Week 4 Running Back Rankings & Tiers

C-tier running back ranked ahead of Saquon Barkley despite the ranking feeling insane; Jones has played at least 80% of snaps in back-to-back games with 23 opportunities in back-to-back games; the lack of fantasy points is due to missing touchdown volume, but the Green Bay Packers are 11-point favorites over Miami, which should support run-heavy game script in the second half.

Mr. James Cook is starting Alvin Kamara this week despite having no desire to do so, citing poor running back depth on his roster. Kamara will get used as a receiver (six targets out of backfield two weeks ago); Tyler Shuck is dropping back to pass more than any other NFL quarterback; matchup against Falcons is strong with Saints projecting as borderline top-five offense. In full PPR, expect running back by committee with Miller involved; realistic stat line projection is six carries for 28 rushing yards, six receptions for 34 receiving yards (12 points) plus touchdown upside. Cook doesn't think you should be excited about Kamara but is starting him due to lack of depth.

Mr. James Cook recommends benching Blake Corum due to a tough matchup and his clear backup status behind Kairen; the combination of secondary role and difficult opponent makes him a bench candidate.

Mr. James Cook would be ecstatic to start Braelon Allen this week against the Chicago Bears given the injuries at running back and Allen's size and receiving skill set. However, the New York Jets project to score fewer than 20 total points this week—lower than any other offense discussed—which tempers enthusiasm despite the favorable matchup.

Mr. James Cook is concerned for Bucky Irving compared to his typical tier placement. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 0-3 with no reason to rush back Baker Mayfield; an undrafted free agent rookie QB will replace him and won't check down as much, lowering Irving's receiving opportunities. Cook is considering starting Wil Robinson over Irving on his own team.

Brown is a must-start with at least 70% snap share in every game for the Cincinnati Bengals; the Bengals project as an elite offense in one of the highest-scoring game environments of the week against Jacksonville, making him an absolute lock.

A-tier running back with a strong matchup recommendation against the Denver Broncos.

Hubbard is a lock with 84% snap share, 23 opportunities, and a three-down workload; the matchup against Detroit projects as a super high-scoring game environment (over/under 50.5), and the offense projects to be just fine.

DeAndre Swift is averaging almost 20 fantasy points per game against the New York Jets. The Bears offense ran smoothly under Case Keenum without Caleb Williams, and the Bears are favored against the Jets, which should enable a run-heavy game script in the second half.

Henry faces an elite revenge-game matchup against the Tennessee Titans and projects for potentially 200 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns, making him a top-tier play.

Price is averaging fewer than five fantasy points per game and was benched after fumbling last week. Mr. James Cook still likes his long-term upside but recommends not trusting Price in your lineup until we see otherwise.

B-tier must-start running back with an elite matchup against the New England Patriots; the Buffalo Bills are massive favorites (6.5-point spread, 73% win probability) and project to score 27.5 points, with Cook showing a 53% chance of scoring at least one touchdown and 17% chance of two or more.

C-tier running back with incredible volume metrics, but tempered enthusiasm due to a tough matchup where the Dallas Cowboys offense projects to be worse than usual; the Cowboys face the Houston Texans, who have a strong defense, making the matchup challenging for Williams.

Warren is in a running back by committee and despite getting significant volume, he has posted back-to-back games with under 6 fantasy points; even in a game against Seattle where the Commanders put up a ton of points, he was unable to produce. Mr. James Cook recommends benching him.

Wright is expected to play in Week 1, which creates workload uncertainty for backup Olly Gordon. His availability status directly impacts Gordon's role in the Miami offense.

C-tier running back with elite workload metrics: 64% snap share, 21 carries, 5 targets for 26 total opportunities; described as a phenomenal talent with the desired workload; the Arizona Cardinals project to be a fine offense in a favorable game environment against the New York Giants, who have suffered injuries and deteriorated. Mr. James Cook notes Love is positioned in a favorable game environment with the Cardinals projecting as a completely fine offense, and he's a super special talent.

Taylor faces an excellent matchup at Washington where the Colts project to score 25.5 points, providing a strong offensive environment to support his fantasy output.

Mr. James Cook recommends benching Kenneth Gainwell because Bucky Irving is healthy and returning, leaving Gainwell as a backup in one of the worst offenses in the league; the combination of reduced role and poor offensive environment makes him a bench candidate.

Walker is currently averaging 26 fantasy points per game, an elite scoring rate that supports top-tier ranking consideration.

Mr. James Cook rates Rashaad White as D-tier despite his lead-back role for Jacksonville. White has never scored 20 fantasy points in a game and hasn't exceeded 51% snap share through three weeks, operating in a three-man committee with Laquent Allen handling passing work and Chris Rodriguez stealing carries.

Rhamondre Stevenson is in a full-blown running back by committee on the New England Patriots, playing only 52% of snaps in the past week. The Patriots offense looks bad, and Mr. James Cook recommends benching him.

R.J. Harvey is in a running back by committee with Anthony Dobbins on the Denver Broncos. Mr. James Cook thinks you can make an argument to move Harvey higher, but his hesitation is that Harvey had only two carries in the past week, so he's really only getting used as a receiver.

Saquon Barkley has been horrific in fantasy, averaging 7 PPG (closer to 13 PPG when adjusted for early injury exit in week two). He is not being used as a receiver, and the Eagles offense projects to score fewer points than the Cardinals, Vikings, Steelers, and Panthers this week, making it difficult to get excited about his fantasy outlook.

Jones is involved in Saints running back by committee alongside Kamara and Miller; may even see a third running back used in full PPR leagues.

Henderson is in a running back by committee with Rhamondre Stevenson on the Patriots in a game where the Patriots look to lose by a lot. Mr. James Cook recommends benching him.

Allgeier should be benched; Jeremiah Love is taking over the running back role. Mr. James Cook recommends benching him.