Week 9 of the NFL season is in the books, and our attention is drawn towards the top-performing rookie players nationwide. The 2023 rookie running back group has showcased impressive stats in the season’s early stages. As we approach Week 10, we have compiled a list of the best rookie rushers for fantasy football in the upcoming slate.
Who Are the Best Rookie RBs for Fantasy This Week?
Our NFL Week 10 dynasty running back rankings are courtesy of the PFN Consensus Fantasy Rankings.
1) Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
It’s been five games since Bijan Robinson has hit the 100-yard mark, and he’s scored only two total touchdowns in that span. While we may look back at this stretch as an anomaly in his career, Robinson has not benefitted from landing in one of the most advantageous situations in the NFL. Falcons HC Arthur Smith refuses to feed Robinson.
With 13 or fewer touches in four straight games, Robinson is more like a Flex player than a bonafide star. He’s been efficient and impressive with those touches, but the quality of the offense and lack of volume is hurting Robinson just like it has TE Kyle Pitts.
Please, Arthur Smith, use your best players.
2) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
The rookie running back depth for Week 10 has been wiped out due to bye weeks, but Jahmyr Gibbs would be our RB2 back for the week, regardless. Gibbs, coming off top-five finishes in Weeks 7 and 8 before Detroit’s bye, faces the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense. That same defense ranks 21st in points and 30th in yards allowed this season.
Gibbs is in prime position to score and put up another impressive performance. While the Chargers have improved their run defense, Detroit should have its way in pounding the rock. Given Gibbs’ open-field elusiveness and ability to punch in goal-line carries, he might be a matchup winner in Week 10.
3) Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks
A couple of big plays helped catapult Zach Charbonnet up the PPR RB standings in Week 8. His 53 rushing yards were a career-high, and he added 11 receiving yards. Still, he came back down to Earth in Week 9, finishing as RB52 with only 13 yards.
If Charbonnet can get the starting job from Kenneth Walker III, he’s in prime position to be a stud in this offense. Seattle doesn’t seem keen to hand him more touches than the four-to-eight range he’s been stuck in, though.
4) Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
After finishing within the top 30 running backs in PPR leagues three times in a four-week span, Tyjae Spears’ momentum has died quite a bit. The Week 7 bye week failed to provide any type of further spark. Spears has finished as the RB48 and RB46 in the last two weeks.
MORE: PPR Rankings
With RB Derrick Henry staying in town through the trade deadline, Spears appears to be more of a Flex alternate for rosters dealing with bye weeks. He’s a less attractive option than he was a month ago.
5) Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Unfortunately, Roschon Johnson’s RB16 finish in Week 1 is looking more like an aberration as the weeks pass by. He’s finished as RB50 or lower in his last four games played and notched fewer than seven touches in all but one of those contests. The Bears’ hierarchy will be further muddied by the eventual returns of RB Khalil Herbert and QB Justin Fields.
6) Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos
It seemed the Broncos had successfully found an offensive weapon to help alleviate the stress of producing explosive plays. Instead of continuing to lean into Jaleel McLaughlin’s playmaking, though, the team has continued to limit his touches. McLaughlin is averaging 7.1 yards per carry and has three total touchdowns on the season — but only 50 touches.
McLaughlin can’t be trusted in your lineups unless he’s getting closer to 10 touches a game. He had found that range a month ago but has been less of a priority over the last three games.
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