ESPN contributor on TV, radio, podcasts, blogs, Magazine
Charter member of FSWA Hall of Fame
Author of “The Best Philadelphia Sports Arguments”
Each week, Eric Karabell ranks players by position based on their fantasy football value for the rest of the 2024 season. Use the information to optimize the players on your bench for their future potential or to gauge their value in trade. Eric’s top 100 can be found below the positions in this column.
Quarterback
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Yates: Tua Tagovailoa is among the top streaming QB options in Week 8
Field Yates explains why he has Tua Tagovailoa as a top streaming quarterback option in Week 8.
Rankings changes: There is minor movement among the QB1 options, as the Lions’ Jared Goff forces inclusion after averaging nearly 24 fantasy points over his past three games. He has completed more than 85% of his passes in that span, with seven touchdowns and nary an interception. New Steelers starter Russell Wilson launches into mid-QB2 range after topping Sunday QB scorers with 24.86 points in his team debut. The Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa moves up, as his return from concussion appears imminent. Just remember he was far from a top-10 fantasy QB option last season (despite leading the NFL in passing yards), and there is clear health risk.
Several noteworthy QBs fall in the rankings. The Steelers’ Justin Fields, still with more full-season fantasy points than Jalen Hurts, C.J. Stroud and myriad others despite playing one fewer game, leaves the top 30. A fantasy fact of life is one cannot score points from the bench! Chiefs real-life star Patrick Mahomes, 24th in QB fantasy points per game (despite running an unbeaten team) leaves the top 20. The Browns have yet to announce who starts at QB this week and beyond with Deshaun Watson (Achilles) out, but Jameis Winston would have more fantasy upside than Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Running back
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Does Alvin Kamara maintain top-10 RB status for fantasy managers?
Field Yates dives into Alvin Kamara’s fantasy value heading into Week 8 and beyond.
Rankings changes: Saints RB Alvin Kamara entered Week 7 atop the position rankings, but he doesn’t leave it that way. Kamara and other Saints are struggling. The Eagles’ Saquon Barkley rises to No. 1. The Jaguars’ Tank Bigsby and Chiefs’ Kareem Hunt make big moves into the top 20, though neither team is promising these Week 7 stars the starting role long term.
The Broncos’ Javonte Williams, Browns’ Nick Chubb and Raiders’ Alexander Mattison are stronger flex options today, and 49ers star Christian McCaffrey might be on the verge of returning to the lineup, which affects Jordan Mason. Good luck guessing how the Buccaneers handle the duo of Rachaad White and Bucky Irving moving forward.
Wide receiver
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Why Karabell expects George Pickens to be a top-25 WR moving forward
Eric Karabell believes George Pickens will remain a top-25 wide receiver under Russell Wilson.
Rankings changes: The top tier adjusts its hierarchy again, ever so slightly, with the Vikings’ Justin Jefferson back on top. The Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill and Bills’ Amari Cooper rise into safer WR2 territory, the former due to the pending return of his QB, the latter due the current advantage playing with his new QB. The Steelers’ George Pickens rises into WR3 range with his new QB. The Rams’ Cooper Kupp (ankle) should return this week. The Texans’ Nico Collins (hamstring) might miss only two more games. The Lions’ Jameson Williams (suspension) will miss two games.
The Jaguars’ Brian Thomas Jr. looks like the No. 2 rookie WR these days (behind only the Giants’ Malik Nabers) passing the Cardinals’ Marvin Harrison Jr. We say farewell to the 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and the Buccaneers’ Chris Godwin (ankle), while we await further word on their teammates, Deebo Samuel Sr. (pneumonia) and Mike Evans (hamstring).
Tight end
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Why Yates thinks Hunter Henry is a useful starting fantasy TE
Daniel Dopp and Stephania Bell break down TE Hunter Henry’s fantasy numbers since taking over as the Patriots’ quarterback.
Rankings changes: The Browns’ David Njoku is the big riser here, moving into the top five after catching 10 out of 14 targets, including a touchdown, in Week 7. Now he gets (presumably) better QB play. Look for him to be a focus in this new offense. The Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, like his QB, continues to fall. Kelce averages 8.8 PPR points per game, 13th at the position, barely ahead of the Commanders’ Zach Ertz and Dolphins’ Jonnu Smith. Smith and the Patriots’ Hunter Henry look like deeper-league options. Last year’s top TE, the Lions’ Sam LaPorta, averaging barely two targets and receptions per game, does not.
