Well, week eight was painful, huh? 

My highest scoring running back this week was DEVONTA FREEMAN – what is this, 2016? 

If you look at the Ravens running back room, you’d be forgiven for thinking so! 

Looking ahead though, who is rising and falling going into week eight?

Three on the rise

Kalif Raymond, RB – Detroit Lions

This past week saw the much-anticipated battle between Matt Stafford and Jared Goff and the latter’s Lions brought the tricks. 

However, the most exciting development of the day was the burgeoning relationship between Goff and Kalif Raymond. 

One play, in particular, saw Goff throw a perfectly timed ball to Raymond who turned on the jets, showing some immense speed. 

With Quintez Cephus likely done for the year and no sign of a Tyrell Williams return, this small receiving room could offer fantasy players a real option in Raymond over the coming weeks. 

Kenneth Gainwell, RB – Philadelphia Eagles

With 3 TDs on the season already and entrenched starter Miles Sanders nursing an ankle injury, Gainwell could see himself taking the lead role in week eight.

Boston Scott split carries in the previous game but hadn’t received any carries through the first six weeks of the season so offers no real concern.

Gainwell has been a sneaky flex play this season, a good game here and that could become a constant for the rest of the season and beyond.

Khalil Herbert, RB – Chicago Bears

When David Montgomery went down, Bears fans feared for their running back room. 

However, over the past three weeks, Khalil Herbert has more than stepped up to the plate. 

The sixth round rookie pick has turned 55 carries into 272 yards and a touchdown – with 7 catches going for a further 48 yards.

Even with Montgomery due to return soon, the former Virginia Tech Hokies running back has established himself as a genuine threat to this team.

Honourable mention: 

David Johnson, RB – Houston Texans 

It’s David Johnson SZN. 

Again… 

Look, he’s never going back to what he was. Yes, he was previously on the list as a faller.

However, with the Texans trading Mark Ingram to the Saints, there are carries to be had and with Johnson being the go-to pass-catching back, any uptick in carries makes him the back to own in Houston. 

Phillip Lindsay has entered the chat.

It’s a dice roll… But there’s no such thing as a sure thing in fantasy.

Three on the decline

Rashaad Penny, RB – Seattle Seahawks

Rashaad Penny was once thought of as a potential star in Seattle, yet injuries put paid to that dream. 

Chris Carson going down offered a real chance to get on the field and show he still has it. 

However, after two games and a total of 8 carries for 17 yards… It’s safe to say no one is getting any luck if they pick Penny up. 

Brandon Aiyuk, WR – San Francisco 49ers

Despite believing in the talent of Brandon Aiyuk, it’s finally time for him to find himself on the list of fallers. 

As a rookie, Aiyuk led the team in targets and averaged 62 yards per game. Going into this season, he seemed primed for another big year. 

All we’ve seen are excuses, including word of a fallout with Kyle Shanahan and now… that Aiyuk is carrying too much weight to be explosive. 

Sam Darnold, QB – Carolina Panthers

It’s almost Halloween and guess who is back seeing ghosts? 

Despite a great start to the season, Sam Darnold seems haunted by his past once again. 

His fantasy points for the past three games combined don’t add up to the same amount as in the one game before… that’s a problem. 

Dishonourable mention: 

Mike Davis, RB – Atlanta Falcons

With the emergence of 30-year-old Cordarelle Patterson, Mike Davis has found his lead running back role in jeopardy from day one. 

The lowest point of a pretty average season came this past week where 4 carries translated to 10 yards. 

Ouch.

 

Danny – @DynastyDan1