The weeks have been flying by, injuries have been rampant, and another bye-pocalypse is upon us. With six teams scheduled off this week, it's safe to say that the running back pool has never been shallower this season. But in a way, doesn't this make fantasy football more exciting? Every last team is affected by injuries or byes, so each owner must make critical start-or-sit decisions. Our Week 9 fantasy RB rankings for standard leagues will help you make the right ones and capture a huge "W" at this crucial stage of the season.
Let's start with the guys who aren't in the rankings — and man, do some big names have byes. Saquon Barkley, Nick Chubb, Christian McCaffrey, Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, and Najee Harris are the biggest bye-week names, and we'll also be without the services of Melvin Gordon III, Latavius Murray, and Kareem Hunt. Yikes.
Take a breath, have a sip of water, and then let's continue. Time to talk studs — and who is a bigger stud over the past half-decade than the king? Derrick Henry (@ Chiefs in Week 9) has been heating up, and he might go nuclear in the second half of the season. Austin Ekeler (@ Falcons) only knows one speed, and he should beat up on an Atlanta D that has surrendered 10 rushing TDs this season. Honestly, the top tiers of our rankings have never felt more concrete — with so many byes and injuries, determining the cream of the crop becomes a pretty easy exercise.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
One player who has vaulted into that "cream of the crop" territory: Travis Etienne Jr. (vs. Raiders). The second-year back gobbled up 162 yards from scrimmage and a TD against a stout Broncos D in London, and he should put a hurting on a Vegas squad that just allowed Alvin Kamara to amass 158 all-purpose yards and three TDs. We've even lifted ETN above Jonathan Taylor (@ Patriots), but obviously, he's still a must-start as long as he doesn't have any new ankle issues.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
As far as other injuries to monitor this week, Cordarrelle Patterson (knee) is eligible to come off IR, and James Conner (ribs) is seemingly edging closer to a return. Both will be must-starts if active, but if they're out again, Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley (vs. Chargers) are both high-end flexes in a favorable matchup, and Eno Benjamin will be a solid RB2 in a great matchup of his own. Chuba Hubbard (ankle) could also return, but D'Onta Foreman (@ Bengals) figures to remain Carolina's RB1 (and a fantasy RB2).
WEEK 9 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
What can we ascertain from the backfields of the Ravens, Commanders, and Chiefs? Well, Baltimore's situation is entirely predicated on health. If Gus Edwards (@ Saints) is healthy after a minor hamstring tweak last Thursday, he's the man. If he's a scratch, fire up Kenyan Drake with confidence. As for Washington, we're starting to lean more toward Antonio Gibson over Brian Robinson in PPR leagues — Gibby just has more explosive all-around playmaking ability — but B-Rob remains a fine flex in standard formats. And with Kansas City, your guess is as good as mine. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (vs. Titans) no longer owns this backfield, but in a shallow week, we can't blame you for starting him or Isiah Pacheco.
WEEK 9 DFS: Best stacks | Best values
Perhaps the most confusing backfield is in L.A., where Ronnie Rivers (@ Buccaneers) led the way over Darrell Henderson Jr. last week. Rookie Kyren Williams (ankle) could easily be the top man this week if he's active, but if he's not, we give Rivers the slight nod over Henderson. We wouldn't want to start either given the matchup, but Rivers can work as a flex in deep leagues.
WEEK 9 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Going deeper, Khalil Herbert (vs. Dolphins) has largely been better than veteran running-mate David Montgomery, and Miami has surrendered a whopping nine total TDs to RBs this season. We might also see some garbage-time points from Kenneth Gainwell (@ Texans), as Houston has been the most generous defense to RBs this season. Backups AJ Dillon (vs. Lions) and Damien Harris (vs. Colts) are also in good spots and should get going behind Aaron Jones and Rhamondre Stevenson, respectively, while Dontrell Hilliard (@ Chiefs) also has some upside, especially in PPR leagues.
As for the fades, buyer beware on both Michael Carter and James Robinson (vs. Bills). That's one hell of a defense they will be going against, and second-year QB Zach Wilson won't do them many favors. But, as we said about the backs for the Chiefs and Rams, in a week this thin, we wouldn't blame you for starting either Jet.
Note: We'll be updating these RB rankings throughout the week, so check back for analysis and the latest player movement.
Week 9 fantasy RB rankings for standard leagues
Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring leagues
Rank Player
1 Derrick Henry, Titans @ Chiefs
2 Austin Ekeler, Chargers @ Falcons
3 Dalvin Cook, Vikings @ Commanders
4 Josh Jacobs, Raiders @ Jaguars
5 Joe Mixon, Bengals vs. Panthers
6 Miles Sanders, Eagles @ Texans
7 Aaron Jones, Packers @ Lions
8 Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers vs. Rams
9 Alvin Kamara, Saints vs. Ravens
10 Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars vs. Raiders
11 Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots vs. Colts
12 Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks @ Cardinals
13 Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons vs. Chargers
14 Raheem Mostert, Dolphins @ Bears
15 James Conner, Cardinals vs. Seahawks
16 Dameon Pierce, Texans vs. Eagles
17 David Montgomery, Bears vs. Dolphins
18 D'Andre Swift, Lions vs. Packers
19 D'Onta Foreman, Panthers @ Bengals
20 Deon Jackson, Colts @ Patriots
21 Kenyan Drake, Ravens @ Saints
22 AJ Dillon, Packers @ Lions
23 Damien Harris, Patriots vs. Colts
24 Devin Singletary, Bills @ Jets
25 Tyler Allgeier Falcons vs. Chargers
26 Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders vs. Vikings
27 Jamaal Williams, Lions vs. Packers
28 Antonio Gibson, Commanders vs. Vikings
29 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs vs. Titans
30 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs vs. Titans
31 Khalil Herbert, Bears vs. Dolphins
32 Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles @ Texans
33 Michael Carter, Jets vs. Bills
34 Chuba Hubbard, Panthers @ Bengals
35 James Robinson, Jets vs. Bills
36 Ronnie Rivers, Rams @ Buccaneers
37 Dontrell Hilliard, Titans @ Chiefs
38 Rachaad White, Buccaneers vs. Rams
39 Jeff Wilson Jr., Dolphins @ Bears
40 Sony Michel, Chargers @ Falcons
41 Eno Benjamin, Cardinals vs. Seahawks
42 Justice Hill, Ravens @ Saints
43 Zack Moss, Colts @ Patriots
44 Nyheim Hines, Bills @ Jets
45 Alexander Mattison, Vikings @ Commanders
46 Samaje Perine, Bengals vs. Panthers
47 Caleb Huntley, Falcons vs. Chargers
48 Darrell Henderson Jr., Rams @ Buccaneers
49 Travis Homer, Seahawks @ Cardinals
50 Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs vs. Titans
51 Rex Burkhead, Texans vs. Eagles
52 Dwayne Washington, Saints vs. Ravens
53 James Cook, Bills @ Jets
Week 9 RB fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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