NFL Fantasy 2025 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Running backs for Week 10

If Swift (groin) is back this week, he is a must-play RB. If Swift is out again, Monangai is a must-play RB. And Monangai still will be in the flex conversation if Swift returns. Swift has scored 15-plus fantasy points in his last four games, averaging 19.4 PPG in that span. Monangai just cooked the Bengals for 198 scrimmage yards, finishing as the RB3 on the week despite not scoring a touchdown. Chicago gets another great ground matchup this week against the Giants, who have allowed the second-most rushing yards and fantasy PPG to backs. They give up explosive runs (10-plus yards) at the highest rate in the NFL.

Judkins has scored fewer than five fantasy points in two of his last three games. In that other one, he went for three touchdowns and 26.4 fantasy points. This stretch shows the low floor and high ceiling. He has topped 13 points in four of seven games. In the down games, the Browns fell behind by numerous scores for most (if not all) of the second half. I expect to see Good Judkins this week against the Jets, who have held a two-score lead once all year (nine points in Week 1) and just traded DT Quinnen Williams and CB Sauce Gardner.

In the last three weeks, Warren has handled 79 percent of Pittsburgh's RB carries, while splitting targets with Kenneth Gainwell. Warren has received all of the goal-line carries in that span, averaging a healthy 15.3 fantasy PPG in the process. All in all, he has topped 13 fantasy points in five of his seven games. This week, he faces the Chargers, who are giving up a generous average of 4.9 yards per carry. They have allowed the third-most yards after contact per carry and the second-highest explosive run rate. They are a sneaky-favorable matchup. Given how much volume Warren has handled, he is in play.

Last week, Montgomery had more carries and targets than Jahmyr Gibbs. I am not sure that continues this week, but Monty is still in play for fantasy purposes. The Lions should be able to put up points against an old and beat-up Commanders defense. Detroit has run the ball at the second-highest rate in the NFL. Lastly, Montgomery remains the goal-line runner for the Lions, seeing seven of nine goal-line attempts. Monty has been more floor than ceiling in this new Lions offense, but this is a favorable spot.

This situation is similar to the Bears one we discussed above, where the lead running back is absolutely in play this week. If Stevenson is active, he is a "start" against the Bucs. If he is out, fantasy managers should continue to ride Henderson, who finished as the RB15 last week. If Stevenson is active, Henderson is a low-floor, high-upside flex option. The Bucs have allowed the seventh-most fantasy PPG to opposing RBs. They give up 1.5 yards before contact per carry, which is the third-highest mark in the NFL. They have allowed the most receiving yards to RBs, as well.

Etienne received a whopping 27 touches last week, but he split the goal-line work with rookie Bhayshul Tuten. The veteran has scored fewer than 10 fantasy points in three of his last four games. That is the risk in a tough matchup against the Texans, who have allowed the seventh-fewest rushing yards to backs. They are better than league average in yards before and after contact per carry and have allowed explosive runs at the fifth-lowest rate. Just one player all season -- Seattle's Zach Charbonnet -- has finished as a top-10 back during the week he played Houston. Lastly, Etienne has been held to fewer than nine fantasy points in two of his last three games versus the Texans -- and he's scored just two touchdowns in seven career games against them. He is not a must-sit, but if you have a good alternative option, I'd take it.

Over the last two weeks in this space, I have detailed how Kamara is posting career worsts in almost all meaningful metrics. He hit a new low last week, turning nine opportunities (six carries + three targets) into just 17 yards. Due to a fumble, he finished with a career-low 0.7 fantasy points. He has now been a top-25 fantasy RB once in the last seven weeks. He's put up fewer than seven fantasy points in three straight. Not only is his 3.9 yards-per-touch average a career low, but it also ranks 45th among qualified running backs. He has 60 fewer fantasy points through nine games than his previous career low. Lastly, the Saints scored just 10 points last week with rookie Tyler Shough under center, so it is not like you can bank on a touchdown. The Panthers are a favorable matchup on paper, and Kamara's had success against them in the past. Still, I would get away, if possible.

Aaron Jones left last week's game with a shoulder injury, but it looks like he's going to be able to play against Baltimore. That is good news for the Vikings and bad news for Jordan Mason fantasy managers. In the two games since Jones returned from a hamstring injury, Mason has scored 6.3 fantasy points. Not per game -- total. The Ravens have allowed just three rushing touchdowns in their last five games. Over the last month, they've been in the top five when it comes to fewest fantasy PPG allowed to RBs. The floor is extremely low for Mason, and outside of one game against the Bengals, he has not shown much upside, either. I'd get away.

The Patriots might boast the best run defense in the NFL. They have yielded the fewest rushing yards to RBs, giving up just 3.1 yards per carry. They've allowed just two rushing touchdowns to backs. If you are still not sold, they allow yards after contact at the second-lowest rate, yards before contact at 10th-lowest rate and explosive runs at the lowest rate. They've allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy PPG to RBs. White has been held under nine fantasy points in two straight. Given the matchup, I'd try to get away.

If New England doesn't have the best run defense in the league, Seattle does. The Seahawks are top five when it comes to rushing yards, touchdowns, yards before and after contact and explosive runs allowed to RBs. The one weakness they have against the position is in the passing game. Still, with Trey Benson potentially returning to the lineup, we are not sure exactly how the work will be distributed. As we saw last week, the Cardinals will mix it up and ride the hot hand. Given the matchup and lack of clarity on the usage front, I would look to avoid this backfield altogether.

Week 5 was fun. That looked like a breakout performance for Croskey-Merritt, as he went off for 27 fantasy points. But over the last four games, the rookie has totaled 17.6 fantasy points, good for an average of 4.4 per game. The usage has been inconsistent, and he has to worry about Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Marcus Mariota vulturing touchdowns. Plus, the Lions have given up the third-fewest fantasy PPG to RBs this season, allowing just one back (Quinshon Judkins) to finish in the top 15 for a week. The floor is too low, and this does not seem like an upside week for "Bill."