RADIO
Andy's running back start 'em, sit 'em picks for fantasy football Week 6 lineups (2025). Read his expert RB start/sit advice for Rachaad White, Hassan Haskins, Rhamondre Stevenson, others.
Navigating the running back position is difficult, as it is typically the position that is the most prone to injuries. Through five weeks, we have already seen several high-end options, such as Trey Benson (knee) and Chuba Hubbard (calf), miss time. This week, we saw Omarion Hampton (ankle) join Benson on the IR as he will miss at least the next four weeks.
This weekend, we will examine a few running backs who are set to take on a larger workload due to injuries on their roster, determining if they are must-starts or just fool's gold.
In this weekly piece, we don't look at those must-start options because if you have them, you start them. Instead, we look at those mid-range RB2/flex options that are on the verge of start territory. Let's take a look at which running backs we should lock into our fantasy lineups and which ones are better off on our bench. Don't see the running back you're looking for? Be sure to check out more running back start 'em sit 'em content, and our Week 6 RB rankings on RotoBaller. Let's dive in!
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
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Week 6 Starts - Potential Fantasy Football Booms
J.K. Dobbins - Denver Broncos at New York Jets
Many expected J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey to be in a timeshare throughout most of the campaign, with the rookie taking the lead. However, the Broncos have opted to trust the veteran and have made him the clear top option.
Through five games, Dobbins has taken 77 rushing attempts, while the second-round rookie has only earned 31. Outside of Harvey's 14-carry performance in Week 4, he has averaged just 4.3 attempts per game, while Dobbins has logged 15.4 attempts per game.
As a result, managers should continue to view Dobbins as a must-start RB2 in all formats. He has the potential to reach RB1 status this weekend when the Broncos face the New York Jets in Tottenham.
Dobbins will face the New York defense that has allowed the 14th-most PPR points to RBs this season. Last weekend, Javonte Williams totaled 135 yards and punched in two scores, one on the ground and one through the air. With the Broncos sitting as heavy favorites, Dobbins should be given ample opportunities to churn out the clock in this contest.
Rachaad White - Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. San Francisco 49ers
Rachaad White served as the leadback in Tampa Bay for two seasons but lost the starting job to breakout rookie Bucky Irving late in the 2024 campaign. Through the first four games in 2025, the Buccaneers opted to rely on Irving, which pushed White into a change-of-pace role.
However, with Irving currently sidelined with a foot and shoulder injury, White should remain the lead back once again in Week 6. In his spot start in Week 5, White did not disappoint as he tallied two touchdowns and totaled 71 yards from scrimmage. He took 14 rushing attempts and caught all four of his targets.
In this contest, the "new" No. 2 option, Sean Tucker, had a minimal role, as he saw only 22% of the team snaps while White saw 80%.
With White slated to lead the backfield once again, managers should feel confident viewing him as a must-start option. He has a middle-of-the-road matchup against the 49ers, who have allowed the 16th-most PPR points to opposing RBs. However, over the past two games, the 49ers have struggled to contain opposing RBs as Kyren Williams dropped a 33.1 PPR masterclass in Week 5 and Travis Etienne Jr.totaled 19.5 PPR points in Week 4 against them.
Rhamondre Stevenson - New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints
The final running back to lock into your starting lineup is Rhamondre Stevenson of the New England Patriots. Earlier in the week, the Patriots announced that the team's No. 3 RB, Antonio Gibson, would miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. While this does open the door for rookie TreVeyon Henderson to have a larger role, managers should also expect the Patriots to lean even heavier on Henderson.
Despite his hefty three fumbles, the Patriots have continued to lean on Stevenson, suggesting that, despite his turnovers, he is their RB1. He is coming off a two-touchdown game during the upset victory over the Buffalo Bills.
While 3.7 YPC is not overly eye-catching, he has a good matchup this weekend, which should benefit him. The Patriots will face the New Orleans Saints, who have allowed the ninth-most PPR points to opposing RBs. Given his upside to see the high-value touches at the goal-line, expect Stevenson to post another 12.0+ PPR point outing on Sunday.
Rhamondre Stevenson Could See More Work With Antonio Gibson Out https://t.co/7meRPLwZpX
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 8, 2025
Week 6 Concerns - Potential Fantasy Football Busts
David Montgomery - Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs
David Montgomery has still been able to enjoy a productive campaign despite being the No. 2 option behind Jahmyr Gibbs. However, after a deeper dive, Montgomery has only found success in favorable matchups.
Through five games, Montgomery has eclipsed 13.0 PPR points in three of them, and fallen below 9.0 PPR points in the other two. During these three productive showings, he faced the three best matchups for opposing RBs (Bengals, Browns, Ravens). In these two underwhelming showings, Montgomery faced the Browns and Packers, who are both within the top-10 in terms of PPR points allowed.
Noticing a trend here? This weekend, Montgomery will face the Kansas City Chiefs, who have allowed the 14th-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs. Over the past two games, the Chiefs have held both Derrick Henry and Travis Etienne to under 50 rushing yards.
Jaylen Warren - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns
The 26-year-old was unable to suit up in Week 4 due to a knee injury but appears poised to return to action in Week 6. After having Week 5 off, Warren was able to open the week in full practice and is not expected to carry an injury designation in their next game against the Cleveland Browns.
Through Weeks 1 through 3, Warren saw his role gradually increase, and he was being deployed as the clear RB1 in Pittsburgh. After seeing only 13 touches in Week 1, Warren would go on to have 16.0 attempts and 4.5 receptions per game during Weeks 2 and 3. During this stretch, he saw 69.5% of the team's total snaps.
Despite his improved health and growing role, managers should start with caution. This weekend, Warren will face the Browns, who have allowed the third-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs this season. In addition, during his absence in Week 4, Kenneth Gainwell puncned in two scores and has reportedly gained the trust of the coaching staff.
Take a wait-and-see approach with Warren this weekend. Gainwell's strong showing in Week 4 could make this backfield into more of a committee than some may expect.
Hassan Haskins - Los Angeles Chargers at Miami Dolphins
The final running back to avoid was likely the most added player in your league. With the news of Omarion Hampton (ankle) hitting the IR, your leagues likely rushed to grab Hassan Haskins and the new backup, Kimani Vidal, who was recently elevated from the practice squad.
While Haskins appears to be slated to be the lead back and has the trust of his coach, Jim Harbaugh (who coached him at Michigan), fantasy managers should only start him in desperate situations.
Haskins will run behind an offensive line that is down both starting tackles (Joe Alt, (ankle), and Rashawn Slater, (kneecap)), which will not help his production. Even though the Chargers will face the Miami Dolphins, who have allowed the fifth-most PPR points to opposing RBs, Haskins' unknown workload and lack of a stable offensive line make him a fringe FLEX play at best.
Throughout his career, Haskins has only logged 10-digit carries twice, across 37 career games. With Vidal's role in the backfield still undetermined, the Chargers could lean on a committee approach, which would limit both of their ceilings.
Haskins is a touchdown-dependent FLEX play in this matchup with minimal pass-catching upside. He should only be started in 14+ team leagues.
This is not the same situation as Michael Carter saw last weekend, moving up from the No. 3 role and immediately providing RB2 value. Start with caution as his "lead role" may not be much different than a typical rotational role.
Hassan Haskins the "Next Man Up" in Chargers Backfield https://t.co/4UbVOAe6dA
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 7, 2025
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