FantasyPros – Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode Title: Week 10 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings & Tiers: Studs, Sleepers, and Must-Starts (Ep. 1823)
Date: November 6, 2025
Hosts: Chris Welsh, Pat Fitzmaurice, Andrew Erickson

Overview

This episode dives deep into Week 10 running back (RB) rankings, focusing on how the top fantasy football minds at FantasyPros are tiering RBs into RB1s, RB2s, and RB3s. The hosts discuss which running backs are must-starts, highlight potential sleepers, address key injury situations, and provide detailed reasoning for tough lineup decisions. Their analysis is data-driven, with particular attention paid to trends, usage rates, matchups, and shifting backfield dynamics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. RB1s: The Top 12 Running Backs

(02:32 – 11:40)

• Jonathan Taylor leads the week, followed closely by Christian McCaffrey and Bijan Robinson.
• Rico Dowdle lands surprisingly high at #7 — overtaking fantasy household names like Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, and Kyren Williams.
  • Pat Fitzmaurice: “You just gotta ride the hot hand here. He's gone over a hundred yards in three of his last five games... Well, Rico is the lead guy now, and I think we have to treat him as such in the rankings.” (04:30)
  • Dowdle’s ascension is credited to the Panthers’ run-heavy approach and Chuba Hubbard’s diminished role.

Rico Dowdle – Trust Factor

• Pat: Recommends starting Dowdle over Saquon Barkley, citing Saquon’s injury concerns and poor offensive environment. (05:30)
• Erickson: Fully backs Dowdle, noting, “I think it's Rico Dowdle’s backfield until — or if — he gets hurt.” (06:23)
• Both rankers agree Dowdle’s volume and involvement in the passing game propel him above aging names with less secure roles.
• Comparison quick picks:
  • Josh Jacobs or Rico Dowdle? Erickson: “Rico Dottle.” (07:15)
  • Derrick Henry or Rico Dowdle? Fitzmaurice: “Collectively, I do have Rico ranked one spot higher than Derrick Henry.” (08:03)

Ashton Genty – RB12, The Ceiling Play (08:08)

• Genty offers elite PPR upside through passing-game work but faces a tough Denver matchup and a weak offensive line.
  • Erickson: “Everything else, Genty is full go for me... he's fourth in running back target share over the last five weeks. But playing at Denver on a short week is just a tough spot for any running back.” (08:39)
  • Fitzmaurice: Concerned about Raiders’ last-place run-blocking line and the cap on Genty’s rushing upside. “Brock Bowers… uplifts the entire offense, but Denver’s just a really tough matchup.” (10:40)

2. RB2s: 13–24, Key Injury Pivots & Upside Flexes

(11:40 – 24:21)

Kyle Manungai – Huge Opportunity if DeAndre Swift Sits

• Fitzmaurice: “Even if Swift does play this week, I think Manungai should start on any fantasy teams that have him... If Manungai is getting the vast majority of carries again this week, yeah, he could absolutely have another big day.” (13:34)
• Erickson: “He’s the guy. Just start him. Find a way to get him in your lineup.” (15:14)
• The Giants’ defense is yielding nearly 6 yards per carry, making Manungai a RB1 if Swift is out.

Travion Henderson – Volume and Passing Game Potential

• Erickson: “The matchup is a bit tougher for rushing... but I think there is an upside out for Henderson here even if he's still mixing in with Terrell Jennings, and that's through the passing game.” (15:57)
• Fitzmaurice highlights Henderson’s 75% snap share and dual-usage potential. “He can absolutely make his bones as a pass catcher this week.” (17:49)

Tyrone Tracy vs. Devin Singletary – A True Committee?

• Pat: “Devin Singletary played more snaps than Tyrone Tracy last week. I've Singletary ranked one spot higher.” (21:13)
• Erickson: Counters that Tracy’s reduced usage was due to injury, not demotion, and that he retains passing-down value. “I'm not ready to write off Tracy after one game... if they are in a negative game script, I think it's going to be Tyron Tracy, the former wide receiver that's going to be on the field, and not Devin Singletary.” (22:05)

RJ Harvey – Ceiling or Trap?

