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Week 4 Running Back Preview: Christian McCaffrey Reigns

Top Fantasy RBs for Week 4

Here are the top Week 4 running backs, with usage and matchup takeaways powering our Week 4 RB rankings. 

Vikings vs. Steelers

In Dublin, Ireland

Jordan Mason, Vikings

Mason ran 16 times for 116 yards last week and found the end zone twice. He handled nearly all of the rushing work, though he only had one target in the game and no catches. The Steelers are allowing 4.2 yards per carry to opposing RBs, putting them in the bottom half of the league. It should be a spot where Mason is a high-end RB2 with RB1 potential in non-PPR.

Jaylen Warren, Steelers

Warren’s usage has steadily increased over the first three games, going from 44.6% of the Steelers' snaps in Week 1 to 79.6% in Week 3. He did cede a TD to Kenneth Gainwell last week, but Warren is the lead back for the foreseeable future. He has been targeted on 31% of his routes, the third-highest rate in the NFL. He is now locked into RB2 territory in PPR.

Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers

The good news is that Gainwell scored a TD last week. The bad news is that he remains inefficient and has taken a step behind Jaylen Warren in terms of snaps and touches. Rookie RB Kaleb Johnson didn’t play a snap last week, so Gainwell is at least the clear number two. He should be benched if possible.

Commanders at Falcons

Bijan Robinson, Falcons

Washington has been good against RBs, allowing just 3.14 yards per carry, and the third-fewest fantasy points per game through 3 weeks. However, Robinson is on a different level. He has scored 16-plus PPR points in every game and ranks fourth at RB with an 18% target share. Robinson is a locked-in top-5 play weekly play and will be the focal point for a Falcons' offense that has QB concerns. 

Tyler Allgeier, Falcons

Bijan Robinson gets the headlines, but Tyler Allgeier is seeing plenty of work. Allgeier has a 33% rush share, including rotating in on short-yardage reps. However, Allgeier has only seen 4 targets so far, which makes him a low-end flex option against a Washington defense that has been good versus RBs. 

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders

Washington ranks second in the league with 157.3 rushing yards per game. However, since losing Austin Ekeler, the Commanders have devolved into a full-blown committee backfield. Rooke Jacory Croskey-Merritt leads the way, but his Week 4 status will need to be verified. Croskey-Merritt has missed practice time this week with a knee injury. If he plays, Croskey-Merritt is the favorite to lead the Commanders in carries, but has limited passing-game appeal. He should be viewed as an RB3/flex option in San Francisco. 

Chris Rodriguez, Commanders

Last week, Rodriguez and Jacory Croskey-Merritt split snaps evenly, but Rodriguez led the team with 11 rushes. He also got one tote from inside the 5-yard line, so there is some modest fantasy appeal in considering Rodriguez as a TD-dependent flex play in deeper leagues. Just don't expect him to have involvement in the passing game. 

Jeremy McNichols, Commanders

McNichols' long TD run last week looks good, but he only played 14 snaps in Washington's new-look three-man committee. McNichols only ran 6 routes in that game and was not targeted. We expect him to be more involved on passing downs, but McNichols is merely a low-end RB4 or flex play in deeper leagues. 

Saints at Bills

James Cook, Bills

Game script should favor the Bills' run game. They’re projected to win by double digits, while the Saints roll in with the league’s second-worst point differential (-43). Cook also enters with 18+ touches in three straight -- plus 5.4 yards per carry.

Alvin Kamara, Saints

Kamara’s played a huge 80% of the backfield snaps for New Orleans. His 73% route rate is strong, too, but it’s translated to just a 9% target share. (Kamara delivered a 22% share in 2024.) We’re not banking on much ground-game production at Buffalo. But he should deliver for PPR managers as the Saints play from behind.

Browns at Lions

Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions

Is it possible to quietly collect 27 touches in a game? David Montgomery made noise with his long runs against Baltimore, but Gibbs more than doubled Monty’s touch count. Don’t expect that to keep happening. Gibbs carried just nine and 12 times the first two weeks. But he has proved there will be heavy involvement no matter the game script.

