Welcome to Week 8 fantasy football. Hopefully, you survived the bye-pocalypse and were able to get a big win last week. If not, there’s a solid chance it was due to poor running back play. With players like Miles Sanders and Mike Davis putting up duds for one reason or another, running backs were even more brutal than previously thought. Only two teams are on bye this week, so we should see some more stability. With that being said, there are still some holes at running back people need filled and, as always, there are guys on waivers just waiting for their shot.
Read on for three RB fantasy football streamers that are worth consideration for Week 7. In some cases, one might still be able to claim these rushers off of waivers. In order to be included in the fantasy football RB streamers article, they must be rostered in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues.
Week 8 Fantasy Football RB Streamers
Kenneth Gainwell | Philadelphia Eagles (at DET)
When are people finally going to start buying Kenneth Gainwell? He has scored less than six points just twice, and both were in games where the Eagles refused to utilize their running backs. Rostered in just 26.3% of leagues, Gainwell is a surefire option against the Detroit Lions.
Not only is Gainwell often utilized with Miles Sanders on the field, but he’s also scored three touchdowns already as the backup. When you take into account how much of the running attack Jalen Hurts makes up, that’s pretty impressive. With Sanders carted off last week with a sprained ankle, it’s clear if he plays he won’t be 100%. All that does is make for a perfect storm for another big week from Gainwell. Even if Sanders is somehow fully healthy, that hasn’t stopped Gainwell from being RB29 to this point. Don’t expect it to stop him from continuing that production.
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Brandon Bolden | New England Patriots (at LAC)
Brandon Bolden is an odd choice at running back, seeing that he gives little value as an actual runner. His ability in the passing game is unparalleled, however, and it should be put on display against the Chargers. With James White on the sidelines for the year, Bolden has filled his role nicely. Since Week 3, Bolden has scored less than five fantasy points just once. Somehow, Bolden is only rostered in 5.5% of leagues.
Last week, in a blowout against the Jets, Bolden caught six passes for 79 yards and a touchdown. While nobody expects that type of line to continue, we know the Patriots are going to need to pass the rock to keep pace with the Chargers. Los Angeles poses a formidable challenge when it comes to its secondary. That, paired with the Patriots refusing to go deep with quarterback Mac Jones, and Bolden should see plenty of volume. Bolden has had six catches twice this season and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him do it a third time this week.
David Johnson | Houston Texans (vs LAR)
David Johnson is only rostered in 28.6% of leagues and, at face value, it’s easy to see why. Johnson has never had 10 or more carries in a game this season and also only has one touchdown to his name. That is precisely why he has so much value as RB45. He has hit double-digit fantasy points three times this season and could possibly get starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor back this week as well.
In two games in which Tyrod was starting for Houston for at least a portion of the game, Johnson had a touchdown in one game and just shy of 50 total yards with a few receptions helping out. Taylor will not make many mistakes and, as a result, loves to check the ball down to his running backs. Johnson is the receiving back for Houston and will need to be utilized for Houston to have much of a chance against the Rams.
