Week 9 Running Back Rankings

Armando Marsal

Fantasy Writer

@Armando_fbguru on twitter

This week's top ten running backs are not as unexpected as some would think, despite having Matt Forte and Eddie Lacy on bye. Just like last week, both Ahmad Bradshaw and Lamar Miller crack the top ten. Bradshaw scored 21.7 fantasy points in PPR formats Week 8. He caught seven passes for 52 yards, rushed for 35 yards, and scored a touchdown. Miller wasn't as productive as he finished last week with a total of 99 yards and just three receptions. This Week Miller is facing a Chargers defense that have allowed opposing backs 100 or more yards in the last three games, along with three touchdowns. Bradshaw will have a shot at getting back at his former team. He plays the Giants that allow the fourth most fantasy points to opposing backs (20.6) and have allowed a rushing touchdown in four consecutive games.

Shane Vereen, Ronnie Hillman, and Mark Ingram are all right outside the top 10. Hillman has done a solid job of filling in for Monte Ball, scoring more than 16 points in each of the games he's started. This week's opponent, the Patriots, are allowing 20.3 fantasy points per game to RB's. Vereen's matchup is not one that seems appealing, but the Broncos defense has allowed 36 receptions for 358 yards and two receiving touchdowns to opposing backs. If Vereen is good at anything, it's catching the ball out of the backfield. In a potential high scoring game, he should see his fair amount of targets this week. He's caught three or more passes in six of his eight games this season. Mark Ingram is coming off of his biggest game of the season. In any given game this season that he has carried the ball more than 10 ten times, he's scored at least one touchdown. This week's matchup is one that is very appealing; the Saints take on the Panthers, which have allowed two rushing touchdowns in three of their last five games.

In the RB3 tier, or in some cases flex tier, you will find backs like Andre Williams, Denard Robinson, and Darren McFadden. These are all backs that should see a good amount of volume this week and with six teams on bye, they can be useful to fantasy owners. Bobby Rainey and Jeremy Hill are two backs that can bump up the rankings if Doug Martin and Giovanni Bernard can't play. You'll also see the Rams backs all bunched up. If you can avoid the trio, do it. It's unsure how they will be used. None of those backs received more than seven carries in Week 8.

Below are this week's running back rankings.