Week 8 Quarterback Rankings for Fantasy Football (Weekend Update)

The injury bug bit the quarterback position in Week 7. The most noteworthy injury for fantasy concerns Jayden Daniels, who was sidelined with a rib injury in Sunday’s game. An absence this week would leave a big hole in the Week 8 quarterback rankings. Also, Deshaun Watson is out for the season with an Achilles tear. Assuming Jameis Winston is the next man up, he would likely elevate the Browns’ pass-catchers and could have some decent starts moving forward. There’s a lot to get to this week, including a possible Tua Tagovailoa return, so let’s get to the Week 8 quarterback rankings and notes.

Injury Notes for Week 8

• Jayden Daniels is considered week-to-week with a rib injury he suffered in Week 7. It’s a significant blow to fantasy managers if Daniels sits out, so monitor injury reports throughout the week. If Daniels is unable to play, Marcus Mariota will suit up. UPDATE: Daniels is a game-time decision heading into the weekend. Fantasy managers should have a back-up option ready if he’s a no-go.
• Tua Tagovailoa could return in Week 8. He’s been sidelined with a concussion since Week 2. His return would be a major boost to Miami’s offense, so keep tabs as the week progresses. UPDATE: Tagovailoa will suit up for Week 8 and gets a favorable matchup against the Cardinals.
• Aidan O’Connell landed on the IR with a thumb fracture and will be out for four to six weeks. Gardner Minshew will be under center for the Raiders in the interim.
• Will Levis is week-to-week with an AC sprain in his throwing shoulder. Mason Rudolph will be the starter until Levis is good to go. UPDATE: Levis was limited in practice all week and questionable for Week 8.
• Deshaun Watson is out for the season with an Achilles tear. It’s unclear whether Dorian Thompson-Robinson — who picked up a finger injury in Week 7 — or Jameis Winston will be the Browns’ starter. Winston brings more upside to the fantasy table. UPDATE: Winston will start for the Browns in Week 8.

Quarterback Notes

• C.J. Stroud is coming off an ugly Week 7. Green Bay bottled him up for 86 passing yards and zero touchdowns in one of the worst starts of his career. However, Stroud has a nice bounce-back opportunity against the Colts in Week 8. Indianapolis has allowed the seventh-most passing yards and the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Stroud scored 18.9 fantasy points in Week 1 against the Colts, throwing for 234 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Stroud is QB7 in my Week 8 quarterback rankings.
• Bo Nix continues to rise up the weekly quarterback rankings. He’s racked up the 13th-most fantasy points among quarterbacks this season and scored at least 19 fantasy points in three of his last five games. He’s also been sneaky-good on the ground. Nix’s 255 rushing yards on the year is good for fourth-most at the position, and he has three ground scores, tied for third-most with Josh Allen. This week, Nix has a favorable matchup against the Panthers. Carolina allows the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks on the year. They’ve been vulnerable in the air, allowing the 10th-most passing yards and the third-most passing touchdowns this season. The unit is also beatable on the ground, as they’ve ceded the 11th-most rushing yards to the position. Nix should be able to take advantage on both fronts. Nix is one of my favorite streamers this week and ranks as QB13 in the Week 8 quarterback rankings.
• Kyler Murray has a brutal matchup against Miami in Week 8. The Dolphins have the best defense against opposing quarterbacks. They’ve allowed the fewest passing yards and the fifth-fewest rushing yards to the position this season. Additionally, they’ve ceded only three touchdowns through six weeks. Murray has been up-and-down this season, and Week 8 is a matchup to avoid. He’s a top-tier QB2 in the Week 8 quarterback rankings.
• I’m low on Anthony Richardson this week. While he has a favorable matchup against the Texans — and played well against them in Week 1 — he’s been too shaky in the passing game to trust. His 48.5% completion rate across parts of five games this season ranks dead last among starters. Further, he’s only cracked 10 fantasy points once this season. Richardson has a ton of upside with his ground game, but he’s hard to trust until he can string together a couple of strong starts. Richardson is outside the top 20 in my Week 8 quarterback rankings.

Check out all of our Week 7 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex

Week 8 Quarterback Rankings

Make sure to check out all of our Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!