X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Player Comparisons
News and Alerts

Week 4 Running Back Rankings & Matchups Analysis

Below you will find our Week 4 Running Back rankings, to help determine your RB starts/sits for this week, brought to you by Edward Gorelik (@EdwardGorelik) and Zach Wilkens (@LopsidedTrades).

Featured fantasy football writer Zach Wilkens also highlights some RB rankings and matchups analysis for Week 4, and draws some matchup conclusions. He tells you who he likes, who he doesn't, and most importantly who he thinks you should be starting in Week 4.

You can also check out our 2015 fantasy football ranking dashboard, for more in depth rankings analysis on all positions including rookies and dynasty leagues.

 

Week 4 Fantasy Football Rankings - Running Backs

RotoBaller
Staff Ranks
Player Name
(Team - Position)
Zach Wilkens
Rankings
Ed Gorelik
Rankings
1 Le'Veon Bell PIT vs. BAL 1 1
2 Jamaal Charles KC at CIN 3 2
3 Matt Forte CHI vs. OAK 2 4
4 Eddie Lacy GB at SF 4 3
5 Adrian Peterson MIN at DEN 6 6
6 Mark Ingram NO vs. DAL 5 8
7 Frank Gore IND vs. JAC 9 5
8 Latavius Murray OAK at CHI 7 7
9 Devonta Freeman ATL vs. HOU 8 9
10 Karlos Williams BUF vs. NYG 11 10
11 Giovani Bernard CIN vs. KC 10 18
12 Jonathan Stewart CAR at TB 14 15
13 Marshawn Lynch SEA vs. DET 15 14
14 Joseph Randle DAL at NO 18 12
15 T.J. Yeldon JAC at IND 16 19
16 Justin Forsett BAL at PIT 24 13
17 Shane Vereen NYG at BUF 27 11
18 Carlos Hyde SF vs. GB 12 26
19 Lamar Miller MIA vs. NYJ 22 16
20 Christopher Ivory NYJ at MIA 17 22
21 Lance Dunbar DAL at NO 23 17
22 Melvin Gordon SD vs. CLE 20 20
23 C.J. Anderson DEN vs. MIN 21 21
24 Jeremy Hill CIN vs. KC 19 27
25 Danny Woodhead SD vs. CLE 25 23
26 DeMarco Murray PHI at WAS 13 41
27 C.J. Spiller NO vs. DAL 29 28
28 Ryan Mathews PHI at WAS 36 25
29 Matt Jones WAS vs. PHI 33 29
30 Darren Sproles PHI at WAS 32 30
31 Ameer Abdullah DET at SEA 30 35
32 Theo Riddick DET at SEA 26 40
33 Isaiah Crowell CLE at SD 37 32
34 Doug Martin TB vs. CAR 40 31
35 Todd Gurley STL at ARI 35 37
36 Andre Ellington ARI vs. STL 24
37 Alfred Morris WAS vs. PHI 41 34
38 Chris Johnson ARI vs. STL 34 44
39 Chris Thompson WAS vs. PHI 28 57
40 Alfred Blue HOU at ATL 31 48
41 Bilal Powell NYJ at MIA 42 38
42 Thomas Rawls SEA vs. DET 45 36
43 Arian Foster HOU at ATL 33
44 Duke Johnson CLE at SD 38 46
45 David Johnson ARI vs. STL 48 39
46 Charles Sims TB vs. CAR 46 43
47 Rashad Jennings NYG at BUF 44 45
48 Benny Cunningham STL at ARI 39 54
49 Tre Mason STL at ARI 43 47
50 Ronnie Hillman DEN vs. MIN 51 42
51 Andre Williams NYG at BUF 47 53
52 James Starks GB at SF 49 50
53 Darren McFadden DAL at NO 53 49
54 Knile Davis KC at CIN 50 62
55 Lorenzo Taliaferro BAL at PIT 56 51
56 Fred Jackson SEA vs. DET 52 58
57 DeAngelo Williams PIT vs. BAL 57 52
58 Mike Davis SF vs. GB 55 63
59 Josh Robinson IND vs. JAC 55
60 Joique Bell DET at SEA 58 65
61 Khiry Robinson NO vs. DAL 59 59
62 Marcel Reece OAK at CHI 60
63 Fozzy Whittaker CAR at TB 60
64 Chris Polk HOU at ATL 61
65 Damien Williams MIA vs. NYJ 64
66 Mike Tolbert CAR at TB 66
67 Javorius Allen BAL at PIT 67
68 Reggie Bush SF vs. GB 68
69 Branden Oliver SD vs. CLE 69
70 Terron Ward ATL vs. HOU 70
71 Anthony Dixon BUF vs. NYG 71
72 Tevin Coleman ATL vs. HOU 72
73 Jonas Gray MIA vs. NYJ 73
74 Jerick McKinnon MIN at DEN 74

