This Sleepers and Streamers column had its toughest week thus far this season. Three of the four running backs played poorly. The last running back, Jaylen Warren, played well but got limited touches last night. Nonetheless, this was a rough week for my fantasy teams, and I let down people who read these articles. With five weeks of the fantasy football regular season, each match-up gets more critical as time passes. Let’s clinch playoff spots and start by finding some Week 9 running back sleepers.
Week 9 Running Back Sleepers
Kendre Miller @ Carolina Panthers
Kendre Miller has played in two games, with his highest snap share being 29%. The bright side of things is that he has averaged 5.66 ypc (yards per carry) with the work he has received. With a superstar like Alvin Kamara as the New Orleans Saints RB1, Miller is in a tough spot to see significant work to make him fantasy relevant. His best chance will be in Week 9, and the Saints should let the second-year running see more touches with Alvin Kamara dealing with multiple injuries.
With the Carolina Panthers as the Saints’ next opponent, the time could not be better for Miller to find the end zone. The Panthers are statistically the worst team against running backs. They allow the most fantasy PPG and have given up the most touchdowns to the position. Kendre Miller finds the end zone in Week 9.
Braelon Allen vs. Houston Texans
Braelon Allen has been a nightmare for fantasy managers of Breece Hall. Just when we think Breece Hall is going to score, Braelon Allen comes to vulture a touchdown, which he has done three times this season. The New York Jets have their backs against the wall and will be desperate in Week 9. Currently sitting at 2-6, the playoffs are a dream as of now. In order for it to become a reality, the team has to be clicking as one unit.
The Texans are hurt where it stings the most: CJ Stroud’s wide receivers. Nico Collins is still out, Tank Dell seems to still not be all there from his 2023 injury, and Stefon Diggs injured himself in Week 8. I think the Jets come out swinging, and both of their running backs find the end-zone. Breece Hall is a lineup lock, but Braelon is a top 36 play who will finish inside the top 24 for running backs in Week 9.
Running Back Streamers
Chase Brown vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Chase Brown surpassed Zack Moss about a month ago for the RB1 spot on the Cincinnati Bengals. Brown has found the end zone four times in his last six games. Now, he gets rewarded against a poor Las Vegas run defense. The Raiders are bottom ten against running backs, and the Bengals are just like the Jets: desperate. The Bengals should come out passing the football heavily. This will lead to red-zone opportunities for Chase Brown. A fifth touchdown in seven games is looming for Brown in a must-win game for the Bengals in Week 9, as he is my favorite running back in Sleepers and Streamers for this edition.
Tyler Allgeier vs Dallas Cowboys
Tyler Allegeier has been a sleeper on sleepers and streamers before, but he has had just one good game this season. It was against the Carolina Panthers, the worst team in football against running backs. In week 9, the Atlanta Falcons face the Dallas Cowboys, who have been abysmal on defense without Micah Parsons wreaking havoc on the line. Despite his RB11 finish a few weeks ago, Allgeier has finished no better than the RB33 this season. With the Cowboys being one of the easier match-ups thus far for running backs, throw a dart at Allgeier as top 24 upside is there.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!