Running backs you want in Week 10 lineups and those you should avoid
By
Nov 5, 2025 at 3:46 pm ET • 1 min read
USATSI
Kimani Vidal felt like a layup as the Start of the Week in Week 9 at Tennessee. The matchup was great, he was coming off a strong performance in Week 8 and I thought he was going to dominate touches against the lowly Titans.
That was far from what happened. Vidal had 12 carries for 30 yards and no catches on one target, and Jarrett Patterson ended up with seven carries to four for Vidal over the final two quarters. I don’t expect Patterson to outperform…
Running backs you want in Week 10 lineups and those you should avoid
By
Nov 5, 2025 at 3:46 pm ET • 1 min read
USATSI
Kimani Vidal felt like a layup as the Start of the Week in Week 9 at Tennessee. The matchup was great, he was coming off a strong performance in Week 8 and I thought he was going to dominate touches against the lowly Titans.
That was far from what happened. Vidal had 12 carries for 30 yards and no catches on one target, and Jarrett Patterson ended up with seven carries to four for Vidal over the final two quarters. I don’t expect Patterson to outperform Vidal in Week 10 against the Steelers, but we have to lower expectations for him in this matchup.
Pittsburgh just held Jonathan Taylor to 7.7 PPR points in Week 9, and this won’t be an easy game for Vidal. But prior to facing the Colts, Chase Brown scored 12 PPR points against the Steelers in Week 7, and Josh Jacobs (13.5 PPR points) and Emanuel Wilson (11.7 PPR points) also did well against Pittsburgh in Week 8.
I’m going to use Vidal as a low-end No. 2 running back in the majority of leagues in Week 10. I don’t have high expectations for him against the Steelers, but he should perform better than what we got in last week’s disaster.
RBs to Start
Projections powered by Sportsline
CHI Chicago • #25 Age: 23 • Experience: Rookie
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs NYG CHI -4.5 O/U 47.5
OPP VS RB
31st
PROJ PTS
15
RB RNK
8th
YTD Stats
RUYDS
362
REC
9
REYDS
83
TD
1
FPTS/G
7.4
We’ll see if D’Andre Swift (groin) is able to return in Week 10 against the Giants after missing Week 9 at Cincinnati, but even if Swift is healthy, I still like Monangai as a low-end starter in all leagues. And without Swift, Monangai has top-five upside after what he just did against the Bengals with 26 carries for 176 yards and three catches for 22 yards on five targets. Monangai now has two games this season with double digits in carries, and he scored at least 17.4 PPR points in both of them. The Giants are No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and in the past two games the Eagles and 49ers backfield have combined for 59 carries for 415 yards and three touchdowns and 10 catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns on 13 targets. This could be another monster game for Monangai in Week 10.
CLE Cleveland • #10 Age: 22 • Experience: Rookie
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
@ NYJ CLE -2.5 O/U 37.5
OPP VS RB
22nd
PROJ PTS
12.9
RB RNK
14th
YTD Stats
RUYDS
486
REC
12
REYDS
60
TD
5
FPTS/G
13.8
Judkins (shoulder) is expected to play in Week 10 at the Jets after getting hurt in Week 8 at New England before Cleveland’s bye. As long as he’s healthy then you should start Judkins as a borderline No. 1 running back in all leagues. He scored at least 13.8 PPR points in four of five games before getting injured against the Patriots, and the Jets were already No. 11 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs before trading away standout defensive lineman Quinnen Williams to Dallas. This could be one of Judkins’ best games of the season as long as his shoulder is OK.
TB Tampa Bay • #1 Age: 26 • Experience: 4 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs NE TB -2.5 O/U 48.5
OPP VS RB
4th
PROJ PTS
12.6
RB RNK
20th
YTD Stats
RUYDS
287
REC
21
REYDS
117
TD
4
FPTS/G
10.7
White appears headed for another start in Week 10 against New England after Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) failed to practice Wednesday coming off Tampa Bay’s bye in Week 9. White struggled in his past two outings against Detroit and New Orleans with 8.4 PPR points or less in each game, but prior to that he scored at least 17.6 PPR points in two contests against Seattle and San Francisco. This week, White should be a significant factor in the passing game, and he has at least three receptions in four of his past five outings. The Patriots are No. 1 in most receptions allowed to running backs, and they have allowed 32 catches to running backs in the past four games against New Orleans, Tennessee, Cleveland and Atlanta. Six running backs have scored at least 7.9 PPR points against New England with just their receiving totals alone, and I like White as a No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues in this game.
DEN Denver • #27 Age: 26 • Experience: 6 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs LV DEN -9.5 O/U 42.5
OPP VS RB
21st
PROJ PTS
11.5
RB RNK
18th
YTD Stats
RUYDS
695
REC
10
REYDS
30
TD
4
FPTS/G
11.9
Dobbins comes into Week 10 having scored 9.0 PPR points or less in three of his past four games, and he hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 5. He’s due for a big outing, and he should have the chance to play well against the Raiders at home. Three running backs in the past two games against Las Vegas have scored at least 12.4 PPR points with Brashard Smith, Isiah Pacheco and Travis Etienne, and I trust Dobbins as a No. 2 running back in all leagues on Thursday night.
