Even the best NFL players in fantasy football can be hard to predict from week to week. Remember, just because an elite player like Jonathan Taylor struggles one week does not mean he'll remain terrible the next week. That's why weekly rankings can be so important in fantasy football. They reveal how player expectations can shift every single week based on matchups, injuries, and a variety of other factors.
The Titans and Steelers are the only NFL teams on a bye in Week 9. That means Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, and Tony Pollard will not be options this weekend. In the grand scheme of things, that's a pretty forgiving bye week for fantasy football running backs.
So which running backs are the best options in fantasy this week?
These are the running backs you can count on during Week 9 of the 2026 fantasy football season.
Week 9 Top Fantasy Football Picks
Christian McCaffrey, SF (vs. LV)
If he's fully healthy, McCaffrey is one of the best fantasy assets for the upcoming week.
McCaffrey entered the bye dealing with a hamstring injury. San Fran's coaching staff is optimistic that CMC will return to action in Week 9 against the Raiders. That would be huge news for the 49ers and fantasy managers alike.
The 49ers are missing several offensive skill players, which means they really need someone like McCaffrey who can do it all. McCaffrey's secret sauce in fantasy has always been his heavy involvement in the receiving game. That special ability could make him one of the best fantasy running backs in the league this week.
Las Vegas has allowed 146.4 rushing yards per game this season. For reference, only Dallas has a worse average on the season.
Fantasy managers should keep an eye on San Francisco's practice report this week. If McCaffrey is participating at practice, then throw him into your lineup and don't look back.
Javonte Williams, DAL (at IND)
Williams has been an incredibly touchdown-dependent running back this season. That became a big problem for the Cowboys in Week 8.
Dallas gave Williams 24 rush attempts last week, but he only turned that into 56 rushing yards. As a result, he finished with a pitiful 6.7 fantasy points. Javonte is a completely different fantasy asset when he isn't scoring touchdowns.
Fortunately, the Cowboys are going up against a Colts team that isn't great at stopping anything. Barring a complete surprise, Williams should get back in the end zone in Week 9. He could also have one of his better outings of the season, though he probably won't score three touchdowns like he did against the Texans.
Either way, bet on a bounce-back performance by Javonte.
Jonathan Taylor, IND (vs. DAL)
Yes, both running backs in this matchup are excellent options in fantasy football.
Taylor is the engine of Indy's offense. He is virtually guaranteed a high share of snaps as the Colts don't have many other options on offense. That combination of volume plus his ability to rip off explosive runs makes him an incredible fantasy asset.
To make things even better, Dallas has the worst run defense unit in the entire NFL. Even if the Cowboy sell out to stop Taylor, they may not be able to slow him down much.
Start Taylor with confidence this weekend.
Week 9 Fantasy Football Sleepers
Woody Marks, HOU (at LAC)
This is pretty much a matchup and opportunity play.
Marks should remain the top running option in Houston with David Montgomery still injured. The Texans finally get an easy matchup in Week 9 that could lead to a big fantasy performance by Marks.
LA has not done anything well during their 0-7 start. They've been especially poor at stopping the run. The Chargers have allowed 124.6 rushing yards per game with an average of 4.1 yards per carry allowed. Beyond that, they've allowed 11 rushing touchdowns this season, one of the worst rates in the league.
Add Marks' solid receiving profile on top, and it is clear that he could do very well against the Chargers.
Bucky Irving, TB (at CHI)
The volume has really showed up for Irving over the past two weeks.
Tampa has given Bucky 20+ carries in three of their last four games. Irving has rewarded them with excellent production, scoring 20+ fantasy points in each of those three contests.
The Bears are a completely different animal on defense now that Jeffery Simmons is in town. Chicago just limited Seattle to 81 rushing yards on Monday Night Football.
Bucky should have a pretty high floor in Week 9 because of his heavy usage. That said, Irving may need to catch multiple passes or get in the end zone to have a truly excellent performance.
Article Continues BelowQuinshon Judkins, CLE (at NO)
Judkins is the definition of a boom-or-bust fantasy player in 2026.
The young running back has 20+ fantasy points in two games this season. However, he did not reach 10 points in any of his other outings.
New Orleans has a pretty soft run defense unit, right up there with the Cowboys and Chargers. They've allowed a ton of yards per game and a high rate of rushing touchdowns.
Judkins could have one of those 20-point performances in Week 9 if the Browns can establish their run game early in this one.
The 23-year-old running back is a solid flex option thanks to his high upside and relatively high floor.
Week 9 Fantasy Football Running Back Injuries
There are only a few running back injuries that fantasy managers need to know about for Week 9.
The big news is that Arizona put Jeremiyah Love on injured reserve. That is great news for Tyler Allgeier, who should take over lead back duties in Love's absence. Based on his recent performances, Allgeier now looks like a top 25 running back in fantasy football for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, Giants running back Cam Skattebo is day-to-day with a hamstring injury ahead of this weekend's action. Monitor his status throughout the week, as Skattebo is a must-start player when healthy.
Week 9 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings – 2026
- Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (at MIA)
- Christian McCaffrey, SF (vs. LV)
- Bijan Robinson, SF (vs. CIN)
- Kenneth Walker III, KC (vs. NYJ)
- Bhayshul Tuten, JAX (at BAL)
- Javonte Williams, DAL (at IND)
- Bucky Irving, TB (at CHI)
- Chuba Hubbard, CAR (vs. DEN)
- Kyren Williams, LAR (at WAS)
- James Cook III, BUF (at MIN)
- D'Andre Swift, CHI (vs. TB)
- Derrick Henry, BAL (vs. JAX)
- Jonathan Taylor, IND (vs. DAL)
- Chase Brown, CIN (at ATL)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (vs. GB)
- Quinshon Judkins, CLE (at NO)
- Jonah Coleman, DEN (at CAR)
- Saquon Barkley, PHI (vs. NYG)
- Braelon Allen, NYJ (at KC)
- Josh Jacobs, GB (at NE)
- Ashton Jeanty, LV (at SF)
- Woody Marks, HOU (at LAC)
- Cam Skattebo, NYG (at PHI)
- Ollie Gordon II, MIA (vs. DET)
- Tyler Allgeier, ARI (at SEA)