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2021 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs for Week 4

D’Andre Swift is moving up the ranks.

San Francisco 49ers v Detroit Lions Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

About 80 years ago Ted Williams finished a season with a .406 batting average, something that has not been repeated since. While we find ourselves setting new records in many sports, there are some, like rushing, which are still unbelievable. Across 15 seasons, Emmitt Smith rushed for 18,355 yards. The closest active player is Frank Gore, who took 16 years to get to 16,000 yards. Next is Adrian Peterson, who sits at 14,820 yards through 14 seasons. Amazing to think that the closest active player took an extra season to still fall 12% short of reaching that record.

Week 4 Notes

  • Carolina vs. Dallas looks like a heavy passing game, I’m nervous about any serious rushing yards there
  • Injuries to Dalvin Cook, Darrell Henderson, Eli Mitchell and Trey Sermon have me nervous.
  • Gut feeling tells me Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago Bears and Buffalo go run-heavy
  • We should continue seeing tandem work with Nick Chubb/Kareem Hunt, Ezekiel Elliott/Tony Pollard and Jonathan Taylor/Nyheim Hines

Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings Week 4

Rank Player Team Opponent Notes
Rank Player Team Opponent Notes
1 Austin Ekeler LAC vs LV Favorable Matchup
2 Derrick Henry Ten @ NYJ Two 100 yard games so far
3 Alvin Kamara NO vs NYG Solid but has yet to rush for 100 yards
4 Joe Mixon Cin vs Jax Favorable Matchup
5 Aaron Jones GB vs Pit Tough Matchup
6 Nick Chubb Cle @ Min 80+ yards each game
7 D'Andre Swift Det @ Chi Stock is increasing each game
8 Jonathan Taylor Ind @ Mia Carry total has gone down each game
9 David Montgomery Chi vs Det Favorable Matchup
10 Dalvin Cook Min vs Cle Ankle issue has me concerned
11 Najee Harris Pit @ GB He's being used just not gaining the yards
12 Saquon Barkley NYG @ NO Tough Matchup
13 Ezekiel Elliott Dal vs Car He's improving but tough matchup
14 Chuba Hubbard Car @ Dal Not particularly wowed by him just yet
15 Antonio Gibson Was @ Atl Solid TD reception last week
16 Devin Singletary Buf vs Hou Favorable Matchup
17 Chris Carson Sea @ SF 3 Rush TDs across his last two games
18 Mike Davis Atl vs Was Lots of yards, no TDs
19 Miles Sanders Phi vs KC Underwhelming (as with Philly) so far
20 Kareem Hunt Cle @ Min Solid 2 TD effort last week
21 Darrell Henderson Jr. LAR vs Ari Rib injury is holding him back
22 Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC @ Phi Frustrating situation with him
23 Chase Edmonds Ari @ LAR Lots of yards, no TDs
24 Melvin Gordon III Den vs Bal Continues to impress
25 Nyheim Hines Ind @ Mia Getting more reception yards then rushing
26 Tony Pollard Dal vs Car He's sitting on top 20 numbers
27 Leonard Fournette TB @ NE Has not exceeded 55 yards yet
28 James Robinson Jax @ Cin Up and down from him
29 Damien Harris NE vs TB Tough Matchup
30 Myles Gaskin Mia vs Ind Miami is choosing not to run
31 Kenyan Drake LV @ LAC averaging less than 2 yards per carry
32 Ty'Son Williams Bal @ Den Favorable Matchup
33 Jamaal Williams Det @ Chi Getting som TD Action
34 Royce Freeman Car @ Dal Favorable Matchup
35 Javonte Williams Den vs Bal TD dependent
36 Latavius Murray Bal @ Den Favorable Matchup
37 Eli Mitchell SF vs Sea Noone in SF can stay healthy
38 Josh Jacobs LV @ LAC Healthy still an issue
39 James Conner Ari @ LAR Tough Matchup
40 Trey Sermon SF vs Sea Health is an issue
41 J.D. McKissic Was @ Atl Handcuff
42 Michael Carter NYJ vs Ten Who does NYJ use?
43 Ty Johnson NYJ vs Ten Who does NYJ use?
44 Tevin Coleman NYJ vs Ten Who does NYJ use?
43 AJ Dillon GB vs Pit Handcuff