Things were looking bleak at running back at certain points last week, but then Christian McCaffrey and David Montgomery returned from the IR and we made it through the week with only a couple notablenew injuries. Sure, it's a bummer to be without Derrick Henry (foot), but our Week 10 fantasy RB rankings still look fairly strong.The four teams on bye -- Bears, Texans, Giants, Bengals -- don't po se s the strongest group of backs. Joe Mixon will be mi sed, but fantasy owners are used to being without Saquon Barkley (ankle) and Montgomery. Khalil Herbert and Devontae Booker have certainly had their moments, but you can't be too upset when players you got on waivers le s than a month ago are taking the week off. And you also can't be upset when David Johnson and Phillip Lindsay are on bye. If anything, be thankful you don't have to force one into your flex.WEEK 10 PPR RANKINGS: | | | |
Cecil Cooper Jersey | Even though the byes aren't overly tough on the idle RBs, they do take away some great matchups. The Texans, Giants, and Bears were all top 10 in terms of fantasy points per game (FPPG) allowed to RBs heading into Week 9. That means fewer potential sleepers and/or top-end studs, which means
Glenn Robinson Jersey a higher likelihood you have to take a chance with your RB2 spot or use a WR in your flex.WEEK 10 STANDARD RANKINGS: | | | | The fallout from that can be seen in all the top backs who have tough matchups this week. James Robinson (@ Colts), D'Andre Swift (@ Steelers), Damien Harris (vs. Browns), Darrell Henderson (@ 49ers), and Michael Carter (vs. Bills) are all difficult to bench given their talent and roles, but the sledding will be tougher for all of them. Carter is likely still on the start 'em, sit 'em bubble, but his recent uptick in volume and production -- particularly in the pa sing game -- should keep him in lineups as at least a flex.WEEK 10 FANTASY: | | Antonio Gibson (vs. Bucs) not only has a brutal matchup, but questions also still remain about his health and usage. Perhaps after a bye, his shin will be better and he can handle a full complement of touches, but considering Jaret Patterson out-carried him in Week 8 and J.D. McKi sic has been more valuable overall the past couple games, Gibson is, at best, a flex this week. Titans' pair Adrian Peterson and Jeremy McNichols (vs. Saints), and Cardinals' pair James Conner and Chase Edmonds (vs. Panthers) are also in tough spots. Peterson and Conner have more standard value thanks to their respective TD upside.(Update: With Edmonds likely out due to an ankle injury, Conner is a borderline RB1 despite the matchup.)WEEK 10 DFS LINEUPS: | | Highly favorable matchups await the Bills duo of Zack Mo s and Devin Singletary (@ Jets), Broncos' pair Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon (vs. Eagles), and a crowded Ravens' backfield that's led by Latavius Murray and Devonta Freeman (@ Dolphins) when everyone is healthy. Boston Scott and Jordan Howard (@ Broncos), Kenyan Drake (vs. Chiefs), Nyheim Hines (vs. Jaguars), and AJ Dillon (vs. Seahawks) are also in good spots if you want to go a little deeper, but Drake and Hines are better suited for PPR leagues.WEEK 10 DFS: | | There are still several banged-up backs we'll be watching
Hernan Perez Jersey this week. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (knee), Chris Carson (neck), and Kareem Hunt (calf) are eligible to come off the IR, but it's unclear if any have a real chance of being activated. Continue to operate as if you won't have any available, and if they happen to come back, you can adjust from there.Overall, there are still plenty of good options despite some of the typical obstacles this week. Most important is that at least a couple injured stars are returning. In some ways, that makes navigating the position more difficult, but having multiple viable choices is better than having one mediocre option.Note: We'll be updating these RB rankings throughout the week, so check back for analysis and the latest player movement.Fantasy RB Rankings Week 10: Who to start at running backRankings are based on standard, non-PPR scoringRankPlayer1Dalvin Cook, MIN @ LAC2Najee Harris, PIT vs. DET3Aaron Jones, GB vs. SEA4Jonathan Taylor, IND vs. JAX5Christian McCaffrey, CAR @ ARI6Ezekiel Elliott, DAL vs. ATL7Leonard Fournette, TB @ WAS8Austin Ekeler, LAC vs. MIN9Josh Jacobs, LV vs. KC10Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL @ DAL11D'Andre Swift, DET @ PIT12James Conner, ARI vs. CAR.With Chase Edmonds likely out because of a high ankle sprain, Conner should see 20-plus touches again. He won't be as productive as last week in a much tougher
Christian Yelich Jersey matchup, but given his touchdown upside and underrated versatility, he's an easy call as a borderline RB1/high-end RB2.13Mark Ingram, NO @ TEN14Darrell Henderson, LAR @ SF15D'Ernest Johnson, CLE @ NE16Melvin Gordon, DEN vs. PHI.Gordon carried the ball 21 times in Week 9, finishing with 80 yards and a score. Javonte Williams often is more efficient, but Gordon has more TDs and is a little more consistent with receptions despite having fewer overall. The touchdown upside is what separates these two against the Eagles, who entered Week 9 allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to RBs. Both of these backs can work as RB2s or flexes.17Elijah Mitchell, SF vs. LAR.Despite Jeff Wilson Jr. and JaMycal Hasty being active, Mitchell handled 13-of-17 touches between the three of them, including a season-high five catches. Game script limited his overall production (79 total yards), but in a neutral matchup like this, his talent should shine through enough to give him RB2 value.18Darrel Williams, KC @ LV.Williams dominated touches (22) in the Chiefs backfield just a week after it looked like Derrick Gore would be more involved. Unle s Clyde Edwards-Helaire (knee)
Matt Garza Jersey comes back, WIlliams is a safe RB2 in this slightly favorable matchup19James Robinson, JAX @ IND20Myles Gaskin, MIA vs. BAL.Gaskin dominated touches in the Dolphins backfield last week, handling the rock 26 times (six catches). That resulted in just 57 total yards, but Gaskin clearly has upside with that kind of workload. Baltimore actually struggles against RBs, hovering inside the top-10 in FPPG allowed to the position all year. Gaskin is in a good spot to produce solid numbers.21
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