Heading into Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season, workloads, snap shares and more trends have been established across the league’s backfields. The fantasy RB landscape hasn’t played out as expected due to injuries, leaving fantasy managers with plenty of tough decisions to make. With that in mind, let’s break down my fantasy football RB start/sit Week 8 picks.
Check out my full Week 8 start/sit article with picks at each position here!
Start ‘Em: Kyle Monangai (Bears) at Ravens
Monangai has showcased elite burst in short stints throughout the 2025 season, and when he finally got his shot at solid volume, he took advantage of the opportunity. With the Bears comfortably up against New Orleans, Monangai was featured on multiple drives, rushing 13 times for a whopping 81 yards and a touchdown. The rookie also flashed receiving upside, catching two balls for 13 yards.
With lead back D’Andre Swift banged up (DNP Wednesday due to a groin injury) it makes sense for Chicago to take some of the bell cow workload off his back. If Swift ends up sitting this week, the rookie is a must-start, but even if the veteran back plays I expect Monangai to see 10-15 touches against a porous Ravens run defense. Baltimore is allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing backs, setting the stage for a second consecutive impressive showing for Monangai.
Sit ‘Em: Tony Pollard (Titans) at Colts
Pollard was one of my sits of the week at RB last Sunday, and while he eclipsed the double-digit fantasy point mark, I don’t expect the receiving volume that got him there to be sustainable.
With Tyjae Spears back in the equation, Pollard’s snap share remained under 60% for the second straight outing. On the ground, he was wildly inefficient on minimal carries, rushing six times for 18 yards. The veteran’s six catches for 43 yards were season-highs, which certainly will not be a recurring theme with Spears playing a significant role in the passing game as well.
As a result, a lot of signs are pointing down for Pollard heading into Tennessee’s Week 8 clash with the Colts. Indy boasts one of the best run defenses in the league, surrendering the fourth-fewest fantasy points to RBs and sixth-fewest rushing yards per game. It’s best to play it safe with Pollard and pivot to an option with a more favorable matchup.
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Start ‘Em: Rico Dowdle (Panthers) vs. Bills
To some, starting Dowdle may seem like an easy decision. However, working within a committee (and alongside a highly-paid back) is always more complicated than it seems. The 27-year-old significantly outperformed Chuba Hubbard in the latter’s return to action last Sunday, rushing 17 times for 79 yards and catching one ball for 17 yards.
However, it was Hubbard who saw a higher snap share. When you commit a large sum of money to a running back as Carolina did with Chuba, you have to utilize him during his prime years. It’s also worth pointing out that Hubbard is quite talented… Dowdle has just been playing on another level lately.
Fantasy managers can hope that Dave Canales saw the same thing last week and will reward the hot hand with an expanded workload. The Panthers will have to rely on both of their backs with Bryce Young likely out against Buffalo. Game script could prove to be an issue here, but the Bills do allow the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing backfields. That could result in solid fantasy production for both Dowdle and Hubbard.
Sit ‘Em: Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots) vs. Browns
Stevenson was one of my starts of the week and anytime TD picks last Sunday, and the veteran delivered. He produced arguably his best outing of the season, rushing 18 times for 88 yards and a touchdown. Since I correctly predicted his second-best fantasy performance of the year, it’s only fair that I highlight what I expect to be an underwhelming game against Cleveland.
In case you’ve missed the memo through seven weeks, the Browns boast a Super Bowl caliber defense. Myles Garrett and company allow the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing backs and the fourth-fewest rushing yards. New England was finally able to get the running game going against Tennessee, but they’ve otherwise struggled throughout the year. As a result, Stevenson has produced four outings of fewer than six PPR points. I anticipate another tally mark being added to that total following this week’s contest in Foxboro.
Looking for more RB start/sit Week 8 picks? Stay tuned for my MNF fantasy start/sit article! New RB start/sit picks drop weekly!
Those are my RB start ’em, sit ’em Week 8 fantasy football picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice throughout the week.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
