Week 9 Running Back Preview: Chase Rhamondre Stevenson's Backfield Control
Top Fantasy RBs for Week 8
Here are the top Week 8 running backs, with usage and matchup details that drive their positioning in the Week 8 RB rankings.
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1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs dominated Minnesota last week, rushing 23 times for 153 yards and a TD. He's now topped 100 rushing yards in three straight games while scoring in all but one outing this season. Miami ranks 27th in fantasy points allowed to RBs, setting up another potential monster performance from fantasy's No. 1 RB.
2. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson ranks third league-wide in touches per game and fifth in total yards per game. But he’s underwhelmed of late with weekly fantasy finishes at RB14, RB32, RB17, and RB31. The matchup looks fine this week, though, as the Cincinnati defense just gave up a 21-117-2 rushing line to Tony Pollard. Robinson is a strong rebound candidate.
3. Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs
Kenneth Walker’s Chiefs are 10-point home favorites vs. the Jets on Sunday, and their 28.75-point implied total is tied for second-highest of the week. The Jets have allowed the 13th-most rushing fantasy points per game to RBs and sit 18th in adjusted fantasy points allowed.
4. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
We’ll keep tabs on Christian McCaffrey’s hamstring issue, but he’ll remain a must-start if he suits up. The Raiders have allowed a league-high 1,036 rushing yards on a league-high 5.3 yards per carry to RBs. They rank 25th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.
5. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
After accounting for a season-low of 51.4% snap share the previous week, Kyren Williams bounced back to a 68.5% mark, ranking 13th among all RBs in Week 9. He’s pairing a 54.6% carry share with a 14.2 target share, as one of just six RBs with at least a 50% carry share and 14% target share this season. Williams projects as an RB1 against a Commanders defense allowing the seventh-fewest points to RBs.
6. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Hubbard finished as RB6 in Week 8 with 22 carries for 81 yards and a TD, plus 7 catches. He’s handled 72.0% of the Panthers’ carries, third-highest among RBs, and averages 3.7 targets per game, good for RB6 in points per game. The Broncos have allowed the eighth-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to RBs. Hubbard is a locked-in RB1.Coleman finished as RB12 in Week 8 with 41 rushing yards, a TD, and 4 catches for 63 yards. He’s played just 4 games due to an IR stint with an ankle injury and has a 35.3% carry share, but he out-carried J.K. Dobbins 11 to 7 last week. Coleman appears locked in as the lead back with RJ Harvey on IR now. The Panthers have allowed the second-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to RBs. Coleman is a high-end RB2 with upside in this matchup.
7. D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
D’Andre Swift handled a season-high 27 rush attempts on his way to 3 TDs and 27.9 PPR points to finish as the RB4 last week. It’s the second game he’s found the endzone three times, giving him his fifth RB1 week. He’s now one of just RBs to rank as an RB1 across five weeks. Swift still projects as an RB1 facing a Buccaneers defense allowing the fewest points to RBs.
8. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Chase Brown's 71.4% snap rate and 61.4% carry share provide a solid foundation for fantasy production. Unfortunately, he's averaged just 3.6 yards per carry with only one TD through seven games. That's limited his best finish to RB13. Atlanta at least sits 26th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs, giving Brown a reasonable chance to boost his production. Cincy’s slate-high 27.75-point implied team total also signals elevated scoring potential.
9. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
James Cook is one of just four RBs to come away with at least 18.0 PPR points across five games this season. He’s handling the eighth-highest carry share among RBs on his way to producing 18.8 PPR points per game and ranking as the RB7. He remains projected as an RB1 despite facing a Vikings defense reducing the second-most points to RBs.
10. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
Javonte Williams has masked some sluggish recent performances with TDs. He didn’t score last week, but that broke a string of five straight games with at least one rushing TD. Williams did run for a season-low 2.3 yards per rush, his fourth game among the past five with less than 4.0 per carry. Expect a rebound this week against a moribund Colts D yielding 4.7 yards per RB rush. But keep Williams’ recent inefficiency in mind as you look ahead. He might be a sell candidate ahead of a schedule that includes five negative matchups and a Week 14 bye among the final six fantasy weeks.
11. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson finished as RB24 in Week 8 with 19 carries for 82 yards and 3 catches. He’s the Patriots’ lead back and should be again this week. TreVeyon Henderson is set to miss another game, so Stevenson should handle most of the load this week. The Patriots run at the sixth-highest rate in the league and are implied for 25 points at home. The Packers have allowed the seventh-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to RBs.
12. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs has played just two games this season due to his early suspension, but the usage has been elite. He’s handled 71.1% of the Packers’ carries and leads all RBs with 6.5 targets per game. He finished as RB9 in Week 8 with 2 total TDs, though the efficiency wasn’t there: 21 carries for 39 yards. The Patriots have allowed the eighth-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points to RBs, so the volume will need to carry him again. Jacobs is a low-end RB1 this week.
13. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucky Irving has finished as an RB1 in three of the past four weeks, which includes two finishes as the RB3 or better. He’s accomplished it on 22.8 carries per game since Week 5, only trailing RB Jahmyr Gibbs for the most over that span. He projects as a fringe RB1 facing a Bears defense allowing the third-fewest points to RBs and reducing points to RBs by 8.8%.
14. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Consider his ranking outside the top 12 this week a knock on Jonathan Taylor’s situation. He should rank among this week’s most attractive starts against a Cowboys D that’s been the friendliest scoring matchup for RBs and allowed the league’s sixth-most points per game overall. But the deteriorating Colts have supported just one PPR finish higher than 10th for Taylor among his past six games, with three other weeks finding him outside the top 25. Don’t be afraid to look for sell opportunities here.
15. Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos
Jonah Coleman finished as RB12 in Week 8 with 41 rushing yards, a TD, and 4 catches for 63 yards. He’s played just four games due to an IR stint with an ankle injury and has a 35.3% carry share, but he out-carried J.K. Dobbins 11-7 last week. Coleman appears locked in as the lead back with RJ Harvey on IR now. The Panthers have allowed the second-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to RBs. Coleman is a high-end RB2 with upside in this matchup.
16. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
It’s impossible to know how carries will be divvied in Vegas’ backfield this week, but Ashton Jeanty is a safe bet to remain the primary pass-catching back. That matters in Sunday’s matchup vs. San Francisco: The 49ers have allowed the sixth-fewest rushing fantasy points per game to RBs but the most receiving fantasy points, including the most catches and fourth-most receiving yards. Jeanty’s pass-catching upside should keep him in most fantasy lineups, even with the rushing uncertainty.
17. Woody Marks, Houston Texans
Woody Marks continues to lead Houston's backfield, but he hasn't done much with the opportunity. His past two outings produced RB22 and RB34 PPR finishes, alongside a lackluster 3.6 yards per carry. With David Montgomery sidelined for another week, Marks retains RB2 value on the strength of his projected workload. The Chargers supply a neutral matchup.
18. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Played Thursday night
19. Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
Played Thursday night
20. Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
Quinshon Judkins struggled in Week 8, turning 11 carries into 25 yards and finishing as RB32. The volume has still been there for most of the season, with a 62.0% carry share and 14.4 carries per game. Dylan Sampson returned for the past two games to decrease Judkins’ receiving role. That hurts the touch floor especially, but this week provides the best possible matchup. The Saints have allowed the most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to RBs in the league. Judkins is a solid RB2 with RB1 upside this week.
21. Ollie Gordon II, Miami Dolphins
Ollie Gordon’s four-game scoring streak ended last week vs. New England. He remains reliant on finding the end zone, as he’s yet to record a single receiving yard since taking over for the injured De’Von Achane. Miami’s status as a 7-point underdog to a top-10 rushing defense adds more downside to Gordon’s RB2 outlook.
22. Devin Singletary, New York Giants
Devin Singletary appears on track to lead a Giants backfield dealing with hamstring injuries to both Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy. He’s still a challenging projection, having reached 50 rushing yards in a game just three times since joining the Giants ahead of 2024. But Philly’s D should at least provide limited resistance. The Eagles rank a mere 25th in rush DVOA.
23. Rachaad White, Washington Commanders
Rachaad White has led the Commanders backfield in rush attempts each of the past two weeks with fellow RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt being placed on IR. He’s finished as an RB2 or higher in four of the six games he’s played, doing so in every game he’s accounted for at least a 50% snap share. White projects as a fringe RB2 facing a Rams defense reducing the sixth-most points to RBs.
24. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley managed his injuries a little better in Week 8, jumping from 10 snaps the game before to 22. He was still limited to 13 carries and 1 target in a lopsided loss to Washington. Barkley has remained limited in practice this week, so we’re expecting another limited workload against the Giants.
