The landscape of the ever-important running back position continues to shift in the NFL, forcing fantasy football owners to constantly read, react, and adapt to stay ahead of the curve. Injuries, workload, and matchups are in constant flux, forcing savvy owners to carefully consider every waiver pickup and start 'em, sit 'em decision. Our Week 4 fantasy RB PPR rankings are here to ease the pressure by breaking down the week that was -- and the week that's going to be.
You already know about the studs. Christian McCaffrey (vs. Cardinals in Week 4) is back, and Nick Chubb (@ Falcons) has only gotten better. Derrick Henry (@ Colts) might not be on their level in PPR, but he certainly got more pass targets (6) than we usually see from him last weekend. If that's the start of a trend, watch out. Austin Ekeler (@ Texans) has been one of the bigger disappointments among the top-10 backs, but at least he still has a high floor in PPR leagues thanks to frequent targets (18 the past two weeks). This week's matchup should be a favorable one, too.
Dalvin Cook (vs. Saints) finally looked like an RB1 again in Week 3, but a shoulder injury knocked him out early. Alexander Mattison (vs. Saints) did what he does when Cook is out, posting 44 total yards and scoring, and if he's forced to start this week in London, he'll be a must-start. The same goes for Khalil Herbert (@ Giants) if he's starting for David Montgomery (ankle, knee). Herbert posted over 150 total yards and two TDs in relief of Montgomery in Week 3, so the upside is obviously there for big things.
WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
Committee-wise, Jacksonville's James Robinson (@ Eagles) furthered his lead on Travis Etienne for the No. 1 job, but Etienne has a little more upside in PPR leagues and could work as a flex this week against an Eagles' defense that's given up a good amount of catches to RBs this year. The Seahawks' Rashaad Penny (@ Lions) also dominated touches over Kenneth Walker III, and even in a good matchup, the rookie is little more than a desperation flex in deep leagues. Atlanta's Tyler Allgeier (vs. Browns) saw fewer touches this week compared to Cordarrelle Patterson (vs. Browns), while Devin Singletary (@ Ravens) dominated in the Bills backfield. With nine catches on 11 targets, Singletary might be on his way to a PPR breakout. Dameon Pierce (vs. Chargers) once again saw the vast majority of RB carries for the Texans, but he still loses a little value in PPR leagues compared to standard formats.
WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
While those committees have just one startable RB apiece, the Patriots (@ Packers), Broncos (@ Raiders), Lions (vs. Seahawks), and Cowboys (vs. Commanders) all feature a pair of RBs who can work as at least flexes. Damien Harris (@ Packers) is much riskier in PPR leagues vs. standard, but the rest of the backs see regular touches and a decent amount of targets. We especially like the matchups for D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams (vs. Seahawks) this week, while Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon (@ Raiders) are both intriguing PPR plays because of alternating games with more targets.
WEEK 4 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
The jury is still out on the Dolphins (@ Bengals), Jets (@ Steelers), Rams (@ 49ers), and Chiefs (@ Buccaneers). Chase Edmonds (@ Bengals) scored twice last week, but Raheem Mostert out-touched him (nine to eight) and even had one more target. Consider both low-end flexes, at best. Similarly, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon are both extremely risky against Tampa even though both have more value in PPR leagues. Cam Akers looked much better than Darrell Henderson (@ 49ers) last week, but his goal-line fumble mixed with the tough matchup has us nervous this week. Breece Hall and Michael Carter (@ Steelers) each have plenty of upside, with Hall once again showing more juice, but even in a favorable matchup, it's anyone's guess as to how key touches will be divvied up.
WEEK 4 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
JK Dobbins (@ Bills), James Conner (@ Panthers), Josh Jacobs (vs. Broncos), and Jeff Wilson Jr. (vs. Rams) are all in tough spots this week, but at least we know they're going to get the majority of touches in their respective backfields. Any can be sat in shallow leagues -- especially Dobbins, who doesn't see many targets -- but in deeper leagues, they'll all likely going to be in lineups.
