Week 8 fantasy football rankings

Photo via: Rams/Facebook

These are my very early ranks, so keep in mind I post these on Thursday. Make sure you check the injury report on Sunday for players that have missed practice. If it doesn't look like a player will play this week, I typically won't rank him. Keep in mind, these are PPR rankings, and don't forget to set your lineup for Thursday Night Football.

If you have any questions, feel free to hit me up on Twitter. Be sure to check out my show MoneyLine with Jerry Bo on ESPN 97.5FM. We're on every Sunday morning from 10-noon, and we'll talk a lot of fantasy football and NFL gambling getting you ready for kickoff every Sunday.

@JoshJordan975

@Moneyline975

@JerryBoKnowz

QB

Mike Nowak/Chargers.com

1 Deshaun Watson

2 Russell Wilson

3 Tom Brady

4 Jared Goff

5 Aaron Rodgers

6 Matthew Stafford

7 Josh Allen

8 Kirk Cousins

9 Carson Wentz

10 Jacoby Brissett

11 Ryan Tannehill

12 Kyler Murray

13 Gardner Minshew

14 Philip Rivers

15 Andy Dalton

RB

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

1 Saquon Barkley

2 Dalvin Cook

3 Leonard Fournette

4 James Conner

5 Christian McCaffrey

6 Le'Veon Bell

7 Chris Carson

8 Aaron Jones

9 Todd Gurley

10 Nick Chubb

11 James White

12 Latavius Murray

13 Josh Jacobs

14 Austin Ekeler

15 Sony Michel

16 Derrick Henry

17 Marlon Mack

18 Devonta Freeman

19 Carlos Hyde

20 Tevin Coleman

21 LeSean McCoy

22 Melvin Gordon

23 Phillip Lindsay

24 Ty Johnson

25 Royce Freeman

26 Jamaal Williams

27 Chase Edmonds

28 David Johnson

29 Miles Sanders

30 Joe Mixon

WR

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

1 DeAndre Hopkins

2 Cooper Kupp

3 Stefon Diggs

4 Chris Godwin

5 Michael Thomas

6 Julian Edelman

7 T.Y. Hilton

8 Tyreek Hill

9 Tyler Lockett

10 Julio Jones

11 Kenny Golladay

12 Allen Robinson

13 Mike Evans

14 Courtland Sutton

15 John Brown

16 Robert Woods

17 Golden Tate

18 JuJu Smith-Schuster

19 Keenan Allen

20 Brandin Cooks

21 D.J. Chark

22 Corey Davis

23 Marvin Jones

24 Odell Beckham Jr

25 Kenny Stills

26 Larry Fitzgerald

27 Terry McLaurin

28 Tyler Boyd

29 Emmanuel Sanders

30 Dede Westbrook

31 Calvin Ridley

32 Robby Anderson

33 D.K. Metcalf

34 D.J. Moore

35 Alshon Jeffery

36 Phillip Dorsett

TE

Photo via: Chiefs/Facebook

1 Travis Kelce

2 George Kittle

3 Hunter Henry

4 Darren Waller

5 Austin Hooper

6 Evan Engram

7 Zach Ertz

8 Jimmy Graham

9 Gerald Everett

10 Greg Olsen

11 T.J. Hockenson

12 Jared Cook

13 Eric Ebron

14 Vance McDonald

15 Darren Fells

Defense/ST

1 Patriots

2 Steelers

3 Jaguars

4 Vikings

5 Rams

6 Saints

7 49ers

8 Lions

9 Packers

10 Bears

11 Bills

12 Seahawks

13 Colts

14 Chargers

15 Titans

Kicker

1Greg Zuerlein

2Wil Lutz

3Robbie Gould

4Chris Boswell

5Mason Crosby

6Matt Prater

7Mike Nugent

8Josh Lambo

9Ka'imi Fairbairn

10Zane Gonzalez

11Joey Slye

12Cody Parkey

13Harrison Butker

14Jason Myers

15Dan Bailey

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
The Texans staff is almost complete. Composite image by Brandon Strange.

DeMeco Ryans was hired as the Houston Texans' sixth head coach in their young history on January 18. The next question was who will be his offensive and defensive coordinators? It took almost a month before those questions got answered. The team hired Matt Burke as the defensive coordinator on February 10. Then they hired Bobby Slowik as the offensive coordinator two days later. Burke was previously the Arizona Cardinals defensive line coach. His most recent stint as a DC was in Miami from 2017-2018. Slowik was previously the San Francisco 49ers pass game coordinator and specialist. This is his first stint as an offensive coordinator. Both were interesting hires for different reasons.

Burke as the DC was fascinating for a few reasons. One being that DeMeco was the hottest coaching candidate this hiring cycle. He took over a great defense in San Francisco and kept the ball rolling. Burke coming in raised the question will he call plays? Or, will DeMeco continue to call plays himself? While they've been vague in answering the question, it's pretty obvious DeMeco will be heavily involved. I think DeMeco will either call plays himself, or have veto power over Burke. Once they get a feel for one another, Burke will then take over the reins. Should that feeling out process make all parties comfortable earlier on, Burke could take over sooner.

Slowik is the one everybody is really looking at. As the offensive coordinator, he's expected to help guide the incoming rookie quarterback. As they interviewed head coaching candidates, the Texans let them know they intend to take a quarterback with the number two overall pick. That tidbit of info led me to believe the offensive coordinator hire is almost more important than DeMeco's hire. Almost. Key word. If Slowik develops this rookie quarterback into a top 10-15 guy within two years and the offense ranks in the same range, he'll be highly sought after.

Offensive coaches have gotten most of the recent head coaching jobs because the league is on the offensive cycle right now. We know Slowik will call plays because DeMeco is a defensive guy. Handing over the keys to the offense to Slowik means he gets the chance to prove himself, by himself. While DeMeco may call plays initially, or at least help out, Burke will be seen as an assistant. If and when Burke calls plays on his own, he could be seen as a future head coaching candidate. His candidacy will take longer because he will have the Eric Bieniemy effect: being overshadowed by his head coach, who works on the same side of the ball.

All three guys are young enough to put in work here for years to come. DeMeco is 38, Burke is 46, and Slowik is 35. When you look at coaches like Pete Carroll (71), Bill Belichick (70), and Andy Reid (64), these guys could have a 20-30 year run if they so choose (provided they stay relevant, successful, healthy, and engaged). Now, will they all stay here? DeMeco is a lifer if he doesn't get fired. Burke may be here a while until he establishes himself further. Slowik is the one that may move on to bigger and better things sooner than later. My only hope is that they all succeed and grow this franchise into what these loyal fans deserve: a consistent winner and eventual Super Bowl champion.

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome