Week 9 has come and gone, and with it, we saw an unexpected new weekly rushing champ in Carlos Hyde, who shredded the Jags for 160 yards on the ground. Damien Williams ripped off a 91-yard score to record his first 100-yard rushing performance of the year, and Kenyan Drake debuted with a bang in his game for the Cards, racking up 162 scrimmage yards in a TNF shootout. Melvin Gordon and Devin Singletary broke out, while LeSean McCoy and Aaron Jones flopped in a big way.
Each week, we’ll offer a look at the biggest performances, busts, timeshare situations, and storylines you need to be aware of to make the best fantasy lineup decisions possible. Let’s jump into our Running Back Roundup for Week 10!
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Week 9 Rushing Leaders
1. Carlos Hyde (HOU): 160 yards
2. Christian McCaffrey (CAR): 146 yards
3. Ezekiel Elliott (DAL): 139 yards
4. Damien Williams (KC): 125 yards
5. Josh Jacobs (OAK): 120 yards
Week 9 Scrimmage Yards Leaders
1. Christian McCaffrey (CAR): 166 yards
2. Kenyan Drake (ARI): 162 yards
3. Carlos Hyde (HOU): 160 yards
4. Mark Ingram (BAL): 144 yards
5. Devin Singletary (BUF): 140 yards
Week 9 Fantasy Leaders (PPR)
1. Christian McCaffrey (CAR): 41.6 points
2. Kenyan Drake (ARI): 29.2 points
3. Melvin Gordon (LAC): 25.9 points
4. Josh Jacobs (OAK): 25.0 points
5. Derrick Henry (TEN): 24.9 points
Week 9 Biggest Busts
1. LeSean McCoy (KC): 1.9 points
2. Aaron Jones (GB): 3.9 points
3. Sony Michel (NE): 4.0 points
4. Tevin Coleman (SF): 5.6 points
5. Marlon Mack (IND): 8.9 points
New England
Sony Michel: 4 carries, 18 rushing yards, 12-yard reception
Rex Burkhead: 4 carries, 18 rushing yards, 16-yard reception
James White: 9 carries, 38 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 46 receiving yards, rushing TD
Michel hit rock bottom in Sunday’s loss, seeing a season-low four touches. Game script wasn’t in his favor, as the Patriots played catch-up all game. Nonetheless, it was still discouraging to see Michel’s touches decrease so much. With Rex Burkhead back and Michel having played highly ineffectively this season, don’t expect a huge second half from him. James White had a typical performance, returning flex value thanks to his work as a receiver.
Buffalo
Devin Singletary: 20 carries, 95 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 45 receiving yards, rushing TD
Frank Gore: 11 carries, 15 rushing yards
Singletary managed a huge afternoon, going for 140 yards and a score in Buffalo’s win. For the first time this season with both healthy, Singletary out-carried Frank Gore. If this trend continues and Singletary is made the permanent lead back, expect weekly RB2/flex numbers from the electric rookie. Gore’s volume was the only part of his game that made him attractive this season, and whatever value he had is evaporating quickly with Singletary’s ascent.
Kansas City
Damien Williams: 12 carries, 125 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 3 receiving yards, rushing TD
LeSean McCoy: 3 carries, 9 rushing yards, 1 reception for no gain
Williams led the backfield comfortably in touches in Sunday’s win, leaving McCoy in the dust as he rumbled for 128 total yards to McCoy’s paltry nine. Williams broke free for a 91-yard scamper to hit the end zone, highlighting his big day. As Williams gets closer and closer to 100 percent, it seems likely he’ll start to run away with starting duties in this backfield.
Philadelphia
Jordan Howard: 19 carries, 82 rushing yards, 1-yard reception, rushing TD
Miles Sanders: 10 receptions, 42 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 31 receiving yards
Howard once again paced Philly’s backfield, plugging along for 82 yards and a score on a healthy 19 carries. He’s still the preferred goal-line and short-yardage back, but Sanders has been impressive too. The rookie always makes the most of his opportunities, and he excels in space and as a receiver out of the backfield. He’s a flex play in competitive PPR leagues and would be a sure-fire RB2 if Howard was forced to miss time for any reason.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Trey Edmunds: 12 carries, 73 rushing yards
Jaylen Samuels: 8 carries, 10 rushing yards, 13 receptions, 73 receiving yards
With both James Conner and Benny Snell sidelined, Edmunds and Samuels took over. It should concern Samuels owners to see Edmunds lead the charge out of the backfield, but Samuels’ involvement as a receiver is comforting. He led the team in receptions and receiving yards, and he has racked up at least eight catches in two games this season. Samuels is the preferred back to own of he and Edmunds, though Edmunds certainly has deeper-league appeal if Conner misses any more time.
Detroit
J.D. McKissic: 4 carries, 32 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 40 receiving yards, receiving TD
Ty Johnson: 9 carries, 29 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 7 receiving yards
Johnson was a non-factor yet again. McKissic, on the other hand, turned seven touches into 72 yards and a score. It seems highly likely the Lions will bring in another running back to help the putrid rushing game in Detroit, and even if that doesn’t happen, Johnson isn’t worth a look outside of deep leagues. McKissic has some low-end flex value in PPR formats, especially with the number of teams on bye in Week 10.
Tampa Bay
Ronald Jones: 18 carries, 67 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 15 receiving yards, rushing TD
Peyton Barber: 4 carries, 15 rushing yards
Jones got his first start of the season and outgained Barber significantly. After a head-scratching back-and-forth between the two rushers this season, it looks like there may be some clarity moving forward. After the game, Bruce Arians said Jones “has earned the right to start and play more snaps.” Hopefully, he stays true to his word, and the puzzling RBBC in Tampa Bay will be over once and for all.
Green Bay
Aaron Jones: 8 carries, 30 rushing yards, -1-yard reception
Jamaal Williams: 2 carries, 10 rushing yards, 6 receptions, 39 receiving yards, receiving TD
Jones posted a dud Sunday, and despite his incredible breakout season, he’s had a couple of stinkers mixed in with the massive yardage and multi-touchdown efforts. There’s no hesitation in firing him up as an RB1 in any matchup. Williams scored his sixth touchdown of the season (five receiving, one rushing) in Sunday’s loss, and you’ve got to love him as a dependable flex option.
Los Angeles Chargers
Melvin Gordon: 20 carries, 80 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 29 receiving yards, 2 rushing TDs
Austin Ekeler: 12 carries, 70 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 23 receiving yards
Gordon saw a season-high in carries, total touches, and yards from scrimmage in Sunday’s rout of the Packers, and this may be the start of his taking the reins out of the Chargers’ backfield. He’s got two tasty divisional matchups on tap for Weeks 10 and 11 in the Raiders and Chiefs, and it’s the perfect chance for Gordon to get rolling before the Week 12 bye. Ekeler was still involved with 16 touches for 93 yards and will remain in the flex conversation moving forward.
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Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.
