RB Start/Sit Week 9: Fantasy Football Running Back Picks

Looking for Week 9 RB start/sit picks? Here are the running backs to start and sit in your fantasy football lineup. There have already been multiple significant injuries at this position along with a mix of surprises from veterans and young players. This sets the stage for tough lineup decisions for every fantasy manager. Let’s break down my Week 9 fantasy football RB start/sit picks below.

Fantasy Football Week 9 RB Start/Sit: Running Back Picks

• Running backs to start: Jonah Coleman, Alvin Kamara
• Running backs to sit: Raiders RBs, Seahawks RBs

Week 9 RB Start: Alvin Kamara

New year, same old Alvin Kamara… just an older version of him.

Even with Travis Etienne on IR, Kamara hasn’t stepped into an expanded rushing role for New Orleans. However, the veteran has maintained his high PPR upside as a receiver. The 31-year-old has amassed at least 13 points in three of his last four contests, hauling in 22 receptions over six games.

Kamara’s most prolific outing as a receiver this season came in his Week 7 matchup against Pittsburgh before the bye, in which he racked up seven catches for 57 yards. As long as he stays that involved in the passing game, he’s going to bring fantasy value to the table. In Week 9, New Orleans faces a tough Browns run defense, which should generate ample opportunity for Kamara to get involved early and often.

Week 9 RB Sit: Seahawks Running Backs vs. Cardinals

The Seahawks’ backfield is finally healthy again, which is great news for the actual team, but could cause some problems from a fantasy perspective.

Rookie Jadarian Price returned from IR against the Bears and led the team in carries with 10, but only averaged 2.9 yards per attempt. Dynamic back Zach Charbonnet also made his long-awaited return in that contest after extensive reconstructive knee surgery, rushing more efficiently on six attempts.

When both of these backs get up to speed, I expect Charbonnet to receive around 60 to 65% of the workload with Price mixing in consistently, although Seattle will certainly ride the hot hand. That said, until any type of hierarchy becomes established, fantasy managers are guessing with these guys in their lineups. Keep them both on your bench as we await clarity on the situation.

Find all of my Week 9 start/sit picks for each position here!

Week 9 RB Start: Jonah Coleman at Panthers

As promised, here is Denver’s start of the week, and this selection should come as no surprise. Jonah Coleman has burst back onto the scene following his return from IR, taking over the Broncos’ backfield. The rookie flashed potential in his return to action against Arizona before dominating against the Chiefs, racking up 20.4 PPR points.

Coleman has real dual-threat value as the head of this committee, and with RJ Harvey on IR, he should continue to operate as the top fantasy option in this backfield. While I highlighted Carolina’s secondary earlier, the same positive label cannot be given to the Panthers’ run defense, which surrenders the second-most fantasy points to RBs. Coleman carries RB2 upside in Week 9.

Week 9 RB Sit: Raiders Running Backs at 49ers

The Raiders’ backfield is in an interesting spot heading into Week 9. Ashton Jeanty received a de facto benching in favor of rookie Mike Washington Jr. last week, who took 25 carries for 83 yards and has rushed efficiently all year long. Jeanty is expected to return to a significant workload against the 49ers, but Washington should maintain a real role.

Translation: we have a short-term fantasy mess on our hands. As we await clarity on this backfield, it’s best to keep both Jeanty and Washington Jr. on your bench if you can afford to. A trip to San Francisco only further solidifies that thinking, as the Niners could pull away early and take both backs out of the game script.

Those are my Week 9 RB start/sit fantasy picks. Stay tuned for more start ’em, sit ’em content over the rest of the week!