Fantasy Football Week 8 Rankings: Flex and PPR Outlook for Each Position

We're on the doorstep of 2021's eighth NFL Sunday, and the action promises to be good. While there are a few on-paper mismatches this week, there should also be several tightly contested games and more than a few tough fantasy decisions.

While it's hard to tell precisely where an upset may lie, we can get a fairly good idea of how players should perform in fantasy. We'll do exactly that here, using factors like projected role, player health and matchup as guidelines.

Here, you'll find the top projected players at each flex position—running back, wide receiver and tight end—along with one potential sleeper target for each.

As a reminder, the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders are on bye. All picks and rankings are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

1. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

2. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

3. Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

4. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

5. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills

6. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

7. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

8. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

9. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

10. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

11. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

12. D'Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions

13. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers

14. D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers

15. A.J. Brown, WR, Tennessee Titans

16. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys

17. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

18. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

19. Darrell Henderson Jr., RB, Los Angeles Rams

20. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

21. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Football Team

22. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

23. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

24. Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons

25. James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

26. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

27. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

28. Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys

29. Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

30. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks

31. Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings

32. Robert Woods, WR, Los Angeles Ras

33. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts

34. Cordarelle Patterson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

35. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

36. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

37. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

38. Chase Claypool, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

39. Darrel Williams, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

40. Brandin Cooks, WR, Houston Texans

41. Marvin Jones Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

42. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers

43. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns

44. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks

45. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons

46. Leonard Fournette, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

47. Elijah Mitchell, RB, San Francisco 49ers

48. Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

49. Damien Harris, RB, New England Patriots

50. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Detroit Lions

1. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

2. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings

3. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

4. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

5. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

6. D'Andre Swift, Detroit Lions

7. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

8. Darrell Henderson Jr., Los Angeles Rams

9. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

10. James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars

                 

Wire Target: Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks will be without quarterback Russell Wilson and starting running back Chris Carson, as both are on injured reserve. Running Alex Collins (groin) didn't practice until Friday and is officially questionable.

This could add up to a big opportunity for 2018 first-round pick Rashaad Penny. While Penny hasn't been a large piece of the offense in the past, he was only recently activated from injured reserve. He carried twice in Week 1 and then six times on Monday night.

Playing Penny is a gamble and probably only worth it if Collins doesn't go. However, he's worth snagging now, especially for managers with Collins in the lineup. It's rare when managers need to handcuff a handcuff, but that's where we're at with Seattle's backfield right now.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season, so if Penny can see double-digit carries and perhaps a target or two, he could be a flex sleeper. He is rostered in only 20 percent of Yahoo leagues and eight percent of ESPN leagues.

1. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

2. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs

3. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

4. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

5. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

6. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers

7. D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers

8. A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans

9. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

10. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

               

Wire Target: Darius Slayton, WR, New York Giants

There are a couple of reasons to consider New York Giants wideout Darius Slayton this week. For one, the Giants receiving corps is banged up—Kenny Golladay did not participate in practices, while Kadarius Toney and Sterling Shepard were both limited. This could lead to a lot of work for Slayton, who caught five passes for 63 yards last week.

Secondly, the Giants could look to showcase Slayton before Tuesday's trade deadline. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Slayton has "been discussed" in trade talks.

Slayton also has a favorable matchup against a Kansas City Chiefs defense that has been incapable of shutting down just about anybody. Kansas City has allowed the 18th-most fantasy points to opposing receivers, but it has also regularly been attacked on the ground.

The Chiefs rank 30th in yards per pass attempt allowed this season. If Slayton gets adequate opportunities, he could be in line for a big night. He is rostered in 12 percent of Yahoo leagues and eight percent of ESPN leagues.

1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

2. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

3. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles

4. T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions

5. Noah Fant, Denver Broncos

6. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

7. Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams

8. Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys

9. Ricky Seals-Jones, Washington Football Team

10. Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins

                     

Wire Target: C.J. Uzomah, TE, Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah remains the best waiver-wire target at tight end, though it's worth noting that he brings some boom-or-bust potential to the proverbial table. Uzomah has found the end zone in three of his last four games, but he isn't heavily targeted.

Uzomah has been targeted three or fewer times in his last three outings. When he doesn't score, the result can be disappointing—in Week 5, for example, he caught two passes for 16 yards.

Still, this is a good week to take a flier on Uzomah. With Mark Andrews and Darren Waller on bye—and with Rob Gronkowski questionable—many managers will need a fill-in.

Against a New York Jets defense that has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, Uzomah should deliver. He is rostered in only 47 percent of Yahoo leagues and 25 percent of ESPN leagues.

                 

*Fantasy roster information and points allowed via FantasyPros. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.