Week 4 Running Back Preview: We Might Be Down to One Playable Giant
Top 50 Fantasy RBs for Week 4
Here are the top Week 4 running backs, with usage and matchup takeaways powering our Week 4 RB rankings.
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1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Gibbs is coming off the third-highest scoring week of his career, posting 41.4 PPR points against the Jets. He's the only RB accounting for at least an 80% carry share while commanding the fourth-highest target share at the position. His elite workload meets a Panthers defense allowing the second-most points to RBs, leaving Gibbs as the RB1 in Week 4.
2. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Robinson is coming off a 35.3-point PPR performance in Week 3, joining Gibbs as the only RBs with multiple weeks of at least 30 PPR points this season. He's accounting for a 64.7% carry share and leads the position with a 21.9% target share. Robinson projects as a high-end RB1 in Week 4 against a Saints defense that has given up the seventh-most points to RBs.
3. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
McCaffrey entered last week with just a 36.7% carry share, an alarming step back from his 68.2% last season. His 21.3% target share remained in line with last year’s 23.4%. But Week 3 returned him to a familiar workload: 65.2% carry share for 75 rushing yards in a 36-30 win. McCaffrey projects as a high-end RB1 against the Broncos in Week 4.
4. Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs
Walker found the end zone twice in Week 3, once rushing and once receiving, to finish as RB7. He is averaging 26.4 PPR points per game (RB2) with a 73% carry share and 6 targets per game (RB2). That all-purpose role gives him one of the safest floors at the position. Las Vegas is a middle-of-the-pack matchup (RB20), and the Chiefs are 4.5-point favorites. Walker is a must-start RB1.
5. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Taylor had a quiet Week 3, turning 23 carries into just 68 yards and finishing as RB27. The workload remains elite, including a 79.5% carry share that ranks second among RBs. That role has him averaging 21.2 PPR points per game (RB5). The Commanders have been a surprisingly tough run defense, fourth-toughest on RBs by our adjusted fantasy points allowed (12.4 per game). Taylor is still a must-start RB1, but this could be another week with a lower ceiling.
6. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
The TDs are vital to Henry's fantasy scoring, but the workload is what we can more easily count on. The big guy has racked up 24+ carries in each of his team's victories and even combined 3 catches with 16 rushes in the loss to the Saints. Henry could run wild this week against his old team.
7. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Cook broke out in Week 3 with 24 carries for 154 yards and a TD, finishing as RB9. He has a 68.2% carry share, though his 2.7 targets per game (RB30) limit his PPR floor. Josh Allen also steals some rushing TDs that could have boosted Cook further. The Bills are 6.5-point home favorites, which should mean plenty of carries in the second half. New England sits in the middle as the RB13 matchup. Cook is a solid RB1 this week.
8. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Brown’s encountered a quiet start to the season, especially over the past two weeks. Tough road matchups at Houston and Pittsburgh have turned up 11.2 and 8.9 PPR points, and Sunday’s draw isn’t any easier. The Jags sit sixth-best league-wide in rush yards over expected allowed per attempt. Still, the Bengal sticks in RB1 range for his scoring potential and passing-game usage. He’s drawn 5+ targets in two of the first three weeks.
Brown leads our Week 4 Trade Targets.
9. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
Jeanty has gotten the volume, ranking top-6 in both carry share (74.1%) and target share (18.2%). The production hasn't matched, as he is scoring nearly 4 fewer PPR points per game than his workload suggests thanks to poor O-line play. He finished as RB18 in Week 3 with 56 rushing yards and 3 catches for 37. Kansas City is a neutral matchup (RB21), though the Raiders being home underdogs could tilt the work toward receiving. Jeanty's usage keeps him a low-end RB1.
10. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Played Thursday night
11. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Hubbard opened the season as one of just five RBs to produce at least 14 PPR points in each of the first three weeks. In his first game with fellow RB Jonathon Brooks on IR, he accounted for an 82.6% carry share, the highest mark among Week 3 RBs. He also added a season-high 9.5% target share. Brooks projects as a fringe RB1 against a Lions defense allowing the 17th-most points to RBs.
12. Cam Skattebo, New York Giants
Since QB Jameis Winston took over as the starter, Skattebo has commanded a 15.1% target share that ranks seventh among RBs over that span. The second-year RB is essentially a shoe-in for the majority of rushing attempts, accounting for at least a 50% carry share in each week this season. The matchup against a Cardinals defense that's given up the seventh-most rushing yards helps push Skattebo to the fringe of RB1 territory.
13. Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals
Love has seen his rushing usage increase each week, from a 35.5% carry share in Week 1, to 52.9% in Week 2 and 77.8% last week. He's maintained a 10% target share through the first three weeks, of just six RBs to do so. Facing a Giants defense that's allowed the 11th-most points to RBs, Love projects as a fringe RB1.
14. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
Williams continues to see strong usage, averaging 17.7 touches per game, getting all 6 of Dallas’ carries inside the 5-yard line, and ranking ninth among RBs in expected PPR points per game. That workload should keep him locked into Week 4 fantasy lineups, despite a tough matchup against a Texans defense ranked first in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.
15. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
The Rams have rebounded from their Australian debacle to sit fourth in total defensive DVOA heading into Week 4. Expect a rough matchup for Barkley, whose offense will go without WR DeVonta Smith and TE Dallas Goedert. That'll likely afford Barkley extra defensive attention. That's not enough to knock Philly's lead back out of your lineup in most cases, but this might be a week in which you have two better options.
16. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Williams got boosts in playing time and touches last week, but we didn't really see any change in roles. Blake Corum opened the second drive, and both guys drew touches on the same possession at times. Williams remains the top bet, of course. And his superior receiving role could prove key against a Philly defense missing MLB Zack Baun (concussion).
17. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Mason remains sidelined, putting Aaron Jones in line for another hefty workload. Over the past two weeks, he’s garnered 23 and 22 touches. That’ll give him an RB1 ceiling against a bottom-barrel Miami defense.
18. D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
We’ll keep an eye on the knee issue that sidelined Swift on Thursday. If he plays vs. the Jets, he’ll be a nice fantasy start. Swift is one of only nine RBs to finish top-24 in PPR points in all three weeks so far. He should be plenty busy again this Sunday with the Bears starting a backup QB. The Jets sit 21st in our run-defense power rankings and 29th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.
19. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Irving left Week 3 with a glute injury, but he didn’t miss practice time ahead of Sunday’s matchup with Green Bay. OC Zach Robinson talked this week about getting Sean Tucker more involved, but don’t expect any such move to hurt Irving’s workload. He draws a Packers run defense that’s allowed a league-high 6 TDs to RBs.
20. Braelon Allen, New York Jets
We’ll see exactly what the Breece Hall-less Jets backfield looks like on Sunday, but we’re expecting Allen to emerge as the clear leader. He was already mixing in for some carries, passing downs, and goal-line work behind a healthy Hall. Isaiah Davis, meanwhile, hasn’t played a single offensive snap yet this season. Allen draws a cushy matchup against a Bears defense that sits 30th in our run-defense power rankings and 23rd in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.
21. Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
Tuten’s posted PPR finishes of RB13 and RB11 over the past two weeks. He led the Jags backfield in snap share (49%), carry share (54%), and route rate (28%) over that stretch. Keep him in lineups as an RB2 against a Bengals unit that just surrendered a 17-127 rushing line to Jaylen Warren.
22. David Montgomery, Houston Texans
Montgomery has mustered just 2.8 yards per carry through three games and could start losing more work to RB Woody Marks, ESPN reported this week. His only saving grace is a cushy matchup against the Cowboys, who sit 20th in our run-defense power rankings and 25th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. The Texans are 2.5-point home favorites with a big 25-point implied total. If Montgomery can’t deliver here, it’ll be time to turn out the lights.
23. Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
Played Thursday night
24. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Stevenson's usage has slipped, and he had just 7 carries for 22 yards in Week 3 (RB36). His 37.3% carry share ranks just 35th among RBs. He still has a 13.4% target share (RB10), and the receiving role could matter with the Patriots as 6.5-point underdogs. Buffalo has also been the fifth-most favorable RB matchup (26.75 adjusted PPR allowed per game). That makes Stevenson a low-end RB2 in PPR leagues.
25. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders
Croskey-Merritt handled 19 carries in Week 3 but managed just 36 yards, finishing as RB40. He has a 50% carry share on the season, but his 3.2% target share gives him almost no receiving points. The positive is that the Colts are the seventh-most favorable RB matchup (24.84 adjusted PPR allowed per game). Even so, Croskey-Merritt is a TD-dependent RB3 this week.
26. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Despite dealing with an ankle issue last week, Tyjae Spears still nearly matched Pollard's playing time. But Pollard has increased his carries each game and leads Spears by a significant margin in rushing success rate. This week finds a Baltimore defense surprisingly ranking just 26th in rush DVOA, so don't be surprised if Tennessee tries to get the run game going early. Pollard retains risk of losing snaps if the Titans fall behind, though. Spears remains the favored passing-game option -- as long as his ankle allows him to participate.
27. Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Hampton saw season lows in snap rate, route rate, and carry share in last week's loss at Buffalo. And that came against a weak defense from a host that staked L.A. to a lead with turnovers. Hampton looks like a rough bet at a much tougher Seattle D amid an offense that continues to struggle.
28. TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots
Henderson has a 46.2% carry share since returning, but 8 carries for 23 yards in Week 3 only produced RB46 numbers. He has just 1 target in two games, so all of his value has to come on the ground. Buffalo has been the fifth-most favorable RB matchup (26.75 adjusted PPR allowed per game). The Patriots being 6.5-point underdogs is still a bad game script for a rushing-only back. Henderson is an RB3 who will need a TD to pay off.
29. RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
Harvey is commanding a 19% target share that ranks fifth among all RBs, but he's been a near non-factor in the run game, accounting for just a 12.8% carry share that ranks 71st. He's in line for an uptick in rushing volume with fellow RB Jonah Coleman landing on IR, which leaves him with an RB3 projection in Week 4 against a 49ers defense that's allowed the 10th most points to RBs.
30. Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks
HC Mike Macdonald said before last week's game that Price's reported chest injury was actually a shoulder issue. Yet the team continues to list him with "chest" in the injury report. More importantly, Price's missed Thursday practice suggests it might be in worse shape than last week. Price went limited-limited-full ahead of the loss to Washington. We'll see about his final status, but combining that uncertainty with the mere 6 touches he garnered in Week 3 makes the rookie a player to sit wherever possible.
30. J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos
Dobbins leads all Broncos RBs with a 54.7% carry share, with the next closest being Jonah Coleman at 25.6%, who recently landed on IR. But both his 3.5 yards per carry and 2.3% target share rank behind both RJ Harvey and Coleman. The lack of rushing efficiency and receiving usage leaves the high-volume RB with an RB3 projection in Week 4 against the 49ers.
31. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Kamara tops the depth chart with Travis Etienne on IR. After Etienne left midway through the third quarter last week, Kamara accounted for 6 carries to Kendre Miller’s 4. Kamara didn’t get a target in that one but drew an 18.8% target share just the week prior. Kamara projects as an RB3 in Week 4 facing a Falcons defense allowing the fourth-fewest points to RBs.
33. Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears
Monangai continues to play Robin to D’Andre Swift’s Batman, handling 29.4% of Bears carries through 3 weeks. He ranks 44th among RBs in expected PPR points per game and 25th in actual PPR points per game. He’s been efficient, but the usage keeps Monangai capped at RB3 status.
34. Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
Corum saw a season low in touches against Denver but continued to play his usual role. He remains a fringe option against a Philly defense that's been middling against the run and below average overall so far.
35. Woody Marks, Houston Texans
ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported this week that Marks could start stealing more work from a struggling David Montgomery. It’d be good timing with an excellent matchup on tap. Dallas sits 20th in our run-defense power rankings and 25th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. Marks is worth considering as a RB3 or flex play.
36. Ollie Gordon, Miami Dolphins
Gordon is expected to get the first crack at Miami’s lead back job, but that doesn’t mean he brings exciting fantasy value for Week 4. He draws a Vikings unit that’s allowed 0 rushing scores and surrendered the best EPA per rush (-0.29). Plus, the Dolphins are expected to mix in Jaylen Wright, who missed Week 3 with a pair of injuries. Ideally, you’re able to wait and see how this backfield plays out.
37. Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
Travis Etienne’s hamstring injury thrusts Miller up the depth chart. He got all four of his rushing attempts after Etienne left midway through the third quarter last week, while also handling the only RB target in that time. Miller projects as an RB4 in Week 4 against a Falcons defense allowing the fourth fewest points to RBs.
38. Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Despite entering last week's game questionable, Spears nearly matched Tony Pollard's snap count. He has fallen way behind in rushing volume, though, and figures to watch Pollard lead the backfield early against a scuffling Baltimore run D. Spears would likely gain playing time if Tennessee falls behind, though, allowing for some mild PPR upside if you're hard up for a RB. Just keep in mind that the ankle issue remains a risk factor.
39. MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers
Over the past two weeks, Lloyd has split carries evenly with Kaleb Johnson. O-line struggles have contributed to the Packers ranking last in team rushing yards per game (48.7). Avoid this backfield if possible.
40. Kenneth Gainwell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OC Zac Robinson pointed to game flow as a reason for Gainwell’s limited involvement, adding that he’d like to give the new Buc more work. Through three games, he’s totaled only 16 touches, with a single-game high of only six. We’ll need to see that usage jump up before he enters fantasy lineups, even in a plus matchup with Green Bay.
41. Keaton Mitchell, Los Angeles Chargers
Mitchell set season highs in snap rate, route rate, carry share, and target share at Buffalo while watching Omarion Hampton's usage travel the opposite direction. It's not enough to make Mitchell a real Week 4 starting option, but he can be a flier for deep leagues.
42. Kaleb Johnson, Green Bay Packers
Johnson has quickly forced his way into Green Bay’s RB rotation. But there’s not much of a ceiling to chase here until Green Bay shows better O-line play and commits more work to Johnson. He’s totaled 8 and 5 touches over the past two weeks.
43. Tyler Allgeier, Arizona Cardinals
While fellow RB Jeremiyah Love has seen an uptick in rushing usage each week, Allgeier has trended in the opposite direction. Last week, he accounted for just 2 rushing attempts for minus-1 yard. But he's still second in line for carries behind the rookie RB. Allgeier projects as a fringe RB4 in a Week 4 matchup against the Giants.
44. Emanuel Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Wilson couldn't take advantage of rookie Jadarian Price checking in third in backfield playing time vs. Washington. Wilson managed just 9 carries and 0 targets, despite matching George Holani for the RB lead in routes. Avoid this backfield altogether if you can.
45. Brian Robinson Jr., Atlanta Falcons
Robinson has been the Falcons RB2 behind Bijan Robinson, accounting for a 29.4% carry share. He's handled at least a 25% carry share in each week this season. But with a limited role in the receiving game, posting a 2.7% target share that ranks 72nd among RBs, Robinson projects as a fringe RB4 in a Week 4 matchup with the Saints.
46. Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
Hill sits in the same playing-time range in which he spent the past four seasons, taking the field for 41.6% of snaps so far. That's allowed him just 5.3 touches per game, though.
47. Najee Harris, New York Giants
Harris handled 9 carries for 52 yards last week, marking his best performance with the Giants so far. After being a healthy scratch in Week 1, he's accounted for a 24.5% carry share that only trails RB Cam Skattebo. Harris projects as a fringe RB4 against the Cardinals in Week 4.
48. Isaiah Davis, New York Jets
Davis hasn’t played a single offensive snap so far this season. That figures to change this weekend with Breece Hall out. But all signs point to Braelon Allen controlling the Jets’ backfield. Davis is a fine deep-league stash but can’t be trusted in Week 4 fantasy lineups.
49. Chris Rodriguez, Jacksonville Jaguars
Rodriguez’s carries have gone 6, 6, and 8 over the first three weeks. He’s not seeing all of the goal-line work, and he’s yet to draw a target. That profile makes him a shaky flex option, even in a potentially high-scoring environment vs. the Bengals.
50. Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals
Perine has drawn 3 targets in two of Cincinnati’s three games so far. He sits way behind Chase Brown across categories, though, despite a slight uptick in his route rate from last year: 27.5% to 30.1%.
Time to Set Your Lineup
Before you check your Team Dashboard, check out the start-sit recommendations Jared and Matt deliver in this Week 4 preview video.
