Week 9 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: RB
Peppers & Picks' Week 9 RB start 'em, sit 'em call for the 2026 NFL season: start Kenneth Walker III (KC), our RB1 at 13.1 projected points, and sit MarShawn Lloyd (GB) at 2.4 projected points. Every call below comes from our own weekly projection, position rank, roster and start rates, opponent and injury designation, with Sally's and Tina's reasoning attached.
Data on this page is as of November 10, 2026 at 6:55 PM ET and refreshes automatically every 30 minutes.
Sally's and Tina's Week 9 RB picks
Sally's pick
Kenneth Walker III RB · KC
Sally's Week 9 RB pick: Kenneth Walker III. He's our RB1 at 13.1 projected points vs NYJ · Final, and the Pepper Meter has him at 3 of 5.
Tina's pick
Jahmyr Gibbs RB · DET
Tina's Week 9 RB pick: Jahmyr Gibbs. 12.3 projected points at MIA · Final, started in 98% of leagues — she'll take the cheaper version of the same production.
Start 'em: RBs to start in Week 9
Kenneth Walker III RB · KC · vs NYJ · Final
13.1 proj · #1 RB3 of 5 peppers, HotStart Kenneth Walker III in Week 9: our RB1 projects for 13.1 points, 2.1 above a typical starting RB.
Rostered 100% · started 98%
Full outlook for Kenneth Walker IIIWhy?
FINAL — his game is over; this was our pre-game read. Peppers & Picks lists Kenneth Walker III (KC RB) as a start in Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season vs NYJ, with 13.1 projected fantasy points and a hot Pepper Meter rating, our RB1 this week. For Sally this is a volume bet, and the volume is there: 2.1 points clear of the starter baseline. 13.1 projected points is roughly 19% more than the RB baseline, and that gap is the entire argument for the spot at RB1. Facing NYJ in front of his own crowd, the script reads neutral to friendly, not scary. Sally keeps the Pepper Meter at Hot here because the ceiling is capped, not the role.
Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Game is final — numbers above are the pre-game projection.
Jahmyr Gibbs RB · DET · at MIA · Final
12.3 proj · #2 RB2 of 5 peppers, SpicyStart Jahmyr Gibbs in Week 9: our RB2 projects for 12.3 points, 1.3 above a typical starting RB.
Rostered 100% · started 98%
Full outlook for Jahmyr GibbsWhy?
FINAL — his game is over; this was our pre-game read. Peppers & Picks lists Jahmyr Gibbs (DET RB) as a start in Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season at MIA, with 12.3 projected fantasy points and a spicy Pepper Meter rating, our RB2 this week. Tina plays contrarian — with 98% start rate he's priced in, and she cares more about his floor than his name. 98% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Gibbs clears the RB bar by about 12%, which is why he sits this high on my board. Spicy on the Pepper Meter reflects a steady weekly floor rather than a boom week — that's still a start.
Tina's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Game is final — numbers above are the pre-game projection.
Christian McCaffrey RB · SF · vs LV · Final
10.5 proj · #3 RB2 of 5 peppers, SpicyStart Christian McCaffrey in Week 9: our RB3 projects for 10.5 points, 0.5 below a typical starting RB.
Rostered 100% · started 93%
Full outlook for Christian McCaffreyWhy?
FINAL — his game is over; this was our pre-game read. Peppers & Picks lists Christian McCaffrey (SF RB) as a start in Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season vs LV, with 10.5 projected fantasy points and a spicy Pepper Meter rating, our RB3 this week. Sally's angle is simple: he's a top-three RB on our board, and she never benches the guys who win weeks. The vs LV draw matters here — home snaps against LV shape how often he's asked to do something. He's still in 93% of lineups at 100% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. Spicy heat, high rank: reliable points without the fireworks.
Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Game is final — numbers above are the pre-game projection.
James Cook III RB · BUF · at MIN · Final
10.1 proj · #4 RB2 of 5 peppers, SpicyStart James Cook III in Week 9: our RB4 projects for 10.1 points, 0.9 below a typical starting RB.
Rostered 100% · started 96%
Full outlook for James Cook IIIWhy?
FINAL — his game is over; this was our pre-game read. Peppers & Picks lists James Cook III (BUF RB) as a start in Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season at MIN, with 10.1 projected fantasy points and a spicy Pepper Meter rating, our RB4 this week. Tina's pushback: 96% of leagues start him, so you gain nothing on your opponent here — the edge is elsewhere. He's still in 96% of lineups at 100% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. He grades 8% below the average weekly RB number, which is a floor problem more than a ceiling one. Spicy on the Pepper Meter reflects a steady weekly floor rather than a boom week — that's still a start.
Tina's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Game is final — numbers above are the pre-game projection.
Chuba Hubbard RB · CAR · vs DEN · Final
9.9 proj · #5 RB2 of 5 peppers, SpicyStart Chuba Hubbard in Week 9: our RB5 projects for 9.9 points, 1.1 below a typical starting RB.
Rostered 96% · started 86%
Full outlook for Chuba HubbardWhy?
FINAL — his game is over; this was our pre-game read. Peppers & Picks lists Chuba Hubbard (CAR RB) as a start in Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season vs DEN, with 9.9 projected fantasy points and a spicy Pepper Meter rating, our RB5 this week. Sally's angle is simple: he's a top-six RB on our board, and she never benches the guys who win weeks. At home against DEN, I expect the game to stay competitive enough that his usage holds. He's still in 86% of lineups at 96% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. Spicy heat, high rank: reliable points without the fireworks.
Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Game is final — numbers above are the pre-game projection.
Sit 'em: RBs to bench in Week 9
MarShawn Lloyd RB · GB · at NE · Final
2.4 proj · #59 RB1 of 5 peppers, MildSit MarShawn Lloyd in Week 9 if you have an alternative — 2.4 projected points lands 8.6 under the RB starter line, and he carries a QUESTIONABLE designation.
Rostered 32% · started 4% · QUESTIONABLE
See his full outlook for MarShawn LloydWhy?
FINAL — his game is over; this was our pre-game read. Peppers & Picks lists MarShawn Lloyd (GB RB) as a sit in Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season at NE, with only 2.4 projected fantasy points and a mild Pepper Meter rating, our RB59 this week. Tina would rather take the cheaper, steadier option than 8.6 points of shortfall. 2.4 points is roughly 78% short of the RB baseline, and I honestly rank on output, not name recognition. He's listed questionable as of the update below; my rank assumes he plays, and designations move fast. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.
Tina's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Game is final — numbers above are the pre-game projection.
TreVeyon Henderson RB · NE · vs GB · Final
2.6 proj · #57 RB1 of 5 peppers, MildSit TreVeyon Henderson in Week 9 if you have an alternative — 2.6 projected points lands 8.4 under the RB starter line, and he carries a QUESTIONABLE designation.
Rostered 61% · started 6% · QUESTIONABLE
See his full outlook for TreVeyon HendersonWhy?
FINAL — his game is over; this was our pre-game read. Peppers & Picks lists TreVeyon Henderson (NE RB) as a sit in Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season vs GB, with only 2.6 projected fantasy points and a mild Pepper Meter rating, our RB57 this week. Sally wants fireworks, and 8.4 points below a typical starter isn't fireworks. Nothing in the projection defends him — 76% below positional par is a bench line for me. He's listed questionable as of the update below; my rank assumes he plays, and designations move fast. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.
Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Game is final — numbers above are the pre-game projection.
Jeremiyah Love RB · ARI · at SEA · Final
2.8 proj · #56 RB1 of 5 peppers, MildSit Jeremiyah Love in Week 9 if you have an alternative — 2.8 projected points lands 8.2 under the RB starter line, and he carries a INJURY_RESERVE designation.
Rostered 87% · started 16% · INJURY_RESERVE
See his full outlook for Jeremiyah LoveWhy?
FINAL — his game is over; this was our pre-game read. Peppers & Picks lists Jeremiyah Love (ARI RB) as a sit in Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season at SEA, with only 2.8 projected fantasy points and a mild Pepper Meter rating, our RB56 this week. Tina would rather take the cheaper, steadier option than 8.2 points of shortfall. Facing SEA away from home, the script reads neutral to friendly, not scary. Fair warning: he carries a injury reserve tag as of the timestamp below, so re-check before kickoff. Tina keeps him at Mild until the usage says otherwise.
Tina's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Game is final — numbers above are the pre-game projection.
J.K. Dobbins RB · DEN · at CAR · Final
3.2 proj · #53 RB1 of 5 peppers, MildSit J.K. Dobbins in Week 9 if you have an alternative — 3.2 projected points lands 7.8 under the RB starter line.
Rostered 70% · started 14%
See his full outlook for J.K. DobbinsWhy?
FINAL — his game is over; this was our pre-game read. Peppers & Picks lists J.K. Dobbins (DEN RB) as a sit in Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season at CAR, with only 3.2 projected fantasy points and a mild Pepper Meter rating, our RB53 this week. Sally wants fireworks, and 7.8 points below a typical starter isn't fireworks. Nothing in the projection defends him — 71% below positional par is a bench line for me. The at CAR draw matters here — road snaps against CAR shape how often he's asked to do something. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.
Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Game is final — numbers above are the pre-game projection.
Mike Washington Jr. RB · LV · at SF · Final
3.4 proj · #49 RB1 of 5 peppers, MildSit Mike Washington Jr. in Week 9 if you have an alternative — 3.4 projected points lands 7.6 under the RB starter line.
Rostered 29% · started 4%
See his full outlook for Mike Washington Jr.Why?
FINAL — his game is over; this was our pre-game read. Peppers & Picks lists Mike Washington Jr. (LV RB) as a sit in Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season at SF, with only 3.4 projected fantasy points and a mild Pepper Meter rating, our RB49 this week. Tina would rather take the cheaper, steadier option than 7.6 points of shortfall. 3.4 points is roughly 69% short of the RB baseline, and I honestly rank on output, not name recognition. Facing SF away from home, the script reads neutral to friendly, not scary. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.
Tina's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Game is final — numbers above are the pre-game projection.
This article is rebuilt automatically every week from our own Week 9 projections, position ranks, roster and start rates, opponent data, injury designations and Pepper Meter heat ratings. Commentary is written in-house by Sally and Tina.