Fantasy football is full of weekly surprises, and this week is no different. A few players are emerging as unexpected assets, while some long-time stars could disappoint. Matchups and opportunity are everything right now. Here are a few names you’ll want to think carefully about before setting your lineup.
Start ‘Em: Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
Yes, it is a lot easier to recommend starting a player coming off a great game than the reverse. But let’s not pretend as if Kimani Vidal is some every-week no-doubt fantasy starter.
The first half didn’t quite go his way against the Minnesota Vikings, but he dominated in the second half. Ultimately, Vidal carried the ball 23 times for 117 yards and a touchdown, posting 19.7 fantasy points. And that was against an excellent Vikings defense.
Kimani Vidal is a Top 10 back in this league pic.twitter.com/tygXuv7Lwg
— Chargers Country (@ChargersCountry) October 28, 2025
Regardless of Hassan Haskins’ status, this is Vidal’s backfield until Omarion Hampton returns, which won’t be this week. That means Vidal gets the pleasure of running against a Tennessee Titans defense allowing the second most fantasy points per game to running backs.
The Los Angeles Chargers should have a positive game script throughout, resulting in another 20-touch game for the unexpected star running back.
Bam Knight, Arizona Cardinals
Now, we are digging a bit deeper. Bam Knight has been involved in three games for the Cardinals since Trey Benson’s knee injury. He’s posted 9.4, 12.4, and 9.4 fantasy points. Those numbers are usable, but nothing special.
Knight took over the lead back role after Michael Carter failed to impress coaches in his chance at being the lead back. We do not indicate that anything is about to change, and Carter certainly hasn’t done anything to demand it. That means Knight should once again be the lead back.
The snap share will likely be close. Knight was only at 51% and 45% in his two games as the primary back. But in Week 7, before his bye, Knight saw 18 opportunities. That’s the number we care about.
The Cowboys allow the fourth most fantasy points per game to running backs. They constantly find themselves in shootouts. And Knight appears to be the goal-line back. He is an excellent RB2 option in Week 9.
Sit ‘Em: Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
For multiple years, fantasy managers have wondered whether Alvin Kamara would decline. Will the aging running back lose a stop? Will playing a bad offense hinder his production? Kamara staved off Father Time for a couple of years, but it appears the Grim Reaper has come to collect.
This does appear to be the beginning of the end for one of the best running backs of this generation. Kamara is averaging a career-worst 3.6 yards per carry. He’s seeing career lows in receiving volume as Kellen Moore’s offense emphasizes pushing the ball downfield over checking it down to the running back, which was a Derek Carr staple.
Took them long enough.
Alvin Kamara owners: pic.twitter.com/NNitZcHCXt
— The Raw Truth (@TruthSlicer) October 28, 2025
Here are some things Kamara hasn’t done in a while or at all. He hasn’t scored since Week 1. He hasn’t rushed for 100 yards. He hasn’t hit 50 receiving yards in a game. He hasn’t exceeded 16 fantasy points in a game. Kamara has as many games with single-digit fantasy points as double-digit.
Now, Kamara gets a Los Angeles Rams defense that is rested and refreshed coming off their bye, and that is allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. This is a recipe for another single-digit outing from the once elite running back.
Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Remember when Rico Dowdle was the second coming of LaDainian Tomlinson? Those two weeks may go down in history similar to that brief stretch where Jay Ajayi (who was never actually good) had multiple 200-yard rushing games. Moments in time. You just had to be there.
READ MORE: Katz’s Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Week 9: Kimani Vidal, Bam Knight, Terry McLaurin, and Others
Since Chuba Hubbard’s return, this backfield has been a true 50/50 committee. Dowdle has been the more efficient runner, but Hubbard has been the one to score. For fantasy purposes, neither is anything more than an RB3 while both are healthy.
Now, the Carolina Panthers running backs get to deal with a Green Bay Packers defense allowing the fourth fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. Carolina is on the road and likely to face a negative game script. When they are trailing, they typically throw, and not to their running backs. Unless one of Dowdle or Hubbard falls into the end zone, neither is likely to reach double-digit fantasy points.