NE New England • #32 Age: 23 • Experience: Rookie
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
@ TB TB -2.5 O/U 48.5
OPP VS RB
26th
PROJ PTS
11.5
RB RNK
19th
YTD Stats
RUYDS
283
REC
20
REYDS
131
TD
1
FPTS/G
7.3
Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) missed Week 9 against Atlanta, and Henderson stepped up with 14 carries for 55 yards and four catches for 32 yards on six targets. It was the most touches he had in a game this season, and his 12.7 PPR points were a season high as well. Stevenson missed practice Wednesday, so Henderson could get the chance for another quality stat line, and he’s worth using as a No. 2 running back in all leagues. It’s tough to run on Tampa Bay, but the Buccaneers are No. 6 in most receptions allowed to running backs. Five running backs have scored at least 7.1 PPR points against Tampa Bay with just their receiving totals alone, and Henderson should once again be a weapon for Drake Maye in the passing game. Terrell Jennings, who ran for a touchdown last week for the Patriots, is also in play as a flex.
Sleepers (Start/Sit)
Projections powered by Sportsline
DEN Denver • #37 Age: 24 • Experience: Rookie
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs LV DEN -9.5 O/U 42.5
OPP VS RB
21st
PROJ PTS
11
RB RNK
27th
YTD Stats
RUYDS
205
REC
23
REYDS
166
TD
6
FPTS/G
10.7
Harvey comes into Week 10 against the Raiders having scored a touchdown in three games in a row, with five total touchdowns over that span. Can he keep the scoring streak alive? He’s been more involved in the passing game lately with at least four catches in two of his past four games. And in Denver’s two blowout victories at home this season in Week 4 against Cincinnati and Week 8 against Dallas, Harvey saw at least eight total touches in both outings. The Broncos are nearly a touchdown favorite on Thursday night, and I plan to use Harvey as a flex option in all leagues. Hopefully, he’ll find the end zone once again.
SEA Seattle • #26 Age: 24 • Experience: 3 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs ARI SEA -6.5 O/U 44.5
OPP VS RB
14th
PROJ PTS
9.8
RB RNK
28th
YTD Stats
RUYDS
230
REC
7
REYDS
57
TD
5
FPTS/G
9.4
Charbonnet scored a touchdown in Week 4 at Arizona in the first meeting with the Cardinals and finished the game with 12 carries for 39 yards and two catches for 5 yards. He has scored at least 11.8 PPR points in three of his past five games prior to Week 10, with four touchdowns over that span, and he’s worth using as a flex in this matchup. Arizona has allowed a running back to score a touchdown in four of the past five games, and Charbonnet is the most likely Seattle running back to find the end zone ahead of Kenneth Walker III. Hopefully, Charbonnet can score again in Week 10.
NYG N.Y. Giants • #26 Age: 28 • Experience: 7 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
@ CHI CHI -4.5 O/U 47.5
OPP VS RB
20th
PROJ PTS
6.1
RB RNK
29th
YTD Stats
RUYDS
127
REC
5
REYDS
36
TD
0
FPTS/G
2.4
We’ll see how the Giants use their running backs in Week 10 at Chicago, but Singletary appears to have the edge over Tyrone Tracy Jr. based on what happened in Week 9 against San Francisco, which was the first game without Cam Skattebo (ankle). Singletary played more snaps (32-25) and was more productive with eight carries for 43 yards and two catches for 8 yards on two targets compared to five carries for 18 yards and three catches for 19 yards on four targets for Tracy. I would only consider Singletary a flex option in the majority of leagues, but the Bears have allowed a running back to score at least 19.1 PPR points in each of the past two games.
HOU Houston • #27 Age: 24 • Experience: Rookie
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs JAC HOU -1 O/U 37.5
OPP VS RB
10th
PROJ PTS
10.1
RB RNK
30th
YTD Stats
RUYDS
241
REC
13
REYDS
165
TD
3
FPTS/G
9
Marks had a down game in Week 9 against Denver with 10 carries for 27 yards and no catches on three targets, but I’ll go back to him as a flex option in Week 10 against Jacksonville. Prior to Week 9, Marks had scored at least 12.5 PPR points in three of his past four games, and he should be a factor in the passing game against the Jaguars, especially if linebacker Devin Lloyd (calf) remains out. Ashton Jeanty just had five catches for 47 yards and a touchdown on five targets against Jacksonville in Week 9, and Marks should be a weapon out of the backfield in this matchup.
