NFL Running Back Rankings: Week 7 Fantasy Football

RotoBaller brings you our Week 7 fantasy football running back rankings by authors Zach Wilkens (@LopsidedTrades) and Ryan Rufe (@RyanRufe), along with running back rankings analysis by Zach Wilkens. For even more Week 7 rankings and analysis, be sure to check out our positional rankings for all other positions.

Editor's Note: In case you missed it, Zach Wilkens and Ryan Rufe nailed their rankings last week. They were both ranked in the top 10 overall accuracy scores on FantasyPros for last week's fantasy football rankings, going up against some of the biggest and baddest fantasy gurus in the industry. Zach came in at 4th overall (out of 133 experts), and Ryan cam in at 7th overall. Congrats guys, let's show them some love!

 

Week 7 Running Back Rankings Analysis

I loved what I saw from Jamaal Charles in his last two games. If Andy Reid will just let him get to 20 touches (which should be mandatory if they want to win), he'll put up a fantastic game. He's fresh off the bye and averaging 5.2 YPC over his last two games (33 attempts).

It's obvious, but I love Ben Tate's matchup. The Browns will look to run a ton even if it's not a blowout. As a result, I actually think Isaiah Crowell is startable in some instances, as well. Alfred Morris should bounce back in a big way. He's arguably past his two toughest opponents of the season. He will rarely wow with a huge game, but he has an excellent floor going forward; start him with confidence.

Justin Forsett and Branden Oliver should continue to deliver strong performances here. Forsett has locked down the starting role. Oliver is still in trouble when Ryan Mathews returns, but another huge game and they'll have to find ways to keep him involved. The Panthers have been dreadful against the run this year, but they were actually very good last week. Giovanni Bernard's 89-yard run was more yardage than Bernard and Jeremy Hill's 25 other carries combined (70 yards). It's safe to say you won't find Eddie Lacy with an 80+ yard run.

Ronnie Hillman looked good last week, and there's no reason he won't continue in the role of lead back this week. I felt the 49ers showed some vulnerability against the run last week, especially considering the fact that Austin Davis wasn't doing anything to help his backs. Joique Bell has been disappointing this year, but I think that changes this week with a top-20 performance. Even if Reggie Bush returns, I like Joique better for Week 7. I'm high on Antone Smith at RB30, but he's still far from a guarantee-- I just have to believe he has earned more carries. I continue to be amazed, but I still believe he'll fade back into obscurity unless they increase his weekly touches.

Good luck in Week 7 RotoBallers!

 

Week 7 Running Back Fantasy Football Rankings

Staff Rankings Average	Player Name	Team Name	Ryan Rufe Rankings	Zach Wilkens Rankings
1	Jamaal Charles	KC	2	1
2	DeMarco Murray	DAL	1	4
3	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	5	2
4	Arian Foster	HOU	4	3
5	Le'Veon Bell	PIT	6	6
6	Matt Forte	CHI	3	10
7	Andre Ellington	ARI	10	7
8	Giovani Bernard	CIN	7	11
9	Ben Tate	CLE	14	5
10	Justin Forsett	BAL	11	9
11	Lamar Miller	MIA	9	13
12	Ahmad Bradshaw	IND	15	8
13	Branden Oliver	SD	8	15
14	Fred Jackson	BUF	13	14
15	Alfred Morris	WAS	16	12
16	Joique Bell	DET	12	17
17	Eddie Lacy	GB	17	16
18	Ronnie Hillman	DEN	18	19
19	Frank Gore	SF	21	18
20	Jerick McKinnon	MIN	20	20
21	Andre Williams	NYG	22	23
22	Shane Vereen	NE	19	27
23	Isaiah Crowell	CLE	29	22
24	Reggie Bush	DET	23	29
25	Christopher Ivory	NYJ	28	24
26	Pierre Thomas	NO	24	32
27	Steven Jackson	ATL	31	28
28	Mark Ingram	NO	40	21
29	Trent Richardson	IND	25	37
30	Zac Stacy	STL	36	26
31	Darren McFadden	OAK	27	36
32	C.J. Spiller	BUF	33	30
33	Bishop Sankey	TEN	26	39
34	Jonathan Stewart	CAR	34	31
35	Maurice Jones-Drew	OAK	50	25
36	Jeremy Hill	CIN	30	38
37	Antone Smith	ATL	37	33
38	Chris Johnson	NYJ	35	35
39	Bernard Pierce	BAL	32	46
40	Devonta Freeman	ATL	66	34
41	Roy Helu	WAS	38	41
42	Storm Johnson	JAC	39	50
43	Knile Davis	KC	53	40
44	Khiry Robinson	NO	41	54
45	Juwan Thompson	DEN	42	53
46	Shonn Greene	TEN		42
47	James Starks	GB	43	43
48	Brandon Bolden	NE	44	49
49	Toby Gerhart	JAC		44
50	Benny Cunningham	STL	45	45
51	Carlos Hyde	SF	46	48
52	Fozzy Whittaker	CAR	47	64
53	Matt Asiata	MIN	48	47
54	James White	NE	49	55
55	Peyton Hillis	NYG	51	60
56	Dexter McCluster	TEN	52	51
57	Donald Brown	SD		52
58	Theo Riddick	DET	54
59	Alfred Blue	HOU	55
60	Tre Mason	STL	62	56
61	Lorenzo Taliaferro	BAL	56	58
62	Joseph Randle	DAL		57
63	Jonas Gray	NE	57
64	LeGarrette Blount	PIT	58	62
65	Lance Dunbar	DAL		59
66	C.J. Anderson	DEN	59
67	Damien Williams	MIA	60
68	Denard Robinson	JAC	61
69	Terrance West	CLE		61
70	Daniel Thomas	MIA	63
71	Darrin Reaves	CAR		63
72	Jacquizz Rodgers	ATL	64
73	Robert Turbin	SEA	65
74	Travaris Cadet	NO		65

 

Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.