Backfield Breakdowns: Week 10

For all the talk about the NFL trade deadline, Quenton Nelson and Kirk Cousins may have been the most impactful backfield moves. Running backs have not been traded in recent NFL history. Christian McCaffrey is the obvious exception, but even he is an outlier because of his passing-game value. We have seen teams carry these values through to the draft. Every spring, we see the obvious best running back landing spots or most open depth charts pass on backs early, while teams that value the position end up raining on our parade by stacking talent. Think Seattle drafting Zach Charbonnet a year after Ken Walker III, then taking Jadarian Price in Round 1 after moving on from Walker. One of Week 9's big stories, Audric Estimé, shows why: he rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown after the Browns released him.  While the Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley, and Derrick Henry speculation was fun, reality hits, and we are left with running backs closing the season on bad teams.

Where does the league stand? 

Backfields Worth Noting

Some backfields saw noteworthy movement in Week 9:

• Indianapolis: No Jonathan Taylor trade locks in the Colts' backfield for the remainder of 2026. It will be worth monitoring if the team shifts Taylor back to the Bellcow role he has held for most of his tenure, or if the recent Seth McGowan usage continues to grow. 
• Las Vegas: The Raiders made headlines in Week 8 by handing the backfield to Mike Washington Jr. Washington struggled in Week 9, flipping usage back to Ashton Jeanty. The team dealt Kirk Cousins at the deadline, giving Fernando Mendoza an opportunity to start. 
• New Orleans: The Saints shocked many by releasing Kendre Miller. Audric Estimé handled early-down work while Alvin Kamara assumed his usual role in the passing game. The team is watching for Travis Etienne Jr.'s return and has not ruled it out for Week 10.

Bellcow Backfields

• Allgeier dominated opportunities as Jeremiyah Love was placed on IR and Bam Knight was ruled out with the concussion he suffered in Week 8.  Allgeier struggled against a strong Seattle defense. We should expect Knight to return against the Rams in Week 10, and this backfield to return to a full-blown committee. The Rams defense has been league average, though Myles Garrett returned in Week 9 and the unit had one of its best performances of the year. Allgeier and Knight are flex-level plays if both are active.

• Robinson had not scored or topped 100 rushing yards since Week 4. He was the fantasy RB20 in the four weeks between Weeks 5 and 8. He is the first back since Christian McCaffrey in 2019 with 850+ rushing yards and 250+ receiving yards in the season's first 9 games. Robinson is closing on the Top 5 rushing yardage list for the Falcons, needing 546 yards to pass Jamal Anderson. His 30 rushing touchdowns are tied for 6th with William Andrews and Warrick Dunn. Anderson stands 3rd, 4 touchdowns away. T.J. Duckett (31) and Devonta Freeman (32) are between them.  Brian Robinson Jr. was placed on season-ending IR, shifting the backfield; Herbert is not a similar threat to split usage. The Falcons face Kansas City and the 7th-best run defense per EPA in Week 10.  

• Hubbard had his best rush efficiency since Week 4, though the game script kept his attempts under his season average. He has topped 4 receptions in three consecutive games and has scored or topped 90 scrimmage yards in 7 of 8 games. He has a favorable matchup against a bottom-five Saints defense. 

• Swift entered Week 9 leading the NFL with 10 rushing touchdowns. He ran into a brick wall: the Top 5 Buccaneers run defense. The Bears seemed to be running on fumes after a short week and a tough Week 8 matchup against Seattle. Week 10 brings a much-needed bye and the potential return of Kyle Monangai. Monangai wasn't placed on IR, but has been out since Week 4 with turf toe and a thumb injury. We should expect a more even split in this backfield with Monangai back; the Bears face the Saints in Week 11. 

• Coleman has officially seized the Denver backfield, posting a season-high 21 touches in Week 9. In his 4 games, he's averaged 79.75 scrimmage yards (a full season pace of 1,356) and scored in 3 of 4. RJ Harvey has missed consecutive weeks; given the split between Coleman and Dobbins, he is the only question mark on Coleman's control of the backfield. Denver has a Week 10 bye, and the backfield will be as healthy as it has been at any point when they return in Week 11 against a poor Raiders defense. 

• Gordon was held to under 60 rushing yards for the first time in five starts since taking over for De'Von Achane. He broke a 4-game touchdown streak in Week 8. Gordon had been the RB12 in points per game during that streak. His last two weeks show a low floor, despite his backfield control. Miami faces the 32nd-ranked Indianapolis run defense in Week 10. Gordon should be set for a bounceback performance. 

• Tyrone Tracy Jr. is on IR while Cam Skattebo missed Week 9 with a hamstring. Singletary was the only back standing as Desrosiers made his NFL debut. The results were not good. Skattebo was projected as a limited participant in Monday's practice as the Giants have a short week before a Thursday night matchup against Washington. The Commanders' run defense has struggled, ranking 30th in Run EPA. The matchup is the scene of the crime for Skattebo; his fumble was key in the Week 5 tie. 

Committees With a Lead Back