Week 9 gave fantasy managers plenty to reconsider. Several backfields became harder to trust, Denver continued moving toward a clear lead running back, and a few receivers made strong cases for waiver-wire attention. The important part is separating changes in opportunity from performances that will be difficult to repeat.
Breece Hall leads the Jets’ backfield, but Braelon Allen isn’t going away
Breece Hall’s return gave the Jets their lead runner back, even if the snap counts suggested otherwise. Hall handled 15 carries for 61 yards and added three receptions, while Braelon Allen finished with eight carries for 33 yards and two catches. Allen played more snaps, but Hall led the touch count 18–10 and handled 19 of the backs’ 29 combined carries and targets. Considering this was Hall’s first appearance after missing five games with a quadriceps injury, immediately reclaiming that much work is encouraging.
There’s still a committee here, but calling it an even split would undersell Hall’s role. He remains an RB2, with room for his playing time to increase as he gets further removed from the injury. Allen’s involvement prevents us from assuming Hall will return to an every-down workload, although Allen takes the bigger fantasy hit now that he’s no longer controlling the touches. I’m keeping Allen as a bench option, while Hall’s upside takes a hit but still remains an RB2.
Audric Estime is the RB1 in New Orleans
Audric Estime wasted little time making an impression in New Orleans. After being claimed off waivers from Cleveland on November 3, he handled 15 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown against the Browns, adding one reception for five yards to finish with 14.7 PPR points. Alvin Kamara played slightly more, leading Estime 37–35 in snaps, but received only six carries. Estime didn’t dominate the playing time. He dominated the rushing opportunities, which is the more important development for his fantasy value.
That makes Estime a priority waiver addition, particularly for managers looking for help at running back. New Orleans trusted him with meaningful work almost immediately, and a 16-touch debut gives him a path to flex value if this arrangement continues. Travis Etienne and CJ Donaldson could change the rotation when they return, so I’m not declaring Estime a permanent bell cow after one game. Still, he’s earned a place on fantasy rosters, and another week leading this backfield in carries would put him firmly in the starting conversation.
Jonah Coleman is the RB1 in Denver
Jonah Coleman’s workload was more impressive than his rushing efficiency against Carolina. He carried 17 times for 57 yards and a touchdown, caught all four targets for 31 yards, and finished with 18.8 PPR points. More importantly, Coleman played 77% of Denver’s offensive snaps and ran 27 routes. That was the highest snap share by a Broncos running back under Sean Payton. J.K. Dobbins played just 11 snaps and received four carries, leaving little doubt about which back Denver preferred.
Coleman now has the combination of rushing volume, receiving involvement, and scoring opportunities that supports a dependable fantasy starter. He didn’t need an explosive rushing performance to deliver because the workload gave him several ways to produce. Denver’s Week 10 bye means managers will have to wait for the next opportunity, but Coleman should be viewed as an RB2 with RB1 upside when the Broncos return. RJ Harvey’s eventual return could change the backfield, although Coleman’s recent usage gives Denver a strong reason to keep him in charge.
Drake “The Schedule” Maye
Drake Maye’s final passing numbers looked considerably better than parts of his performance against Green Bay. He completed 21 of 38 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns, but also threw three interceptions and took four sacks. All three interceptions came before halftime. Maye has now thrown 11 interceptions this season, and his −0.13 EPA per dropback against the Packers reflected his struggles against tougher defenses over the last two seasons. However, he has also accounted for at least three touchdowns in six consecutive games, keeping his fantasy upside still there despite his clear turnover problem.
Maye’s turnovers remain a concern, but six straight games with at least three total touchdowns make him difficult to bench. I’m still checking the matchup when comparing him with another strong quarterback option, although his scoring upside keeps him firmly in the QB1 conversation. I take a look ahead in the schedule, and he should have more consistent performances, but without the offensive line + his receiving core healthy, nothing is a guarantee. Maye is dropping in my rest-of-season rankings, but a player you should still start unless he has a tough matchup.
Seattle’s RB Committee
Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price both received enough work against Arizona to keep fantasy managers interested, but neither was able to take control of the backfield. Charbonnet led the rushing attack with 16 carries for 77 yards, adding one reception for nine yards. Price handled nine carries for 24 yards but made his bigger contribution through the air, catching four passes for 54 yards. That left Charbonnet with 17 touches and 86 scrimmage yards, compared with 13 touches and 78 yards for Price. Neither back controlled enough of the workload to separate decisively.
