Which running backs should you start on your fantasy football team in Week 9, and which running backs are better off riding the pine this week? Let's analyze and take a look at which running backs should get the starting nod.

NFL Fantasy Football Week 9 2026 Start ‘Em Running Backs

Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos @ Carolina Panthers

Coleman has emerged as the Broncos' best running back, wresting the RB1 role away from RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins this season. He's scored a touchdown in two of his last three games, and last week showed that he's going to be more involved in the passing attack. That bodes well for Coleman's matchup against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are allowing the second-most fantasy points to running backs this season, and they just fired their defensive coordinator. If the Broncos jump out to an early lead, Coleman will have the perfect opportunity to pop off.

Kenneth Walker II, Kansas City Chiefs vs. New York Jets

After a hot start to the season, Walker has cooled off significantly in the last two weeks. The Chiefs running back has scored 22.1 points over the last two weeks after reaching more than 20 points in each of his first six games. It hasn't been due to a lack of touches, though, which is encouraging for Kansas City and for fantasy football owners. The Jets are a so-so team this season against running backs, ranking 12th in most fantasy points allowed to RBs. Expect Walker II to bounce back this season and return to his regularly scheduled programming.

Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns @ New Orleans Saints

Fantasy football is often a game of matchups. So when one of the most productive running backs this season runs into the team that's allowed the most points to his position group, that's a no-brainer decision. Quinshon Judkins has been pretty up-and-down as of late, but he's got a real chance to bounce back against a struggling Saints squad that's been awful against the run all season long. An early lead for the Browns should translate to a smooth game for Judkins as the Browns try to get back on track.

NFL Fantasy Football Week 9 2026 Sit ‘Em Running Backs

Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals @ Atlanta Falcons (Madrid)

The Bengals' offensive prowess this season has come in spite of their dismal rushing attack. Brown is getting fewer touches week by week, and he's failed to be explosive in his limited touches. Cincinnati's commitment to the run game is completely lacking, and Chase fantasy football owners are suffering from it. He does have a favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons (4th-most points allowed to RBs), but his recent tape and the current trend of the Bengals offense suggest that he won't have a bounce-back game.

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Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders @ San Francisco 49ers

Jeanty's heavy involvement in the passing attack gives him a high floor, but he's running into one of the stingiest defenses in the league. The San Francisco 49ers have been pretty good against the run, and it's very likely that the Raiders fall behind the 49ers early in the game. That would heavily disincentivize the team from going to their star running back. If you have a better matchup, go with a different running back.

Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

One of the biggest misconceptions by new players in fantasy football is that a team with a bad quarterback will see their running back perform better. In reality, a good passing attack opens up more opportunities for running backs to do damage. Considering that the Ravens are going to start UDFA rookie Joe Fagnano under center against a Jacksonville Jaguars team that's been the best at stopping RBs in fantasy this season, it seems like an ill-advised bet to start Derrick Henry.