The fantasy football season has moved past the halfway point, and teams are making their push for the playoffs. Kenneth Walker III finished as the top running back in Week 9. Walker had a massive bounce-back week after struggling in back-to-back weeks. Still, players' performances in fantasy football can be hard to predict. Multiple factors play into fantasy rankings each week, including the matchup and injuries.
This week, many of the top backs are in play. The Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on bye this week. Bucky Irving from the Buccaneers and D'Andre Swift from the Bears are the top two running backs out this week.
As fantasy managers prepare for Week 10, these are the top running backs to count on this week.
Week 10 Top Fantasy Football Running Backs
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (vs. Patriots)
Gibbs has been the number-one running back this year in fantasy. The Detroit Lions running back has been the number-one running back for two weeks this year and has been a top-20 back every week this season. So far this season, he has run for 847 yards with nine touchdowns, while hauling in 34 receptions for 285 yards and two scores. A major appeal for Gibbs comes in PPR leagues. He has been targeted 45 times already this year, and five or more times in six of eight games this year.
Gibbs does have a more difficult matchup this week. The New England Patriots are 28th in opponent running back scoring, but the workload of Gibbs makes him highly appealing. He has had under 20 running attempts just twice this year, both in losses. Meanwhile, both of those games saw him have seven or more targets. With his big-play ability and high workload, Gibbs could finish as the top running back again this week.
Kenneth Walker III, Chiefs (at Falcons)
Kenneth Walker III got back to quality form last week. In his first five games of the season, he did not finish worse than RB 5 in any week in standard leagues, and no worse than RB 7 in PPR leagues. In Weeks seven and eight, Walker struggled. He did not score in either week and had a combined 105 yards in those two weeks. Walker bounced back last week, running the ball 18 times for 102 yards and a score, while hauling in four receptions for 41 yards and two more touchdowns. This led him to be RB1 for a third week this year.
This week, the Chiefs face the Falcons. They allow the seventh most points to running backs this year. Last time the Falcons took to the field, they gave up 123 yards and a touchdown on the ground to the Cincinnati Bengals. The game before that, they gave up 324 yards and a touchdown to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Walker has the chance for a huge week in this one.
Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at Cowboys)
Christian McCaffrey has been solid so far this year. In eight games, he has run for 457 yards with nine touchdowns. He also has 270 receiving yards and a score this season. He is also on a solid streak. The 49ers running back has been a top-six running back each of the last three times he has been on the field. He has also scored in seven straight games, with multiple touchdowns in two of his last three games.
McCaffrey has a solid matchup this week. The Dallas Cowboys give up the second-most rushing yards and fifth-most fantasy points to running backs so far this year. The 49ers could easily pull away in this game, which would give more opportunities to McCaffrey in the backfield.
Week 10 Fantasy Football Running Back Sleepers
Tony Pollard, Titans (vs. Jacksonville)
Tony Pollard did not start the year strong for the Tennessee Titans. In his first six weeks, his top fantasy week came against the New York Giants in Week 3. That week he ran for 74 yards and hauled in four receptions for 22 yards, finishing as RB20 in standard leagues and RB16 in PPR leagues. In the final two weeks before the Titans' bye, Pollard went off. He ran for 246 yards with five touchdowns over the two games, finishing Week 7 as RB1 and Week 8 as RB3.
Now, coming off the bye, Pollard has a chance to pick up where he left off. He has a difficult matchup this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but with the Titans deciding not to trade their running back, it could be a sign that they will continue to lean on him. His usage has skyrocketed as of late, and if it stays on the same track, he will have enough carries to put up some serious points.
Cam Skattebo, Giants (vs. Commanders)
Cam Skattebo missed last week's game due to a hamstring injury, but is good to go on Thursday night against the Washington Commanders. His ceiling will be decided by how much John Harbaugh and the coaching staff decide to use Skattebo. In Week 6, he did not have a single touch in the game. The next week, he ran for 124 yards and a touchdown. If he gets the same usage he did last time he was on the field, there is value in playing Skattebo.
The Commanders give up the sixth fewest points to running backs this year. Still, Washington is dealing with a ton of injuries on the defensive front. Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw are both out for the year, while Shy Tuttle is dealing with a shoulder injury. With two defensive tackles and two linebackers out, plus another defensive tackle dealing with injuries, running lanes could be open for Skattebo.
Audric Estime, Saints (vs. Panthers)
Audric Estime could be a solid play this week if Travis Etienne is still out of the lineup. Etienne has not played since Week 3, has yet to be designated to return from injured reserve, and will likely not be playing this week. That keeps Estime's value high. He led the Saints in touches last week. With Alvin Kamara getting fewer touches, it will also play into Estime being a valuable play. Last week, he was RB9 after running for 72 yards and a touchdown.
He has a great matchup this week. The Carolina Panthers give up the second most points to running backs this season. With Estime becoming the top back in New Orleans, he could have a huge week.
Week 10 Fantasy Football Running Back Injuries
The Houston Texans are dealing with injuries at the running back spot. David Montgomery missed practice on Wednesday with a groin injury, and there is no timetable for his return. Meanwhile, Woody Marks was limited this week.
In New Orleans, Travis Etienne is still on the IR, while CJ Donaldson missed practice on Wednesday. The Jacksonville Jaguars are also dealing with running back injuries. Bhayshul Tuten missed practice on Wednesday, while Chris Rodriguez was limited. In New England, TreVeyon Henderson has been ruled out in Week 10 with an illness, while Rhamondre Stevenson is dealing with a knee injury.
Week 10 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings
1. Jahmyr Gibbs- Lions (vs. Patriots)
2. Kenneth Walker III- Chiefs (at Falcons)
3. Christian McCaffrey- 49ers (at Cowboys)
4. Bijan Robinson- Falcons (vs. Chiefs)
5. Chuba Hubbard- Panthers (at Saints)
6. James Cook- Bills (at Jets)
7. Jonathan Taylor- Colts (vs. Dolphins)
8. Kyren Williams- Rams (at Cardinals)
9. Javonte Williams- Cowboys (vs. 49ers)
10. Derrick Henry- Ravens (vs. Chargers)
11. Jaylen Warren- Steelers (at Bengals)
Article Continues Below12. Breece Hall- Jets (vs. Bills)
13. Bayshul Tuten- Jaguars (at Titans)
14. Ollie Gordon II- Dolphins (at Colts)
15. Chase Brown- Bengals (vs. Steelers)
16. Tony Pollard- Titans (vs. Jaguars)
17. Zach Charbonnet- Seahawks (at Raiders)
18. Ashton Jeanty- Raiders (vs. Seahawks)
19. Woody Marks- Texans (at Browns)
20. Cam Skattebo- Giants (vs. Commanders)
21. Blake Corum- Rams (at Cardinals)
22. Jadarian Price- Seahawks (vs. Panthers)
23. Quinshon Judkins- Browns (vs. Texans)
24. Tyler Allgeier- Cardinals (vs. Rams)
25. Braelon Allen- Jets (vs. Bills)