It has been quite the year for the running back position, both in reality and in fantasy land. While certain NFL owners and GMs might not value backs as much as they did in the past, RBs in PPR leagues remain as vital to fantasy football success as ever. Our Week 4 fantasy RB PPR rankings will reveal the order in which we value the top 60 backs, helping you frame your strategy for the weekend ahead.
As always, the entire landscape of the position looks different through 20 percent of the regular season. Austin Ekeler and Saquon Barkley — two of our top five PPR backs in the preseason — are both dealing with ankle issues; perennial Pro Bowler Nick Chubb (knee) just suffered an awful season-ending injury on Monday Night Football; Aaron Jones, a PPR stud year in and year out, has also missed most of the year. It's been tough sledding!
With one player's misfortune often comes another's rise to relevance. Chubb's injury has already paved the way for the success of Jerome Ford in Cleveland. Ford racked up 131 all-purpose yards and a TD in Week 2 against the Steelers and found the end zone twice against the Titans in Week 3. Even with Kareem Hunt returning to the Browns, Ford should have a strong role for the rest of the season.
WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
The Colts' Zack Moss has also been solid while filling in for Jonathan Taylor while the former rushing king is on the PUP list. Moss went from ineffective young back for the Bills to a LaDainian Tomlinson-like force for Indianapolis (only somewhat hyperbolic). The veteran put up 145 yards from scrimmage and scored a TD against a tough Ravens D in Week 3.
WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
The biggest explosion of Week 3 came from Dolphins rookie De'Von Achane, who amassed 203 yards and two TDs on the ground and 30 yards and two TDs through the air. Not bad for a guy who had nine yards from scrimmage entering the week!
Wild times! If nothing else, the rollercoaster few weeks we have seen serve as a reminder that even on sunny days, we must always be prepared for rain. Our Week 4 rankings will get you ready for the weekend ahead — and beyond — and navigate you through the often-choppy waters of the running back position.
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Who are the best fantasy RBs in Week 4?
As always, Christian McCaffrey (vs. Cardinals) remains the cream of the PPR crop. He's not just insanely effective with his touches — he's also enjoying the highest usage rate he's seen in years. As CMC investors, we'll take it. We'll also take Falcons rookie Bijan Robinson (vs. Jaguars) wherever we can get him — he's the key to Atlanta's success, and his strong usage against an exploitable Jacksonville D could translate to huge fantasy numbers.
Other PPR studs we love this week include the Jags' Travis Etienne Jr. (vs. Falcons), the Cowboys' Tony Pollard (vs. Patriots), and the Seahawks' Kenneth Walker III (@ Giants). These three have strong matchups ahead of them and have proven themselves as the undisputed workhorse backs on rushing and passing downs.
Only the aforementioned Achane (@ Bills) racked up more ground yards in Week 3 than Pollard, and while New England will likely pose a tougher challenge for Pollard than Arizona did, let's not forget that Achane's teammate Raheem Mostert put up 121 yards and two TDs on the ground against the Pats in Week 2. Pollard and Mostert rank among our top six PPR options, while Achane slides into the top 23.
We're expecting more and more good stuff from Chiefs back Isiah Pacheco (@ Jets), who gets used in just about every way by this Matt Nagy offense. We also can't help but get excited about the Bills' James Cook finally unlocking a running game for Buffalo. The Packers' Aaron Jones (vs. Lions) should be back on the field this week after missing time with a hamstring injury. The Seahawks showed us in Week 2 that capable offenses can gash this Detroit defense from the RB position.
Make a run at Zack Moss (vs. Rams) if you can, perhaps emphasizing how diminished his value might be when Jonathan Taylor comes off the PUP list. Of course, we know full well that JT's Week 5 return is not guaranteed, both in regards to his ankle injury and his lingering contract dispute with the Colts. If Moss keeps playing like this and remains the RB1 in Indy, he could be a surprise league-winner. At worst, he's one of the top handcuffs in fantasy.
WEEK 4 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Who are the best fantasy RB sleepers, waiver pickups Week 4?
