Chris Thomas’ Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings for Week 10

This year more than ever it has been difficult to make decisions about fantasy football lineups because of injuries, byes, and Covid-19 concerns. This week fantasy starters like Ezekiel Elliot, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Todd Gurley have byes. It could be difficult to decide who is the best streamer to replace one of them in your lineup. Your roster could also have two running backs with similar value. Deciding between the two could be the difference between winning and losing this week.

With so little time left during the fantasy football regular season every game that’s left is more important than the last to guarantee yourself a spot in your league’s fantasy football playoffs. Here are my running back rankings for Week 10 of the 2020 NFL Season

*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 cause a fantasy team to lose if he has a bad game.

Deeper 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

RB2 Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

After missing six weeks because of an ankle injury, Christian McCaffrey made his return last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite scoring 37.1 PPR fantasy points last week McCaffrey left the game with a shoulder injury. He is currently listed as doubtful and could possibly miss more than this week depending on the second opinion he is seeking. If so Mike Davis will shoot up to RB15 between David Johnson and Leonard Fournette for the week. Davis should be started in all formats if McCaffrey were to miss Week 10.

RB7 Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles

Before the Eagles bye, Miles Sanders missed two games in a row with a knee issue. He is expected to come back, but it isn’t a sure thing until the Eagles make his return official or release their injury report. If Sanders were to regress and miss Week 10 his backup Boston Scott will shoulder most of the Eagles running back carries. During Scotts time replacing Sanders he has scored 7.4, 18.2, and 9.9 PPR fantasy points. He will be facing the team that he scored 18.2 against in the New York Giants and will be ranked as RB18 between Chase Edmunds and David Montgomery if he were to start. That makes Scott a must-start for the week if Sanders were to be inactive.

RB9 Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks

It seems like every year the Seattle Seahawks have major injuries in their backfield. Much like last season, not only has Chris Carson missed the last two games but Carlos Hyde his backup has been inactive as well. Hyde would be the next man up if Carson was to miss Week 10. But if Hyde cannot play as well rookie DeeJay Dallas should get the nod at running back. Despite not being extremely effective on the ground Dallas has three touchdowns in two games. If Carson was inactive Hyde or Davis would rank as RB20 for the week between Melvin Gordon and Jonathan Taylor. Since there are so few options at the position they will likely have to be started in most formats. Also, Travis Homer may have some deeper league value if Hyde or Dallas got the start. He would rank as RB38 between Devin Singletary and Mark Ingram.

RB10 Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

After a great start to the year, Nick Chubb found himself landing on IR with a knee issue after Week 4. Since then Kareem Hunt has embraced the role extremely well. Chubb is expected to return this week but if he is set back for any reason Hunt would see a slight boost in value up to RB7 between Aaron Jones and Miles Sanders. Regardless if Chubb plays or not, Hunt should be an RB1 in a great matchup against Houston.

RB13 Raheem Mostert, San Fransisco 49ers

It was announced on Wednesday that Raheem Mostert will be inactive this week during the New Orleans Saints after rumored to potentially return this week. While Tevin Coleman is out the two names to look out for are Jerick McKinnon and JaMychal Hasty. Since Mostert will be missing this week McKinnon ranks as RB23 between Darrell Henderson and Ronald Jones. While Hasty ranks RB45 between Mike Davis and Jordan Howard after a rough Week 9 performance. Despite playing well in Mostert’s absence earlier this year Hasty could see his snaps and carries look similar to how they looked last week because now that Jimmy Garoppolo and George Kittle will miss extended time this offense will likely be playing from behind and Hasty is rarely used in the passing game. However, McKinnon’s value is built off his use in the passing game as a receiver out of the backfield. He could see double-digit carries as well until Mostert returns.

RB14 Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon has missed the last two games with a foot issue. Many believe that he can return this week, but his status for Week 10 has not been decided yet. If Mixon cannot return Giovanni Bernard will continue to fill in for him. Bernard would rank as RB13 between Josh Jacobs and David Johnson making him a must-start despite a tough matchup against Pittsburgh. Bernard has scored 20+ fantasy points in both of his starts this year because of his use in the red zone and consistent use in the passing game even when Mixon is in the lineup.

RB15 David Johnson, Houston Texans

Last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars David Johnson left the game early because of concussion concerns. At this point of the week, it is up in the air on whether Johnson will play or not this week. Since it is looking like Johnson may miss Week 10, Duke Johnson will get the start in a revenge game against his former team in the Cleveland Browns. This may incline the Texans coaching staff to involve him a lot in the game plan and get Duke in the end zone. If Duke Johnson gets the start, he will rank as RB17 between Antonio Gibson and Chase Edmunds. Duke Johnson’s use in the passing game could lead to a huge game for him and could result in him outscoring his projection making him a must-start if David Johnson is out.

RB19 David Montgomery, Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears have struggled to run the ball the entire year. That being said, David Montgomery is having a consistent season so far. However, after entering concussion protocol, Montgomery’s status for Week 10 is in question. If Montgomery were to miss time the Bears would likely use a committee between Ryan Nall and Cordarrelle Patterson. Nall would jump up to RB34 between Matt Breida and Jordan Wilkins. While Patterson jumps up to RB32 between Joshua Kelley and Devonta Freeman. Either way, Nall and Patterson should be avoided as a fantasy starter except for in the most desperate of situations.

RB42 Kallen Ballage, Los Angeles Chargers

Kallen Ballage isn’t hurt, but after a 16.4 PPR point week last week, he was reverted back to the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad. However since Justin Jackson is likely to miss Week 10 and Troymaine Pope’s status is up in the air, Ballage is called back up and may split carries with Joshua Kelley this week. After his performance, Ballage is an upside play, but the risk of a flop is there. He is an intriguing name to keep an eye on as the week goes on in deeper leagues.

RB43 Damien Harris, New England Patriots

The Patriots’ backfield is hard to decipher without all the injuries. Now that Sony Michel has returned and Damien Harris is leaving the lineup it is even more confusing. Despite Harris looking like their lead back, Rex Burkhead has led the team in snaps. James White is also likely to have a role as well in the offense in the passing game. In a tough matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, all Patriots running backs should be avoided even if Harris misses the week with a chest injury he sustained last week against the New York Jets.

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