Fantasy Football Week 9 Running Back Rankings

The 2021-22 NFL season is at its halfway point. Bye weeks have been taking place the past few weeks. This means that running backs like Leonard Fournette and D’Andre Swift will be out this week. On top of that injuries have started to mount up at this point of the season. It is always a great idea to evaluate backup options so that way fantasy managers are prepared if star players miss time. Here are the Fantasy Football Week 9 running back rankings.

*Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to reserve/COVID-19 list*

(Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week)

Key:

Must Start- a player who is in your lineup regardless of the matchup or most circumstances. They Will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and in most weeks.

Starting RB1- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a high floor.

High-End RB2- a player who may isn’t likely to carry a lineup that week, but has the ability to have a breakout game and is teetering between RB1 and RB2 category.

Starting RB2- a player who should be started in most lineups and should reach their point projection. This player is started is because of their consistency and moderately high floor

Low RB2- a player who may not be a lock to start for a team every week, but will start more times than not. Their production may not be pretty or win a person their lineup but the production is consistent enough to make a fantasy owner comfortable starting them.

Flex- a player who could float around the territory of being benched, but is started due to the potential to play better than their point projection. However, this player has the potential to flop and causes a fantasy team to lose if he has a bad game.

Deep League Flex- a player who is more of a Hail Mary throw at the position. There are enough reasons to leave this player on the bench, but their upside makes them an attractive option. Desperate times may call for a player like this to be inserted into starting lineups.

Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.

Possible Changes that can occur before Sunday

RB1 Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey is eligible to come off IR this week after dealing with a hamstring injury. However, if McCaffrey is not activated then Chuba Hubbard would move up to RB18 between Myles Gaskin and Khalil Herbert.

RB8 Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

Saquon Barkley missed games the past three weeks after spraining his ankle against the Dallas Cowboys. On top of that Barkley did miss practice Wednesday due to Covid-19. However, he did test negative that same day but was added to the reserve/COVID-19 list. The Giants haven’t been clear on when they expect Barkley to return if he remains negative. If he doesn’t return this week Devonte Booker moves up to RB14 between Josh Jacobs and Zack Moss.

RB14 Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

Before the bye week, Josh Jacobs had left the game against the Philadelphia Eagles with a chest contusion. He had a week to rest and is expected to play. However, if Jacobs cannot play Kenyan Drake would slot in at RB16 between Cordarrelle Patterson and James Robinson. Jalen Richard would move up to RB53 between Samaje Perine and Alexander Mattison. If activated Peyton Barber would slot in at RB60 between Kyle Juszczyk and Chuba Hubbard.

RB17 James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars

James Robinson suffered a bruised heal last week against the Seattle Seahawks. His status is uncertain for this weekend against the Buffalo Bills. If Robinson was unable to play then Carlos Hyde would move up to RB26 between Elijah Mitchell and Kenneth Gainwell.

RB22 Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals

Chase Edmonds suffered a shoulder injury during last Thursday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. If Edmonds was to miss this game then James Conner would boost up to RB23 between Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Kenyan Drake.

RB23 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs

Clyde Edwards-Helaire could be activated off of IR this week. However, if he doesn’t suit up against the Green Bay Packers then Darrel Williams will jump up to RB18 between James Robinson and Myles Gaskin. Derrick Gore would move up to RB39 between Mark Ingram and Nyheim Hines.