Buy Low
Brashard Smith (RB-KC) - After two weeks in a row of getting only six snaps, while trade rumors swirled around the Chiefs' backfield, Smith got the garbage time work against the Raiders, and Kareem Hunt got banged up during the game. Hunt missed practice to start the week and might not play on Monday. There could also be more garbage time against Washington. It's so clear that Smith is the fastest/quickest back on the team. Eventually, he is going to make a few plays that will make it impossible for them to keep his role this small.
Bhayshul Tuten (RB-JAX) - Travis Etienne Jr. started the season on a heater, but has fizzled out over the last three games. Tuten offers much more than Etienne does after contact, with all of the big-play ability. The Jaguars are going into their bye, and Liam Coen could use the time to adjust the backfield split to embrace more of the rookie they selected in the fourth round, and less of the veteran they inherited going into his walk year.
Breece Hall (RB-NYJ) - This one is a swing for the fences, as the NFL trades we want to happen rarely seem to happen. From all outward indications, the Jets have the worst offense in the league. We might be underestimating just how talented Hall is to put up the numbers he has this year, and at his peak on the team. Much like Saquon Barkley, if he can just get to a functional offense, we might see him erupt and power fantasy teams to championships.
Ashton Jeanty (RB-LV) - Surely offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will use the bye to retrench around the #6 overall pick, no? Jeanty has been the best part of the Raiders' offense. Yet, he hasn't had a chance to influence the outcome of some games (and fantasy contests) because the Raiders haven't shown a consistent ability to block well for him or otherwise leverage his presence to create offensive production. Jeanty won't be available via trade in dynasty, but maybe in redraft, you can swing a deal with a team in a bad spot because of a bye-week crunch.
Blake Corum (RB-LAR) - Corum should be on the waiver wire in many redraft leagues during his bye. If you can find a spot for him, he's one of the few backup running backs with the talent and surrounding offense to be a league winner if the starter ahead of him goes down. The Rams' ability to flourish in multiple offensive modes, and without their #1 receiver, should make you even more eager to invest in their offense, and that's basically what carrying Corum on your bench amounts to.
Ken Walker III, Zach Charbonnet (RB-SEA) - When Walker missed time with injuries last year, Charbonnet was a strong replacement. If you just took the fantasy stats of the starting Seahawks running back in 2024, you would have had a top-five running back. This season, Walker and Charbonnet have split the running back production basically down the middle, rendering both weekly flex options and nothing more. The Seahawks should brush up on the Klint Kubiak running game during the bye, and with Sam Darnold playing well, there's no reason that this can't become a balanced offense with spike weeks for the running game in the second half of the season. With Walker's big play/game ability, Charbonnet's touchdown equity, and the possibility of one of them getting hurt and making the other into a fantasy RB1, something's got to give. This is a good time to acquire one while they are on bye.