Check out our list of the five running backs you must start in fantasy football in NFL Week 10, including Vikings star Aaron Jones in his third game back from injury
13:19 ET, 05 Nov 2025
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones rushes against the Lions
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Aaron Jones logged 98 total yards on just 11 touches in the Vikings Week 9 win over the Lions(Image: Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Week 9 wasn’t a huge scoring week from some of fantasy football’s most popular running backs.
49ers star Christian McCaffrey led all RBs in scoring, with Panthers breakout back Rico Dowdle and Bears rookie Kyle Monangai close behind. Meanwhile, Jonathan Taylor (7.7 fantasy points) and Jahmyr Gibbs (5.8) were held to season-low totals.
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Neither the Cincinnati Bengals or Dallas Cowboys, two of the NFL’s most vulnerable defenses against the run, are playing in Week 10, so we’ll have to look elsewhere for favorable matchups. Let’s get into our list of five must start running backs in fantasy for Week 10.
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Kyle Monangai (vs New York Giants)
In his first start of the season in place of the injured D’Andre Swift, Monangai exploded for 176 rushing yards against the Bengals to finish the week as RB3.
If Swift (groin) is active, Monangai’s fantasy value takes a dip. Regardless, the rookie has proven he deserves a strong share of touches, and can still produce against a Giants defense that allows the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing RBs this season (27.4).
Rico Dowdle (vs New Orleans Saints)
Dowdle has been one of the pleasant fantasy surprises of the season so far. Despite starting the year as the Panthers’ backup, the 27-year-old ranks as RB9 in fantasy and third in the NFL in total rushing yards behind Jonathan Taylor and James Cook.
Unlike in recent weeks, there is no doubt Dowdle is ahead of Chuba Hubbard on Carolina’s depth chart, and should be an auto-start.
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle rushes against the Green Bay Packers
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Rico Dowdle scored two touchdowns in the Panthers' Week 9 upset over the Packers(Image: Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Aaron Jones (vs Baltimore Ravens)
Jones returned from injury in Week 8 before powering the Vikings to an upset win over the Lions last Sunday, rushing for 78 yards and 8.7 yards per carry in the process.
Jones did leave the game with a shoulder injury, but it isn’t deemed to be serious. He looks to have already taken Jordan Mason’s place as Minnesota’s RB1, and can capitalize in Week 10 against a Ravens defense that is weak against the run.
David Montgomery (at Washington Commanders)
Montgomery has had a wobbly fantasy season due to Jahmyr Gibbs establishing himself as the Lions’ clear lead rusher, but the power back has a chance to post a big number in Week 10 against one of the NFL’s worst defenses.
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Coming off Gibbs’ worst game of the season, it is possible the Lions give Montgomery more play on Sunday.
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Woody Marks (vs Jacksonville Jaguars)
If quarterback CJ Stroud (concussion) is out for Week 10, Marks’ fantasy value could rise, as a Davis Mills-led offense would likely lean on the rushing and short passing game.
That’s where Marks thrives, so even if the Jaguars don’t allow much on the ground, which has been the case much of this season, the rookie can produce in the receiving game in PPR scoring leagues.