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Week 9 Fantasy Football Running Back Preview

Top 50 Fantasy RBs for Week 8

Let's dig into the reasons you should -- or shouldn't -- play these guys ...

Check out the other positions as well:

• QB preview
• WR preview
• TE preview

Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons

Bijan Robinson, Falcons

Robinson has scored four times over the past three weeks, helping him produce 20+ PPR points in each. OC Zac Robinson said this week that wants to have a “mix of backs” to keep them “fresh,” but we’re not expecting some drastic change in Bijan’s workload. He has handled 18+ touches in three straight.

Tyler Allgeier, Falcons

Allgeier has tallied nearly 11 carries per game in five wins -- only 5 per game in three losses. Those are small samples, but it's a reminder of how little he's called upon in the passing game. Sunday's game should be a close one vs. Dallas. In a capped role, it’s hard to project Allgeier beyond flex range.

Rico Dowdle, Cowboys

Dowdle missed Week 8 with an illness, but he’s on track to return vs. Atlanta. We expect him to regain his lead back role in a plus matchup with the Falcons. He has hit 10 PPR points in three straight games.

Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys

Elliott draws a Falcons unit that sits a mid-pack 14th in PFF’s rush defense grades. The bigger issue is the return of Rico Dowdle – and potentially more usage for Dalvin Cook.

Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens

Derrick Henry, Ravens

Henry keeps scoring TDs to bolster his fantasy performances. Without receiving upside, he somehow finds a way to continue rewarding fantasy managers. The Broncos are top five in rushing fantasy points given up per game, so it could be a harder matchup for Henry. Even so, he is locked in as a low-end RB1.

Javonte Williams, Broncos

Williams had a dud game last week after his Week 7 blowup. He continues to get plenty of touches (hit 21 last week) and is the focal point of the game plan. The Ravens run defense is strong, though. He could be in for an especially rough game if the Broncos get down early. Williams is an RB3 this week.

Justice Hill, Ravens

Hill has been the pass catching back for the Ravens, so he is very game-script dependent. The Ravens are big favorites, meaning it likely isn’t a Hill game. He can be an RB4 with some PPR upside.

Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos

The Ravens are stout against the run, so this could be an opening for McLaughlin, who has been getting more pass-catching work. He is still an RB4, but there is some PPR upside.

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills

De’Von Achane, Dolphins

Achane’s role has stabilized alongside Raheem Mostert. The second-year RB has seen a 42% carry share in back-to-back weeks. His target shares have gone 14% (Week 7) and 19% (Week 8). The matchup with Buffalo isn’t great, as Miami’s implied for only 21.5 points. But a diverse role keeps Achane’s outlook on the RB1-2 border.

Raheem Mostert, Dolphins

Mostert vultured a pair of goal-line TDs in Week 8 vs. Arizona. Now comes a tougher scoring matchup vs. Buffalo, one that’ll carry plenty of downside. De’Von Achane has handled more of the routes when healthy; 53% vs. 42% for Mostert.

James Cook, Bills

Cook’s last matchup with Miami turned up 3 TDs and 95 total yards. Despite some flashes from Ray Davis, Cook’s role as a borderline workhorse looks secure.

Ray Davis, Bills

Davis continues to look strong in limited opportunities. But with James Cook healthy, the rookie simply doesn’t have the projected workload to make a difference in lineup-setting leagues. Current projections have him for roughly 6 touches.

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers

Alvin Kamara, Saints

Kamara led all RBs with 55 receiving yards last week. But that didn’t even mark a season high for him. And his 6 receptions marked the fourth time he has reached that number in a game. Kamara has tallied 5+ receptions in five straight games, laying a safe PPR floor. The return of QB Derek Carr certainly shouldn’t hurt that aspect. And a rematch with Carolina finds one of the league’s most generous defenses in every facet. New Orleans racked up 47 points on the Panthers in Week 1. Kamara delivered 110 total yards and a TD in that one.

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers

With Jonathon Brooks still not back on the field, Hubbard reprises the role that has afforded him 15+ carries in five of the past six games and 17+ touches in six straight contests. His work could be in trouble if this game goes nearly as one-sided as the 47-10 New Orleans victory back in Week 1. But that’s the only time this year that Hubbard has finished with fewer than 14 touches. The Saints’ defense has softened since then. They now rank just 22nd in total DVOA and worst in the league against the run. Hubbard figures to be key to at least the initial Carolina game plan.

Miles Sanders, Panthers

Sanders’ 7 receptions last week came kinda out of nowhere. He caught just 12 balls through the first seven games (1.7 per game), including just one in each of the previous two outings. He still trailed Chuba Hubbard 24-15 in routes even in his receiving spike game.