25. Tyler Allgeier, Arizona Cardinals
That was a wholly unexpected stat line from Tyler Allgeier last week, in part because Bam Knight had previously been outplaying him. In addition to teammate injuries, Allgeier took advantage of a Dallas D that’s been friendlier to RB scoring than any other this season, according to our adjusted fantasy points allowed. This week’s spot against the Seahawks presents quite the opposite. Allgeier remains an option based on anticipated touch volume, but the Seattle matchup keeps him from being attractive. Keep in mind that Allgeier entered last week’s game averaging just 2.9 yards per carry for the season.
26. Breece Hall, New York Jets
Breece Hall was a full-go in Thursday’s practice and is on track to play this weekend for the first time since Week 3. RB Braelon Allen has been excellent in Hall’s absence, so it’s possible this becomes more of an even split going forward. Hall also draws a tough matchup against a Chiefs defense that’s held RBs to just 3.3 yards per carry. Consider him a risk/reward RB3 in Week 9 fantasy lineups.
27. Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks
The rookie’s Week 8 return from IR coincided with Zach Charbonnet’s return from January’s ACL tear. Jadarian Price beat the veteran in opportunities -- 10-6 in carries; 4-4 in targets -- but the split limits both his floor and upside. The outlook gets further complicated this week by an Arizona D that ranks ninth in rush DVOA and 11th in expected points added per carry faced.
28. Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
Blake Corum joins RB D’Andre Swift as the only RBs to produce at least 13 PPR points in each of the past four games. His 1.0 TD per game mark since Week 5 ranks eighth among RBs. His 36.6% carry share on the season still trails fellow RB Kyren Williams for the team-high mark. Corum projects as an RB3 against a Commanders defense reducing points to RBs by 2.3%.
29. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara comes out of the bye and should be the lead back once again with Travis Etienne remaining on IR. He’s handled just a 28.5% carry share, but his 4.5 targets per game rank 11th among RBs and have him at RB29 in points per game. The Browns provide a neutral matchup, allowing the 18th-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to RBs. That makes Kamara an RB3 this week with RB2 upside.
30. Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers coaching staff dropped some hints that they’ll commit to giving Omarion Hampton more work. We’ll see if they follow through, but at least entering Week 9, Hampton looks like the Bolts back to use. He draws an underwhelming Houston unit that sits 21st in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.
31. Braelon Allen, New York Jets
Braelon Allen’s excellent play over the last month might have earned him a bigger role alongside Breece Hall, but his role is uncertain for now. And Sunday’s matchup is brutal: The Jets are 10-point underdogs against a Chiefs defense that’s limited opposing RBs to just 3.3 yards per carry.
32. Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Mason has been the Vikings’ carry-leader in both weeks since returning from a thumb injury in Week 7, out-carrying fellow RB Aaron Jones 23 to 13. He’s handled a 52.3% carry share over the past two weeks that ranks as the 21st highest among RBs. Mason projects as an RB3 facing a Bills defense allowing the third-most points to RBs.
33. Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
Getting back on the field for the first time since his playoff ACL tear was an obvious positive for Charbonnet. But he garnered just 6 carries and 4 targets -- trailing Jadarian Price 14-10 in opportunities -- and did nothing of note with them. He’s not an attractive option against a Cardinals D that’s played the run much tougher than the pass this year.
34. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones was accounting for a 75.9% carry share with fellow RB Jordan Mason sidelined, the third-highest mark among RBs over that span. But between dealing with a knee injury and Mason making his return following an IR stint, he’s come away with just a 29.5% carry share. Jones projects as a fringe RB3 facing a Bills defense allowing the third-most points to WRs.
35. Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns
Dylan Sampson has played just two full games due to a knee injury, but he’s carved out a clear passing-down role. He finished as RB19 in Week 8 with 6 catches for 62 yards on 8 targets, while getting just 1 carry. His 5.5 targets per game rank sixth among RBs. The Saints have allowed the most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to RBs, and the Browns could be playing from behind as 3-point underdogs. Sampson is a PPR-friendly RB3 this week.
36. Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
Kendre Miller has handled a 39.9% carry share and 9.5 carries per game, though he’s been inefficient with that work, scoring 3.1 fewer points per game than expected. He offers little as a receiver, with just 2.2 targets per game and a 5.6% target share. The Browns present a neutral matchup, allowing the 18th-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to RBs. Miller is a high-end RB4 who needs a TD, with flex appeal if he takes over Etienne’s early-down role.
37. Mike Washington Jr., Las Vegas Raiders
Mike Washington failed to capitalize on his shot at lead duties last week, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry and failing to score on any of his 6 rushes from inside the 5-yard line. We’ll see how carries are split this weekend, but the matchup is no good against a 49ers defense that’s allowing the fifth-fewest yards per carry to RBs. Washington is a low-floor RB3 play at best.
38. Elijah Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles
Elijah Mitchell carried 11 times to Barkley’s 13 last week and beat him 6-1 in targets. He’s not an attractive fantasy play in an atrocious Eagles offense, but there’s some touch upside if you’re in need.
39. Chris Rodriguez, Jacksonville Jaguars
Played Thursday night
40. Kaelon Black, San Francisco 49ers
Even if Christian McCaffrey plays through his hamstring issue this week, Kaelon Black is a viable RB3 or flex, particularly in half- and non-PPR leagues. The 49ers are 10-point home favorites with a 30.5-point implied total against a leaky Raiders run defense. Vegas has allowed a league-high 1,036 rushing yards on a league-high 5.3 yards per carry to RBs.
41. Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
Kimani Vidal's tallied 10 touches in back-to-back games, but the Chargers’ staff has signaled that more work may be coming Omarion Hampton’s way. Vidal’s no more than a fringe flex option with limited touch upside.
42. Emmett Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
Emmett Johnson is coming off a big 143-yard, 1-TD outing vs. the Broncos, but it came on just 6 touches, including only 1 carry. He has just 4 total carries over his last four games and remains just a desperation fantasy play.
43. Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders
Austin Ekeler jumped to a season-high 8 carries in his fourth game with the Commanders last week. That game marked the first full outing since WR Terry McLaurin went down for the season, the second game since RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt landed on IR, and the team’s return from a Week 7 bye. Ekeler will need to do more to become fantasy relevant, though. And he’s unlikely to get there on receptions while sharing the backfield with catch-first RB Rachaad White.
44. Seth McGowan, Indianapolis Colts
Seth McGowan remained surprisingly close to Jonathan Taylor in carries last week, but that meant just 5 to the starter’s 8. He’s nowhere near true usability in an offense struggling to support even Taylor’s value right now.
45. J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos
J.K. Dobbins managed just 13 yards on 7 carries in Week 8, finishing as RB59. He still holds a 50.0% carry share on the season, but Jonah Coleman out-carried him 11-7 last week. Dobbins offers almost nothing as a receiver, averaging 1.1 targets per game. The Panthers have allowed the second-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to RBs, but Dobbins needs a TD to pay off. He’s an RB4 this week.
46. Kenneth Gainwell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
You can basically throw out Kenneth Gainwell’s 25-140 rushing line from last week. That’ll probably be the last time you ever see the Bucs finish with just three pass attempts vs. 56 rushes. Even Gainwell’s 14-88 the week before came amid similarly unlikely splits (49 rushes vs. 11 attempts) in Baker Mayfield’s first game back from a dislocated right thumb. Expect a visit to the heavily favored Bears to motivate much more passing volume and siphon touches from Tampa’s No. 2 back.
47. Keaton Mitchell, Los Angeles Chargers
Keaton Mitchell's explosive ability still gives him some fantasy appeal, but the Chargers simply haven't provided him with enough opportunities to become trustworthy. Over his past three, his touches have gone 9, 2, and 7. HC Jim Harbaugh suggested the team could shift toward featuring one back -- Omarion Hampton -- potentially squeezing Mitchell's workload further.
48. Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals
Samaje Perine has carved out a complementary role alongside Brown, but his workload remains difficult to trust. The veteran has topped 5 touches only once over his past six games.
49. Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
Played Thursday night
50. Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Roschon Johnson gets at least one more week as Chicago’s No. 2 back, thanks to Kyle Monangai’s turf toe. That has afforded Johnson just 8 total touches for 41 yards over the past two games, though. He’ll almost certainly need a D’Andre Swift injury to matter.
Time to Set Your Lineup
Before you check your Team Dashboard, check out the start-sit recommendations Jared and I deliver in this Week 9 preview video.