 

Week 4 Running Back (RB) Rankings Analysis

By Zach Wilkens (@LopsidedTrades)

There have been A LOT of disappointing running backs early this season. I remain high on some of them, like Jeremy Hill and DeMarco Murray. I still love the Bengals offense and I think Hill has a clear role there even though Giovani Bernard looks really good. I’m still starting Hill this week. As for DeMarco I am a little more concerned but I still expect the Eagles to bounce back at some point soon. Despite what Ryan Mathews did last week I think Murray is clearly the more talented back, it’s just a matter of whether the offensive line can improve. Assuming Murray plays I think he should be in your lineup this week.

I’m feeling less comfortable with Lamar Miller and C.J. Anderson, but I think they should still make it into to most lineups this week as low-end RB2s. Neither has a great matchup but they really need to prove themselves this week. Miller's usage is frustrating but on the bright side there is no clear competition behind him just yet. The same can’t be said for Anderson, who has Ronnie Hillman hot on his heels. Luckily for Anderson owners, Hillman was very quiet in Week 3.

It looks like rookie Karlos Williams will get the start for the Bills this week. He should be in all lineups against a mediocre Giants defense. I expect the Bills to run a lot here and Williams has looked really good so far mostly as the backup to LeSean McCoy. I don’t expect Williams to permanently take the lead role but I do expect a big day in Week 4.

I think Duke Johnson is a PPR sleeper. He quietly recorded six catches last week, flashing a skill set that was a large part of his college succes. He had 38 receptions his final year, but he didn’t catch any balls in his first two NFL games. Now that he’s finally being integrated as a pass-catcher I expect his PPR value to increase. Crowell is still the main rusher for now but Johnson will be looking to impress the coaches and get more touches.

I don’t think we saw enough of Todd Gurley last week to plug him into lineups just yet. I do think he has a good chance to lead the Rams in touches in Week 4, but I don't expect much in a tough matchup against the Cardinals. If he does well with 12+ touches this week I think he'll make a good start in Week 5 against the Packers.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

 


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.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Player Comparisons
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tee Higgins4 mins ago

