Early Fantasy RB Rankings: Week 9 Start-Sit Advice for Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Bijan Robinson, Kimani Vidal, and Others

Take a look at our Week 9 consensus RB fantasy rankings to help with your lineup choices, including start-sit recommendations, waiver wire targets, and trade opportunities.

Week 9 of the fantasy football season has arrived, and it’s more important than ever to know which players deserve a place in your starting lineup. Considering player talent, recent form, and matchups, we’ve put together our PFSN consensus Week 8 RB rankings.

These rankings were last updated at 8:00 AM ET on Monday, October 27, 2025.

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Week 9 RB Fantasy Rankings

1) Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers (at NYG)
2) Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis Colts (at PIT)
3) De’Von Achane | Miami Dolphins (vs. BAL)
4) Jahmyr Gibbs | Detroit Lions (vs. MIN)
5) Derrick Henry | Baltimore Ravens (at MIA)
6) Bijan Robinson | Atlanta Falcons (at NE)
7) Josh Jacobs | Green Bay Packers (vs. CAR)
8) James Cook | Buffalo Bills (vs. KC)
9) Javonte Williams | Dallas Cowboys (vs. ARI)
10) D’Andre Swift | Chicago Bears (at CIN)
11) Chase Brown | Cincinnati Bengals (vs. CHI)
12) Kyren Williams | Los Angeles Rams (vs. NO)
13) Kimani Vidal | Los Angeles Chargers (at TEN)
14) Ashton Jeanty | Las Vegas Raiders (vs. JAX)
15) Travis Etienne Jr. | Jacksonville Jaguars (at LV)
16) Jaylen Warren | Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. IND)
17) Isiah Pacheco | Kansas City Chiefs (at BUF)
18) J.K. Dobbins | Denver Broncos (at HOU)
19) Alvin Kamara | New Orleans Saints (at LAR)
20) Rico Dowdle | Carolina Panthers (at GB)
21) Tyrone Tracy Jr. | New York Giants (vs. SF)
22) Rhamondre Stevenson | New England Patriots (vs. ATL)
23) David Montgomery | Detroit Lions (vs. MIN)
24) Woody Marks | Houston Texans (vs. DEN)
25) Zach Charbonnet | Seattle Seahawks (at WAS)
26) Tony Pollard | Tennessee Titans (vs. LAC)
27) Tyjae Spears | Tennessee Titans (vs. LAC)
28) Jacory Croskey-Merritt | Washington Commanders (vs. SEA)
29) Aaron Jones Sr. | Minnesota Vikings (at DET)
30) Kenneth Walker III | Seattle Seahawks (at WAS)
31) Jordan Mason | Minnesota Vikings (at DET)
32) Chuba Hubbard | Carolina Panthers (at GB)
33) RJ Harvey | Denver Broncos (at HOU)
34) TreVeyon Henderson | New England Patriots (vs. ATL)
35) Tyler Allgeier | Atlanta Falcons (at NE)
36) Brashard Smith | Kansas City Chiefs (at BUF)
37) Kyle Monangai | Chicago Bears (at CIN)
38) Nick Chubb | Houston Texans (vs. DEN)
39) Kareem Hunt | Kansas City Chiefs (at BUF)
40) Kenneth Gainwell | Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. IND)

Rico Dowdle, RB, Carolina Panthers

Rico Dowdle’s fantasy breakout was halted by the return to health of Chuba Hubbard, just as many feared it would be. However, while Hubbard has seen more work over the Carolina Panthers’ last two games, he has been far less efficient than his teammate.

The Panthers face an uphill battle to make the playoffs, particularly with Bryce Young sidelined with an ankle injury. However, their 4-4 record keeps them in the hunt, especially if they can win their divisional matchups.

Hubbard has averaged just 2.5 yards per rush attempt since his return, while Dowdle has averaged 5.32 yards per attempt. If Dowdle continues to produce better results than Hubbard, there’s a good chance he takes over the lead role in the Panthers’ backfield, with plenty still to play for.

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots

TreVeyon Henderson has been a colossal disappointment this season, but it’s worth remembering that he is still a rookie. Had he not been so highly rated heading into the season, he would be an exciting potential breakout. Instead, he is viewed as a fantasy bust, having been hyped up into the third round of many drafts this year.

The continued subpar performances of Rhamondre Stevenson have yet to result in a promotion for Henderson, but we’re still only eight weeks into the season. Stevenson played under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in his rookie year, and Henderson may be simply catching up on the nuances of the play caller’s offense.

Henderson again proved his explosiveness in Week 8, turning 10 carries into 75 yards, while his more senior teammate managed only 34 yards on 14 carries. High-potential rookies are a great mid-season bet in fantasy, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Henderson take off in the second half of the year.

Aaron Jones Sr., RB, Minnesota Vikings

What looked to be a great matchup on paper turned out to be anything but, as the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense bottled up the Minnesota Vikings on the ground. Aaron Jones Sr. made his return from a hamstring injury, but couldn’t make an impact, totaling 15 yards on five carries, and turning four targets into another 15 yards.

Shockingly, that significantly eclipsed what his teammate, Jordan Mason, managed, as both running backs struggled to make an impact. That’s unlikely to continue, though, and both players should be flex-worthy fantasy assets moving forward.

Jones’ receiving prowess puts him ahead of Mason in PPR, with his role less affected by game scripts. That could be an essential factor, with the jury still out on J.J. McCarthy, who is expected to return to the field in Week 9.

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