Fantasy football Week 8 RB preview: Josh Jacobs eyes breakout as backfield committees create headaches

At the beginning of the week last week, we were excited about the return of Josh Jacobs and Zach Charbonnet. Unfortunately for Charbonnet managers, that proved to be a week early. He is expected to play in Week 8, though we will be cautious about starting him. Emanuel Wilson had success against the Chiefs and has earned a decent share of the work until Charbonnet takes them away from him. It is a decent matchup against the Bears, so you may be able to flex both, but neither is a top 24 back.

Jacobs did return and had a fantastic Fantasy debut, despite failing to improve on the Packers' horrible run efficiency. What may help with that is a Week 8 matchup against the Panthers. They have given up 5.21 yards per carry to opposing running backs, the worst mark in the league. They have also given up the second-most fantasy points to the position. While Jacobs was on a committee last week, we expect him to gradually take back his workhorse role. He is a solid RB2 this week with top 10 upside. 

Two guys we're watching closely early in the week are Breece Hall and Kyle Monangai. Both could be back and both could muddy the situation. Monangai, in particular, faces a Seahawks defense that just shut down Kenneth Walker. If this is a full committee approach, we may rank both Bears backs behind Jacobs. 

Now let's get to the rest of the Week 8 RB preview:

2.57 -- Kenneth Walker, who leads the NFL in yards per carry, averaged just 2.57 YPC against Seattle. I am not sure we should start any running backs against them unless we expect a lot of catches.

28% -- Saquon Barkley had just 28% of the Eagles' rush attempts in Week 7; he's clearly not healthy.

14 -- Javonte Williams leads all running backs with 14 rush attempts inside the five-yard line.

3.8 -- Braelon Allen has averaged 3.8 yards after contact per rush attempt. Only Bijan Robinson and Kenneth Walker have been better by that metric.

32% -- Zonovan Knight has a 32% tackle avoid rate. He should be the best Cardinals running back until Jeremiyah Love comes back.

17.3% -- Ashton Jeanty has a 17.3% target share this season, which ranks third behind Christian McCaffrey and Jahmyr Gibbs at running back. It's saving his Fantasy season.

71.7% -- Chase Brown played 71% of the offensive snaps in Week 7. The results weren't there but he is still a starter.

16.2 -- Since Week 3, Ollie Gordon is averaging 16.2 PPR FPPG, which makes him a top 12 running back.

My full set of Week 8 Fantasy football projections for every position is now available here. Find out which of my favorite plays are projected to score higher than consensus rankings and which don't live up to their draft hype, at least in Week 8. Projected stats for all starting running backs will be updated throughout the week, so check back regularly.

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