some history. Between that and Jeffery's egg in Week 7, the 2013 Pro Bowler will likely be carrying a chip on his shoulder, thus helping to avoid the problems that have plagued previous wide receivers against the Patriots.

Tight Ends

Rank	Player	Opponent
1	Rob Gronkowski, NE	Chicago Bears
2	Jimmy Graham, NO	Green Bay Packers
3	Greg Olsen, CAR	Seattle Sehawks
4	Jordan Reed, WAS	Dallas Cowboys
5	Martellus Bennett, CHI	New England Patriots
6	Jordan Cameron, CLE	Oakland Raiders
7	Jason Witten, DAL	Washington Redskins
8	Delanie Walker, TEN	Houston Texans
9	Travis Kelce, KC	St. Louis Rams
10	Zach Ertz, PHI	Arizona Cardinals

The fact that Colt McCoy is starting against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday will be enough to scare off fantasy owners with any Washington Redskins in their lineup. One player who may be immune to McCoy's tractor beam of marginality may be Jordan Reed.

To his credit, Reed is doing his best to make the most of Washington's QB dilemma, per Tom Schad of The Washington Times:

The Cowboys have been generous to opposing tight ends this year, giving up an average of 13.7 points, which is second-most in the league. McCoy has to throw the ball somewhere, so it would make sense that he'd look to Reed on short- and mid-range throws to build some confidence.

ESPN.com's John Keim highlighted how important the second-year tight end can be to Washington's offense:

"

Last season, in nine games, Reed caught 14 passes on third down, with 13 going for a first down. In weeks 6-11 last year, Reed’s longest stretch of the season and when he became a bigger focal point in the passing game, Washington converted 53.8 percent of third downs, according to ESPN Stats & Information. For the 2013 season, the Redskins converted 40.4 percent of third downs.

The more Reed plays, the better this offense becomes. Again, look back to last season, when he averaged 11.43 yards on third down. Reed is also a bigger target at 6-foot-2 and wins quicker against man-to-man coverage than Washington’s other targets. Therefore, he’s a valuable weapon for any quarterback on this roster.

"

Marks is a little more bearish on Reed's fantasy stock until the Redskins get some more continuity at the quarterback position.

There are certainly plenty of valid reasons to be skeptical about Reed's value, but this week looks like it could be a nice one for him.

Kickers

Rank	Player	Opponent
1	Dan Bailey, DAL	Washington Redskins
2	Chandler Catanzaro, ARI	Philadelphia Eagles
3	Stephen Gostkowski, NE	Chicago Bears
4	Adam Vinatieri, IND	Pittsburgh Steelers
5	Justin Tucker, BAL	Cincinnati Bengals
6	Steven Hauschka, SEA	Carolina Panthers
7	Matt Prater, DET	Atlanta Falcons
8	Billy Cundiff, CLE	Oakland Raiders
9	Shayne Graham, NO	Green Bay Packers
10	Mason Crosby, GB	New Orleans Saints

Defense

Rank	Team	Opponent
1	Seattle Seahawks	Carolina Panthers
2	Houston Texans	Tennessee Titans
3	Miami Dolphins	Jacksonville Jaguars
4	Buffalo Bills	New York Jets
5	Cleveland Browns	Oakland Raiders
6	Dallas Cowboys	Washington Redskins
7	Baltimore Ravens	Cincinnati Bengals
8	Arizona Cardinals	Philadelphia Eagles
9	Kansas City Chiefs	St. Louis Rams
10	Minnesota Vikings	Tampa Bay Buccaneers