The Top Fantasy Football RB & QB Trade Targets for Week 8 (Ep. 2295)

Looking like a 30-year-old running back past his prime as a rusher in Saints backfield without Etienne; part of ineffective Saints run game that ranks bottom-five in rushing yards and EPA per rush.

The source identifies Braylon Allen as a hold (if you have him) or buy (if you don't), noting he has looked 'really, really good' when given the opportunity. Allen is the lowest ranked of the Broncos trio in consensus rest-of-season rankings but is the source's favorite due to upside if Brees Hall is not fully healthy. The source emphasizes Allen is the most attractive option among the three Broncos backs.

Hall is ranked ahead of Ollie Gordon despite coming back from injury, which the source views as an overvaluation relative to Gordon's consistent production and schedule.

The source identifies Bryce Young as a sell or fade, noting he has the most difficult schedule rest of season for fantasy QBs. While Young took advantage of early cupcake matchups, the source expects him to regress and become matchup-dependent rather than an auto-start. Young's effectiveness under pressure and downfield throwing are not sustainable week-to-week. He's ranked QB16 rest of season, one spot ahead of Malik Willis, making him a candidate to trade away in favor of ascending options like Willis.

The source notes that Caleb Douglas is making plays in the Dolphins offense, mentioned alongside other emerging young players like Ollie Gordon and Greg Dulcich as part of an offense that is starting to produce.

Two touchdown receptions in Week 8 vs. Eagles; continues to be a star performer for the Cowboys offense in high-scoring game.

Brown is ranked ahead of Ollie Gordon; the source prefers Gordon's consistent production and schedule over Brown, suggesting Gordon should be ranked closer to Brown's tier.

Hubbard is ranked ahead of Ollie Gordon; the source prefers Gordon's consistent production and schedule over Hubbard, suggesting Gordon should be ranked closer to Hubbard's tier.

Mixed into Saints backfield committee; used primarily in pass protection and short-yardage situations.

Three touchdown passes on 212 passing yards in Week 8 vs. Eagles; efficient performance in high-scoring Cowboys victory.

Made an appearance in Week 8 vs. Cowboys; source was unaware he was on the Eagles roster, highlighting the depth chart chaos in Philadelphia's backfield.

Despite scoring a touchdown in Week 8, Pickens ranks 20th in target share and outside the top 24 in air yards share this season; has underperformed relative to second-round draft capital; wide receiver 18 on the season in half-PPR scoring; source notes he hasn't shined like other Cowboys stars (Javante Williams, CeeDee Lamb) and lacks the big downfield plays seen in 2023; potential trade candidate given lack of long-term contract with Dallas.

The source expresses enthusiasm about Greg Dulcich, noting he is 'alive, catching passes, leading the team in receiving yards' in the Dolphins offense. Dulcich is highlighted as part of an improving offensive unit.

The source notes J.K. Dobbins led the carry total with 8 carries (including penalties) for 40 yards in the recent game, one more carry than Jonah Coleman's 6 carries. Dobbins started the game and scored the touchdown, receiving all red zone opportunities while Coleman had none. This usage pattern suggests Dobbins remains the primary back despite Coleman's return from injury.

Has completely fallen off in fantasy usage; no longer the tight end one on the Cowboys; not running enough routes or playing enough snaps; touchdown-or-bust player in deeper formats; Troy Aikman noted on broadcast that Revan Spann Ford is being used much more than Ferguson.

Career-high 155 rushing yards and a late touchdown in Week 8 vs. Eagles; first Cowboys running back to rush for 150+ yards since Ezekiel Elliott; excellent fantasy day anchored by strong rushing efficiency and goal-line work.

Jalen Wright cannot stay on the field for the Dolphins because he keeps getting hurt in every single game he plays in, making him unreliable and ensuring Ollie Gordon remains the featured back.

Has had his own injury issues; source suggests Ollie Gordon is preferable option given Love's injury uncertainty.

Jeremiah Love has had injury issues that make him less attractive than Ollie Gordon as a rest-of-season target, according to the source.

Named as a potential second-half breakout candidate in a trade context; the source suggests Love as an alternative target if betting on a second-half emergence, particularly for teams looking to move Tony Pollard.

The source identifies Jonah Coleman as a sell-high opportunity despite hype around his return from injury. While Coleman is ranked as the top Broncos RB in rest-of-season rankings, the source notes touches were still split with J.K. Dobbins (Dobbins had 8 carries, Coleman 6 before finishing with 3 more in the fourth quarter). Sean Payton's press conference comment that 'we got to get this guy more touches' is characterized as a 'kiss of death' indicating Coleman will be 'totally nuked.' Coleman had no red zone attempts while Dobbins scored the touchdown. The source emphasizes this is a screaming sell-high opportunity to capitalize on hype before the committee nature of the Broncos backfield becomes clear.

