Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 4: Who to start, sit at running back in fantasy football

Sloan Piva

Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 4: Who to start, sit at running back in fantasy football image

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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Sloan Piva

Sloan Piva Photo

Sloan Piva is a content producer for The Sporting News, primarily focused on betting, fantasy sports, and poker. A lifelong New Englander, Sloan earned his BA and MA in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts and now lives in coastal Rhode Island with his wife and two kids.