David Montgomery, Lions

Running over a seeming tough defense in Baltimore last Monday night might make Montgomery seem like a must-start this week. But the Ravens now sit just 30th in rush DVOA after also allowing positive rushing performances to the Bills and Browns. It’s also worth noting that Montgomery saw just 13 touches to Jahmyr Gibbs’ 27 on Monday night. Of course, he did some of that to himself by cutting two of his drives short with long runs. Most importantly, this week brings to town a Cleveland defense that ranks first in rush DVOA so far. The Browns have throttled Chase Brown, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs -- holding that trio of opponents to just 57.3 team rushing yards per game. Montgomery’s still usable because of his offense’s (and overall team) strength, but you also might have better options available.

Quinshon Judkins, Browns

Judkins might have officially taken over the backfield with an 18-94-1 rushing performance in last week’s upset over Green Bay. This week sends him to Detroit to face a Lions D ranked fourth in rush DVOA and coming off limiting Derrick Henry to 50 yards. That makes Judkins a risky start. But don’t reach too far for a replacement. There’s also some risk in sitting the rookie, about whom we’re still learning.

Jerome Ford, Browns

The positive: Ford has played more snaps than Dylan Sampson in each game so far. The negative: He’s averaging just 3.1 yards per touch, and Quinshon Judkins appears to have officially taken over the backfield.

Titans at Texans

Tony Pollard, Titans

Pollard leads all RBs with a 90% snap share, but enters Week 4 as just the RB26 in PPR formats. Pollard is averaging a career-low 2.8 yards per carry and has only had 2 catches in 3 games. The matchup against the Texans doesn't appear great, but Houston has allowed the eighth-most PPR points to RBs, and Pollard had his best game of the season last year at NRG Stadium, rushing 24 times for 119 yards and a TD. Pollard is a fringe RB2/3 with solid upside. 

Nick Chubb, Texans

Tennessee is allowing the third-most PPR points to RBs, which includes allowing a league-high 5 rushing TDs to the position, so far. Chubb has played 51% of Houston's snaps and accounts for 64% of the team's rushing attempts. This game is projected to be a low-scoring slugfest, which sets up a favorable game script for Chubb to churn out 15-plus carries and post RB2/3 numbers. 

Woody Marks, Texans

Woody Marks' role is expanding. Last week, he played 1 fewer snap than Nick Chubb. Marks got 8 opportunities against the Jaguars, which was double what he got in Week 2. This week, Houston has the chance to get back on track against a Titans' defense that has surrendered the third-most PPR points to RBs. Marks should be on the flex radar as a change-of-pace option in a good matchup. 

Panthers at Patriots

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers

Hubbard had 19 touches for 76 yards last week despite the blowout against the Falcons. It was his first game this season without a TD. He has been ceding touches to Rico Dowdle and not particularly effective at breaking off big runs. He also has a calf injury. He should be a low-end RB2 whose receiving work may carry him.  

Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots

Stevenson lost two fumbles against the Steelers last week and didn’t touch the ball again after those. It calls his lead role into question going forward, though Antonio Gibson lost a fumble himself. This is a good stop with the Panthers giving up 5.7 yards per carry to RBs, worst in the league. With the uncertainty, keep Stevenson on the bench if you can this week as an RB3.

TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots

Henderson still hasn’t seen the work we expected, playing only 8 snaps last week. But Rhamondre Stevenson lost two fumbles against the Steelers last week and didn’t touch the ball again after those. Antonio Gibson lost one as well. If there was a time to use Henderson, it is now. He gets the Panthers, who are giving up a league-worst 5.7 yards per carry. It’s best to wait and see Henderson’s usage if you can, but he is an RB3 this week. 

Rico Dowdle, Panthers

Dowdle has cut into Chuba Hubbard’s touches a bit and even scored a TD last week. He should get a smattering of touches again against a tough Patriots run defense, especially with Hubbard nursing a calf injury. Only consider Dowdle in deep leagues as a low-end RB4.

