Questions about the 2026 running back class have persisted since January, with Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price initially seen as the standout rookies. Injuries and committee situations have limited their impact, but Week 8 saw Jonah Coleman and Mike Washington seize control of their respective backfields. Coleman converted 15 touches into 16.4 PPR points, while Washington's 25 touches yielded only 8.3 points. The key differences were efficiency and passing-game involvement: Washington averaged 3.3 yards per carry with zero targets, whereas Coleman caught four passes in Week 8 alone — one more than Washington has all season. Coleman's situation in Denver, alongside early-down back J.K. Dobbins, appears far more favorable for PPR production than Washington's role in Las Vegas, where Ashton Jeanty dominates passing downs.
Several notable statistical trends highlight the Week 9 landscape: Tony Pollard commands 70.4% of Tennessee's rush attempts; 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-plus yards; Kenneth Walker has 12 carries inside the five-yard line but only two touchdowns; Jeanty remains third among running backs with 175 routes run; Josh Jacobs has two end-zone targets in two weeks; and no Minnesota running back played more than 19 snaps in Week 8.
On the waiver wire, Tyler Allgeier (Arizona) could see a heavy workload with Jeremiyah Love on IR and Zonovan Knight injured, though a tough matchup against Seattle looms. Mike Washington (Las Vegas) is a must-add but a low-end flex in full PPR given poor blocking, a difficult San Francisco matchup, and zero passing-game usage. Seth McGowan (Indianapolis) is a speculative stash should Jonathan Taylor be traded, as McGowan has shown comparable rushing efficiency.
In DFS, Coleman is the top play against a Carolina defense allowing over five yards per carry to running backs, with a projected 12.7 points at a favorable salary. A contrarian option is Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia), who faces the New York Giants in a game script that could favor a heavy run approach, though his price is elevated and the Eagles' offense has struggled.
Full Week 9 fantasy projections for all positions are available and will be updated throughout the week.