BUF Buffalo • #22 Age: 25 • Experience: 2 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
@ MIA BUF -9.5 O/U 50
OPP VS RB
27th
PROJ PTS
2.7
RB RNK
NR
YTD Stats
RUYDS
46
REC
3
REYDS
18
TD
1
FPTS/G
1.9
James Cook (ankle/foot) missed practice Wednesday, and we don’t know what his status will be for Sunday’s game at Miami. If Cook is out then Davis and Ty Johnson would share touches, and I like Davis as a No. 2 running back in all leagues in that scenario. Davis played one game without Cook in 2024 against the Jets in Week 6 and had 20 carries for 97 yards and three catches for 55 yards for 18.2 PPR points. There’s also the potential of Davis getting garbage-time touches this week even if Cook is healthy since the Dolphins are underdogs at home. Miami is also No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs.
RBs to Sit
Projections powered by Sportsline
NO New Orleans • #41 Age: 30 • Experience: 9 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
@ CAR CAR -5.5 O/U 39.5
OPP VS RB
18th
PROJ PTS
12.9
RB RNK
25th
YTD Stats
RUYDS
377
REC
28
REYDS
150
TD
1
FPTS/G
9.2
Kamara had a brutal game in Week 9 at the Rams with six carries for 14 yards and one catch for 3 yards on three targets, including a lost a fumble. He’s now scored 6.5 PPR points or less in three games in a row, and he hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 1. Carolina has allowed James Cook and Josh Jacobs to combine for 53.6 PPR points in the past two games, so Kamara can still be considered a flex option based on the matchup. That said, he’s tough to trust and should not be considered a must-start running back in the majority of leagues.
WAS Washington • #22 Age: 24 • Experience: Rookie
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs DET DET -8 O/U 49.5
OPP VS RB
3rd
PROJ PTS
9.5
RB RNK
34th
YTD Stats
RUYDS
440
REC
8
REYDS
63
TD
4
FPTS/G
8.7
Croskey-Merritt is tough to trust as even a flex option in Week 10 against Detroit. He has scored 5.8 PPR points or less in four games in a row, and he hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 5. He also has combined for just three catches for 9 yards on five targets in his past four outings. The Lions are also No. 3 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and Detroit hasn’t allowed a running back to score a touchdown in the past four games against Cincinnati, Kansas City, Tampa Bay and Minnesota. I would avoid Croskey-Merritt in the majority of leagues.
NYG N.Y. Giants • #29 Age: 25 • Experience: 2 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
@ CHI CHI -4.5 O/U 47.5
OPP VS RB
20th
PROJ PTS
7.8
RB RNK
26th
YTD Stats
RUYDS
177
REC
13
REYDS
87
TD
1
FPTS/G
6.5
I had high hopes for Tracy heading into Week 9 against San Francisco in the first game without Cam Skattebo (ankle), but Devin Singletary had the better performance with 10 touches for 51 total yards compared to eight touches for 37 total yards. Singletary also played more snaps (32-25), and the coaching staff might prefer him to Tracy moving forward. This isn’t a daunting matchup against the Bears, but if Tracy is stuck in the bottom half of a time share then he’s just a flex option at best. I would rather use Singletary ahead of Tracy in this game.
ARI Arizona • #20 Age: 24 • Experience: 3 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
@ SEA SEA -6.5 O/U 44.5
OPP VS RB
13th
PROJ PTS
7.1
RB RNK
31st
YTD Stats
RUYDS
129
REC
7
REYDS
60
TD
2
FPTS/G
6.3
This spot will be reserved for Knight, Emari Demarcado or Trey Benson (knee) if he’s able to play in Week 10 after missing the past four games on injured reserve. I do not want to trust a Cardinals running back this week against the Seahawks, who have allowed only two guys this season to rush for more than 50 yards, which were Christian McCaffrey in Week 1 and Chris Rodriguez Jr. in Week 9. Seattle has allowed just three rushing touchdowns, and we could see a committee for the Cardinals that’s likely to get messy, especially if Benson is active. At best, Benson would be a flex option in the majority of leagues, and I would consider Demercado a flex if Benson remains out. Knight is only worth a look as a flex option in the deepest of leagues.
Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
Projections powered by Sportsline
SEA Seattle • #9 Age: 25 • Experience: 4 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs ARI SEA -6.5 O/U 44.5
OPP VS RB
14th
PROJ PTS
12.4
RB RNK
23rd
YTD Stats
RUYDS
472
REC
10
REYDS
80
TD
3
FPTS/G
10.4
Walker scored 12 PPR points in Week 4 at Arizona, which is the last time he reached double digits in Fantasy points. He had 19 carries for 81 yards and one catch for 29 yards on two targets in that game, and we’re waiting for him to get back to even that level of production. He hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 3, and he has three games in his past four outings with 11 carries or less, with 9.6 PPR points or less his production over that span. Zach Charbonnet continues to steal touchdowns from Walker, and he’s only worth using as a flex option in the majority of leagues in Week 10.
Now Playing