Chargers at Giants

Omarion Hampton, Chargers

Najee Harris' season-ending injury gives the Chargers no choice but to give Hampton a feature role. The rookie is coming off his best game of the season and finds a smash spot in Week 4. The Giants rank dead last in both run defense DVOA and adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.

Cam Skattebo, Giants

Skattebo seemed to be taking over the Giants' backfield even before Tyrone Tracy's Week 3 shoulder injury. The rookie finished RB5 in PPR points last week, despite a dud from the Giants' offense. Tracy's absence should leave Skattebo in a feature role this weekend against a beatable Chargers run defense. Los Angeles has been the seventh-best matchup for opposing RBs by adjusted fantasy points allowed.

Eagles at Buccaneers

Saquon Barkley, Eagles

Barkley’s off to a sluggish start in terms of efficiency. But he has still carried at least 18 times and logged 22+ total touches in each game. Week 4 brings a Tampa defense that plays the run tougher than the pass. But Barkley hit them up for 116 total yards on just 12 touches in last year’s meeting.

Bucky Irving, Buccaneers

Tampa Bay wasn’t kidding about keeping Irving as the clear backfield leader under the new OC. He sits fourth in the league in carries through three weeks. Philly arrives as a middling-to-mediocre defense so far this season and ranks just 27th in rush DVOA. Throw out the Jalen Carter-less opener if you want, but he was in the lineup when Philly yielded 121 rushing yards to the Chiefs and 160 to the Rams.

Colts at Rams

Jonathan Taylor, Colts

Taylor’s performing like the best back in the league, ripping off 5.6 yards per carry and a huge 4.9 yards after contact per attempt. He’s also a workhorse with 68 touches thus far. The Rams are stout up front – allowing only 1 total rushing score – but Taylor remains an easy start.

Kyren Williams, Rams

Williams owns 14, 10, and 19 PPR points over his first three games, earning 19+ touches in each matchup. He draws a Colts defense that’s allowed 4.8 yards per carry and sits mid-pack in run stuff rate and rush yards over expected per attempt. Williams remains a fringe RB1.

Jaguars at 49ers

Christian McCaffrey, 49ers

The 49ers remain banged up, which assures a healthy number of touches for McCaffrey. Last week, McCaffrey caught 10 passes — the 12th time in his career he has achieved that feat. He is playing a massive role, ranking third with an 82% snap share. Expect McCaffrey to surpass 25 touches once again, which makes him the top RB for Week 4 against the Jaguars. 

Travis Etienne, Jaguars

Etienne has seen his snap share decline every week. He was in on 61% of Jacksonville's snaps in Week 1, 60% in Week 2, and 55% last week. Still, he's commanding enough touches to remain a solid RB2, even if he loses red-zone snaps to Bhayshul Tuten. The 49ers have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to RBs, but Etienne remains a low-end RB2. 

Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars

While Travis Etienne's usage is slowly declining, Tuten's role is growing. He has now taken 23% of Jacksonville's rushing attempts. Interestingly, Tuten has taken all of the team's carries inside the 5-yard line, including a goal-line TD last week. That gives Tuten modest weekly flex value, even in a tough matchup in San Francisco. 

Ravens at Chiefs

Derrick Henry, Ravens

Henry only ran for 50 yards last week, but did score a TD. He only had 13 touches due to the Ravens playing from behind most of the game.  He has fumbled in every game so far this season, but it hasn’t affected his playing time.  If the Ravens can get out front in this game, Henry should have heavy usage against a Chiefs defense that has given up a TD in each of the last two games. Start him with confidence.  

Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs

The Chiefs continue to split the backfield, making the entire thing nearly useless. Both Pacheco and Kareem Hunt had 11 touches last week with Hunt getting the TD. Hunt has the short-yardage role, while Pacheco seems to get more work between the 20s. The lack of receptions by Pacheco (only four for the season) makes him worth benching in PPR. He shouldn’t be started until he gets more work. 

Kareem Hunt, Chiefs

The Chiefs continue to split the backfield, making the entire thing nearly useless. Both Isiah Pacheco and Hunt had 11 touches last week, with Hunt getting the TD. Hunt has the short-yardage role, while Pacheco gets more work between the 20s. The hope for a TD spurs Hunt’s potential, but it can't be relied upon. Sit him on the bench if possible.

