Week 10 RB Start’em, Sit’em: Running Back Fantasy Football Strategy

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If you are in doubt about some players in a tough spot this week, or players that haven’t produced yet this season, you have come to the perfect spot. We dive into a few names to start in borderline matchups, and also talk about players to fade. You can also check out our rankings area to see where players on your team rank and their projections heading into Week 10. Be sure to check out the rest of our weekly fantasy football content.

Start Em

Devin Singletary Vs. Cleveland

For the second straight week, Devin Singletary has seen 40+ snaps. There is a potential changing of the guards here with Singletary getting more run compared to Frank Gore. He has seen just 18 and 21 snaps the last two weeks. Singletary had 23 touches last week, and was extremely productive. Buffalo gets the Browns this week, who have allowed the 8th most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, and rank 21st against the run.

Ronald Jones Vs. Arizona

Ronald Jones played 42 snaps this past week, which is his highest of the season. Jones also saw 20 touches, tying a season high. Overall he has been the better back, and Bruce Arians has pushed him into the starting role. Jones offers little passing game work which is the only downside, but has usually been good for a catch or two per game. Arizona is a solid matchup as they are in the bottom half against the run,

Devonta Freeman @ New Orleans

As long as Devonta Freeman doesn’t punch anyone, he is a solid play this week. He hasn’t had much success on the ground, but he is providing value in the passing game. He has 19 targets since Week 5, and one of those games he missed the second half. Freeman is averaging 16.5 touches per game this season. He has seen 50, 31, and 64 snaps over the last three weeks, and the game with 31 he punched Aaron Donald.

Damien Williams @ Tennessee

Damien Williams saw 43 snaps last week, which is a solid step out of a time share He also had 14 touches, which is the second highest on the season. Of course his big fantasy mark last week came on a 91-yard touchdown, but overall he has looked to be the better back. Andy Reid should continue to use Williams in a 15 touch type of role moving forward, which pushes him back into being an easy start. While the Titans have a decent run defense, they are middle of the road in fantasy points allowed.

Jamaal Williams Vs. Carolina

Green Bay’s offense struggled last week, but Jamaal Williams still had fantasy value. In fact he was about the only Packers player to have any. I like Williams again this week, as Green Bay can certainly provide fantasy value for both running backs in this game. Carolina ranks 32nd against the run, but Williams has been getting work in the passing game. Essentially Williams and Jones have more receiving value compared to the receivers not named Davante Adams. Williams has 16 catches over the last four weeks, and five total touchdowns.

Sit Em

Joe Mixon Vs. Baltimore

Due to injuries and six teams on bye this week, I understand if you are left thin and might have to start one of these names just due to filling a spot. However, if you can avoid them, please do so. Joe Mixon is one of them. He was a potential bust for me before the season, and has lived up to that categorization. He has been a touchdown dependent option to even hit a remotely decent fantasy score. The touches have been pedestrian, and he finds himself in a negative game script behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines. The matchup this week is tough, as the Ravens limit fantasy points to opposing backs, even though they aren’t stellar against the run. Mixon is going to continuously be a guy I avoid.

LeSean McCoy @ Tennessee

As mentioned above, Damien Williams has been creeping back into a steady workload. LeSean McCoy, not so much. Overall Kansas City has been a pass heavy team, and only average 21 rushing attempts per game. They have the third highest passing rate in the league, and Matt Moore hasn’t deflated that. With McCoy now seeing limited touches, he isn’t someone I have a lot of hope for moving forward. McCoy has not topped double digit fantasy points since Week 4 against Detroit.

Detroit Running Backs @ Chicago

That FAAB money likely went down the drain with Ty Johnson, and despite Tre Carson going on IR, JD McKissic has seen a role enough to cut into the workload of Johnson a bit. Detroit has been throwing the ball more, as they should the way this offense is built right now. Their defense also doesn’t present a lot of positive game scripts for running backs. Factoring in the Bears have a good enough run defense, despite some recent performances, I won’t be looking at the Lions backfield as fill-in options this week.