Fantasy football managers should take note of rookie running back Jonah Coleman's emergence as a top-20 option for Week 9, according to CBS Sports analysis. Coleman turned 15 touches into 16.4 PPR points in Week 8, outperforming fellow rookie Mike Washington, who managed just 8.3 points on 25 touches.
Key Week 9 Running Back Insights
Coleman's efficiency and involvement in the passing game (four catches in Week 8) give him an edge over Washington, who has zero targets this season and averages 3.3 yards per carry. The Denver backfield, with J.K. Dobbins handling early downs, offers Coleman a clearer path to production than Las Vegas, where Ashton Jeanty dominates passing downs.
Notable Statistics
Tony Pollard commands 70.4% of Tennessee's rush attempts, trailing only Jahmyr Gibbs and Kenneth Walker. Derrick Henry has posted 60 or fewer scrimmage yards in three straight games. Coleman's 13.3% explosive rush rate ranks second among backs with at least 20 carries. Blake Corum leads qualified runners with 46.7% of rushes gaining five-plus yards. Kenneth Walker has 12 carries inside the five-yard line but only two touchdowns. Ashton Jeanty ranks third among running backs with 175 routes run. Josh Jacobs has two end-zone targets in two weeks, a total no other back has matched all season. Minnesota's backfield saw no runner exceed 19 snaps in Week 8.
Waiver Wire Targets
Tyler Allgeier (Arizona) could see a workload boost with Jeremiyah Love on IR and Zonovan Knight injured, though a tough matchup at Seattle looms. Mike Washington (Las Vegas) is a must-add but a low-end flex in full PPR due to poor run blocking, a difficult matchup at San Francisco, and zero passing-game usage. Seth McGowan (Indianapolis) is a stash candidate if Jonathan Taylor is traded; he has matched Taylor's rushing efficiency but lacks comparable upside.
DFS Plays
Coleman is the top DFS play against Carolina, which allows over five yards per carry to opposing backs, with a projected 12.7 points. Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia) is a contrarian option versus the Giants, projected for 13.8 points despite recent inefficiency and a high price tag.
