Let’s take a look at the backup RBs who have a Yahoo roster rate under 60% and could help fantasy teams to victory in Week 10. Players are ranked in order of their Week 10 appeal, and their current roster rates are listed in parentheses.
1. Corey Kiner, Patriots (4%)
Each week, Kiner becomes more appealing. Things continued to trend in his direction in Week 9, starting with information leading up to the game that TreVeyon Henderson is dealing with neurological symptoms. The absence of Henderson pushed Kiner up to the RB2 position, and he averaged 6.9 yards on eight carries in a lopsided loss to the Packers.
Advertisement
The second-year pro has averaged over 5.0 yards per carry in four of the Patriots past five games, while starter Rhamondre Stevenson is averaging just 3.9 yards per carry this season. Comparing the two players for Week 10 is a moot point, since Stevenson is expected to miss time with a knee injury. Kiner is a RB2 option for a potential shootout against the Lions, and he could carve out a permanent role by the time Stevenson returns.
2. Audric Estime, Saints (4%)
With Kendre Miller off the roster and Alvin Kamara past the point in his career where he can handle a heavily workload, Estime was the lead runner in a dramatic Week 9 win over the Browns. The 23-year-old collected 72 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, while ceding most of the passing game work to Kamara.
The Saints have been quiet on the progress of Travis Etienne Jr., who has been on Injured Reserve since suffering a hamstring strain in Week 3. Etienne’s 21-day practice window has yet to be opened, which means that Estime could handle a heavy workload once again in Week 10, when the Saints host a Panthers team that has allowed the second most fantasy points per game to opposing RBs. Estime is a borderline RB2 for that game.
Advertisement
3. Kaelon Black, 49ers (39%)
At this point, it’s undeniable that Kaelon Black has a significant role in the 49ers offense. The rookie gained 70 yards on 11 carries in a lopsided Week 9 win over the Raiders, while starter Christian McCaffrey continued to receive a heavy workload that was divided between the rushing and passing game.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has compensated for multiple WR injuries by maximizing the use of his RBs, and Black has responded by averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Black’s lack of involvement in the passing game limits his upside, but he still carries some flex appeal into a Week 10 matchup against a porous Cowboys defense that has allowed the fifth most fantasy points per game to opposing RBs.
4. Seth McGowan, Colts (32%)
This is a big day for McGowan, who could be the Colts starting RB by 4 p.m. ET. And even if Jonathan Taylor remains with the Colts, there seems to be a role for McGowan, who scored and gained 45 yards on six carries in Week 9. McGowan is averaging 4.8 yards per carry in his rookie season and has averaged six carries in his past six games. Meanwhile, Taylor’s snap share has consistently dipped throughout the campaign, going from 85% or higher in the initial three games to below 70% in each of the past two contests.
Advertisement
The Colts could continue to move in a run-heavy direction thanks to the disappointing results from Daniel Jones. A Week 10 home game against the low-scoring Dolphins would certainly be a good opportunity to play it safe with a heavy dose of Taylor and McGowan. And if Taylor is traded today, McGowan will become an RB2 option for that game.
5. Bam Knight, Cardinals (12%)
Tyler Allgeier came crashing back to earth after his memorable Week 8 performance, as the Seahawks defense held him to 46 total yards on 17 carries and two catches. The Cardinals coaching staff never really expected Allgeier to be the lead back in the first place, as they have often commented that he is best suited for a complementary role that includes significant usage in the passing game. With Jeremiyah Love on Injured Reserve, Knight is well-positioned to lead the Cardinals in Week 10 carries, provided that he is ready to return from a concussion. Still, his upside is limited, given that the Cardinals have an unsettled QB situation and could be playing from behind against the Rams.
Advertisement
6. Kaleb Johnson, Packers (1%)
Josh Jacobs will almost certainly miss Week 10 and may land on Injured Reserve while he recovers from surgery on a fractured finger that he suffered in a Week 9 win over the Patriots. With the Packers leading and Jacobs unavailable, they turned to Johnson to put the game away on the ground. Johnson responded by gaining 68 yards on 14 carries and scoring a touchdown in the team’s surprising 45-point outburst. As per usual, he was not involved in the passing game, as those responsibilities were handled by Pierre Strong Jr.
With four teams on a bye and others dealing with injuries, Johnson is a strong flex option if MarShawn Lloyd misses a second straight game. The situation becomes more jumbled if Lloyd plays this week, as both he and Johnson would be weak flex options. The value of any Packers RB for Week 10 is also capped by a tough matchup against a Vikings defense that has allowed the eighth fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.
Advertisement
7. Dylan Sampson, Browns (28%)
A change at QB didn’t impact Sampson’s role, as the change-of-pace back gained 48 total yards on eight carries and three catches in a Week 9 loss to the Saints. Sampson has 15 carries and 12 catches in three games since returning from Injured Reserve, as he is clearly the RB who dominates passing game work over Quinshon Judkins. The Browns are underdogs in Week 10 against the Texans, and Sampson could score 5-10 points in PPR formats if they spend most of the game playing from behind.
8. Chris Rodriguez, Jaguars (33%)
Although Bhayshul Tuten has taken over as Jacksonville’s lead back, he and Rodriguez have had similar success on the ground. After all, both players have scored four rushing touchdowns, while Tuten is averaging 4.3 yards per carry, in comparison to 4.1 yards for Rodriguez. If the recent usage continues in Week 10, Rodriguez will have roughly half as many carries as Tuten and will have little usage in the passing game. But with the Jaguars heading into a potentially lopsided matchup with the Titans, there could ample opportunity for both rushers.
Advertisement
9. Keaton Mitchell, Chargers (21%)
Mitchell continued to fill the change-of-pace role in Week 9. The speedster ranked third among Los Angeles RBs in snap share, but he was more involved in the passing game than Omarion Hampton or Kimani Vidal.
The 0-8 Chargers are a mess offensively, and they are unlikely to turn things around in Baltimore on Monday Night Football. Still, those in PPR formats can expect 5-8 points from Mitchell, which may be the best available option for some managers in deep leagues.
10. Emmett Johnson, Chiefs (31%)
Although Johnson is showing strong skills as a rookie, he is locked into a low-volume backup role behind superstar Kenneth Walker III. Still, the rookie managed to score a touchdown and gain 34 yards on six carries in a lopsided Week 9 win over the Jets. He could have a role in Week 10, when the Chiefs face a mediocre Falcons defense that has allowed the seventh most fantasy points per game to opposing RBs.
Advertisement
10 Backup RBs to Stash
The players listed below are unlikely to provide significant assistance in Week 10 but are an injury away from having significant value.
1. Kenny Gainwell, Buccaneers (bye week)
2. Samaje Perine, Bengals
3. Justice Hill, Ravens
4. Mike Washington Jr., Raiders
5. Tyler Goodson, Cowboys (injured)
6. Tyjae Spears, Titans
7. Ray Davis, Bills
8. Elijah Mitchell, Eagles (bye week)
9. Kimani Vidal, Chargers
10. Austin Ekeler, Commanders
Injured Backups to Stash
RJ Harvey, Broncos; Jonathon Brooks, Panthers; Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants; Brian Robinson, Falcons
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
