Fantasy Football Week 9 Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em: Running backs

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More Week 9

Editor’s note: Welcome to Week 9! We’re handling Jamey Eisenberg’s Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em column a bit differently this season. You’re still getting the same in-depth badysis as always, we’re just presenting a bit differently, in an effort to get it out to you earlier in the day. This column takes a long time to write, and in the past, we’ve usually gotten it out to you in the evening. This year, we’re going to publish it position-by-position, to get it into your hands quicker. Here’s Jamey’s take on running backs for this week.

Don’t worry: If you want the clbadic Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em, we’ll still be publishing that at the end of the day with every position included. For now, here’s running back.

Running backs

Note: Projections are provided by SportsLine.com.

Sleepers

• Doug Martin and Jalen Richard (at SF): In Week 8 against the Colts, in the first game without Marshawn Lynch (groin), Martin and Richard played well. Martin had 13 carries for 72 yards, as well as two catches for 17 yards, but he also fumbled. Still, it’s a solid debut as the starter. And Richard had two carries for 14 yards, as well as eight catches for 50 yards. I expect more of that this week against the 49ers for both, and I like both as at least flex options in most leagues. Martin is better in non-PPR leagues, and Richard has top-15 upside in PPR.
• Matt Breida (vs. OAK): The indestructible man just continues to play despite dealing with a myriad of injuries. It looked like he was going to miss Week 8 at Arizona with an ankle sprain, but not only did he play, he had a season-high 16 carries. Even though he’s gone three games without a catch, he’s worth trusting this week against the Raiders. Oakland has allowed nine running backs to either score or gain at least 80 total yards this year.
• Devontae Booker (vs. HOU): With Royce Freeman (ankle) out in Week 8 at Kansas City, Booker had a solid performance with nine carries for 78 yards, as well as four catches for 23 yards in tandem with Phillip Lindsay. If Freeman remains out, then use Booker as at least a flex option, especially in PPR. Lindsay will remain a must-start option against the Texans, who have allowed a running back to score or gain at least 80 total yards in seven of eight games this season.
• Dion Lewis (at DAL): Lewis had one of his best games of the season in Week 7 at the Chargers, and he should stay hot coming off Tennessee’s bye week. Against Los Angeles, Lewis had 21 PPR points, and he now has at least six catches in two of his past four games. Hopefully that continues, and Lewis is worth using as at least a flex against Dallas. The Cowboys have struggled with pbad catching running backs, and four — Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Alfred Blue and Kapri Bibbs — have scored at least 10 PPR points with just their reception totals alone. That bodes well for Lewis this week.