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Fantasy Football: Week 9 running back rankings

By Alex Butler
New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) loses the ball momentarily while hurdling Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) as wide receiver Tommylee Lewis (11) looks on during the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday in New Orleans, La. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI
1 of 4 | New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) loses the ball momentarily while hurdling Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) as wide receiver Tommylee Lewis (11) looks on during the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday in New Orleans, La. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo

Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Jordan Howard, Melvin Gordon and Le'Veon Bell are the top backs with Week 9 byes, but there are once again six total squads sitting out this week.

You need to replace all of your starters from the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers, but you should also look to add some depth to your team as this is a good waiver wire week. Take a look at some of my top options for each position in free agency by visiting my Week 9 add/drop article.

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Here are my Top 30 options at the position this week.

TOP 30 WEEK 9 RANKINGS BELOW

TOP SHELF

Running back Mark Ingram has established himself as a force this season in the New Orleans Saints backfield. Ingram has averaged nearly 120 yards from scrimmage and has scored four times in his last three games. He gets a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9, a defense tied for allowing the second-most touchdowns and the 10th most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Ingram is an RB1 and my No. 4 option for Week 9.

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SNEAKY PLAYS

Arizona Cardinals running back Adrian Peterson had a setback in Week 8 after erupting for 134 yards and two scores on 26 carries in his franchise debut. Look for the Cardinals to get him going early in Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers, a defense allowing the most fantasy points per game, third-most rushing yards and second-most rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs. Peterson is an RB1 and my No. 9 option for Week 9.

Week 9 Running Back Rankings

LONGSHOTS

Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah hasn't busted loose lately, but he is a solid option in Week 9, especially with six teams on a bye. Abudllah is my No. 15 option for the Week, making him an RB2. The Lions face the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. Green Bay is allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Give Abdullah the RB2 or flex green light in your lineup.

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New York Giants running back Orleans Darkwa has a shot at RB2 production Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. This season the Rams have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game and are tied for allowing the most rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs. Darkwa went off for 117 yards on 21 carries in Week 6, but he might have fallen out of favor with fantasy football team owners after posting 35 yards in Week 7. He might even be on your waiver wire and could serve as a streaming option if you are in a tight spot at the position due to the watered down running back pool.

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