A half-dozen weeks have passed in the 2023 NFL season, and the running back position in fantasy football has become like a Forrest Gump quote: "You never know what you're gonna get." What we do know, however, is how to work with what the RB landscape gives us. Our Week 7 fantasy RB PPR rankings will hit reset, analyze the injuries, byes, and matchups, and help you determine where your backs stack up.
The biggest PPR headline this week: Christian McCaffrey's health. The stud RB has arguably been the best football player in the world this season, but an oblique injury knocked him out of the 49ers' narrow loss to the Browns in Week 6. He looks like a no-go for San Fran's Monday Night Football matchup with the Vikings. C'mon, fantasy gods — we finally got Austin Ekeler and Saquon Barkley back from ankle injuries and you took CMC from us!?
In a way, though, some fantasy owners are probably happy that the CMC owners get a taste of what everyone else has been going through. Injuries have been rampant, and RB depth has never been more crucial. As usual, the more prepared are the least affected by the injury bug -- and the most confident going into this six-team bye week.
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Let's get to it, and set the table for what should be a wild Week 7. Be sure to check back throughout the week for updates to stay ahead of the game. Good luck, have fun, and embrace the madness!
MORE: Watch NFL RedZone live with Sling (50% off first month)
Which RBs are on bye in Week 7?
The Cowboys, Bengals, Titans, Jets, Texans, and Panthers all have Week 7 off, so 10 fantasy-relevant RBs will be out.
Tony Pollard, Joe Mixon, Derrick Henry, and Breece Hall are the most important, but Dameon Pierce and Miles Sanders are normally every-week starters when healthy, too. Tyjae Spears, Dalvin Cook, Devin Singletary, and Chuba Hubbard also have potential value in any given week.
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Who are the best fantasy RBs in Week 7?
With MVP candidate Christian McCaffrey (@ Vikings in Week 7) unlikely to play next Monday night due to his oblique injury, Jordan Mason becomes the next man up with Elijah Mitchell also startable. Minnesota allowed the Bears' D'Onta Foreman and Darrynton Evans to crack 100 combined yards from scrimmage last week — these guys will be busy.
The week's de facto No. 1 in our rankings, though, will be Austin Ekeler (@ Chiefs) with the rust kicked off from his Week 6 return from a weeks-long ankle issue. We also love both sides of the Raheem Mostert-D'Andre Swift face-off (Dolphins @ Eagles), as both these backs have been spectacular. Swift has one of the best lines — Mostert plays in one of the best overall systems (maybe ever!).
We can't forget the youth movement. After a couple of strong weeks, we're launching the Jaguars' Travis Etienne (@ Saints) and Seahawks' Kenneth Walker III (vs. Cardinals) way up, even past Falcons' stud rookie Bijan Robinson (@ Buccaneers). Behind them you'll find New Orleans' dual-threat stud Alvin Kamara (vs. Jaguars), reigning rushing champ Josh Jacobs (@ Bears), and upside PPR plays Aaron Jones (@ Broncos), Rhamondre Stevenson (vs. Bills), and Isiah Pacheco (vs. Chargers).
WEEK 7 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em
Who are the best fantasy RB sleepers, waiver pickups Week 7?
The Colts' Zack Moss (vs. Browns) did everything in the few weeks leading up to Jonathan Taylor's return, and now he's a PPR beast with JT back on the field. It just goes to show — hold on to your studs, no matter what. In a week filled with injuries and byes, Moss could be a week-winner with Gardner Minshew probably dinking and dunking to avoid Cleveland's pass-rush.
Over in Detroit, Craig Reynolds (@ Ravens) could play a big part with or without rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) active. If David Montgomery's rib injury keeps him from this game, Jared Goff will need playmakers against a tough Baltimore run defense. Even if Gibbs suits up, we have to imagine he'll be on a pitch count.
Could this finally be the week for the Bears' Roschon Johnson (vs. Raiders)? We would certainly like him better than the underwhelming D'Onta Foreman and Darrynton Evans. We would also trust the Cardinals' Keaontay Ingram (@ Seahawks) in James Conner's absence and the Browns' Kareem Hunt (@ Colts) over Jerome Ford in PPR formats.
In a bye-heavy week, Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell (@ Vikings) both seem like good starts if CMC indeed can't suit up. The same sentiment probably applies to Miami's Jeff Wilson Jr. (@ Eagles) assuming he returns as expected from his midsection and finger injuries. This prolific Dolphins running game can feed two RB mouths in PPR, even in a tough matchup.
WEEK 7 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Who are the biggest potential fantasy RB busts in Week 7?
The Ravens' Gus Edwards (vs. Lions) still seems to be "the guy" in Baltimore, but we shudder at the thought of having to deploy anyone in this Baltimore backfield against Detroit. Gus Bus and Justice Hill both have limited PPR upside, so hopefully you can find a higher-ceiling sleeper. We're putting Edwards in the top 20 because of volume, but our expectations remain tempered.
The Vikings' Alexander Mattison (vs. 49ers) could go from mediocre to downright ugly this week against an elite San Francisco defense. We'll give him the benefit of the doubt because of Kirk Cousins dump-offs in garbage time, but don't think you have a distinct advantage just because Mattison is the Vikings' RB1 (he might not be if he continues plodding at 3.5 YPC or worse).
Najee Harris (@ Rams) continues to lose passing-down work to the superior Jaylen Warren, and the Jaylen truthers will soon be validated. We would have trouble starting Harris against a Rams D that made Arizona look bad last week. For perspective, we have Najee just ahead of the Commanders' Brian Robinson (@ Giants), who has struggled to average 3.2 yards per carry over Washington's past three contests.
What are the biggest RB injuries in Week 7?
The headliner of all injury headliners is the 49ers' Christian McCaffrey (oblique). He tried to get back in the game after the injury, but after one play, he exited for good. Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell will likely split touches against Minnesota, with Mason holding more touchdown upside and Mitchell a bigger thread between the 20s.
David Montgomery (ribs) left early in Detroit's win against Tampa, and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) was already out, missing his second-straight game. If Gibbs and Montgomery remain out, Craig Reynolds (@ Ravens) would likely lead the way in Detroit's backfield.
Both Kyren Williams (ankle) and Ronnie Rivers (knee) were on and off the field against Arizona, ultimately leading to Zach Evans closing out the game. Rams head coach Sean McVay said Williams "is gonna be good" after the game, so we're not particularly worried about him, but this situation still bears watching.
Damien Harris (@ Patriots) suffered a bad neck injury against the Giants, and it seems highly unlikely he'll return against New England. Latavius Murray will continue to dominate the Bills' non-James Cook RB touches, especially around the goal line.
Jamaal Williams (hamstring) and Jeff Wilson Jr. (midsection, finger) are both eligible to come off the IR this week. We haven't heard much about Williams' progress, but even if he returns against Jacksonville, he has minimal value given New Orleans' porous offensive line and Alvin Kamara's stranglehold on the lead RB job. JWJ almost came back last week, so we expect to return against Philadelphia.
Roschon Johnson (concussion) will likely return this week, but continue to monitor that situation. If he's out again, D'Onta Foreman and Darrynton Evans will once again split touches against Las Vegas.
We'll continue to update our RB PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for updates.
Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 7: Who to start, sit at running back
Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring formats
Rank Player
1 Christian McCaffrey, 49ers @ Vikings
2 Austin Ekeler, Chargers @ Chiefs
3 Raheem Mostert, Dolphins @ Eagles
4 D'Andre Swift, Eagles vs. Dolphins
5 Travis Etienne, Jaguars @ Saints
6 Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks vs. Cardinals
7 Bijan Robinson, Falcons @ Buccaneers
8 Alvin Kamara, Saints vs. Jaguars
9 Josh Jacobs, Raiders @ Bears
10 Aaron Jones, Packers @ Broncos
11 Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots vs. Bills
12 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs vs. Chargers
13 Saquon Barkley, Giants vs. Commanders
14 Zack Moss, Colts vs. Browns
15 Jonathan Taylor, Colts vs. Browns
16 James Cook, Bills @ Patriots
17 Javonte Williams, Broncos vs. Packers
18 Gus Edwards, Ravens vs. Lions
19 Rachaad White, Buccaneers vs. Falcons
20 Keaontay Ingram, Cardinals @ Seahawks
21 Jaylen Warren, Steelers @ Rams
22 Alexander Mattison, Vikings vs. 49ers
23 Jerome Ford, Browns @ Colts
24 D'Onta Foreman, Bears vs. Raiders
25 Latavius Murray, Bills @ Patriots
26 Najee Harris, Steelers @ Rams
27 Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders @ Giants
28 Craig Reynolds, Lions @ Ravens
29 Kareem Hunt, Browns @ Colts
30 Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos vs. Packers
31 Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles vs. Dolphins
32 Jeff Wilson Jr., Dolphins @ Eagles
33 AJ Dillon, Packers @ Broncos
34 Damien Williams, Cardinals @ Seahawks
35 Antonio Gibson, Commanders @ Giants
36 Tyler Allgeier, Falcons @ Buccaneers
37 Jamaal Williams, Saints vs. Jaguars
38 Jordan Mason, 49ers @ Vikings
39 Zamir White, Raiders @ Bears
40 Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots vs. Bills
41 Darrell Henderson, Rams vs. Steelers
42 Zach Evans, Rams vs. Steelers
43 Darrynton Evans, Bears vs. Raiders
44 Justice Hill, Ravens vs. Lions
45 Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Buccaneers vs. Falcons
46 Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs vs. Chargers
47 Boston Scott, Eagles vs. Dolphins
48 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs vs. Chargers
49 Royce Freeman, Rams vs. Steelers
50 DeeJay Dallas, Seahawks vs. Cardinals
51 Joshua Kelley, Chargers @ Chiefs
52 Cam Akers, Vikings vs. 49ers
53 Elijah Mitchell, 49ers @ Vikings
54 Tank Bigsby, Jaguars @ Saints
55 Emari Demercado, Cardinals @ Seahawks
56 Matt Breida, Giants vs. Commanders
57 Samaje Perine, Broncos vs. Packers
Week 7 RB PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
We're proud to offer SN Fantasy readers an exclusive look at Draft Sharks’ award-winning projections and rankings every week. To see Draft Sharks' Week 7 3D floor-to-ceiling projections for running backs -- plus get access to all of Draft Sharks' industry-leading tools -- become a Draft Sharks' member today at the link below!
TRY DRAFT SHARKS FREE: Dominate with exclusive tools, including Free-Agent Finder & Trade Navigator!
