Footballguys Fantasy Football Show

Episode: Week 8 Running Back and Wide Receiver Rankings || Fantasy Football 2025

Hosts: Dave Kluge & Jeff Bell
Date: October 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delivers an in-depth review of Week 8 running back and wide receiver rankings for fantasy football, as hosts Dave Kluge and Jeff Bell break down more than 70 players by tier. Emphasis is placed on analytics, injury updates, role shifts, and actionable advice to help fantasy managers set winning lineups during a heavy bye week. The discussion is lively and honest, mixing expert analysis with playful banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Personal Anecdotes and Light Banter

• The episode opens with a relaxed discussion about gyms, barbershops, and home haircuts, creating an approachable and friendly tone.
• Notable quote:
  “You invest in some good hats for a minute, and then, you know, once you got it, you got it.” – Jeff Bell (05:00)
• Dave reflects on childhood haircut trauma, giving a glimpse into the hosts’ personalities.

Running Back Rankings & Analysis

Tier 1 (RB1-5) Set-and-Forget

Players: Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, Bijan Robinson, Josh Jacobs, Devon Achane

• Both hosts agree: these RBs are automatic starts every week.
  “There’s hardly any dissension here...this is the top five. Just set it and forget.” – Dave Kluge (07:00)

Tier 2 (RB6-11) Value and Matchups

Players: Javonte Williams, James Cook, Derrick Henry, Quinshon Judkins, Saquon Barkley, Rachaad White

• Javonte Williams:
  Dave advocates for Williams as a buy, highlighting resurgence after injury and dominance in efficiency metrics, countering public skepticism.
  “I’d move mountains to trade for him if you can. I’m looking at him in the same respect as Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry…” (08:33)

• Quinshon Judkins:
  Jeff is cautious due to matchup vs. NE, seeing last week’s 3 TD game as deceptive.
  “You have so much hype coming off of that...I’m actually worried this might be one of those, like, disappointing starts.” (09:39)
  Dave prioritizes Judkins’ workload, calling him “a plug and play RB1.” (09:57)

• Saquon Barkley:
  Both acknowledge Barkley is now more matchup-dependent and lacks last year's explosiveness.
  “He clearly just isn’t the player he was previously...now we’re seeing Will Shipley healthy, Tank Bigsby involved.” – Dave (12:00)
  Dave suggests trading Barkley for hotter names like Javonte Williams or James Cook before Barkley’s name value drops. (13:43)

Tier 3 (RB12-20) Trade Considerations, Usage Shifts

Notables: Breece Hall, Cam Skattebo, Rico Dowdle, Alvin Kamara

• Breece Hall:
  Stability in workload regardless of game script, with an expected boost if Garrett Wilson sits.
  “He is pretty game script proof at this point.” – Dave (16:53)

• Rico Dowdle:
  Outperforming Chuba Hubbard and trending toward greater touch share.
  “By end of year it’s going to be like a 70/30, 80/20 split in Dowdle’s favor because he’s just the clear better back.” – Dave (18:45)

• Alvin Kamara:
  Split valuation: Dave is more optimistic with Kendre Miller injured; Jeff sees Kamara as low-end RB2/3, citing loss of goal-line work and limited rushing efficiency.
  “I think there’s kind of this feeling that Alvin Kamara, I don’t want to say washed, but...people haven’t felt good about Alvin Kamara in their lineups.” – Dave (23:52)

Tiers 4 & 5 (RB21-37) Start-or-Sit Headaches & Deep League Options

• Frequent mention of volatile roles, injury fill-ins, and risky options (e.g., Isaiah Pacheco, Kamani Vidal, Tyler Allgeier).
• Dissection of “why is Travion Henderson not earning more snaps?” (28:44–30:45)
• Cautious optimism for upside dart throws like Tyrone Tracy vs. the Eagles.
  “In this tier ... the number one thing you’re looking for ... is upside. I think there’s a lot with Tyrone Tracy this week.” – Dave (38:16)

Wide Receiver Rankings & Analysis

Tier 1 (WR1-5) Elite Starts

Players: Jamar Chase, CeeDee Lamb, Drake London, Rashee Rice, Justin Jefferson

• Clear auto-starts, but hosts note London’s volatility due to Falcons’ unpredictable offense and potential for game script to reduce targets.
  “That’s my only small fear, Drake London gets schemed out… or he blows up.” – Jeff (40:16)
• Lively breakdown of teams (like the Dolphins) who create “fake NFL games” with blowouts and unpredictable stats. (40:35)

Tier 2 (WR6-12) High-end WR1s/2s & Standout Notes

Players: Rome Odunze, AJ Brown, Courtland Sutton, Emeka Egbuka, Nico Collins (if healthy), DK Metcalf, Chris Olave

• Courtland Sutton’s volatile production is noted, with Jeff saying, “He is one of these guys that are completely interchangeable from where I have him at WR7 ... to WR14, and it would make no difference.” (43:34)
• Consensus: This tier and the next could be smushed; after the elite 12, everyone is in the same “boom/bust” pool.