This was only their second game together since Charbonnet returned, so the roles are still developing. Charbonnet’s rushing advantage gives him the clear lead on the early-down work, while Price’s receiving involvement has kept him relevant in PPR formats. Both remain flex options, but neither should be treated as a dependable RB2 without considering the matchup. Until Seattle starts leaning more heavily on one of them, projecting a big workload for either requires more optimism than the usage supports.
Sam LaPorta is No Longer a Lineup Lock
Sam LaPorta caught four of five targets for 32 yards against Miami, giving him eight receptions for 83 yards without a touchdown over his last three games. His targets haven’t disappeared, but they haven’t produced enough yardage to keep fantasy managers comfortable. Through Week 9, his 18.22% target share remains relevant, while his 1.56 yards per route run and 5.65-yard average depth of target help explain why those opportunities haven’t consistently turned into meaningful production. Detroit’s low passing volume adds another obstacle.
The name recognition can’t keep making this decision for us. LaPorta is still involved, but his current role leaves him vulnerable to quiet weeks when he doesn’t score or generate additional yards after the catch. I’m no longer treating him as an automatic start, and I’d consider a tight end with stronger recent volume or a substantially better matchup. A rebound is possible, but there’s little reason to keep assuming it’s about to happen while passing on more productive options.
Chase Brown keeps missing out on Cincinnati’s offensive surge
Cincinnati’s offense is rolling, but Chase Brown continues to deliver underwhelming fantasy results. He finished with nine carries for 57 yards and three receptions for 18 yards against Atlanta, producing 10.5 PPR points. Samaje Perine received 11 carries, although Brown retained the larger snap share, ran more routes, and received every Bengals running back target. Some of Perine’s extra work came in the fourth quarter with Cincinnati protecting its lead, so the final carry count makes the split look closer than it was earlier.
The bigger problem is that Brown still isn’t turning his role in an excellent offense into touchdowns. He hasn’t scored since Week 1, and even a goal-line opportunity Sunday ended with him being stopped before Joe Burrow eventually scored himself. Through Week 9, Brown is averaging just 3.85 yards per carry with a −0.18 EPA per rush, leaving little efficiency to offset the scoring drought. I’m benching him when I have a reasonable alternative. The receiving role preserves some value, but waiting for Cincinnati’s success to rescue his fantasy season has become increasingly difficult to justify.
Ashton Jeanty’s Increased Workload Did Not Matter
Ashton Jeanty played 32 snaps to Mike Washington Jr.’s 17 against San Francisco, but the playing-time advantage accomplished very little for fantasy managers. Jeanty finished with six carries for 25 yards and five receptions for negative-five yards. That’s 20 scrimmage yards and 7.0 PPR points despite catching five passes. After opening the season with seven consecutive top-14 finishes, he hasn’t finished better than RB25 in either of his last two games.
The concern extends beyond one poor rushing performance. Through Week 9, Jeanty’s 3.18 yards per carry and 34.21% rushing success rate leave him reliant on receiving volume and touchdowns, while Washington has handled 11 of the backfield’s 15 goal-line snaps over the last two games. More playing time helps, but it matters far less when those snaps aren’t generating yardage or access to the most valuable carries. Jeanty has fallen into the volatile flex conversation until the efficiency or scoring role improves.
Joe Burrow is on FIRE
Joe Burrow delivered another dominant performance against Atlanta, completing 24 of 29 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Over his last four games, he has thrown for 1,215 yards, 16 touchdowns and three interceptions, with two additional touchdowns on the ground. Cincinnati has scored at least 30 points in four consecutive games, and Burrow has been remarkably efficient throughout that stretch. His +0.21 EPA per play and 53.89% success rate through Week 9 support what the recent results are showing.
There’s no lineup debate here. Burrow is an elite weekly starter, and Cincinnati’s willingness to keep attacking gives him the ceiling to decide fantasy matchups. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins provide obvious advantages, but Burrow is also converting those advantages into touchdowns at an exceptional rate. Managers who waited through the earlier inconsistency are now getting the kind of production that can carry a team into the fantasy playoffs. Burrow is now my QB2 for the rest of the season.
Caleb Douglas is the Miami WR to own
Caleb Douglas led Miami’s passing attack against Detroit, catching six of eight targets for 70 yards and finishing with 13 PPR points. The opportunities were encouraging even though the performance included mistakes, including a fourth-down drop and a miscommunication with Malik Willis that resulted in an interception. Through Week 9, Douglas has averaged 2.24 yards per route run with a 12.26-yard average depth of target, giving him a combination of efficiency and downfield involvement worth pursuing. In Week 8, he also added two touchdowns in his return from injury after a hot start to the season.
