Top 10 Running Back Studs - Best Fantasy Football RB Performances from Week 7

October 24, 2022

Running back rankings for half-PPR fantasy points scored in Week 7. Kyle reacts to the best fantasy football RB performances and projects them moving forward.

Week 7 of the NFL season had some of the usual suspects back in the RB Top Ten list. The top two backs on the week also went north of 30 points in half-PPR formats. The Bills, Eagles, Rams, and Vikings were on a bye and it was a difficult week for some fantasy managers to try and get two startable RBs on their roster. I am absolutely gutted for Breece Hall and the Jets after it was revealed the emerging star running back suffered a torn ACL and would miss the rest of the season. Injuries really suck sometimes.

There are several surprises this year as the Jets and Giants keep winning and the Bucs and Packers are just having a tough time moving the ball like they used to. Has the end come for Tom Brady? Aaron Rodgers looks not far behind, but he has a little better excuse than Brady after mega-star Davante Adams was traded during the offseason. I know the Packers had salary cap issues, but so far their offense has looked like anything that we are used to, which has largely affected Aaron Jones outside of this week. The same could be said for Leonard Fournette on the Bucs as well.

Here are the Top 10 running back from Week 7 (excluding MNF) based on fantasy points scored in half-PPR formats. Make sure to bookmark our live fantasy football scoreboard so you can see all the live scoring and top fantasy football performances each week, during the games, and afterward as well.

Top 10 Running Backs - Fantasy Football Week 7

Here are the top 10 running back from Week 7 of the NFL season in half-PPR scoring:

1. Josh Jacobs

One of the best draft values of the entire offseason, Jacobs has been a terror of late. In his last three contests, Jacobs has rushed for 441 yards and 6 TDs while hauling in 13 receptions for 82 yards. It's safe to say that somebody is going to pay him next offseason as Jacobs is set to be a free agent in 2023 after the Raiders declined his fifth-year option. I think we can all agree that Josh McDaniels playing Jacobs for just about all of the first half in the Hall of Fame Game was not the mixed signal any of us were expecting.

On Sunday against the Texans, Jacobs carried the ball 20 times for 143 yards and 3 TDs. He has continued to see some valuable receiving work which is obviously great for his fantasy value. Jacobs' receptions are on pace close to his 2021 campaign where he had a career-high 54 receptions for 348 yards. While the Raiders sit at just 2-4, they have a potent offense with a lot of weapons and have been a solid unit for fantasy. Head coach Josh McDaniels has no plans to rebuild and feels that this team can contend for a playoff spot.

Jacobs is becoming close to a Top 5 start each and every week. He has a little more challenging matchup against the Saints' defense next week, who at 2-5 has been one of the bigger disappointments so far this season. Jacobs is in your lineup every week. In the last three weeks, he has also played 83 percent of the team's offensive snaps. Jacobs is in your lineup every week, no ifs, ands, or buts.

2. Austin Ekeler

It's not really flashy, and it's not really pretty, but it's really good. That's the best way we can describe Austin Ekeler so far this season. On Sunday against the Seahawks, Ekeler rushed just 9 times or 31 yards and a TD, but he had 12 receptions for 96 yards and a TD in another monster performance to finish as the RB2 on the week. The Chargers now sit at 4-3 and have had their own share of injuries so far this season, particularly on offense. Nonetheless, Ekeler played 77 percent of the snaps, and there simply isn't another RB as talented on the Chargers' offense who can take valuable touches away from him.

Ekeler has gone over 4 yards per carry in just 2 of the Chargers' 7 contests and he padded his rushing states quite nicely in Week 5 against the Browns. Nonetheless, even if it's not as aesthetically pleasing as we would like, earlier this year I mentioned that watching Ekeler if you were rostering him would be a cause for concern, but the production would be there regardless. Next week the Chargers are on a bye, which gives Ekeler and some of their other offensive pieces an opportunity to rest up, but when they come off the bye Ekeler has a juicy matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9.

Ekeler is in your lineup every week and has started to pay off on some of the early draft capital that was spent on him over the summer. A fellow fantasy player himself, Ekeler is an easy player to root for on Sundays even if he isn't on your team.

3. Kenneth Walker III

Walker is beginning to make the case for Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 even if he didn't do much in the first month of the season. After starter Rashaad Penny went down with a knee injury, Walker has completely taken over the Seahawks backfield and Sunday was no different when he rushed 23 times for 168 yards and 2 TDs. While he didn't have a reception, his performance just from carrying the rock was so strong that no receiving work was needed.

Walker runs with a unique blend of speed and power and is a pure enjoyment to watch each and every week. The Seahawks' offense got it going in their usual fashion on Sunday in a 37-23 victory over the Chargers. The Seahawks are now 4-3. While DK Metcalf being sidelined for a little while may hurt the offense overall, it is likely that Seattle is going to have to rely even more heavily on Walker.

Walker is in your lineup every week regardless of the matchup. The only thing that has the opportunity to cap his fantasy ceiling is if the lack of receiving work continues. If Seattle is trailing in games and they are forced to pass, what does that do to Walker's fantasy value if he isn't going to be featured as a receiver? It's a small problem to worry about in the grand scheme of things, but it is something worth monitoring. In the next three games, the Seahawks play the Giants, Cardinals, and Buccaneers. Pete Carroll deserves more credit for how well this team has performed.

4. Aaron Jones

Jones struggled to get it going on the ground on Sunday against the Commanders, but for fantasy, it didn't matter. After rushing 8 times for 23 yards, Jones saw a season-high 10 targets where he caught 9 of them for 53 and 2 TDs. He also played a season-high 74 percent of the offensive snaps and has begun a hostile takeover of the Packers backfield after being spelled by AJ Dillon early in the season. Next week the Packers have a nightmarish matchup when they play at the Bills, who will be fresh coming off of a bye week.

