Between injuries and the trade deadline, a lot has impacted the running back market. Malik Willis was placed on injured reserve by the Miami Dolphins. The Seattle Seahawks have a quarterback situation, with Sam Darnold and Drew Lock injured. Fernando Mendoza is also set to make his first NFL start after the Las Vegas Raiders traded away Kirk Cousins.
This also happens to be a bad time for multiple top running backs to be on bye. Chicago Bears back D’Andre Swift, Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman, and Philadelphia Eagles back Saquon Barkley are all on bye.
Who should be in your Week 10 starting lineup? Here are our top running back starts and sits.
Start - Ollie Gordon, Miami Dolphins
His production has been down over the past two weeks,
but his game against the Indianapolis Colts should be a good opportunity to bounce back. The Colts have essentially given up this season with their trade-deadline decisions. So, even though Miami has a backup quarterback, they should be able to run the ball and maybe even win. That makes it a good week to have Gordon in your lineup.
Start - Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
Blake Corum has been a touchdown machine, scoring a touchdown in each of the past five games. The Arizona Cardinals are vulnerable, playing their first game with a rookie quarterback and losing Michael Wilson for the rest of the season. Los Angeles is also dealing with injuries, with Puka Nacua expected to be placed on injured reserve. Corum is one of the only healthy players left on the Rams’ offense, giving him plenty of upside on Sunday.
Start - Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
Charbonnet hasn't started fast in his return from a torn ACL, but his carries have increased against the Cardinals. He now gets a better matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, who will be starting a rookie quarterback against Seattle’s defense. This seems like a recipe for the Raiders to get behind early and give Charbonnet the ball a lot. Also, if Lock can't play or is severely limited in his throwing, that is another reason Charbonnet will get a lot of points.
Sit - Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
Someone tried to propose a trade to me for Ashton Jeanty, and I turned it down. He's struggled all season, averaging just 3.2 yards per carry and scoring only one rushing touchdown. Against a decent matchup, Jeanty may be worth benching. But against a Seattle defense that is holding opponents to just 3.4 yards per carry, the second-fewest in the NFL, there is a very small chance Jeanty is actually going to have a good game.
Sit - Breece Hall, New York Jets
Breece Hall was once one of the best running backs in the NFL. Now, he is on the verge of losing his starting status to Braelon Allen, who filled in while Hall was injured. Even with a statistically good matchup against the Buffalo Bills, it is hard to see Hall as a fantasy starter now. He also has a history of playing poorly against the Bills, which also bodes poorly for his fantasy performance.
Sit - Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
He may be a top-10 fantasy running back this season, but his team is crumbling around him. Their quarterback is terrible. They traded away their top two receivers, top offensive lineman, and top defender. Indianapolis is clearly focused on rebuilding despite their unwillingness to trade Jonathan Taylor. He may be one of the best backs in the league, but he won't have much to do with this offense.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Fantasy Football Start’em, Sit’em Week 10: RB Edition
