Fantasy Football Backup RB Rankings: Injuries are thrusting second choices into distinguished roles for Week 4
This listing has undergone a significant shakeup this week, as accidents to 3 beginning operating backs (De’Von Achane, Travis Etienne Jr. and Breece Hall) have supplied fantasy managers with contemporary choices. That information could not come at a greater time, as among the RBs who had been anticipated to contribute to a shared backfield, akin to Rico Dowdle and Kenny Gainwell, have been main disappointments to this point.
Fantasy managers ought to base their upcoming roster strikes on workforce wants. Some managers are sitting at 1-2 or 0-3 and want somebody who can get them a win this week. In that case, Braelon Allen is the highest possibility. Other managers may have RB depth within the type of somebody who may have a big position of their workforce’s offense for the rest of the season, which completely describes Ollie Gordon II. Finally, the managers who’re sturdy on the RB place and may afford to stash somebody who could finally grow to be a league-winning participant can go for the likes of Kyle Monangai or Rachaad White.
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Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins (5% rostered on Yahoo)
Gordon will take pleasure in one week atop this listing earlier than possible graduating to starter standing after Week 4. The bodily runner, who as soon as logged a 1,732-yard, 21-TD season at Oklahoma State, is ready to take over for Achane, who will miss the rest of the season resulting from a torn ACL.
The scouting report on Gordon is that, whereas he is not an entire zero as a receiver, his expertise lie primarily in his skill to put on down defenses along with his laborious operating fashion. And provided that Malik Willis is almost definitely to scramble when beneath stress, we must always anticipate Gordon to get few fantasy factors by means of the air. Gordon may also be hampered by his membership in a Miami offense that ranks final in factors scored. That being mentioned, operating backs who may very well be everlasting starters are not often out there on the waiver wire, which makes Gordon a must-add participant for anybody who wants assist on the place.
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Finally, it is price noting that Jaylen Wright, who missed Week 3 with a foot harm, may issue into the Dolphins backfield as effectively. Both gamers must be added in customary codecs.
Braelon Allen, Jets, (20%)
Although Breece Hall appears to have escaped a significant harm, his quad ailment will possible hold him out of Week 4. That’s nice information for Allen, who’s the one different Jets RB who has touched the ball this season. The downside is that Allen hasn’t completed a lot along with his alternatives, averaging 3.2 yards per carry and a pair of.8 yards per reception.
Although Isaiah Davis will possible get some alternatives, Allen is the favourite for early-down and goal-line work. Fantasy managers ought to hold their expectations in test, however Allen is a worthwhile possibility for individuals who want to switch Hall this week, particularly given the Jets will face a mediocre Bears run protection.
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Kyle Monangai, Bears (83%)
After spectacular performances in the course of the preliminary two weeks, Monangai laid an egg in a lopsided Week 3 win over the Eagles. The hard-charging runner performed simply 22 snaps, compared to 50 snaps for D’Andre Swift. And he was a lot much less spectacular than Swift when given alternatives, gaining 31 yards on 10 carries.
Despite the lackluster effort, Monangai is a giant a part of the Bears offense. Swift received off to an incredible begin on Monday Night Football, and head coach Ben Johnson determined to run with the recent hand. The expectation right here is for Monangai to have bigger roles in future weeks. The excellent news for each gamers is that the Bears lead the NFL with 553 dashing yards.
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TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (94%)
The Patriots struggled to run the ball in opposition to a stout Jaguars protection, which was a giant motive for a blowout loss. Rhamdondre Stevenson and Henderson had 10 and 9 touches, respectively, and each gamers did little with their alternatives. After a robust Week 2 efficiency, Henderson has achieved a comparatively even cut up, with Stevenson remaining extra concerned within the passing recreation.
The concern for each gamers is that the Patriots offense hasn’t regarded practically nearly as good because it did final season, significantly QB Drake Maye. Henderson ought to get 10 touches in an enormous Week 4 recreation in Buffalo earlier than the workforce enjoys a neater stretch of video games starting in Week 5. But with little pass-catching work, he is a boom-or-bust flex possibility who wants to attain a landing to exceed expectations.
