10 RB sleepers to target for fantasy football Week 9

9. Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars

Word on the street is that James Robinson is not suiting up this week. He got hurt in the middle of the Seattle Seahawks game last week, and he never returned. That’s bad news for those relying on Robinson’s production, but it’s great news for those deep leagues that were holding onto Carlos Hyde for a rainy day. This is that rainy day.

There is an issue here. The Jaguars are playing a Buffalo Bills defense that is the best in the league against the run. They only allow 16 points per game on the ground in fantasy. The Bills have only allowed three touchdowns rushing and one touchdown receiving to running backs. Those aren’t great numbers for fantasy owners, but Hyde is still going to get the bulk of the carries in Buffalo. He’s still a good play in deep leagues and a long shot in daily fantasy options.

8. Rex Burkhead, Houston Texans

Listen, the Texans are bad, and everyone is still fuming after the team traded away starting running back Mark Ingram, but it’s not like the Dolphins are good. They allow 26 points per game to running backs and they’ve seen the position run into the endzone a total of 10 times this season.

The Texans ran the ball 14 times against the Rams on Sunday, and four different players split carries. Nobody had more than five. That’s not good for fantasy owners. However, there is a deep sleeper quality to Rex Burkhead. He’s the kind of guy to have a big week once and it carries your whole team. He was the running back to get the touchdown last week, and he was even able to run a trick play and throw a pass. It shows the Texans are at least thinking of how to use him.