Referenced as a sought-after running back in trade discussions; the source uses Taylor as a comparison point for the level of draft capital a contender might pay in a trade, implying Taylor commands more interest than Tony Pollard.

Josh Jacobs is not ranked very highly in consensus rest-of-season rankings but is producing borderline RB1 numbers every week. The source notes he is more attainable than his production would normally suggest, particularly if a backup running back steps into the starting lineup due to a season-long injury.

The source advises not to sell Jacobs too cheaply as a trade candidate; he's characterized as a 'free roll' given his prior production and expected RB1 performance this week against Carolina Panthers. The take emphasizes getting a solid running back in return rather than accepting a discount.

Has not been the answer for Saints run game in Etienne's absence; part of ineffective backfield committee.

67 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven receptions from eight targets in Week 8 vs. Cowboys; first-round rookie receiver showing potential for second-half breakout; however, performance came without Duntavian Wicks and Devontae Smith playing; backup quarterback Tanner McKee may help Lemon with more over-the-middle throws than Jalen Hurts typically provides; source views this as potential sell-high scenario given limited prior encouragement this season and uncertainty around Smith/Barkley return.

The source identifies Malik Willis as a buy for rest of season based on rushing upside and favorable schedule. Willis has been a top-15 fantasy QB in back-to-back games with eight carries in each; he has the league's second-highest scramble rate at 13%, most scramble rush yards, and most fantasy points on scrambles among all QBs. The source expects him to be a fringe QB1 every week based on rushing volume alone, with upcoming matchups against Patriots, Lions, Colts, and Bills. Willis is ranked QB17 rest of season, up from the low 20s the prior week, and the source has him at QB16, potentially moving ahead of Tyler Shuck.

Consistent RB1 production over last four games since Etienne got hurt; RB13, RB12, RB13, RB14 in half-PPR scoring across those four games; 25 carries, 103 yards, and a touchdown in most recent game; source notes name-brand value is still underrating him in updated rest-of-season rankings where he sits at RB23; source prefers Gordon over Saquon Barkley and Jeremiah Love given their respective injury concerns; most consistent running back in fantasy football right now.

Ollie Gordon is ranked RB23 in consensus rest-of-season rankings despite producing borderline RB1 numbers; the source argues his name-brand value as a backup is suppressing his draft price relative to his production. Gordon has 25 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown in his most recent game and scored 13, 17, 15, and 17 PPR fantasy points in his first four starts. The source emphasizes Gordon is more attainable than his production suggests and recommends trading for him immediately.

Ollie Gordon has a favorable rest-of-season schedule: Patriots (Week 8), Lions, Colts, Bills, Jets (whom he recently shredded), Broncos (weak against the run), Bears, Packers, Chargers, and Bills. The source describes this as a wonderful schedule that should support continued production.

Ollie Gordon has dusted every other running back on the Dolphins roster; Jalen Wright cannot stay on the field due to recurring injuries in every game he plays. The source expects the Dolphins to feature Gordon going forward, especially after winning their first game of the year with him as the lead back.

Gordon is producing at an RB15-or-better level every week as a starter with an amazing schedule ahead; the source argues he should be ranked right behind Chuba Hubbard, Beshel Tootin, and Chase Brown but instead trails injury-risk players like Breece Hall, Ramondre Stevenson, and Quinshaw Judkins. At low-end RB2 pricing, Gordon represents a buy-medium opportunity because his consistent efficiency and volume output justify higher ranking than current market consensus.

Gordon is getting significant volume and operating efficiently in the backfield; A-Chan could potentially do more given his explosiveness, but Gordon's current production level with his volume share means no one is touching him in the backfield. He is priced as a low-end RB2, which aligns with his current output.

The source prefers Ollie Gordon straight up over Tony Pollard in a trade scenario. Gordon is ranked one spot ahead of Pollard in rest-of-season consensus rankings and represents a safer floor; the source describes him as a 'bird in hand' play, expecting him to be at worst an RB2 rest of season with known usage, whereas Pollard's production is contingent on uncertain Titans offense usage carrying over.

The source mentions Ollie Gordon as a running back to buy rest of season, noting he is making plays in the Dolphins offense alongside other emerging young players. Gordon is referenced as part of an offense that is starting to produce and has favorable matchups ahead.