Bengals Not Close To Tee Higgins' Contract Demands?
Gunnar Henderson9 mins ago

Cranks 10th Homer Monday
Chase Brown30 mins ago

Enters 2024 As Backup
Josh Lowe2 hours ago

Gets Good News On MRI Exam
Luis Severino2 hours ago

Flirts With No-Hitter In Eight Brilliant Innings
Cody Bellinger2 hours ago

Ramping Up Activity
Cristian Javier3 hours ago

Resumes Throwing Off The Mound
Zac Gallen3 hours ago

Throws Bullpen With No Issues
Tommy Edman3 hours ago

Swinging From Both Sides Of A Tee
Jamal Murray3 hours ago

Available For Game 5
Kristaps Porzingis3 hours ago

To Undergo Imaging Tuesday
Seiya Suzuki3 hours ago

Not Ready For Rehab Assignment
Kristaps Porzingis3 hours ago

Doubtful To Return To Game 4
Michael Gallup3 hours ago

Intends To Sign With Vegas
Zack Gelof4 hours ago

Shut Down From Baseball Activities
Paul Sewald4 hours ago

To Throw Bullpen On Wednesday
Jesús Luzardo5 hours ago

Jesus Luzardo Dealing With Mild Flexor Strain
Patrick Beverley5 hours ago

Listed As Probable For Tuesday
Tim Anderson5 hours ago

Injured Monday
Christian Yelich5 hours ago

Playing Catch From 120 Feet
Khris Middleton5 hours ago

Probable For Game 5
Starling Marte5 hours ago

Expected To Return Tuesday
Damian Lillard5 hours ago

Unlikely To Play Tuesday
John Means5 hours ago

Orioles To Activate John Means This Week
Craig Kimbrel5 hours ago

Day-To-Day With Back Tightness
Giannis Antetokounmpo5 hours ago

Doubtful For Game 5
Gerrit Cole5 hours ago

Still Throwing On Flat Ground
Tyrese Haliburton5 hours ago

Considered Questionable For Game 5
Jo Adell5 hours ago

Hitting Second On Monday
Justin Steele6 hours ago

Might Only Need One Rehab Start
Bojan Bogdanovic6 hours ago

Out On Tuesday
Mitchell Robinson6 hours ago

Questionable For Game 5
J.T. Realmuto6 hours ago

Gets Rest Day
Jonatan Clase6 hours ago

Optioned To Minors
Jalen Brunson6 hours ago

Considered Probable For Game 5
Joel Embiid6 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Game 5
Kyle Pitts6 hours ago

Falcons Pick Up Kyle Pitts' Fifth-Year Option
Delon Wright6 hours ago

Back For Game 4
Matt Martin7 hours ago

To Miss Game 5
Derek Forbort7 hours ago

Could Play In Game 5
Chase Elliott8 hours ago

Notches Another Top-Five Finish At Dover
Alex Bowman8 hours ago

Frustrated After Finishing Eighth At Dover
Jaylen Waddle8 hours ago

Fifth-Year Option Picked Up By Dolphins
Matheus Nicolau9 hours ago

Knocked Out At UFC Vegas 91
Travis Kelce10 hours ago

Chiefs Agree To Two-Year Extension With Travis Kelce
William Byron10 hours ago

Botched Pit Stop and Crash Eliminate William Byron From Contention at Dover
NASCAR10 hours ago

Martin Truex, Jr. Faded to Third at Dover, but Remains Fastest Driver of 2024
Kyle Larson10 hours ago

Late-Race Charge at Dover Comes up Short
Denny Hamlin10 hours ago

Takes Checkered Flag at Dover for Third Win of Season
Jarvis Landry10 hours ago

Expected To Try Out For Jaguars
Alex Perez10 hours ago

Scores Second-Round Knockout Win At UFC Vegas 91
MMA10 hours ago

Ariane Lipski Loses A Decision At UFC Vegas 91
Karine Silva11 hours ago

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
Jonathan Pearce11 hours ago

Suffers Decision Loss
David Onama11 hours ago

Wins Second Fight In A Row
Brad Keselowski12 hours ago

A Tire Issue On Lap 118 Impacts Brad Keselowski's Day At Dover
Ryan Blaney12 hours ago

Finishes Seventh At Dover
Mika Zibanejad13 hours ago

Collects Two Points Sunday
Artemi Panarin13 hours ago

Notches Game-Winning Goal Sunday
Auston Matthews14 hours ago

Uncertain For Game 5
Ezekiel Elliott14 hours ago

Back With Cowboys
Noah Gragson14 hours ago

Nabs A Quality Top 10 Finish At Dover
Brock Boeser14 hours ago

Nets Hat Trick Sunday
Kyle Busch14 hours ago

Scores His Second Top-10 Finish Of The Year At Dover
Kevin Durant14 hours ago

Nets 33 Points In Game 4 Loss
Stuart Skinner14 hours ago

Blanks Kings On Sunday
Devin Booker14 hours ago

Racks Up 49 Points As Suns Go Down
Karl-Anthony Towns14 hours ago

Bags Second Consecutive Double-Double In Game 4 Win
Anthony Edwards15 hours ago

Crushes Suns
Jarred Vanderbilt15 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Game 5
Delon Wright15 hours ago