Justice Hill, Ravens

Hill got more work last week with the Ravens playing from behind against the Lions. But he still didn’t exceed 3 targets and currently sits at -7 yards rushing for the year. He did gain 45 yards through the air last week, but the Ravens could be ahead in this game. Hill shouldn’t be trusted except in very deep leagues.

Bears at Raiders

D’Andre Swift, Bears

Swift continues to control Chicago's backfield work, but does very little with it. He ranks 17th among RBs in expected PPR points per game but just 24th in actual. Don't be surprised if he starts losing some work. But until we see it happen, he remains a fine RB2 play -- especially in Week 4's plus matchup against the Raiders. Vegas ranks 17th in run defense DVOA and 26th in Pro Football Focus run defense grades.

Ashton Jeanty, Raiders

Is THIS the breakout spot for Jeanty? His Raiders are 1.5-point home favorites with a 24.5-point implied total for a bad Chicago run defense. The Bears rank 26th in run defense DVOA, 25th in Pro Football Focus run defense grades, and 30th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. Keep Jeanty in your starting lineup for this one. If he duds again, it'll really be time to worry.

Packers at Cowboys

Josh Jacobs, Packers

Jacobs has managed just 3.1 yards per rush through three weeks. But he has also faced three defenses that currently rank among the top 5 in rush DVOA. Dallas sits just 20th in that category and arrives as a 7-point home underdog. Expect Jacobs to at least continue loading up on touches and potentially rebound in rushing efficiency -- especially if the O-line can get healthier.

Javonte Williams, Cowboys

Williams followed the surprising (and unsustainable) 2-TD opener by showing that he’s the early-season workhorse in Dallas. That has meant at least 15 touches in each game, with 5 catches at Chicago making up for the mere 10 carries. And he’s running at career-best efficiency. The difficult matchup with Green Bay this week knocks Williams toward the bottom of RB2 territory. But expect more heavy involvement, out of necessity if nothing else.

Jets at Dolphins

Breece Hall, Jets

Hall enters a bounce-back opportunity against a Miami defense that’s eighth-worst in yards before contact per attempt. Only the Ravens and Titans have allowed more EPA per rush, while only the Bills have allowed more runs of 10+ yards. Even though the Jets aren’t as strong up front without G Alijah Vera-Tucker, Hall remains in the RB2 mix.

De’Von Achane, Dolphins

Remember Achane's massive passing game involvement from 2024? Well, it's returned for 2025, as he enters Week 4 ranking second among RBs in targets (23). Achane’s usage on dump-offs and designed screens fuels an RB1 outlook against the Jets.

Ollie Gordon, Dolphins

Jaylen Wright returned from injury in a Week 3 loss at Buffalo. However, he didn’t log a snap, as Gordon continued to play the No. 2 role behind De’Von Achane. We expect Gordon to hold that role again this week, making him a deep-league FLEX option vs. the Jets. The Dolphins are implied for a decent 23.5 points.

Bengals at Broncos

J.K. Dobbins, Broncos

Dobbins set season highs last week in snap rate (69%), route rate (55%), and carry share (71%). He's playing well, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, and should continue to see plenty of action in Monday night's plus matchup vs. the Bengals. Cincinnati sits 23rd in our composite run defense rankings and 19th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.

Chase Brown, Bengals

One of the very few positives to come out of the Bengals' Week 3 debacle in Minnesota was Brown's season-high five targets on an 18.5% share. He'll need that type of target volume to continue because he's been woefully inefficient as a runner, averaging 2.0 yards per carry. Brown is still dominating work in Cincinnati's backfield, which keeps him in the RB2 mix for Monday night's game against a tough Broncos defense.

Next Up

Week 4 Matchups That Matter: Smash Spots For Rookie RBs

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Jody Smith, Analyst

Jody Smith has been playing fantasy football for over 30 years, the last 15 as an analyst, writer, and editor. Jody's rankings have been among the most consistent, placing him inside the top-10 in multi-year accuracy.