The dynamic of the running back position is like no other in fantasy football. It’s the most fluid position within the virtual game and each week can bring you a new RB1 for your roster. Unfortunately, running backs don’t want to hear this, it’s the most plug-and-play position on offense. Depending on the offensive scheme, the “back-up” can be just as effective with a boost in volume. Ranking running backs can be difficult, but if you can identify how the offense wants to utilize their backs and if they use one player or multiple, it makes things slightly easier. With that in mind, here are your week 4 fantasy football running back rankings.
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Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings: Week 4
Tier 1: RB1 Weekly Winners
- Christian McCaffrey
- Tony Pollard
- Bijan Robinson
This trio is the undisputed top three running backs in fantasy football. Each and every week you can comfortably slide them in your starting lineups and not have to worry about matchups. Start them with confidence as you set and forget them. Their floor is better than some player’s ceilings.
Tier 2: Back End RB1
- Travis Etienne
- Kenneth Walker
- Jahmyr Gibbs
The next tier of fantasy running backs comes from the young bucks. Travis Etienne is averaging 15.13 PPG and now gets a “home” matchup with the Atlanta Falcons in London. Speaking of the Falcons, Jahmyr Gibbs just rushed for 80 yards on them. Now Gibbs gets a chance to showcase his talents against a poor Green Bay Packers rush defense on Thursday Night Football. However, if David Montgomery returns from injury, it’ll knock him down a few spots. Kenneth Walker is coming off a two-touchdown game and has the potential to go back-to-back facing a New York Giants defense that just let the San Francisco 49ers go wild.
Tier 3: “I Missed Last Week, But Offer RB1 Upside”
- Austin Ekeler*
- Saquon Barkley*
- Alvin Kamara
- Aaron Jones*
Unfortunately, injuries are a part of the game. Austin Ekeler, Saquon Barkley, and Aaron Jones have missed at least one game up to this point and Alvin Kamara is finished serving a three-game suspension. Outside of Kamara, all these players have a chance of missing another contest, but if they do suit up, you should lock them into your lineups. Alvin Kamara will be a much-needed spark to the New Orleans Saints running game they’ve lacked – fire him confidently.
Tier 4: RB2 With RB1 Appeal
- James Cook
- James Conner
- Rhamondre Stevenson
- Joe Mixon
James Cook has yet to find the end zone, but this week against the Miami Dolphins should be a high-scoring affair. Touchdown or not, his volume is enough to keep him cooking in your lineup. James Conner continues to show he is matchup-proof. As long as Conner remains healthy, he’s a low-end RB1 for the rest of the season.
Rhamondre Stevenson had a near-even split with Ezekiel Elliott last week (19 to 16), but I think that was just part of the game plan versus an elite Jets defense. Could see similar results again this week against the Dallas Cowboys. Joe Mixon and the Cincinnati Bengals offense are struggling, but he benefits from being the only competent running back on the roster. Mixon has a tough matchup this week, but his involvement in the passing game will keep him on that fine line between being a top-12 fantasy running back or not.
Tier 5: High Volume RB2
- Josh Jacobs
- Derrick Henry
- Jerome Ford
- Kyren Williams
- Zack Moss
Both Josh Jacobs and Derrick Henry are struggling to get anything going on the ground, but still remain part of the focal point on offense. Their respective teams aren’t allowing them to shine as usual, but still offer weekly winning upside each game. The new kids on the block, Jerome Ford, Kyren Williams, and Zack Moss all have been a workhorse during their “starting” tenure. Until they prove to be untrustworthy, they need to be in your lineups. Their volume alone gives them that RB2 floor.
Tier 6: Back End RB2
- D’Andre Swift
- Javonte Williams
- Miles Sanders
- Rachaad White
This quadrant of players can pop a stellar fantasy performance any given week. Also, they can disappoint just as easily. D’Andre Swift seems to have a grasp of the starting job now and is on one of the best offenses in the league. Scoring touchdowns will be hard with Jalen Hurts sniping them, but if Swift can continue racking up the yardage, he’ll cement himself in the RB2 conversation. The Broncos have been a disaster through three weeks, but they’ve got to figure it out against an even worse Bears team, right? Right? Either way, Javonte Williams is averaging 14.7 touches per game and is poised to have his best fantasy game of the season.
Miles Sanders is handling 63% of the rushing attempts and will remain getting the bulk of the carries. The Panthers offense is still trying to find its way, but in plus matchups, Sanders will offer solid fantasy numbers. He’s a great start this week against the Minnesota Vikings. Rachaad White is another running back dominating the running back touches for his team. Although he’s not finding much success on the ground, White is taking advantage in the passing averaging three receptions a game.
Tier 7: RB3 With RB2 Upside
- Brian Robinson
- Isiah Pacheco
- Dameon Pierce
- Najee Harris
- Alexander Mattison
- De’Von Achane
- Raheem Mostert
- David Montgomery*
- Breece Hall
Approaching the bottom of the fantasy football running back rankings now. Half of these guys are strictly ground-and-pound type players and offer little receiving upside. These players need to have big days rushing the football to have successful fantasy football outcomes. De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert are coming off huge fantasy days, scoring 45+ points a piece. The Dolphins offense is fast and able to score at will from anywhere on the field. Either one of these two players can put up stunning numbers any given week.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Both Breece Hall and Najee Harris are hard to trust in fantasy right now. Hall hasn’t surpassed 3 fantasy points in back-to-back weeks and Najee Harris hasn’t gone over 7 points yet. Even in good matchups, neither inspire much confidence, but have the talent to produce.
Tier 8: Desperation Flex Plays
- Tyler Allgeier
- Jaylen Warren
- AJ Dillon
- Jerick McKinnon
The bottom of the barrel of fantasy football running back rankings. Tyler Allgeier is on one of the most run-heavy teams in the NFL and gets enough touches to be flex-worthy week in and week out. Jaylen Warren at times looks like the best back in Pittsburgh and has 12 receptions in three games. Warren might not get a lot of rushing work, but he gets enough work in the passing game to stay relevant. Jerick McKinnon, at times, can be the best non-Travis Kelce pass catcher for Patrick Mahomes. As long as he remains utilized in the passing game he’ll be a solid option in PPR formats.
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Main Photo: Stephen Lew – USA Today Sports