We told you last week that the Browns' Jerome Ford (vs. Ravens) was a must-roster and must-start, and thankfully he made us look good. Ford put up 19.1 PPR points against a tough Titans run D, so he's once again in play this week against Baltimore. We are a bit worried about the lack of success on the ground and his usage relative to Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong Jr., but John Harbaugh's squad allowed the aforementioned Moss to rack up 122 ground yards in Week 3, so Ford's explosiveness gives him a high ceiling.
We've got the Steelers' Jaylen Warren (@ Texans) just outside our top 25 and just ahead of running mate Najee Harris. He runs more assertively, catches the ball better, and averages more yards before and after contact. Most important, he's playing over Harris on passing downs. Houston is a gift that keeps on giving, and we think Warren finally outshines the consistently underwhelming Harris even if he once again gets fewer touches.
James Conner (@ 49ers) looked fantastic against the Cowboys in Week 3, so we might actually trust him in San Francisco. His PFF grades have been glowing all season, and he remains one of the better pass-catching RBs in the NFL.
The Cowboys' Rico Dowdle (vs. Patriots) and Seahawks' Zach Charbonnet (@ Giants) strike us as must-roster assets in deep leagues. Dowdle is the clear No. 2 behind Tony Pollard, and his vision and burst are obvious nearly every time he has the ball in his hands. Charbonnet has been effective with his opportunities.
We also like the PPR-upside of Ravens veteran Justice Hill (@ Browns), who could return from his toe injury this week and could start if Gus Edwards doesn't clear concussion protocol.
WEEK 4 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Who are the biggest potential fantasy RB busts Week 4?
Another PPR disappointment has been the Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson (@ Cowboys), who dropped multiple passes against the Jets and now must face Micah Parsons and a stifling Dallas D coming off an upset in Arizona. Yikes — given the Pats' offensive line and Stevenson's recent struggles, we might be benching 'Mondre in shallow leagues for someone with a higher floor.
Joe Mixon (@ Titans) concerns us, too, not just because he has been underwhelming but also because the team around him has struggled mightily. His offensive line seems like it has moved backward, not forward, and with QB Joe Burrow banged up, Mixon's PPR ceiling has lowered significantly. Tennessee has a great run D, so the mediocre returns could continue at least through this weekend.
Speaking of low floors, we're staying away from the Chargers' Joshua Kelley (vs. Raiders) despite the plus matchup. He has been abysmal with the ball in his hands, and it's only a matter of time before Bolts coach Brandon Staley finds a better fit for Austin Ekeler's fill-in.
The Panthers' Miles Sanders (vs. Vikings) also looked rough in Week 3, struggling with Andy Dalton under center. If Carolina plays from behind like it did in Seattle last week, Sanders could once again see his role diminish. It's difficult to consider benching players we spent early draft picks on, but draft results should be out of sight, out of mind by this point of the season.
What are the biggest RB injuries Week 4?
With the Chargers' on bye in Week 5, we wouldn't be surprised if Austin Ekeler (ankle) remains out this week. He and the Chargers have suddenly started talking about "week-to-week" rather than "day-to-day," and Ek himself has said he should be back "sooner than later." However, as we said in the busts section, a healthy Joshua Kelley (vs. Raiders) has somehow become less valuable than a hurt Ekeler. He's terrible.
The Giants' Saquon Barkley (vs. Seahawks) will most likely miss this week, too. Another waffle job, this ankle injury went from a serious injury to a quick heal to a high-ankle sprain (great transparency!). We're not overly excited about 'Quon's backup Matt Breida, but we certainly like him better than Kelley. Breida needed just seven Week 3 touches to crack double-digit PPR points against his old Niners squad.
Fire up Aaron Jones (vs. Lions) if he's back in action for Green Bay, which we expect to be the case. It sounded as though he was almost a go for Week 3, and given how bad AJ Dillon has been, we like Jones to return to heavy PPR opportunities for the 2-1 Pack.
The Lions' David Montgomery (thigh) will more than likely remain on the shelf this Thursday. That means continued workhorse usage for rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (@ Packers), who will hopefully be utilized more in the passing game at Lambeau. Gibbs turned 17 Week 3 carries into 80 yards against Atlanta, but he only hauled in one two-yard catch on two targets.