Rachaad White, Commanders (58%)
White may very well be on the verge of getting extra touches. After all, after outplaying Jacory Croskey-Merritt in Week 2, he gained 35 yards on eight carries final week in opposition to the Seahawks compared to 36 yards on 19 carries by JCM. White, who handled a shoulder harm at occasions in the course of the recreation, was not particularly concerned within the passing recreation, however he managed to get into the top zone on his solely catch.
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Given that they’re coming off a formidable win over the Seahawks, the Commanders are unlikely to instantly mess with their backfield plan. Croskey-Merritt will proceed to grind out tough yards whereas White will get some high-impact touches. But White may quickly earn extra carries, and the Commanders have two first rate house matchups (Colts, Giants) within the subsequent two weeks.
RJ Harvey, Broncos (78%)
With rookie Jonah Coleman on the sidelines, the Broncos deployed Harvey and starter J.Okay. Dobbins in particular roles throughout a Week 3 win over the Rams. Dobbins tallied 17 carries and one catch, whereas Harvey carried the ball simply twice however led the workforce with six receptions. Harvey was rather more efficient than Dobbins, who averaged simply 2.9 yards per carry.
Coleman is on IR, which simplifies this backfield for the approaching weeks. Harvey will likely be rather more priceless in PPR codecs, the place he’s a viable flex possibility. He may additionally earn extra dashing work, since Dobbins has averaged simply 3.5 yards per carry.
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Keaton Mitchell, Chargers (32%)
The winless Chargers are re-evaluating every part, and operating again Omarion Hampton‘s position is now not secure. The second-year professional regarded sluggish as soon as once more final Sunday, whereas Mitchell averaged 6.5 yards on eight carries and took one among his three catches into the top zone.
Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel was hyping up Mitchell in the course of the offseason, and he ought to proceed to provide his speediest operating again extra alternatives to jumpstart this offense. And whereas Mitchell lacks the scale for a heavy position, his profession common of 6.2 yards per carry reveals that he does not want many touches to rack up loads of yards. Although it is laborious to ascertain the teaching workers straying too removed from Hampton, who was a first-round decide in 2025, Mitchell may stand up this listing in a rush with an electrifying Week 4 efficiency in a digital must-win recreation on the Seahawks.
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Alvin Kamara, Saints (43%)
We have seen Aaron Jones Sr. flip again the clock the previous two weeks and deal with a heavy workload in a Vikings backfield that’s lacking Jordan Mason. Can Kamara do the identical factor, now that the Saints are going to play a number of video games with out Etienne? Probably not, however that does not imply that he cannot be a flex possibility.
Kamara gained 36 yards on 9 carries and caught one cross in a Week 3 loss to the Raiders, and is now set to share backfield alternatives with Kendre Miller for the foreseeable future. The veteran will not be the participant he was once, however he possible nonetheless has a knack on the purpose line and within the passing recreation, which may lead to some weeks with double-digit fantasy factors. And it is price noting that Miller, who has lengthy struggled to win over a number of teaching staffs, fumbled final week.
Woody Marks, Texans (52%)
A Houston offense that did not run the ball effectively final season hasn’t regarded significantly better this yr. Their struggles continued in a Week 3 loss to the Colts, with Marks and David Montgomery every averaging 3.0 yards per carry. Both backs had minimal participation within the passing recreation as effectively. Marks does deserve credit score for tallying a one-yard dashing rating.
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Marks continues to have some involvement in every recreation, and it was nice to see him used close to the top zone. He has first rate odds of getting 7-10 factors in PPR leagues every week, which can make him a low-end flex play once we attain the bye weeks.
Blake Corum, Rams (87%)
Through two video games, Corum and Kyren Williams had comparable contact totals, regardless of Williams having fun with a a lot bigger snap share. But issues swung wildly in Williams’ favor throughout a slim Week 3 loss to the Broncos, with the veteran logging 15 carries and 7 catches. Corum was principally an afterthought, tallying simply 15 complete yards on six carries and two receptions.
Despite the lopsided one-week cut up, Corum continues to be an integral a part of the Rams offense. But like Henderson, his lack of labor within the passing recreation implies that he may have a single-digit fantasy complete until he crosses and the purpose line. And will Williams coming off his greatest recreation of the season, Corum must make a press release in Week 4.
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The better of the remainder, factoring in present Flex worth and long-term potential.
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Mike Washington Jr., Raiders
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Kenny Gainwell, Buccaneers