Tier 3 (WR13-20) The Infinite Sadness/Deep Starts

Notables: Ladd McConkey, Tetairoa McMillan, Zay Flowers, Quentin Johnston, George Pickens, Jalen Waddle, Michael Pittman Jr, Keenan Allen

• Chargers WRs (Johnston, Allen, McConkey) are all ranked together due to Herbert’s elevated passing volume—“good offenses make for good fantasy points.” (48:36)
• Tetairoa McMillan: Hosts trust Andy Dalton to improve consistency and aren’t overreacting to a tough Week 7 matchup. (49:53; 50:32)

Tier 4 (WR21-28) The Real “Flex” Tier

Players: Devonta Smith, Stefon Diggs, T. Higgins, Xavier Worthy, Romeo Doubs, Jordan Addison, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jauan Jennings

• Xavier Worthy:
  Both concerned about his diminishing role post-Rashee Rice’s return, expecting a move to a lower-floor option.
  “I do wonder if...now we might be looking at Xavier Worthy as a totally boom/bust low-end WR3.” – Dave (61:52) “I’ve got Xavier Worthy as my WR29...tells you everything you need to know.” – Jeff (61:58)

• Romeo Doubs:
  Rapid improvement is being noticed. “He is developing into a WR1 right before our eyes.” – Dave (62:15)
  Still available in too many leagues, should be picked up and started.

• Tee Higgins:
  Redeemer with Flacco at QB; both expect WR2 production.
  “Don’t be surprised if we get a potential T. Higgins 10-target game like we did last week.” – Jeff (64:16)

• Jauan Jennings:
  Intriguing for the 49ers. If healthy, could leapfrog competitors with a WR1 ceiling in the right game script, though concerns about a tough matchup remain. (66:27)

Tier 5 (WR29-37) Deep Dives and “Pray for a Flex”

Notables: Khalil Shakir, Matthew Golden, Deebo Samuel, DJ Moore, Rashid Shaheed, Kendrick Bourne, Keon Coleman, Tez Johnson, Josh Downs

• Deebo Samuel:
  If healthy and with a full practice, could rise to WR2 range. While injured, only a risky WR3.
  “So much of what he does is...brute athleticism...when he’s limited it takes that ability from him.” – Dave (70:46)

• Keon Coleman:
  Being underused, stuck in a limited route tree, and facing a tough matchup; optimism is very low.
  “Keon Coleman just runs one route...there’s just no creative usage there.” – Dave relaying Jeff’s Bills fan frustration (73:07)

• Tez Johnson:
  High-upside, “fun” waiver play who should be started as a WR3/flex, particularly with Evans and Godwin out for the Bucs.
  “If you spend money on the guy on your waiver wire...this is why you did it.” – Jeff (77:23)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “I’m almost at the point where I want to filter out the international games from these samples because those get so wonky every single time.” – Dave Kluge (33:09)
• “George Pickens is just that Babadook meme... Why can’t you be normal?” – Jeff Bell (54:54)
• “If you can trade Saquon Barkley for Javonte Williams, that’s a move that I would make right now and I wouldn’t think twice about it.” – Dave Kluge (13:43)
• On the bye week dilemma: “We could have smashed [tiers] together… once you get outside that top 12… everybody after that has been pretty boom or bust this year.” – Dave (44:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 06:13 – Start of Week 8 ranking discussion
• 07:55 – Javonte Williams deep dive
• 09:11 – Quinshon Judkins discussion
• 10:34 – Saquon Barkley concerns, “name value” trade suggestions
• 14:24 – Tier 3 RBs: Breece Hall, Dowdle, Kamara
• 19:48 – Usage breakdown: Swift, Dobbins, Warren, J. Merritt
• 23:02 – Kamara rest-of-season outlook
• 25:13 – Tier 4 RBs: Start/sit debates (Pacheco, Mason, Stevenson)
• 34:03 – Houston backfield confusion: Woody Marks vs. Nick Chubb
• 39:33 – Wide receiver rankings begin
• 40:16 – Drake London volatility discussion
• 43:34 – Sutton’s risk as a WR1, discussion of “infinite sadness” tiers
• 45:42 – Chargers WR trio and Herbert
• 49:53 – McMillan & Dalton, trust post-slow week
• 54:54 – George Pickens: “Babadook” meme moment
• 57:28 – Tier 4 WRs: Xavier Worthy’s role change and risk
• 62:15 – Romeo Doubs as a breakout; roster him!
• 66:27 – Jauan Jennings’ upside and risk
• 70:46 – Deebo Samuel, injury and usage concern
• 77:23 – Tez Johnson as a priority deep flex/start

Summary Takeaways

• Set your elite RBs and WRs with confidence, but be prepared to pivot on names like Saquon Barkley or Drake London based on matchup and team mentality.
• Buy into upward trends for breakouts like Javonte Williams and Romeo Doubs, and consider downgrading formerly elite names who are losing touches or efficiency.
• With bye weeks and injuries, the difference between WR13 and WR28 is paper thin—be aggressive with upside in your flex.
• Don’t chase last week’s stat lines blindly—consider role, offensive trends, and upcoming matchups.
• For deep leaguers: chase upside with players like Tez Johnson and keep monitoring depth chart movement due to injuries (Kamara, Jennings, Tracy).

This episode is a crucial listen for fantasy managers seeking nuanced, up-to-the-minute advice on running back and wide receiver options, especially in a bye-heavy week. The hosts’ open debate style and willingness to question each other’s rankings offer transparency, actionable recommendations, and some much-needed fantasy humor.