The source identifies Quinshawn Judkins as a sell, noting he scored two touchdowns last week but did not see the receiving usage hoped for with Dylan Sampson back in the fold. Judkins also faces a brutal matchup against the Steelers this week, who have been difficult for fantasy running backs. However, the source later reconsiders and suggests buying Judkins if forced to choose, citing at least volume being present in the offense.

Stevenson is ranked ahead of Ollie Gordon but faces the threat of Travion Henderson potentially taking over the backfield, creating uncertainty that makes him less attractive than Gordon's guaranteed volume.

The source identifies Rhamondre Stevenson as a buy in a buy-sell-hold trio, noting he is ranked higher in rest-of-season rankings but is more attainable in trades due to market concerns about a potential split backfield with Travion Henderson. The source notes Stevenson got fantasy points cheaply in a recent Thursday game with receiving production and a touchdown catch before halftime, though acknowledges this receiving volume may not be sustainable.

The source suggests R.J. Harvey may be the best value among Broncos running backs, noting that whoever the market believes will be the guy will be wrong. Harvey has received usage from Sean Payton to score touchdowns (12 last year as a rookie, one in each of the last two weeks, one on a big play). The source indicates Harvey is involved in the passing game and has earned opportunities before, making him potentially undervalued compared to the hype around Coleman.

Re-injured hamstring early in Week 8 vs. Cowboys on one of his first carries; spent much of the game getting sideline treatment; playing on short week heading into Week 9 with uncertain status; source expresses concern about rest-of-season outlook given injury uncertainty, potential trade deadline sale by Eagles, and offensive line/quarterback issues; recommends selling low if possible rather than holding; notes Eagles may not risk playing him if they become sellers at deadline.

The source prefers Ollie Gordon over Saquon Barkley in rest-of-season rankings, suggesting Barkley's name-brand value may be overrating his current production relative to Gordon's output.

Destroyed the Cleveland Browns run defense in recent game; source cites this as evidence that Saints (with Etienne) would have favorable matchup against Browns in Week 9.

The source identifies Tony Pollard as a running back to sell after his three-touchdown performance against Cleveland in week seven. The source argues this was a perfect storm matchup—Pollard had only one touchdown prior to week seven, hadn't rushed for 100+ yards since week 16 of last season, and benefited from Tajay Spears and Nick Singleton being out. While Pollard was efficient in the game itself, the source believes this represents peak performance and cannot get better, especially with Spears likely returning to reduce his workload. Pollard rose from unranked to RB24 in consensus rest-of-season rankings after this one game, but the source questions what has fundamentally changed about his situation. The source also notes uncertainty about whether a potential trade would help or hurt his fantasy value.

At RB24 in rest-of-season rankings, Pollard feels close to his ceiling; the source recommends selling high after a three-touchdown game despite his connection to Saints head coach Kellen Moore (his former offensive coordinator in Dallas). The trade risk is real—if Pollard lands with the right team, selling could be a mistake—but the source argues the odds of both a trade and a beneficial landing spot are low enough to justify moving him. Pollard has been untrustworthy in the Titans offense and hasn't been playable most weeks; upcoming matchups (Bengals on the road) get harder.

The source identifies Tony Pollard as a sell coming off a three-touchdown game. In a buy-sell-hold trio with Rhamondre Stevenson and Quinshawn Judkins, Pollard is the clear sell candidate, with the source locking in the sell recommendation.

Eligible to come off injured reserve after Saints bye week (Week 8); hamstring injury suffered in Week 3 has sidelined him for four games; source views him as quintessential buy-low target—not top of mind, hasn't played in over a month, and name recognition is low; Saints rank bottom-five in rushing yards and EPA per rush without him; Etienne was brought in to fix Saints run game; favorable schedule ahead includes Cleveland (home), Carolina, Chicago, Cincinnati, Green Bay, Carolina; currently RB30 in rest-of-season rankings; potential for boost if offensive line (Kelvin Banks, Cesar Ruiz) returns to health; source notes he wasn't getting goal-line work early but showed efficiency (4.4+ yards per attempt in two games) and receiving upside (nine targets in one game).

Projected as the RB1 for the Saints rest of season, though currently ranked outside the top 30 running backs overall. The source expresses concern about a potential hamstring injury relapse or re-injury, which could open the door for Tony Pollard to become more valuable if Etienne is unavailable.

The source identifies Trevor Lawrence as a buy for the rest of season because he has the best schedule for fantasy quarterbacks going forward.

The source expresses uncertainty about Woody Marks, stating 'I'm not convinced that Woody Marks is any good though.' In the buy-sell-hold trio, the source ultimately holds Woody Marks, though without strong conviction, and notes that if Montgomery does not return, Marks could become more relevant.