The tough times continue for Baltimore's backfield. The Ravens already lost JK Dobbins to a season-ending knee injury, then Justice Hill suffered a toe injury in Week 2 and Gus Edwards sustained a concussion in Week 3. Hill should hopefully be back in Week 4, but Edwards will need to clear the NFL's concussion protocol in order to suit up against Cleveland.
New Orleans has endured similarly rocky RB waters this season, with Alvin Kamara suspended for the Saints' first three games and now Jamaal Williams on the IR with a hamstring injury. Kamara returns from the suspension this week, where he will likely see 75-80 percent of the RB touches with rookie Kendre Miller and veteran Tony Jones Jr. splitting the remaining 20-25 percent.
We'd also be remiss if we didn't mention Salvon Ahmed (groin), who's absence last week paved the way for De'Von Achane's breakout. It seems unlikely that Ahmed would still be ahead of Achane on the Dolphins' depth chart if he returns this week against Buffalo, but you never know how Mike McDaniel will handle his backfield.
We'll continue to update our RB PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for updates.
Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 4: Who to start, sit at running back
Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring formats
Rank Player
1 Christian McCaffrey, 49ers vs. Cardinals
2 Bijan Robinson, Falcons vs. Jaguars
3 Travis Etienne, Jaguars vs. Falcons
4 Tony Pollard, Cowboys vs. Patriots
5 Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks @ Giants
6 Raheem Mostert, Dolphins @ Bills
7 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs @ Jets
8 Miles Sanders, Panthers vs. Vikings
9 Josh Jacobs, Raiders @ Chargers
10 Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots @ Cowboys
11 James Cook, Bills vs. Dolphins
12 Alvin Kamara, Saints vs. Buccaneers
13 Derrick Henry, Titans vs. Bengals
14 Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions @ Packers
15 Aaron Jones, Packers vs. Lions
16 Javonte Williams, Broncos @ Bears
17 Joe Mixon, Bengals @ Titans
18 Dameon Pierce, Texans vs. Steelers
19 Zack Moss, Colts vs. Rams
20 Kyren Williams, Rams @ Colts
21 Breece Hall, Jets vs. Chiefs
22 Jerome Ford, Browns vs. Ravens
23 James Conner, Cardinals @ 49ers
24 De'Von Achane, Dolphins @ Bills
25 Jaylen Warren, Steelers @ Texans
26 Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders @ Eagles
27 Khalil Herbert, Bears vs. Broncos
28 Alexander Mattison, Vikings @ Panthers
29 Tyler Allgeier, Falcons vs. Jaguars
30 D'Andre Swift, Eagles vs. Commanders
31 Najee Harris, Steelers @ Texans
32 Rachaad White, Buccaneers @ Saints
33 Kareem Hunt, Browns vs. Ravens
34 Joshua Kelley, Chargers vs. Raiders
35 Gus Edwards, Ravens @ Browns
36 Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks @ Giants
37 Dalvin Cook, Jets vs. Chiefs
38 Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs @ Jets
39 Rico Dowdle, Cowboys vs. Patriots
40 Antonio Gibson, Commanders @ Eagles
41 Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots @ Cowboys
42 Tank Bigsby, Jaguars vs. Falcons
43 Matt Breida, Giants vs. Seahawks
44 Justice Hill, Ravens @ Browns
45 Jordan Mason, 49ers vs. Cardinals
46 AJ Dillon, Packers vs. Lions
47 Samaje Perine, Broncos @ Bears
48 Kendre Miller, Saints vs. Buccaneers
49 Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles vs. Commanders
50 Tony Jones Jr., Saints vs. Buccaneers
51 Latavius Murray, Bills vs. Dolphins
52 Roschon Johnson, Bears vs. Broncos
53 Trey Sermon, Colts vs. Rams
54 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs @ Jets
55 Melvin Gordon, Ravens @ Browns
56 Tyjae Spears, Titans vs. Bengals
57 Craig Reynolds, Lions @ Packers
58 Rashaad Penny, Eagles vs. Commanders
59 Sean Tucker Buccaneers @ Saints
60 Damien Harris, Bills vs. Dolphins
Week 4 RB PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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