It is now Week 7 and we have several notable backs on bye this week. Eddie Lacy, Matt Forte, and Jeremy Hill are all on bye and will have the week off. Since this articles focuses on PPR rankings, there are several backs listed below that fantasy owners may not be considering in standard leagues who can be serviceable in PPR formats during bye weeks and/or if you're dealing with injuries. Let's take a look at this week's rankings.
Rank |
RUNNING BACKS |
Team |
OPP |
1 |
Devonta Freeman ATL |
@TEN |
|
2 |
Le'Veon Bell PIT |
@KC |
|
3 |
Todd Gurley STL |
CLE |
|
4 |
Adrian Peterson MIN |
@DET |
|
5 |
LeSean McCoy BUF |
@JAC |
|
6 |
Mark Ingram NO |
@IND |
|
7 |
Latavius Murray OAK |
@SD |
|
8 |
Arian Foster HOU |
@MIA |
|
9 |
Chris Ivory NYJ |
@NE |
|
10 |
Lamar Miller MIA |
HOU |
|
11 |
Frank Gore IND |
NO |
|
12 |
Dion Lewis NE |
NYJ |
|
13 |
Doug Martin TB |
@WAS |
|
14 |
Marshawn Lynch SEA |
@SF |
|
15 |
DeMarco Murray PHI |
@CAR |
|
16 |
Danny Woodhead SD |
OAK |
|
17 |
Chris Johnson ARI |
BAL |
|
18 |
Justin Forsett BAL |
@ARI |
|
19 |
Jonathan Stewart CAR |
PHI |
|
20 |
Alfred Morris WAS |
TB |
|
21 |
Carlos Hyde SF |
SEA |
|
22 |
Christine Michael DAL |
@NYG |
|
23 |
Duke Johnson CLE |
@STL |
|
24 |
Rashad Jennings NYG |
DAL |
|
25 |
Ameer Abdullah DET |
MIN |
|
26 |
Theo Riddick DET |
Detroit Lions |
MIN |
27 |
Ryan Mathews PHI |
Philadelphia Eagles |
@CAR |
28 |
Shane Vereen NYG |
New York Giants |
DAL |
29 |
C.J. Spiller NO |
New Orleans Saints |
@IND |
30 |
LeGarrette Blount NE |
New England Patriots |
NYJ |
31 |
Chris Thompson WAS |
Washington Redskins |
TB |
32 |
Charcandrick West KC |
PIT |
|
33 |
Antonio Andrews TEN |
ATL |
|
34 |
Charles Sims TB |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
@WAS |
35 |
Darren Sproles PHI |
Philadelphia Eagles |
@CAR |
36 |
Darren McFadden DAL |
Dallas Cowboys |
@NYG |
37 |
Andre Ellington ARI |
Arizona Cardinals |
BAL |
38 |
Joseph Randle DAL |
Dallas Cowboys |
@NYG |
39 |
Isaiah Crowell CLE |
Cleveland Browns |
@STL |
40 |
Melvin Gordon SD |
San Diego Chargers |
OAK |
41 |
David Johnson ARI |
Arizona Cardinals |
BAL |
42 |
Tevin Coleman ATL |
Atlanta Falcons |
@TEN |
43 |
Knile Davis KC |
Kansas City Chiefs |
PIT |
44 |
Dexter McCluster TEN |
Tennessee Titans |
ATL |
45 |
Denard Robinson JAC |
BUF |
|
46 |
Toby Gerhart JAC |
Jacksonville Jaguars |
BUF |
47 |
Javorius Allen BAL |
Baltimore Ravens |
@ARI |
48 |
Ahmad Bradshaw IND |
Indianapolis Colts |
NO |
49 |
Andre Williams NYG |
New York Giants |
DAL |
50 |
Robert Turbin CLE |
Cleveland Browns |
@STL |
For the first time this season, Devonta Freeman is at the top of the running back rankings. Truth be told, it was difficult for me to put him ahead of Le'Veon Bell, but if you look at the numbers it's tough not to. Freeman has now scored more than 30 fantasy points in four consecutive games. He has scored nine touchdowns in that time span, with at least one touchdown in every game. He's also caught a minimum of five passes and has gained over 100 total yards in each of those games. Needless to say, he's playing on another stratosphere at this moment. The matchup is also one that favors Freeman as the Titans have allowed four rushing touchdowns in their last four games and 90+ rushing yards in three of their last four games. Another back that has taken a big leap up in the rankings is Todd Gurley. He has rushed for over 140 yards in each of the last two games. His success came against two respectable defenses and this week he has the Browns on deck who struggle to stop the run. Opposing backs average 131.5 rushing yards per game, 4.5 receptions per game, and 54 receiving yards per game against the Browns. In fact, the Browns have yielded the most rushing yards this season. Gurley is quickly establishing himself as a top back in the league and could continue to produce quality numbers against a weak run defense. Latavius Murray is coming off of a bye week and has a great matchup this week. The Chargers have allowed 100+ rushing yards in five consecutive games and have surrendered nine total touchdowns. After scoring double digit fantasy points in each of the first three games, Murray failed to do so in his last two games. A week of rest and arguably the best matchup possible for a running back could be just what the doctor ordered. This is a great spot for a bounce back game from Murray.
Dion Lewis and Danny Woodhead both performed below expectations last week, but once again find themselves in the top 20. Realistically, last week's matchup against the Colts was one where we should have been anticipating a big game for LeGarrette Blount. This week however, the Patriots face a stingy Jets run defense which bodes well for Lewis. Despite a slow game last week, he was targeted six times and still averaged over five yards per carry. Lewis receives 7.2 targets per game and the Jets are allowing four receptions per game to opposing backs. Based on the matchup, Lewis could get back on track this week and be in for another big game. Prior to last week, he had caught 19 passes in his previous three games. Woodhead continues to be a steady contributor as he has scored double digit fantasy points in three consecutive games. He now has 18 targets and 14 receptions in his last three games. Opposing backs are averaging 6.2 receptions and 45 receiving yards per game against the Raiders. The Chargers offense has been much more effective when Woodhead is on the field, so I'm expecting for him to continue to be a big part of this offense. Especially after the Chargers benched Melvin Gordon in the second half of last week's game due to two fumbles. Woodhead also receives the majority of the red zone carries (77.8 percent).
Two backs outside the top 20 that can be serviceable this week are Theo Riddick and Chris Thompson. Riddick remains the top targeted back in the league with 42 targets (7 targets per game) and has caught five or more passes in four of the six games he's played in this season. He has also scored double digit fantasy points in four of his six games and has yet scored fewer than 8.6 fantasy points. The matchup isn't appealing, but for those fantasy owners in a tough spot, Riddick should be able to help your team. Thompson has now been targeted 31 times in the last four games. He has caught six or more passes in three of the last four games and has scored over nine fantasy points in four consecutive games. The Bucs have allowed two receiving touchdowns by opposing backs and are surrendering 115.6 rushing yards per game. Thompson is dealing with a back injury so it's something to keep an eye on, but if he plays, he can be a serviceable flex option if you're in need.