MIAMI, Oct. 30 (UPI) — De’Von Achane and Brian Robinson Jr. are among my four must-have fantasy football running backs for Week 9.
Saquon Barkley tops my weekly rankings of the top 30 fantasy football running backs. Achane, Alvin Kamara, Joe Mixon and Kyren Williams are my other Top 5 options.
Kenneth Walker, Derrick Henry, Tony Pollard, D’Andre Swift and James Cook should also be considered Top 10 players for Week 9.
D’Andre Swift and Aaron Jones join Achane and Robinson in my must-play pieces. My rankings were based on several factors, including likely workload, opponent strength, previous game history, expected red zone opportunities, and anticipated game scenario.
Players from the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers, who are on their bye, are expected to be benched or potentially waived.
Those who stockpile Tyrone Tracy, Travis Etienne Jr. and other injured running backs should continue to monitor their status ahead of their respective kickoffs.
My week 9 a wide receiver is also available. My top free agent targets for Week 9 is available here. All positional rankings will be updated throughout the week. Players will be removed from the rankings or adjusted based on injuries.
De’Von Achane
Achane was probably one of the first draft picks in your league and depended on it for high-end weekly production, but I’m expecting a week-long winning performance from the Miami Dolphins over the course of the week 9.
Achane had the third-most points among running backs in Week 8, with 147 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
He also eclipsed 80 yards from scrimmage in the Dolphins’ Week 7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. This week, the Dolphins will face the Buffalo Bills in an AFC East division game. The Dolphins have struggled against the Bills as of late, but Achane was one of their only bright spots in their Week 2 meeting, when he recorded 165 yards from scrimmage and a score.
The Bills have allowed 94.5 rushing yards per game to running backs so far this season, but have also given up a league-high 54.3 receiving yards per game to the position. I expect Achane to touch the ball 15-20 times and be a lethal weapon for the Dolphins. This is an elite RB1 play.
By André Swift
Swift sits at No. 9 in my Week 9 running back rankings. The Chicago Bears veteran started the season slowly, but has averaged 133.2 yards from scrimmage over his last four games. He’s averaged the fourth-most fantasy points per game among running backs over the past four weeks and should find room to run when the Bears face the same Cardinals defense that just allowed the strong performance of Achane.
The Cardinals have also allowed the fifth-most fantasy points and rushing yards per game to running backs through the first eight weeks of the season.
Look for Swift to stay hot, with at least 100 yards from scrimmage in her fifth straight game.
Aaron Jones
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones ranks 10th in the NFL with 728 yards from scrimmage. He’s eclipsed 90 yards from scrimmage in five of his first seven appearances this season, but has only reached the end zone three times so far.
Jones is about to face an Indianapolis Colts defense that just gave up 134 yards and a score to Joe Mixon. They have also allowed the third-most rushing yards (123.3) per game to opposing running backs so far this season.
I expect the Vikings to come back to eclipse 100 rushing yards and find the end zone in this game. He is my piece #13.
Brian Robinson Jr.
Robinson is dealing with a hamstring injury but participated in Wednesday’s practice on a limited basis, which is likely a good sign for his playing status in Week 9. The Washington Commanders running back has scored five times in his last five games. He’s also eclipsed 70 yards from scrimmage in three of his last four games.
This week, Robinson and the Commanders will face a New York Giants defense that has allowed the seventh-most rushing yards (112.1) per game to opposing running backs through eight weeks. They also gave up the sixth-most receiving yards (38.6) per game at the position.
Robinson had a game-high 133 rushing yards in Week 2 against the Giants. Look for a similar performance from the RB2 here. He is my piece #16.
Week 9 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings
1. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles vs. JAX
2. De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins at BUF
3. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints in CAR
4. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans at NYJ
5. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams at SEA
6. Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks vs. LAR
7. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens vs. DEN
8. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans vs. NE
9. From Andre Swift, Chicago Bears to ARI
10. James Cook, Buffalo Bills vs. MIA
11. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons vs. DAL
12. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions in Great Britain
13. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings vs. IND
14. JK Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers at CLE
15. Breece Hall, New York Jets vs. HOU
16. Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders at NYG
17. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers vs. NO
18. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts at MIN
19. Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs vs. TB
20. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals vs. CHI
21. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers vs. DET
22. David Montgomery, Detroit Lions in Great Britain
23. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots at TEN
24. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals vs. LV
25. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys at ATL
26. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos at BAL
27. Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders at CIN
28. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at KC
29. Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins at BUF
30. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns vs. LAC
