Fantasy football managers looking for running back help in Week 9 have a new rookie standout to consider. Jonah Coleman of the Denver Broncos surged past fellow rookies with 15 touches for 16.4 PPR points in Week 8, while Las Vegas Raiders rookie Mike Washington managed just 8.3 points on 25 touches. Coleman's involvement in the passing game — four catches in Week 8, one more than Washington has all season — and Denver's superior offensive environment make him a top-20 PPR option for the rest of the season.
Key Numbers to Know
Tony Pollard commands 70.4% of the Tennessee Titans' rush attempts, trailing only Jahmyr Gibbs and Kenneth Walker. Derrick Henry has posted 60 or fewer scrimmage yards in three straight games. Coleman's 13.3% explosive rush rate ranks second among backs with at least 20 carries. Blake Corum leads qualified runners with 46.7% of his rushes gaining five or more yards. Walker is one of two backs with at least 12 carries inside the five-yard line but ranks last in touchdowns. Ashton Jeanty remains third among running backs with 175 routes run. Josh Jacobs has two end-zone targets in two weeks, a total no other back has matched all season. No Minnesota Vikings running back played more than 19 snaps in Week 8, signaling a messy backfield.
Waiver Wire Targets
Tyler Allgeier (Arizona Cardinals) steps into a lead role after Jeremiyah Love went on injured reserve and Zonovan Knight suffered a head injury. Allgeier saw five targets in Week 8 and could be a one-week replacement against the Seattle Seahawks. Mike Washington Jr. (Las Vegas Raiders) is a must-add but a low-end flex in full PPR due to poor run blocking, a tough matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, and zero passing-game usage. Seth McGowan (Indianapolis Colts) is a stash candidate if Jonathan Taylor is traded; McGowan has shown comparable rushing efficiency but limited upside.
DFS Plays
Top play: Jonah Coleman (Denver Broncos) projects for 12.7 points against the Carolina Panthers, who allow over five yards per carry to opposing running backs. Contrarian play: Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles) projects 13.8 points versus the New York Giants; despite recent inefficiency, the matchup favors a heavy run-game approach.
