Stevenson and Robinson are among five fantasy football running backs who should be avoided during Week 4.
UPI—MIAMI, Sept. 27 For Week 4 of fantasy football, two of my five “don’t start” running backs are Rhamondre Stevenson and Brian Robinson Jr.
Check out my recommended adds and drops before the waiver wire opens to give your team some flexibility. On Sunday, you can check out my revised Week 4 rankings for quarterbacks, wideouts, and tight ends.
My top 30 players include Christian McCaffrey, Josh Jacobs, Kenneth Walker, Travis Etienne, and Tony Pollard. The remaining five players on my Top 10 list are James Cook, Joe Mixon, Derrick Henry, Miles Sanders, and D’Andre Swift.
Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, Aaron Jones, Austin Ekeler, and David Montgomery are all capable of carrying the load, but their injury histories must be checked before they can be inserted into starting lineups.
I have ranked my undesirable running backs outside of the top 24.
Rhamondre Stevenson
This season, Stevenson’s average fantasy points per game for running backs places him outside of the top 20. In his first three starts this year, the New England Patriots running back did not amass 60 rushing yards. There was just one touchdown for him as well.
The Patriots’ opponent this week is the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are tied for third-lowest in the league in allowing fantasy points to running backs, with the Jacksonville Jaguars. They were stingy last year as well, allowing the position to score the fourth-fewest fantasy points.
The Cowboys, in my opinion, will take an early lead in this game. In Week 4, I think Stevenson is the 25th-best play. If your league has 12 teams or more, he’s only worth using as a low-end RB2 or flex.
Rachaad White
With roughly 20 touches per game, White is still the primary running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Because of his heavy workload, White is a viable RB2 option, but he has a terrible matchup this week.
In Week 4, the Buccaneers will play the Saints on the road. In addition to not letting any running backs score a touchdown this year, the Saints have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the position, tied with the Kansas City Chiefs.
They limited A.J. Dillon to 33 yards on 11 runs for the Green Bay Packers in Week 3, while they allowed just 43 yards on 14 attempts for the Carolina Panthers in Week 2.
The Saints allowed just 63 yards on the ground to Derrick Henry in Week 1. At the very least, I anticipate that White will get 15 touches. In my own Top 30 list, he comes in at number 26.
Brian Robinson Jr.
Robinson has taken over the starting running back role for the Washington Commanders, with 40 more carries than his closest competitor, Antonio Gibson. He gained 216 yards on 47 carries for an average of 4.6 yards per run and three touchdowns.
On the road in Week 4, Robinson will face the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have the greatest run defense in the NFL and recently limited White to 38 yards on 14 rushes. They allowed their first three opponents to gain 145 yards on the ground.
In this NFC East showdown, the Eagles should jump out to an early lead. As the Commanders attempt to regain the lead, Gibson will likely play a larger role as a pass catcher.
A.J.Dillon
Dillon had trouble getting open against the Saints in Week 3, as was previously reported. The Detroit Lions’ run defense will be another test for the Packers this week.
Thus far in the season, the Lions’ run defense has only given up 216 yards, which is fifth-best in the NFL. They allowed just 152 yards on the ground per game, which was third-best.
In this game, Dillion should rack up close to 70 yards. My Week 4 RB rankings have him at No. 28 because he is a touchdown-or-bust RB2.
Breece Hall
Hall has tremendous football talent, but after gaining 147 yards in Week 1, he has been unable to get going in subsequent games. The New York Jets back carried the ball 13 times for a total of 27 yards in Week 3.
This week the Jets will face the Chiefs, who after three games have given up the third-fewest receiving yards (44) and the fifth-fewest fantasy points to running backs.
Until Hall demonstrates that he can reliably perform, he should not be relied upon as a starting player. In my own rankings, he does not even make the top 30.
Rankings for Running backs in Week 4 of fantasy football
1. Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers vs. MIN
2. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans vs. CIN
3. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals at TEN
4. James Cook, Buffalo Bills vs. MIA
5. Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys vs. NE
6. Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. ATL
7. Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks at NYG
8. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers at HOU
9. Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers vs. LV
10. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos at CHI
11. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals at SF
12. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints vs. TB
13. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders at LAC
14. De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins at BUF
15. Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns vs. BAL
16. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams at IND
17. Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans vs. PIT
18. Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins at BUF
19. Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings at CAR
20. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions at GB
21. Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts vs. LAR
22. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons at JAX
23. D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles vs. WAS
24. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers vs. ARI
