Fantasy Football Week 9 RB Rankings: James Conner Injury Fallout

Getty Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner.

Welcome to our Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings for Week 9 of the 2019 NFL regular season. This week’s column centers in on the fallout from the Kenyan Drake trade. With Arizona Cardinals running backs David Johnson and Chase Edmonds both dealing with injuries, Drake could see automatic fantasy start-ability in his first game with his new team. Plus, his jump to the desert leaves a big hole left behind in Miami’s backfield. One that will likely be picked up by a player who’s been extremely impressive in recent weeks.

Reminder: These rankings are based on full-PPR scoring formats.

* If you’re looking for more information on how to best set your lineup this coming week check out our Week 9 RB Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em.

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Running Back Outlook Week 9

With both David Johnson (RB14) and Chase Edmonds (RB35) hobbled by injury, the Arizona Cardinals decided to toss a late-round draft pick to the Miami Dolphins for the rights to acquire the services of Kenyan Drake (RB29). While Arizona is on a short-week in Week 9 due to a Thursday night game, the Cards may have no choice but to feature their new running back with the plethora of injuries in the backfield.

If you’ve been a Drake fantasy owner in the past you know how frustrating it’s been to watch an ultra-talented player continuously be under-utilized. Thankfully, Drake should be used more properly, while also seeing more usage in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. Unfortunately, he’s matched with a horrendous matchup this week vs. the all-worldly San Francisco 49ers defense. However, he still offers RB3/flex starting potential with Edmonds likely out, and Johnson’s playing status up in the air. The ‘9ers did allow Christian McCaffrey to rack up 25+ fantasy points last week. Not saying Drake is CMC by any measure, however, he does offer a similar skill-set.

* UPDATE: If you took our advice and started Drake in your flex spot on Thursday, you were rewarded with RB1 numbers. Drake went off in his Cardinals debut, totaling 162 yards and one touchdown on his way to a 28.20 fantasy point outing. 

While Drake’s arrow is currently pointing upwards as he preps for his first contest as part of a new team, his former running-mate in Miami seemed to be the biggest winner of all of in the Drake trade heading into Monday night. However, Mark Walton (RB23) was used less in Week 8 than he had been when Drake was still a part of the team. Some fantasy owners may decide to cut bait with the Dolphins starting running back following a disappointing outing. If they do, be sure to scoop him up off waivers. Walton is still the clear cut RB1 in Miami, and he has a juicy matchup this week.

The New York Jets allow the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs this season and have allowed an average of 20.93 points to starting running backs over the previous three weeks.

James Conner (RB10) missed the Steelers’ final practice of the week on Friday and has now been deemed doubtful for Sunday’s game. With Conner unlikely to play, a healthy Jaylen Samuels (RB28) will take over RB1 duties for Pittsburgh. Whichever running back draws the start for the Steelers will have to deal with the Indianapolis Colts defense, who has surrendered the seventh-fewest points to opposing RBs this season.

Week 9 Fantasy Rankings: Running Back

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