On Track To Return Monday
Terry Rozier15 hours ago

To Remain Out For Game 4
Daniel Hemric19 hours ago

Ends Up Ninth At Dover
Ty Gibbs19 hours ago

Sneaks Into Tenth At Dover On Sunday
Khris Middleton1 day ago

Can't Lift Bucks To A Win
Tank Dell1 day ago

In "Good Spirits" After Being Shot
Connor Hellebuyck1 day ago

Struggles Again Sunday
Nathan MacKinnon1 day ago

Cale Makar Each Notch Two Points In Game 4
Derek Ryan1 day ago

To Make Postseason Debut Sunday
Alexandar Georgiev1 day ago

Stands Tall Sunday
Valeri Nichushkin1 day ago

Notches Hat Trick Sunday
Vladislav Namestnikov1 day ago

Takes Puck To The Head Sunday
Auston Matthews1 day ago

Dealing With Illness
David Rittich1 day ago

To Start Game 4
Nick Jensen1 day ago

Rasmus Sandin, Nick Jensen Likely For Game 4
Casey DeSmith1 day ago

Out For Game 4
Kirk Cousins1 day ago

Still Atlanta's Unquestioned Starting QB
Justin Jefferson1 day ago

Vikings Optimistic Regarding Justin Jefferson's Contract Talks
J.J. McCarthy1 day ago

Vikings Won't Rush J.J. McCarthy Into Starting Role
Travis Etienne Jr.1 day ago

Jaguars Pick Up Fifth-Year Options On Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne Jr.
Martin Truex Jr2 days ago

. Is One Of The Top DFS Plays At Dover
Tyler Reddick2 days ago

Will Start Fourth At Dover
Michael McDowell2 days ago

Fade Michael McDowell For the Wurth 400 At Dover
Joey Logano2 days ago

Will Not Cause Much DFS Excitement At Dover
Noah Gragson2 days ago

Is Noah Gragson A Sneaky Tournament Play At Dover?
Uros Medic2 days ago

Returns To Win Column At UFC Vegas 91
Tim Means2 days ago

Gets Knocked Out At UFC Vegas 91
Austen Lane2 days ago

Winless In The UFC
Jhonata Diniz2 days ago

Wins UFC Debut
Ryan Spann2 days ago

Suffers Third Straight Loss
Bogdan Guskov2 days ago

Gets Upset Win At UFC Vegas 91
Kyle Larson2 days ago

the Favorite to Win at Dover Despite Qualifying 21st
Chase Elliott2 days ago

a Core DFS Play at Dover
Alex Bowman2 days ago

Always Strong at Dover
Chris Buescher2 days ago

Has DFS Place Differential Upside at Dover
NHL2 days ago

Jets Recall Axel Jonsson-Fjallby
Bobby McMann2 days ago

Progressing Well
Mathew Barzal2 days ago

Bags OT Winner Saturday
NHL2 days ago

Nick Robertson Moving To Fourth Line Saturday
Troy Franklin2 days ago

Broncos Trade Up To Select Oregon Receiver Troy Franklin
Deebo Samuel3 days ago

49ers Set To Keep Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk?
Luke McCaffrey3 days ago

Selected By Commanders 100th Overall
Jalen McMillan3 days ago

Heads To Tampa Bay
Tip Reiman3 days ago

Cardinals Take Tip Reiman At No. 82
Roman Wilson3 days ago

Selected 84th Overall By Steelers
Blake Corum3 days ago

Rams Select Blake Corum With 83rd Pick
Jermaine Burton3 days ago

Taken At No. 80 By Cincinnati
Alex Perez3 days ago

In Dire Need Of Victory
Matheus Nicolau3 days ago

Returns To Action At UFC Vegas 91
Ariane da Silva3 days ago

Ariane Lipski Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
Karine Silva3 days ago

Looks For Ninth Victory In A Row
David Onama3 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 91
Jonathan Pearce3 days ago

Looks To Get Back In Win Column
Uros Medic5 days ago

A Massive Favorite At UFC Vegas 91
Tim Means5 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 91
Austen Lane5 days ago

Searching For First UFC Win
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF