Week 6 Running Back Preview: Just Give This Man the Backfield
Top 50 Fantasy RBs for Week 6
Here are the top Week 6 running backs, with usage and matchup details that drive their positioning in the Week 6 RB rankings.
TIP
Check out the Team Dashboard to get personalized lineup recommendations and the Who to Start tool for any nagging questions.
1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson gets a Week 6 smash spot against the Bears, who sit 30th in our run-defense power rankings and 24th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.
2. Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs
Kenneth Walker comes fresh off a bye week to face the Chargers’ 23rd-ranked RB defense. The Chiefs are 8.5-point home favorites against a moribund offense, so game script should allow for plenty of work.
3. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey has now accounted for a TD in each of the last four weeks. His 18.3 PPR points per game rank him as the RB10, and he’s doing it with an 18.2% target share that trails only two RBs. McCaffrey’s receiving ability keeps him projected as a high-end RB1 against a Commanders defense allowing the second-fewest points to RBs.
4. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor gets a below-average RB defense in the matchup with Tennessee, and his team arrives as a 7-point favorite. That should mean plenty of rushing volume.
5. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams has racked up 21+ touches in three straight games. This week finds his team favored by 12.5, which points to positive game script and plenty of potential rushing volume.
6. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
James Cook carried the Bills’ offense in Week 5 with 25 carries for 111 yards and 2 TDs, finishing as RB4. He is averaging 19 carries and 106.4 rushing yards per game, with a 66.9% carry share that ranks ninth among RBs. The receiving work is light at 2.2 targets per game, but the Bills being 4.5-point favorites should keep the carries coming. The Raiders have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to RBs. Cook is a must-start RB1 this week.
7. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry is accounting for the league’s fourth-highest carry share at 72.4% on his way to producing 22.4 PPR points per game (RB4). He faces a seemingly difficult matchup in that the Browns have allowed the sixth-fewest RB points. But Cleveland has yielded 4.8 yards per carry to the position. The past two games have seen Jaylen Warren go for 126 total yards and Braelon Allen run for 116 and the first RB TD against the Browns. Henry is one of just three RBs to account for at least 15 PPR points in every week this season.
8. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
Javonte Williams is coming off a career-high 92.3% carry share, bringing his carry share to 69.2% on the season, ranking sixth among RBs. On a Cowboys offense that’s scored the seventh most points this season, that has turned into 1.4 TDs per game to rank fourth among all RBs. Williams projects as an RB1 facing a Packers defense allowing the third-most points to RBs.
9. D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
Before the fourth quarter of last week’s 24-point loss to the Packers, D'Andre Swift had handled 9 carries and 4 targets to Roschon Johnson’s 5 carries and 0 targets. Expect a bigger workload for Swift this weekend in what should be a competitive, high-scoring game vs. the Falcons. Atlanta ranks ninth in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs and 13th in our run-defense power rankings. Swift is notably off this week’s injury report after being listed with hip and knee issues last week.
10. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty struggled again in Week 5, rushing 10 times for just 27 yards to finish as RB27. Efficiency has been the issue all season, with 58.2 rushing yards per game on 17.6 carries (3.3 yards per carry). The receiving role has saved him, as his 6 targets per game rank third among RBs. That role should matter this week with the Raiders as 4.5-point underdogs against a Bills defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to RBs. Jeanty is a low-end RB1 with a big matchup boost.
11. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaylen Warren exploded for 36.8 PPR points in Week 5, finishing as RB2 with 101 rushing yards, 6 catches for 87 yards, and 2 total TDs. He has been dominant with Rico Dowdle out with injury. Warren ranks fifth in carry share (69.3%) and sixth in targets per game (5.2) among RBs this season. Rico Dowdle may return this week, putting a slight damper on Warren’s monster run. Plus, the matchup is tough, with the Bucs allowing the eighth-fewest fantasy points to RBs in a game with a 39.5-point total. Warren’s receiving role and the potential for a large majority of touches makes him an RB1 this week.
12. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Chuba Hubbard has racked up 19 and 20 carries the past two weeks, which raises his weekly floor. He should get a volume boost from facing a struggling Philly offense that’ll now miss its starting QB. The defense remains decent against the run (14th in DVOA) but just 21st in overall DVOA. So it’s not a worrisome matchup.
How Do 3D Values Work?
13. Braelon Allen, New York Jets
Breece Hall will remain out, putting Braelon Allen back in a workhorse role. Over the past two weeks, Allen's tied for the league lead with an 88% carry share. That type of volume gives him RB2 appeal even as a big road underdog against New England.
14. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson is set up for a much larger role if TreVeyon Henderson sits with his ankle injury. (Surprisingly, he put in limited practices all week.) If he’s out, you can treat Stevenson as an RB1 candidate with New England implied for 25.5 points vs. the Jets. Otherwise, Stevenson will fall back into RB2 range.
15. Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
Our own Shane Hallam reviewed the tape and pointed out Bhayshul Tuten’s “explosiveness and cutting ability,” adding that he “appears on the verge of becoming an RB1.” Houston turns up a tough matchup, but Tuten’s role should keep him in your lineup. He owns a commanding 80% carry share over the past two weeks.
16. Emanuel Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Played Thursday night
17. Cam Skattebo, New York Giants
Cam Skattebo had a quiet Week 5 with 13 carries for 59 yards, finishing as RB34. The volume has been steady at 16.2 carries per game, but he has scored just one TD through five games. He has gotten 2 carries inside the 5-yard line, so more scores could come. This is the week for it, with the Saints allowing the most fantasy points to RBs. Skattebo is a solid RB2 with RB1 upside this week.
18. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucky Irving broke out in Week 5 with 165 rushing yards and 2 total TDs, finishing as RB3. He is averaging 81.2 rushing yards per game on a 57.9% carry share. The Steelers have allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to RBs, giving him a solid matchup. The low 39.5-point total limits the scoring upside some, but Irving is a strong RB2 this week coming off his best performance of the season.
19. Woody Marks, Houston Texans
David Montgomery’s likely absence fuels Woody Marks’ projection of 18.1 touches. Unfortunately, he draws a Jaguars defense surrendering only 2.5 yards per carry to opposing RBs. That matchup caps his outlook at RB2 value.
20. Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
Quinshon Judkins has produced just one week with double-digit PPR points to rank as the RB21 with 11.3 PPR points per game. That comes despite being one of just eight RBs to account for at least a 60% carry share and 12% target share. But facing a Ravens defense that’s allowed the 10th fewest points to RBs, Judkins projects as a low-end RB2 in Week 6.
21. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard’s working on the 13th-best carry share at the position. That has led to the 18th-most expected PPR points per game to date. This week’s matchup with the Colts offers a chance for the actual fantasy output to catch up. Indy arrives as the seventh-most friendly RB scoring matchup on the season.
22. Tyler Allgeier, Arizona Cardinals
Tyler Allgeier draws a neutral matchup with the Rams, but a lack of opportunities limits his value. Since Week 2, he’s recorded games of 5, 2, 8, and 3 carries. Unless Jeremiyah Love (ankle) is inactive, Allgeier will be tough to trust beyond flex range.
23. MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers
MarShawn Lloyd is coming off a career-high 16.7 PPR points last week after handling 10 carries for a 41.7% carry share. He leads Packers RBs with a 42.6% carry share on the season, and his 50.0% red-zone carry share offers high-end TD upside. Lloyd projects as a fringe RB2 against a Cowboys defense that’s allowed more rushing yards per game than any other team.
24. J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos
Played Thursday night
25. Dameon Pierce, Philadelphia Eagles
Dameon Pierce becomes a starting option just because the position looks so weak at the moment. He took over the backfield after Will Shipley left last week but managed just 12 total yards on 13 touches. For the season, non-Barkley Philly RBs have averaged just 2.7 yards per carry. He at least gets a Carolina D that ranks just 22nd in rush DVOA. Tanner McKee stepping in for Jalen Hurts could also help the rushing volume.
26. TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots
TreVeyon Henderson was expected to miss multiple weeks with a high ankle sprain, but he practiced Wednesday and Thursday and now has a chance to face the Jets. If active, the injury still adds enough risk to keep him in low-end RB2/flex territory.
27. RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
RJ Harvey garnered just 3 carries and 1 target last week, the first game of the season with HC Sean Payton calling plays. His route rate remained strong at 44%, though, so expect more targets going forward. The Seahawks have allowed the fifth-most RB catches this season, after allowing the most catches to RBs last year.
28. Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Omarion Hampton’s snap rate (29.9%) and route rate (8.6%) hit season lows last week, with Kimani Vidal turning this into a true three-man backfield. The Chargers are 8.5-point road underdogs to the Chiefs this Sunday, leaving Hampton as a shaky RB3 or flex start.
29. Keaton Mitchell, Los Angeles Chargers
Keaton Mitchell has topped a 31% route rate in three straight games, totaling 13 targets and 11 catches over that span. That’s enough to get him on the RB3 radar this week, especially with the Chargers 8.5-point underdogs to the Chiefs.
30. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara was a nonfactor in Week 5, totaling 3 carries for 12 yards and -6 receiving yards (2.6 PPR points). He has just a 31.1% carry share and has played under a third of the Saints’ snaps this season. An injury during his Week 5 game led to a 27% snap share, though he was already ceding some work to Kendre Miller. Kamara’s 4 targets per game give him some PPR value, but the Giants have been an average matchup for RBs. Kamara is an RB3 who needs receiving volume to pay off.
31. Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
Blake Corum delivered for you last week with a season-high 16.2 PPR points. That included his first TD of the season, though. He handled only 5 carries for the second straight week and remains a fringe flex option in his current role.
32. Rachaad White, Washington Commanders
Rachaad White beat Jacory Croskey-Merritt in playing time last week and has led him in receiving usage all year. That makes him the better option this week against a San Francisco defense that has allowed more RB receptions than any other. The 49ers arrive as 7.5-point favorites, increasing the chance that Washington needs increase passing volume.
33. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders
Jacory Croskey-Merritt has generated nearly all of his output as a rusher, with 79.8% of his 9.0 PPR points per game coming via rushing production. But his carry share has dipped to 42.9% in the three games QB Jayden Daniels has played this year, compared to 52.1% in the two he hasn’t. With Daniels healthy, Croskey-Merritt projects as a fringe RB3 against a 49ers defense allowing the 10th most points to RBs.
34. Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
Kendre Miller turned 10 carries into 30 yards and a TD in Week 5, finishing as RB30. He has handled 32.6% of the Saints’ carries but offers almost nothing as a receiver (1.5 targets per game). The Saints have run the ball on just 34.7% of plays, limiting his upside. The Giants have been right around league average against RBs. Miller is a TD-dependent RB3 this week.
35. Rico Dowdle, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rico Dowdle has played in just two games this season and has not appeared since Week 2. He looks slated to return this week, though Jaylen Warren has been dominant while Dowdle has been injured. When active, he handled 36.6% of the Steelers’ carries and 3.5 targets per game, but averaged just 5.25 PPR points. Jaylen Warren has taken a firm hold of the backfield since then. The Bucs have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to RBs, making Dowdle an RB3 at best.
36. Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Tyjae Spears reminded us of an upside path he brings with 9 catches last week. But that also marked the first time this year he caught more than two passes in a game. Spears totaled just 7 targets across the first four contests. He has also carried three times or fewer in four of five appearances. You shouldn’t use this guy unless you need to.
37. Brian Robinson Jr., Atlanta Falcons
Brian Robinson Jr. has averaged 12.0 carries per game in wins vs. 9.0 in losses this season. His Falcons are 1.5-point underdogs this weekend to a Bears team getting QB Caleb Williams back. Robinson isn’t a safe workload bet with Atlanta potentially playing from behind, but the matchup is favorable against the 24th-ranked RB defense.
38. Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
Kimani Vidal has been the Chargers’ most effective runner this season, leading the RBs in yards per carry, rush yards over expected per attempt, and success rate. So perhaps it’s no surprise that he led the backfield in snaps and routes last week, drawing 8 carries and 1 target. Vidal still isn’t a bankable fantasy start, but he might be soon.
39. Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Roschon Johnson finished last week’s game with 5 carries and 7 targets. But all of those targets came in fourth-quarter garbage time. He’ll be the clear No. 2 RB behind D’Andre Swift in what should be a more competitive Week 6 game against the Falcons. Johnson would be a desperation fantasy start.
40. Pierre Strong Jr., Green Bay Packers
With the Packers sending fellow RB Chris Brooks to the IR prior to Week 5, Pierre Strong played his first game of the season. He handled 5 carries for a 20.8% carry share and 4 targets for a 12.9% target share while splitting the backfield with RBs MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson. Strong led Packers RBs in targets last week, supporting his RB4 projection in Week 6.
41. George Holani, Seattle Seahawks
George Holani has been the clear No. 2 behind Emanuel Wilson over the last two weeks, totaling just 11 carries and 5 targets. He’d be a desperation fantasy start in what figures to be a low-scoring game vs. the Broncos on Thursday night.
42. Kenneth Gainwell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kenneth Gainwell had 4 carries for 18 yards and 3 catches for 10 yards in Week 5, finishing as RB37. He has just a 12.8% carry share but does get 3.2 targets per game. The Steelers have allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to RBs, but Gainwell’s role is too small to take advantage. He is an RB4 for deep PPR leagues only.
43. Emmett Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
After tallying 10 touches in the opener, Emmett Johnson has averaged just 3.7 over the last three games. The Chiefs could blow out the Chargers this weekend and feed Johnson late, but that’s a risky bet to make in fantasy lineups.
44. Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
Justice Hill is coming off a season-high 9.8 PPR points last week, but it still came with low-usage. He handled 4 carries to amount to just an 11.8% carry share. The difference was a 47-yard rush leading to an 18.3 yards per carry mark that ranked higher than all other RBs on the week. He projects as an RB4 against a Browns defense allowing the sixth-fewest points to RBs.
45. Kaelon Black, San Francisco 49ers
Outside of Week 1, when Black accounted for a 46.7% carry share on his way to 8.0 PPR points, he’s averaging just 1.8 PPR points per game and ranks as the RB74. With fellow RB Christian McCaffrey accounting for a 50.0% carry share since Week 2, Black's rushing usage is limited. And with just a 1.5% target share, his volume is bleak. But with the Commanders defense allowing the third most total points, he projects as a fringe RB4 in Week 6.
46. Ty Johnson, Buffalo Bills
Ty Johnson caught all 4 of his targets for 72 yards in Week 5, finishing as RB25. He has been a pure receiving back, with just 1 carry in three games but a 13.5% target share. Johnson has played 27% of snaps over the past three weeks, primarily on third downs and the 2-minute drill. The Bills being favored in a game with a 52.5-point total could limit his passing-down work. Johnson is an RB4 who only fits in deep PPR leagues.
47. Najee Harris, New York Giants
Najee Harris managed just 5 carries for 9 yards in Week 5. He is averaging only 2.8 PPR points per game with a 25% carry share and one target all season. The Saints have allowed the most fantasy points to RBs, but Harris hasn’t had the role to take advantage. He is an RB4 best left on benches.
48. Chris Rodriguez, Jacksonville Jaguars
Chris Rodriguez saw a season-low 2 carries in last week’s close win over Philly. His lack of volume makes him a guy to bench ahead of the Houston matchup.
49. Mike Washington, Las Vegas Raiders
Mike Washington barely saw the field in Week 5 despite Ashton Jeanty playing through injury, totaling 1 carry for 5 yards and 1 catch for 5 yards (2 PPR points). He has averaged just 5 carries per game with a 19.4% carry share, and he offers almost nothing as a receiver (0.8 targets per game). The Bills have allowed the third-most fantasy points to RBs, but Washington doesn’t have the role to take advantage. He is an RB4 who should stay on benches.
50. Kaleb Johnson, Green Bay Packers
Kaleb Johnson not only continued to trail MarShawn Lloyd last week but also watched Pierre Strong pass him in playing time.
Time to Set Your Lineup
Before you check your Team Dashboard, check out the start-sit recommendations Jared and Matt deliver in this Week 6 preview video.
