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Week 4 Running Back Rankings - Standard Leagues

Will anyone pull a Devonta Freeman in Week 4?

By Matias Wodner
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Running back is the most unpredictable position in fantasy football, and Week 3 was a clear affirmation of that notion. Devonta Freeman and Joseph Randle each scored three rushing touchdowns in the same game, resulting in monster fantasy days for both. Karlos Williams found the end zone for the third straight week. Chris Johnson (yes, that same one) went for 150 total yards and two touchdowns. Here's to another week of trying to predict who will produce those big games.

Rank Player Team Opponent Analysis
1 Arian Foster Houston Texans @ATL If he suits up, he's the number one play at RB. Atlanta has been getting shredded by running backs for over a year.
2 Jamaal Charles Kansas City Chiefs @CIN With Alex Smith playing horribly, Charles should get plenty of touches as the main guy on offense.
3 Le'Veon Bell Pittsburgh Steelers BAL Should get even more carries with Big Ben out, but will struggle to find a lot of open space against the Ravens run defense.
4 Mark Ingram New Orleans Saints DAL Ingram is coming off a 16 point fantasy day against a stout Panthers defense, and now gets to face the Devonta Freeman-scarred Cowboys.
5 Matt Forte Chicago Bears OAK He should have more room to run this week, and will be the entire Bears offense again with Jimmy Clausen at quarterback.
6 Eddie Lacy Green Bay Packers @SF The 49ers are going to get walloped.
7 Marshawn Lynch Seattle Seahawks DET It has not been a great start for Beast Mode, but hopefully he will be recovered from his hamstring injury and be good to face a mediocre Lions defense.
8 Latavius Murray Oakland Raiders @CHI He looks like the real deal. His success should continue against a soft Bears defense.
9 Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings @DEN AP looks like his old self, but the Broncos stifling defense makes for a concerning matchup.
10 Karlos Williams Buffalo Bills NYG Williams has kind of come out of nowhere and has impressed with his size and speed. Shady McCoy won't play this week, leaving Williams with a fantastic opportunity.
11 Frank Gore Indianapolis Colts JAX I predicted Gore's coming out party against the Titans, and his touchdown streak should reach two against a Jaguars team that just gave up four rushing TD's against the Pats.
12 Melvin Gordon San Diego Chargers CLE This might be Gordon's breakout game, as Cleveland can't stop the run and the Chargers should be leading for most of the time.
13 Demarco Murray Philadelphia Eagles @WAS Will still be the lead guy when he returns, but needs to start producing. Offensive line looked much better last week, so that's encouraging.
14 Joseph Randle Dallas Cowboys @NO Saints have been not-too-bad against the run, but Randle should have scoring opportunities.
15 Andre Ellington Arizona Cardinals STL Running back in the Cardinals offense seems to be the prime fantasy football position this year.
16 Carlos Hyde San Francisco 49ers GB How many carries will Hyde get with the Packers likely to blow the Niners out?
17 Devonta Freeman Atlanta Falcons HOU Don't chase last week's points, but expect a pretty good game.
18 T.J. Yeldon Jacksonville Jaguars @IND The Colts defense is really bad.
19 Jeremy Hill Cincinnati Bengals KC His struggles are concerning. Bengals coaches have backed up faith in him, so he might be able to get going this week.
20 Lamar Miller Miami Dolphins NYJ Dolphins coaches need to give him the ball. They have no idea what they are doing.
21 Isaiah Crowell Cleveland Browns @SD The Chargers can't stop the run.
22 Chris Ivory New York Jets @MIA Is a high injury risk, but needs to be started when active.
23 Matt Jones Washington Redskins PHI Seems to have overtaken Alf Morris as the lead back.
24 Justin Forsett Baltimore Ravens @PIT Last year seems so far away.
25 Giovani Bernard Cincinnati Bengals KC Has been really good and has forced at least a timeshare with J Hill.
26 Danny Woodhead San Diego Chargers CLE Should be enough to go around against a bad Browns run defense.
27 Jonathan Stewart Carolina Panthers @TB Will this be the week he does something? Probably not, but the matchup can't get any better.
28 C.J. Anderson Denver Broncos MIN If he can stay healthy for a full game, he will get enough touches to start producing again.
29 Chris Johnson Arizona Cardinals STL Should still have a role even with Ellington coming back.
30 Alfred Morris Washington Redskins PHI Should get around the same amount of carries as his timeshare partner.
31 Todd Gurley St. Louis Rams @ARI Will be more involved, but gets a very tough assignment.
32 Duke Johnson Cleveland Browns @SD The Chargers can't stop the run.
33 Ryan Mathews Philadelphia Eagles @WAS Has earned more carries, but is still the backup.
34 Ameer Abdullah Detroit Lions @SEA Going to be a tough week for the entire Lions offense.
35 Ronnie Hillman Denver Broncos MIN Hasn't been as effective as last year, yet has carved out a 10-12 touch role with Anderson struggling.
36 Doug Martin Tampa Bay Buccaneers CAR So much for the preseason hype.
37 Shane Vereen New York Giants @BUF Outside of OBJ, I think the Giants are going to have a really tough time moving the ball, giving Vereen more pass catching opportunities.
38 Lorenzo Taliaferro Baltimore Ravens @PIT Is already the red zone/goal line back. If Forsett keeps struggling, keep an eye on him.
39 C.J. Spiller New Orleans Saints DAL Sean Payton keeps saying he needs to get Spiller involved, but hasn't done it yet.
40 Darren McFadden Dallas Cowboys @NO Can vulture a touchdown at any moment.
41 Boobie Dixon Buffalo Bills NYG Good bet for some carries with McCoy out.
42 Rashad Jennings New York Giants @BUF It's going to be tough sledding against the Bills defense.
43 Khiry Robinson New Orleans Saints DAL Still getting touches, and should continue to.
44 Darren Sproles Philadelphia Eagles @WAS Operates as the passing game back and is always a threat for a punt return touchdown.
45 Tre Mason St. Louis Rams @ARI Has just 61 yards on 19 touches.
46 Joique Bell Detroit Lions @SEA He is as done as a burnt steak.
47 Lance Dunbar Dallas Cowboys @NO Is much better in PPR formats.
48 Alfred Blue Houston Texans @ATL Might be able to do some damage with limited touches with Foster coming back.
49 James Starks Green Bay Packers @SF Did nothing with his 17 touches last week, but will get garbage time work this week.
50 Theo Riddick Detroit Lions @SEA They might have to pass a lot.