Top Fantasy Football Running Backs for Week 10: Must-Start Picks and Sleeper Hits

If you're gearing up for Week 10 of fantasy football, you've come to the right place for all the must-start running backs to keep an eye on. With so many exciting matchups ahead, there's plenty to discuss. From rookies who are heating up to veterans continuing to dominate, here's a deep dive into my top running back picks, some sleeper hits, and the matchups you’ll want to target—or avoid. I’ve compiled this list with a mix of factors like player workload, opponent strength, red zone opportunities, and how the game script is likely to unfold.

Tyrone Tracy Jr.: A Breakout Candidate for Week 10

Tyrone Tracy Jr. is one of the most exciting plays for Week 10. The rookie has taken over as the lead back for the New York Giants, outproducing veteran Devin Singletary in recent games. While he didn’t have a monster performance in Week 9, racking up 66 yards on 16 carries, this week offers a golden opportunity for Tracy to explode.

Why? Well, he's facing the Carolina Panthers, who have been atrocious against the run all season long. The Panthers are giving up the most fantasy points to running backs, along with the most rushing yards per game (132.9) and an average of 1.4 rushing touchdowns per game. The Panthers just allowed Alvin Kamara to rack up 215 yards from scrimmage on 35 touches in Week 9. Earlier in the season, they’ve been torched by the likes of J.K. Dobbins, Chase Brown, D’Andre Swift, and Bijan Robinson. Tracy is a prime candidate to join that list of top performers, and I expect him to churn out at least 150 yards from scrimmage this week. He’s my No. 6 ranked running back for Week 10, and you don’t want to miss out on his breakout potential.

Jonathan Taylor: Ready to Dominate the Bills

Jonathan Taylor is another must-start running back for Week 10. The Indianapolis Colts star running back is likely to remain a key fixture in fantasy lineups, and this week’s matchup with the Buffalo Bills should give him plenty of chances to deliver elite RB1 value. The Bills' defense has struggled against running backs, allowing the second-most fantasy points per game and a league-high 58.2 receiving yards per game to the position.

In Week 9, they gave up 121 yards from scrimmage to De’Von Achane. Taylor has been on a hot streak recently, eclipsing 80 yards from scrimmage in four of his last five games. I expect the Colts to lean heavily on Taylor in this one, giving him at least 25 touches. Given his volume, he's well on his way to surpassing 100 total yards this week. Taylor is currently my No. 8 ranked running back, and he’s positioned to return high-end RB1 production.

D'Andre Swift: A Safe Bet for Week 10

D'Andre Swift is one of the most reliable fantasy running backs this season, and Week 10 continues that trend. Swift has been a strong performer, especially recently, with touchdowns in four of his last five games. He’s consistently put up more than 80 yards from scrimmage in those appearances, making him an easy RB1 play for this week.

The Chicago Bears will take on a New England Patriots defense that has been very generous to running backs, allowing the second-most rushing yards (124.6) and fifth-most fantasy points per game to the position. They’ve also given up an average of 1.1 rushing touchdowns per game. In Week 9, the Patriots allowed 154 yards from scrimmage to Tony Pollard, and earlier in the season, they were gashed by Joe Mixon and the Miami Dolphins' running backs. With Swift in such a strong groove and facing a defense that’s shown a willingness to give up big plays, he should continue his streak of strong performances.

Najee Harris: Back in Action After a Bye Week

If you’re looking for a solid RB2 or flex option in Week 10, Najee Harris should be on your radar. After a Week 9 bye, Harris is ready to continue his solid run of form, where he had three consecutive games with 100 rushing yards or more. This week, he’ll face the Washington Commanders, a defense that’s struggled against the run. Washington is giving up the fifth-most rushing yards per game (115) this season, which makes Harris an enticing option for a big day.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to lean on Harris early to establish the run, especially in a road matchup where controlling the clock will be key. Harris is coming off a couple of heavy workload games, tallying 43 touches across his last two outings. With 20-plus touches likely in this one, Harris should have a great chance to eclipse the 100-yard mark again, making him a solid RB2 or flex play.

Week 10 Top Running Back Rankings

As we dive into Week 10, here’s a closer look at my top 30 fantasy football running backs for the week. These rankings take into account matchups, player performance, and potential game script:

1. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas – Barkley remains the top dog, and his matchup is one to exploit.
2. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta – Kamara continues to dominate, especially in the passing game.
3. De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins at LA Rams – The rookie sensation is poised for another huge outing.
4. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans vs. Cincinnati – Always a force, Henry’s powerful running game will be key.
5. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams vs. Miami – A solid option against a beatable Miami defense.
6. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants at Carolina – Watch for Tracy to take full advantage of a porous Panthers defense.
7. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans – The rookie continues to impress, and New Orleans will have their hands full.
8. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts vs. Buffalo – Taylor’s usage is only increasing, and Buffalo is a favorable matchup.
9. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay – McCaffrey is always a top play, even in tough matchups.
10. D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears vs. New England – Swift is locked into RB1 territory with his consistency.
11. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers at Jacksonville – Jones remains a key weapon for the Packers.
12. Breece Hall, New York Jets at Arizona – Hall is primed for another strong performance.
13. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Detroit – Mixon has a favorable matchup against Detroit's defense.
14. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Jets – Conner is the workhorse in Arizona.
15. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions at Houston – Gibbs is continuing to prove his worth in fantasy.
16. Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia – Pollard’s volume is his strength.
17. James Cook, Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis – Cook will be involved in both the running and passing game.
18. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers at Washington – Harris should have plenty of opportunities to shine.
19. J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Tennessee – Dobbins is coming off a strong stretch.
20. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers vs. New York Giants – Hubbard could get more work as Carolina looks to balance their offense.
21. Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver – Hunt is a decent option in deeper leagues.
22. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore – Brown could see increased touches.
23. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia – Dowdle is a sneaky flex play with potential upside.
24. Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders vs. Pittsburgh – Ekeler's dual-threat ability makes him a must-start.
25. David Montgomery, Detroit Lions at Houston – Montgomery is a strong RB2 with consistent touches.
26. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. San Francisco – White is a high-risk, high-reward play.
27. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots at Chicago – Stevenson has upside despite a tough matchup.
28. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos at Kansas City – Williams is still a solid RB2 in deeper leagues.
29. Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis – Davis is a sleeper in deep formats.
30. Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins at LA Rams – Mostert is a solid option with big-play potential.

Players to Monitor

With injuries continuing to impact the fantasy landscape, be sure to monitor the status of key players like Christian McCaffrey, Brian Robinson Jr., and Jonathan Brooks as they approach Week 10. Fantasy owners should keep a close eye on their statuses as game day nears to avoid last-minute surprises.

Bye Week Considerations

This week, players from the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Seattle Seahawks are all on bye. If you have players from those teams in your lineup, it’s time to make some adjustments. You might need to bench or even drop those players depending on your roster needs.

Wrapping It Up

Week 10 promises to be another exciting one for fantasy football, with plenty of intriguing matchups and opportunities for your running backs to shine. Make sure to lock in your starters based on these rankings and keep an eye on injury updates as we get closer to kickoff. Whether you're relying on a breakout star like Tyrone Tracy Jr. or a consistent performer like Jonathan Taylor, this week offers a lot of potential for fantasy owners to