The eight targets are the biggest reason to take his fantasy value seriously. Douglas is earning enough targets to become useful without needing a long touchdown every week, while his downfield role gives him room for bigger performances. I’m making him a priority addition and treating him as a matchup-dependent WR3 or flex. Of Miami’s receivers, he’s the one I’m most interested in owning right now and has the upside every week to potentially be a week winner.
Tank Dell is BACK
Tank Dell reminded everyone how quickly he can change a game, catching four of nine targets for 105 yards and a touchdown in Houston’s win over the Chargers. His 65-yard score helped produce 20.5 PPR points, but the nine targets were just as encouraging. Dell earned those opportunities while running only 22 routes, participating on approximately 55% of Houston’s passing plays. The production was excellent; the playing time still leaves room to grow but is up 20% from his debut before the bye week.
That route participation is what I’ll be watching next. Dell has already shown he can produce explosive plays still without being in a full-time role, but his limited routes make the consistency a bit worrisome. I’m adding him as an upside WR4 for the rest of the season, with the potential to become a weekly WR3 if Houston increases his playing time. He belongs on fantasy rosters again, and it is very clear that he and CJ Stroud still have great chemistry on the field.
Judkins Losing More Snaps to Sampson
Quinshon Judkins received 15 carries against New Orleans but managed only 43 yards, adding one reception for two yards. Meanwhile, Dylan Sampson played 47 snaps to Judkins’ 25 and ran 30 routes compared with just six for Judkins. The rushing workload still favors Judkins, but the overall role is moving away from the kind of usage that supports a dependable fantasy starter. His 3.32 yards per carry and 28.45% rushing success rate through Week 9 make the loss of receiving opportunities especially difficult to overcome.
Judkins did handle three of Cleveland’s five goal-line snaps, which explains why he retains some appeal despite his decreasing workload. With the lack of success this season paired with the non-existent role in the receiving game, I’m downgrading him to a touchdown-dependent RB3, particularly in PPR leagues. Sampson is the more appealing bench addition as his passing-game role and overall playing time continue to grow while Cleveland’s schedule starts to toughen up.
Rhamondre Stevenson’s Injury
Rhamondre Stevenson left Sunday’s game with a knee injury and didn’t return, creating another question in a backfield already missing TreVeyon Henderson because of illness. Corey Kiner finished with eight carries for 55 yards and a touchdown, but most of his work came late with the backups. Lan Larison was the first back to receive an extended opportunity after Stevenson exited while Drake Maye remained in the game. Larison played 14 snaps and ran six routes, while Kiner played 11 snaps without running a route.
Kiner’s box score will attract more attention, but it doesn’t establish him as the next starter. Larison’s earlier involvement and receiving work deserve consideration, especially in PPR formats. Both are speculative waiver additions until there’s more clarity on Stevenson’s knee and Henderson’s availability. I’m willing to stash either in a deeper league, but I wouldn’t spend as though New England has already handed one of them the backfield.
Jordyn Tyson’s Debut Was Encouraging
Jordyn Tyson’s debut wasn’t a breakout, but the target involvement was intriguing. He caught four of five targets for 30 yards while playing only 18 snaps and running 16 routes. That works out to a target on approximately 31% of his routes, an encouraging sign that New Orleans wanted to involve him despite his limited playing time. A lost fumble on his first reception hurt the final fantasy result, although it shouldn’t overshadow the opportunities he earned.
The immediate limitation is playing time. Tyson’s snaps came exclusively in three-receiver personnel, so he still needs a larger role before becoming a realistic lineup option. For now, he’s a stash in deeper leagues rather than someone to start based on the target rate alone. If the Saints expand his route participation while continuing to look his way this frequently, he could become a useful fantasy option.
Pat Bryant Stock is Rising
Pat Bryant caught four of five targets for 56 yards and a touchdown against Carolina, playing 68% of Denver’s offensive snaps and running 31 routes. Importantly, his involvement wasn’t simply a response to Jaylen Waddle leaving with a concussion. Bryant was already part of the rotation before the injury, continuing the encouraging production he showed before his own absence. He had nine receptions for 133 yards across his first four appearances, and Sunday gave Denver another reason to keep him involved.
Waddle’s injury adds potential opportunity, but Denver’s Week 10 bye means he could clear concussion protocol without missing another game. Bryant’s waiver appeal shouldn’t depend entirely on that outcome. He’s producing in his opportunities and already has enough playing time to warrant a bench spot in deeper leagues. I’m adding him where possible, with WR3 potential if his targets grow or Waddle remains unavailable after the bye.
