One week closer to the fantasy playoffs. It’s just around the corner. Every start and sit decision is crucial from this point on. Make sure you’re starting the correct running backs and secure a spot in the playoffs sooner rather than later. With the Chiefs, Rams, Dolphins, and Eagles all on a bye week, make sure you have a solid replacement to step up. This is your running back rankings for week 10.
Fantasy Football Week 10 Running Back Rankings
Tier 1: Elite Trio
- Christian McCaffrey
- Alvin Kamara
- Austin Ekeler
Both Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara are top 3 in PPG in the running back rankings. They and Austin Ekeler are a threat to finish the week as the RB1 each week no matter the match-up. Obviously, you’re starting these guys no matter what each and every week.
Tier 2: Solid RB1
- Breece Hall
- Jonathan Taylor
- Bijan Robinson
- Kenneth Walker
- Travis Etienne
- Tony Pollard
- Saquon Barkley
Breece Hall, Jonathan Taylor, and Bijan Robinson all have great matchups this week. Each one should have a floor of double-digit points. Kenneth Walker had a down game last week, the whole Seattle Seahawks team did, but Walker is in a “get-right” spot. Travis Etienne is becoming one of the top running backs in the league. He’s matchup proof, but a slight downgrade against a stout 49ers run defense fresh off a bye. Tony Pollard and Saquon Barkley will play on the same field in a NFC East divisional matchup. Barkley is the Giant’s best playmaker and is always a great volume play.
Tier 3: RB1 Upside, RB2 Floor
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- David Montgomery*
- James Conner*
- Joe Mixon
- Derrick Henry
- Aaron Jones
- Rhamondre Stevenson
The Lions have the best backfield duo in the NFL. They’ve both been RB1s at points this season and have weekly high ceilings. David Montgomery should be back from injury, but monitor his practice reps this week. Speaking of coming back from injury, James Conner is due back as well. If he returns, he’ll step back into a high-volume role. Joe Mixon is fresh off a bye week and going up against a Texans defense giving up 97 rushing yards per game.
Derrick Henry remains one of the most volume-based running backs in the league. He’s a safe staple as a top 15 player in the running back rankings. Last week, Aaron Jones found the endzone and surpassed 10 fantasy points for the first time since Week 1. It appears as though he’s healthy enough to return to a top fantasy back. Rhamondre Stevenson is coming off his first 20-point game and his next game is versus one of the worst defenses against running backs.
Tier 4: Should be RB2
- Josh Jacobs
- James Cook
- Rachaad White
- Javonte Williams
It’s a new era for the Las Vegas Raiders. In interim head coach Antonio Pierce’s debut, Josh Jacobs had his best fantasy performance of the season. Let’s see if he continues the trend this week against a formidable team. James Cook has a favorable matchup this week and should get back to being a top-back this week. Rachaad White had his best fantasy game in a shootout in Houston. This week will be a tougher task, but White’s involvement in the passing game gives him a safe weekly floor. The Denver Broncos have slowly gotten better offensively and Javonte Williams has back-to-back double-digit games. He’s trending in the right direction and going up the running back rankings.
Tier 5: Borderline RB2
- Chubba Hubbard
- Jerome Ford
- D’Onta Foreman
- Brian Robinson
- Kareem Hunt
- Najee Harris
- Jaylen Warren
Chubba Hubbard had 20 touches last week. As long as he’s getting the bulk of the running back touches in Carolina, he’ll be a borderline RB2/RB3. The Browns are employing a dual backfield. Kareem Hunt and Jerome Ford cap each other’s ceiling, but each are vital cog in the Cleveland Browns offensive engine. It’s a revenge Game for D’Onta Foreman, who is averaging 16 touches per game over the last month and will look to get back at his former team.
The Baltimore Ravens just ran all over the Seattle defense. Now it’s Brian Robinson’s turn to have some fun and jump up the running back rankings. Make it three straight games where Najee Harris has outscored Jaylen Warren. Warren started the season leading the backs in five straight before the bye. The matchup against the Packers is a good one, so it should be another week you could use both backs.
Tier 6: Flex Desperation
- Zack Moss
- Gus Edwards
- Dameon Pierce*
- Alexander Mattison
- Devin Singletary
- Tyler Allgeier
- Ezekiel Elliott
- Tyjae Spears
Gus Edwards just keeps scoring touchdowns. However, you should fade him this week against the Cleveland Browns. In an expanded role without Dameon Pierce, Devin Singletary did very little with his opportunities. If Pierce comes back this week he’ll take his place back atop the depth chart. Cam Akers injured his Achilles, which means Alexander Mattison is going to be a high-volume play again. The only problem this week though, Mattison faces a tough Saints defensive front.
Last week Tyler Allgeier punched in the rushing touchdown for the Falcons over Bijan Robinson. The usage between the two is a real head-scratcher, but it makes Allgeier a playable flex in good matchups, which is this week against Arizona. The Colts defense has been one of the worst fantasy defenses against running backs this season. Not only does Rhamondre Stevenson get a boost in the running back rankings, but so does Ezekiel Elliott this week as they take on the Colts in Germany.
Main Photo: Joe Rondone – USA Today Sports