WEEK 4 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings
Note: We'll be updating these RB PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for analysis and the latest player movement.
Week 4 fantasy RB PPR rankings
Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring leagues.
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Jonathan Taylor, Colts vs. Titans |
| 2 | Christian McCaffrey, Panthers vs. Cardinals |
| 3 | Saquon Barkley, Giants vs. Bears |
| 4 | Austin Ekeler, Chargers @ Texans |
| 5 | Nick Chubb, Browns @ Falcons |
| 6 | Alvin Kamara, Saints vs. Vikings |
| 7 | Derrick Henry, Titans @ Colts |
| 8 | Najee Harris, Steelers vs. Jets |
| 9 | Dalvin Cook, Vikings vs. Saints |
| 10 | Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers vs. Chiefs |
| 11 | Javonte Williams, Broncos @ Raiders |
| 12 | Jamaal Williams, Lions vs. Seahawks |
| 13 | Joe Mixon, Bengals vs. Dolphins |
| 14 | James Robinson, Jaguars @ Eagles |
| 15 | Khalil Herbert, Bears @ Giants |
| 16 | Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons vs. Browns |
| 17 | Aaron Jones, Packers vs. Patriots |
| 18 | Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys vs. Commanders |
| 19 | Rashaad Penny, Seahawks @ Lions |
| 20 | Antonio Gibson, Commanders @ Cowboys |
| 21 | Miles Sanders, Eagles vs. Jaguars |
| 22 | Dameon Pierce, Texans vs. Chargers |
| 23 | James Conner, Cardinals @ Panthers |
| 24 | AJ Dillon, Packers vs. Patriots |
| 25 | Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers vs. Rams |
| 26 | Josh Jacobs, Raiders vs. Broncos |
| 27 | Tony Pollard, Cowboys vs. Commanders |
| 28 | Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots @ Packers |
| 29 | Devin Singletary, Bills @ Ravens |
| 30 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs @ Buccaneers |
| 31 | Melvin Gordon III, Broncos @ Raiders |
| 32 | Breece Hall, Jets @ Steelers |
| 33 | Kareem Hunt, Browns @ Falcons |
| 34 | Michael Carter, Jets @ Steelers |
| 35 | Chase Edmonds, Dolphins @ Bengals |
| 36 | Damien Harris, Patriots @ Packers |
| 37 | JK Dobbins, Ravens vs. Bills |
| 38 | J.D. McKissic, Commanders @ Cowboys |
| 39 | Cam Akers, Rams @ 49ers |
| 40 | Darrell Henderson Jr., Rams @ 49ers |
| 41 | Raheem Mostert, Dolphins @ Bengals |
| 42 | Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars @ Eagles |
| 43 | Nyheim Hines, Colts vs. Titans |
| 44 | Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks @ Lions |
| 45 | Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs @ Buccaneers |
| 46 | Dontrell Hilliard, Titans @ Colts |
| 47 | Jordan Mason, 49ers vs. Rams |
| 48 | Tyler Allgeier, Falcons vs. Browns |
| 49 | Zack Moss, Bills @ Ravens |
| 50 | Samaje Perine, Bengals vs. Dolphins |
| 51 | Brandon Bolden, Raiders vs. Broncos |
| 52 | Justice Hill, Ravens vs. Bills |
| 53 | Rex Burkhead, Texans vs. Chargers |
| 54 | Craig Reynolds, Lions vs. Seahawks |
| 55 | Mark Ingram, Saints vs. Vikings |
| 56 | Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles vs. Jaguars |
| 57 | James Cook, Bills @ Ravens |
| 58 | Alexander Mattison, Vikings vs. Saints |
| 59 | Jaylen Warren, Steelers vs. Jets |
| 60 | Rachaad White, Buccaneers vs. Chiefs |
| 61 | Boston Scott, Eagles vs. Jaguars |
| 62 | Eno Benjamin, Cardinals @ Panthers |
| 63 | Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs @ Buccaneers |
| 64 | Sony Michel, Chargers @ Texans |
Week 4 RB PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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