Jamaal Williams, Saints

Kendre Miller’s latest injury obviously helps Williams. But he garnered 12 touches in the season opener, 8 in Week 2, and has averaged just 2.7 per game since. That Week 1 – including a TD – did come against the Panthers. So if you’re in rough enough shape to need Williams at RB, there’s at least hope for another one-sided game that boosts non-Kamara backfield opportunities.

Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals

Chase Brown, Bengals

Brown has been the lead back for the Bengals when they have been ahead but was out-snapped in the blowout last week by Zack Moss. As big favorites again, this is a Brown game against one of the worst run defenses in the league. He is a smash as an RB2 this week.

Alexander Mattison, Raiders

Mattison has become the lead back for the Raiders, but he remains ineffective on the ground. That included barely averaging over a yard per carry last week. His pass-catching gives him RB3 PPR upside, especially in a matchup where the Raiders figure to trail.

Zack Moss, Bengals

Moss out-snapped Chase Brown last week when the Bengals got blown out, but they are heavy favorites this week. Moss will still get a handful of touches, but he is more of a low-end RB3 this week.

Los Angeles Chargers at Cleveland Browns

J.K. Dobbins, Chargers

Dobbins continues to dominate work in Los Angeles' backfield. He has averaged 18.7 carries and 4.0 targets in three games since the bye, ranking 11th among RBs in expected PPR points per game. Dobbins has struggled to just 3.5 yards per carry in those games, though, and ranks 20th at his position in actual PPR points per game. Consider him a RB2 in Sunday's game vs. the Browns' fifth-ranked RB defense.

Nick Chubb, Browns

Chubb went from a 35% snap rate and 52% carry share in his 2024 debut to a 61% snap rate and 70% carry share last week. He should keep trending up in usage and efficiency as he puts that knee injury further behind him. Chubb gets a tough Week 9 matchup, though, against the Chargers' ninth-ranked RB defense.

Kimani Vidal, Chargers

Vidal has averaged 4.3 carries and 1.0 targets per game over the last three weeks. You're in trouble if you're starting him this week against Cleveland's fifth-ranked RB defense.

Washington Commanders at New York Giants

Devin Singletary, Giants

Tyrone Tracy has overtaken Singletary for the backfield lead, but he’ll miss this week with a concussion. That should leave a hefty workload to Singletary against a Washington defense that ranks just 24th in rush DVOA. Washington has allowed 5 RB rushing TDs over just the past three games. Singletary delivered a 16-95-1 rushing line against the Commanders back in Week 2.

Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders

Robinson actually trailed Austin Ekeler in playing time last week, including running less than half as many pass routes (12 to 28). But he claimed 16 of 24 RB carries and topped 70 scrimmage yards for the this time in four games. A hamstring injury has limited Robinson in practice this week. We’ll watch for any signals that it might affect his role Sunday. Barring that, though, he’s in a nice spot against a Giants D that allowed 407 RB rushing yards over just the past two games.

Austin Ekeler, Commanders – RB36

Ekeler has played more snaps than Brian Robinson Jr. in two straight games, but that hasn’t helped him gain touches. He managed just 9 and 6 in those contests and has reached 10 in just two of seven games. Ekeler’s career-high 6.2 yards per rush and 10.9 yards per catch show that big-play upside remains, at least, if you’re looking this low for RB help.

New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans

Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots

The Titans are allowing only 4 yards per carry to enemy RBs. Stevenson’s workload is at least trending up, as he saw a season-high 74% carry share in Week 8.

Antonio Gibson, Patriots

Gibson popped up on the injury report with a toe injury, but he’s expected to be fine to face Tennessee. Workload concerns make him a weak flex option.

Tony Pollard, Titans

Pollard missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a foot injury. If he’s active, his workload might take a hit with Tyjae Spears potentially returning from injury. Pollard has hit 18 touches in four straight.

Tyjae Spears, Titans

Spears hasn’t played since Week 6 with a hamstring injury but might return to face New England. This backfield looks fluid right now, as Tony Pollard has missed two practices with a foot injury.

Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals

James Conner, Cardinals

Conner is a bell cow who has consistently ranked among the top 24. The Cardinals will give him the volume and the Bears are weak against the run. Conner is a high-end RB2 with upside.

D’Andre Swift, Bears

Swift has been on a tear lately. Last week he had 18 rushes for 129 yards and a long TD. He has four straight RB1 games. The Cardinals rank bottom 10 in giving up yards per carry and fantasy points to RBs, so Swift is a solid RB2 with upside yet again.

Roschon Johnson, Bears

Johnson has sniped some of the goal-line work, so if the Bears offense can get in position, he is a sneaky RB4 with TD potential. Don’t expect a ton of carries unless D’Andre Swift gets injured, though.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles

Saquon Barkley, Eagles

Barkley racked up his second straight game with 100+ rushing yards, his fourth of the season. But he also has just one rushing score over the past four weeks. Don’t be surprised if we begin seeing the star RB pulling back on Jalen Hurts’ tush pushes rather than pressing forward.

