Which rookie running backs will be among the NFL Fantasy Football elites in Week 8?
With Ashton Jeanty and the Las Vegas Raiders on a bye week, more eyes will be on a couple of the other top picks of the 2025 NFL Draft.
It will start in Foxborough where the game between the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns will feature former Ohio State teammates Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson looking to make an impact for their teams. Early second-round picks, Judkins has had the more successful rookie season thus far, but can Henderson get it going in other ways on the field?
Another rookie running back looking to get it going is R.J. Harvey. In a very favorable matchup against the Dallas Cowboys defense, could this be the week the former UCF star shines? Here’s a look at Fantasy Football Start ‘Em and Sit ‘Em in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season.
NFL Week 8 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em
RB– Quinshon Judkins, RB14, Cleveland Browns (2-5) vs. New England Patriots (5-2)
It won’t be a favorable matchup for Quinshon Judkins going up against the Patriots No. 3 ranked rushing defense, but if the Browns are going to have a chance of going into Foxborough and landing a win it will be due to Judkins getting it going. The Browns rookie has rushed for 467 yards and 5 touchdowns so far this season and is coming off a big performance against the Miami Dolphins. Although the Patriots will be locked in on Judkins, he’ll have a chance to break a couple of big runs and at least hit his average of 81.2 rushing yards per game and score a rushing touchdown.
RB – Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB13, Washington Commanders (3-4) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (4-3)
Another running back in for a tough task, but fantasy owners should still start is Jacory Croskey-Merritt because of his dual-threat ability. With Jayden Daniels not playing in this game, the pizzazz of this matchup between the Commanders and Chiefs is dimmed a bit, but this should still be a competitive game given the versatility of the Commanders’ offense. The Chiefs’ defense has given up 105.7 rushing yards per game and Croskey-Merritt is due for a big game. Over the last two weeks he has rushed for a total of 94 yards with Daniels back in the lineup. Expect the Commanders to lean on their rookie running back a bit more in this one.
NFL Week 7 Fantasy Football Sit ‘Em
RB – Cam Skattebo, RB11, New York Giants (2-5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)
It would be jaw dropping if the Giants beat the Eagles twice in three weeks. If they do, it will heap on another big performance out of rookie running back Cam Skattebo who played a big role in the Giants’ Week 6 win over the Eagles. With 398 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground to go with 189 receiving yards and a touchdown, Skattebo is giving fantasy owners 14.3 points per game, but the Eagles will be ready for him in this NFC East rematch as the return of Brandon Graham should spark Vic Fangio’s defense.
RB– TreVeyon Henderson, RB37, New England Patriots (5-2) vs. Cleveland Browns (1-5)
New England Patriots rans are still waiting for a breakout performance out of second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson. Unless Josh McDaniels finds a way to get him more involved in the passing game, Henderson will continue to be a ‘Sit Em, especially with his snaps declining as the offense has been more dependent on Rhamondre Stevenson in the backfield. The Patriots run game faces a tough challenge against the Cleveland Browns defense. Watching former Ohio State Quinshon Judkins on the other side could motivate Henderson, but he may be a week or two away from finally making an impact on the field.
NFL Week 7 Fantasy Football Sleeper
RB– RJ Harvey, RB33, Denver Broncos (5-2) vs. Dallas Cowboys (3-3-1)
The Broncos rookie has yet to live up to his pre-draft hype in Denver, but against a generous Cowboys’ defense, this could be the week R.J. Harvey breaks a couple big runs. The Cowboys have given up 141.3 yards per game on the ground and despite being third on the depth chart, this could be a game where the Broncos increase his snap count. He is coming off a week in which he scored his first NFL touchdown. Could that inject confidence in the 2025 second-round pick and most importantly spark the team’s confidence in him?