The most widely picked-up running back from the fantasy football waiver wire dominated week 7, generating the most fantasy points among all running backs.

With David Johnson nursing an injured ankle, Chase Edmonds went for 126 yards rushing, three touchdowns and 24 yards receiving. It was against the Giants defense, but it is still encouraging for fantasy football owners desperate for some help from the waiver wire.

Edmonds will get some touches even with a healthy Johnson, but his usage will go dramatically once Johnson resumes his No. 1 role. For now, here’s the week 8 fantasy football running backs start ‘em, sit ‘em guide.

Start

Latavius Murray vs. Arizona Cardinals

With Alvin Kamara once again likely on the shelf, Murray should be in the RB1 conversation in week 8.

Murray didn’t miss a beat in week 7, with the second-most fantasy points among running backs against a Bears defense that is ranked in the top-five for yards per rush allowed.

Murray shouldn’t have any trouble moving the ball against an Arizona defense that ranks in the bottom-10 in the NFL in that yards per rush category.

Murray is a capable running back, so he’s not much of a downgrade from Kamara.

Tevin Coleman vs. Carolina Panthers

There’s a little more clarity in San Francisco about the running back situation.

This is Coleman’s team, with Matt Breida playing a secondary role. Even when Breida was healthy, Coleman looked to be the main attraction. Now, Breida is playing through injuries, meaning Coleman should have similar usage as he did against Washington. Against the Redskins he rushed the ball 20 times.

That’s good enough usage to consider him an RB2 for week 8 against bottom-10 rush defense.

Sony Michel vs. Cleveland Browns

Michel has had a good fantasy season so far for the Patriots and that shouldn’t change in week 8 against a porous Cleveland Browns defense.

The Browns are giving up 5 yards per carry, the second-most in the NFL. Even worse, Cleveland is allowing 5.8 yards per rush in the last three games.

The Patriots know how to scheme, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise when Michel is the main weapon in week 8 for New England.

Joe Mixon has been a disappointment so far in 2019. Flickr

Sit

Joe Mixon vs. Los Angeles Rams

With four outings in the single-digits for fantasy points, it’s time to reconsider Mixon’s value.

He was terrible behind a bad offensive line in week 7, going for just four total yards. His day was somewhat salvaged by a touchdown, but he still managed to be in single digits for fantasy points.

The Bengals offense is not good enough to consistently move the ball and now the Rams will bring its third-ranked rush defense into this matchup.

If you have options, consider everything other than Mixon.

Melvin Gordon vs. Chicago Bears

I know the Bears struggled in week 7 in all phases of the game, but I’ll still give them a little benefit of the doubt. Chicago still ranks in the top five in rush defense and now they get a Chargers team reeling from multiple losses.

Can the Chargers find any other way to lose? If you saw how they lost in week 7, it’s tough to imagine anything more brutal. And Gordon aided in that awfulness.

I’m not sure that Los Angeles trusts him and he doesn’t appear to be in playing form just yet. I’m sitting him in this one in favor of better options.

Matt Breida vs. Carolina Panthers

If you have options, I’d keep Breida on the bench.

San Francisco’s running game is really good, but I’m not sure it can sustain two RB2’s. Coleman appears to be the primary back, with Breida playing more of a complimentary role.

I’m favoring Coleman over Breida in this plus-matchup.

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