Travis Etienne, Jaguars

It’s tougher to gauge roles in Jacksonville’s backfield, because we haven’t seen Etienne finish a game since Week 3. He missed time in three straight before sitting out the past two weeks completely. Etienne remained limited in practice this week with the hamstring injury that cost him those two games. We’re projecting him to trail Tank Bigsby in both carries and rushing efficiency this week. But Etienne remains the leader in backfield receiving. He managed 6 receptions in Week 5 against the Colts, the last time he played more than 11 snaps. Don’t be surprised if Jacksonville needs that type of contribution against a Philly team favored by 7.5.

Tank Bigsby, Jaguars

Bigsby should remain the rushing leader even with Travis Etienne back. But matchup and health challenge his upside. An ankle issue limited Bigsby in practice this week and adds some in-game risk. The Eagles arrive as 7.5-point favorites, challenging the type of game script that would favor Bigsby’s usage over Etienne’s superior receiving role.

Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles

Gainwell has benefited from the Eagles offense regaining strength the past two weeks. He topped out at 3 touches across the first five games before getting 14 and 5 in lopsided victories over the Giants and Bengals. If you’re reaching this far for RB help, there’s at least a chance for another one-sided outcome. Philly enters the weekend as a 7.5-point home favorite.

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers

Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions

Gibbs busted off a 70-yard TD in Week 8. He’s now up to a 13% explosive run rate, among the highest marks league wide. Keep expectations high in a neutral matchup vs. Green Bay.

David Montgomery, Lions

Going back to last season, Montgomery has scored in 20 of his past 21 games. Detroit’s now implied for a strong 25.5 points against a Green Bay unit sitting 23rd in PFF’s rush defense grade.

Josh Jacobs, Packers

Jacobs has seen strong carry shares of 63% and 68% over the past two weeks. He has hit 17 touches in four straight -- all wins for Green Bay. His scoring upside will take a hit if Malik Willis is under center, but Jacobs will project as a volume-based RB2 regardless.

Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks

Kyren Williams, Rams 

Williams had 28 touches last week for 116 yards and, of course, found the end zone again. His consistency makes him a high-end RB1 every week, but even more so against a poor Seahawks run defense giving up 182 rushing yards per game over the last three.

Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks

Walker couldn’t overcome the poor offense last week, but his use as a receiver gives him a solid floor each week. The Rams rank bottom-10 in rushing fantasy points per game allowed to RBs, so this is a great get right game for Walker.

Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks

Charbonnet is a smash if Walker gets hurt again, but he is getting very few goal-line touches while being used sparingly between the 20s as well. He is an RB4 for hope of a rare big play. 

Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings

Aaron Jones, Vikings

Jones has racked up 74 carries and 16 targets in his last four healthy games, ranking fourth among RBs in expected PPR points per game. Next up is a run-funnel Colts defense that ranks 23rd in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. Expect a big game from Jones on Sunday night.

Jonathan Taylor, Colts

Taylor played 81% of the Colts' offensive snaps and hogged 21 of 23 RB opportunities in his Week 8 return from that high-ankle sprain. The QB change from Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco should be good news for Taylor, particularly in terms of target and TD upside. He gets a tough Week 9 matchup vs. the Vikings' fourth-ranked RB defense, but Taylor belongs in virtually all fantasy lineups.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs

Kareem Hunt, Chiefs

Hunt has hogged backfield work for the Chiefs. In fact, his usage peaked last Sunday with an 81% carry share. Isiah Pacheco may return within the next month, but for now, the veteran remains a volume-driven RB2.

Rachaad White, Buccaneers

The Chiefs have eliminated RB production this season. Despite a schedule that has included Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson, and Alvin Kamara, K.C. is allowing only 50.4 rushing yards and 0.28 rushing TDs per game. White’s passing-game usage fuels his ranking at the RB2-3 border, especially given the Bucs’ injuries at WR.

Bucky Irving, Buccaneers

HC Todd Bowles said Irving will need to manage a toe injury going forward. He has missed practice time as a result, but we expect the rookie to suit up for Monday night. A horrible matchup – and potentially negative game script – present the downside. The Bucs are 8.5-point road underdogs. Irving will likely need receiving usage like he saw last week to help fantasy lineups.

Got Other Start-Sit Questions?

Matt and Jared run through some of the bigger Week 7 lineup questions in this preview show ...

Matt Schauf, Editor

Matt has earned two Fantasy Pros accuracy awards for IDP rankings and won thousands of dollars as a player across best ball, dynasty, and high-stakes fantasy formats. He has been creating fantasy football content for more than 20 years, with work featured by Sporting News, Rotoworld, Athlon, Sirius XM, and others. He's been with Draft Sharks since 2011.