• Erickson (pro-ceiling): “He continues to produce despite lackluster touches... I'm okay with taking a potential lower scoring performance from Harvey on a Thursday night when I know the upside he could offer in a plus matchup.” (24:26)
• Pat (skeptical): “I just feel like the ECR rank on RJ Harvey is touchdown chasing. He's had five touchdowns in his last three games and he has gotten those five touchdowns on only 20 touches over those three games.” (26:43)
• Both agree Harvey is a risk/reward play for desperate rosters.

3. RB3s & Deeper Options: 25–36 and Beyond

(28:21 – 35:09)

Alvin Kamara – Time to Drop?

• Despite the strong matchup vs. Carolina, consensus is extremely low:
  • Pat: “I can't remember a time when I have ever advocated the dropping of a guy who was clearly the lead back on his team before. I'm advocating that people just drop Alvin Kamara.” (30:03)
  • Erickson: “There are no reasons where you should start Alvin Kamara besides the Carolina Panthers matchup, which on paper looks great. But he's PFF's lowest grade running back this season.” (31:30)
• Offensive line injuries, lack of receiving work, and Taysom Hill’s goal-line role make Kamara essentially unstartable.

Zonovan “Bam” Knight – Touchdown or Bust

• Erickson: “With Bam Knight, it's just touchdown or bust... he is touchdown or bust, and there's a chance that Trey Benson comes back and Imarui G. Mercado is also working more in this backfield.” (33:21)
• Fitzmaurice: “I'm not sure what to make of the Arizona backfield until Trey Benson comes back. Knight didn’t have a very good fantasy performance last week in this favorable matchup against the Cowboys, and now he gets a much less favorable matchup against the Seahawks.” (34:20)
• Knight ranked ahead of Kamara but still a desperation play.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Rico Dowdle:

  • “He's gone over a hundred yards in three of his last five games... Well, Rico is the lead guy now, and I think we have to treat him as such in the rankings.” – Pat Fitzmaurice (04:30)

• On Ashton Genty:

  • “Genty has a really high floor because he's playing basically every single snap on the offense for the Las Vegas Raiders.” – Andrew Erickson (08:39)

• On Kyle Manungai:

  • “He’s the guy. Just start him. Find a way to get him in your lineup.” – Andrew Erickson (15:14)

• On Alvin Kamara:

  • “I can't remember a time when I have ever advocated the dropping of a guy who was clearly the lead back on his team before. I'm advocating that people just drop Alvin Kamara.” – Pat Fitzmaurice (30:03)

• On RB desperation in the 30s:

  • “Never really are when you're into the 30s of the running backs.” – Chris Welsh (35:09)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• RB1s Discussion & Rico Dowdle Debate: 02:32 – 08:08
• Ashton Genty’s Potential & Risk Factors: 08:08 – 11:40
• RB2s, Including Kyle Manungai’s Value Bump: 11:40 – 15:14
• Travion Henderson’s Usage Outlook: 15:57 – 18:35
• Tyrone Tracy vs Devin Singletary Committee Insight: 20:40 – 23:36
• RJ Harvey High Ceiling/Low Floor Analysis: 24:26 – 28:21
• RB3s, Kamara’s Fallout, Bam Knight’s Hail Mary Role: 28:21 – 35:09

Final Takeaways

• Rico Dowdle has vaulted into must-start territory; start him over many “name” backs if you have him.
• Ashton Genty is a strong floor RB2 with passing upside but has hurdles this week.
• Kyle Manungai will be a locked-in RB1 if Swift sits — monitor injury updates.
• Travion Henderson offers sneaky upside as a pass-catching back, especially if Stevenson remains out.
• Tyrone Tracy is still intriguing, but the backfield is muddied by injury and committee concerns.
• RJ Harvey is a volatile, high-ceiling flex.
• Alvin Kamara is considered droppable and unstartable, even in a good matchup.
• RB3s (Knight, Singletary, Merritt, Kamara) are essentially desperation plays in most formats.

For in-week updates and start/sit dilemmas, visit fantasypros.com/rankings and join the Thursday Start/Sit livestream at 3pm EST on YouTube.

Host sign-off:
“Good luck and we'll talk to you next time right here on Fantasy Pros.” - Chris Welsh (35:09)