Fantasy Football 2018: 10 RB sleepers to target for Week 9

21st October 2018, Wembley Stadium, London, England; NFL in London, game two, Tennessee Titans versus Los Angeles Chargers; Quarterback Marcus Mariota of the Tennessee Titans hands off the ball to running back Dion Lewis (photo by Shaun Brooks/Action Plus via Getty Images) /

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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Running back Alfred Morris #46 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes the football against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Alfred Morris, San Francisco 49ers vs. Oakland Raiders

The San Francisco 49ers backfield is extremely difficult to project because of injuries to Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert. While Breida has returned to play through the pain and Mostert could suit up through his ankle injury, these two injuries create a guessing game for fantasy owners when it comes to predicting just how the carries will be divided among three capable running backs.

That third back is none other than Alfred Morris, who memorably ran for 1,610 yards as a surprise rookie in a Robert Griffin III-offense. Since leaving Washington, Morris has never been a feature back, and he’s honestly only the third-most talented back on the 49ers at this stage of his career.

Of course, that statement says more about how dynamic Breida and Mostert have looked this year, because Morris isn’t exactly a bad option. He looked capable in Week 8, rushing for 28 yards on 6 carries in a game where Mostert left early with an injury and Breida managed just 42 yards on 16 carries (he clearly showed the ill-effects of his nagging injury).

Fantasy owners should view Mostert as the best option behind Breida, but it seems like the 49ers are ready to give Morris a run. Facing the Oakland Raiders on Thursday Night Football this week, that may be too quick of a turnaround to trust Mostert in Week 9, leaving Morris as a sleeper with some additional touchdown-scoring potential.

Someone will go off against a Raiders defense that allows a league-most 144.7 rushing yards per game, and Morris is worth keeping an eye on this week. This may be the only week where he’s a valid, desperation fantasy option.

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