Aaron Jones is averaging 5.5 yards per carry so far this season and it's become evident to all that he is the more talented of the two running backs on the Packers currently. The downside is that he has just 78 carries for the season, something that needs to change if Green Bay wants to get back to their winning ways. After starting the season 3-1, the Pack is on a three-game skid which has them at 3-4 and looking anything like the potent offense we have been used to in years past.

If the Packers want to get out of this rut they are going to need to start featuring Jones more in the weekly game plan and head coach Matt LaFleur knows it. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is having one of the worst statistical seasons of his career, which hasn't been great for Jones either. Rodgers is averaging just 228 passing yards per game and is missing Davante Adams greatly. The good news for Green Bay is that they still have time to get this thing turned around, but the red flags are everywhere. Nonetheless, Jones is the only player on the Packers' offense who should be in your lineup every week without question.

5. Eno Benjamin

A player many fantasy managers had been holding out hope for over the last two and a half years, Eno has gotten his chances the last two weeks. On TNF against the Saints, he didn't disappoint rushing 12 times for 92 yards and a TD while catching 4 passes for 21 yards. With James Conner and Darrel Williams sidelined with injuries Benjamin was able to show us what he could do. We do not know how much longer Conner will be sidelined, but it was an impressive performance from Benjamin as well as rookie Keaontay Ingram, who added a touchdown on the ground as well as catching two passes.

Benjamin would arguably be a must-start next week against the Minnesota Vikings if Conner or Williams are sidelined again. When all of the RBs are back to full strength this has the opportunity to be a nightmare for fantasy if three different backs will be used during games. While the Cardinals' offense has been a good one for fantasy, the last thing we want is something that resembles a three-headed monster like the Commanders with Brian Robinson Jr., Antonio Gibson, and JD McKissic.

Eno is worth rostering in all formats and we should be keeping an eye out to see how the Cards RB room shakes out for Week 8's matchup with the Vikings. If Conner is back it will be difficult to put Benjamin in your lineup without knowing how much he is going to play.

6. Raheem Mostert

Another early season surprise, the 30-year-old RB has completely taken over the Miami backfield this season. On Sunday Night Football against the Steelers, Mostert rushed 16 times for 79 yards but caught 4 passes for 30 yards and a TD. The Dolphins signed Chase Edmonds this offseason to a two-year, $12.6 million contract and many were expecting him to be the lead back on the team, but so far that hasn't happened.

Mostert was phenomenal during the 49ers' Super Bowl run in 2019 when he rushed for 772 yards and 8 TDs and had a successful 2020 campaign before injuries kept him out for half of the year. In 2021, he played in just one game and many felt that at the age of 29 his career was over. Mostert was basically free in fantasy drafts this summer and has completely taken over the Miami backfield in the last month where he has played 68.5 percent of the offensive snaps.

With Tua Tagovailoa back healthy, the Dolphins' offense has plenty of fantasy value and it should be good for the QB, RB, and multiple WRs. Miami is currently 4-3 and we know that head coach Mike McDaniel likes to ride the hot hand. As long as Mostert is healthy and playing at this level he is worth being in your lineup as a solid RB2 with upside every week. Even at 30 years old he is still one of the fastest players in the NFL and has the kind of speed that can break one to the house at any time.

7. Gus Edwards

Everybody loves a good comeback story. The Gus Bus was one of my favorite late-round running backs in 2021 before an ACL tear in training camp ended his season before it even began. After missing the entire season as well as the first 6 games of 2022, Gus was back on the field against a struggling Browns run defense and showed us what we've all been missing. Edwards rushed 16 times for 66 yards and 2 touchdowns. He runs hard and as a bigger back at about 235 lbs should see about all of the Ravens' goal-line work this season.

Incumbent JK Dobbins will be sidelined for about 4-6 weeks after re-aggravating his knee and will miss some time. While Kenyan Drake and Justice Hill are also on the roster it does feel like the bulk of the carries will go to Edwards. When healthy he has averaged over 5 yards per carry in his career and runs with a brute force style that is a throwing back to smash mouth football. While the Ravens' offense hasn't looked as good in recent weeks, they should be a good unit for fantasy if Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews can get fully healthy.

The Ravens have a difficult schedule for running backs coming up with the Bucs on TNF followed by the Saints. Nonetheless, Edwards is worth a roster spot in all of your leagues. While we do not know how the running back battle is going to shake out, he is a player with a lot of upside and probably the most talented running back on the team as long as Dobbins remains sidelined. The Gus Bus is a good player and now that he looks fully healthy he could be a solid contributor to your fantasy team in the second half of the season. The only real worry with Edwards is he isn't much of a pass catcher and there is the risk of Lamar vulturing him in the red zone. Nonetheless, if you are on a bye week or in a pinch at running back, you could certainly do worse than the Gus Bus as your RB2.

8. Travis Etienne Jr.

Finally! The speedster from Clemson had his first career rushing touchdown on Sunday.

What more can be said about the best running back in football and for fantasy right now? Every week it seems that Saquon just produces and the Giants just keep winning. Coincidence? On Sunday against the Ravens, Barkley had 22 carries for 83 yards and a TD while adding 3 receptions for a total of 12 yards on top of playing 88 percent of the team's offensive snaps.

The only thing that should have us concerned for Barkley the rest of the way is his high workload. In five of the six Giants' contests this season, Barkley has played 83 percent of the snaps and has gone over 90 percent twice. As someone who has had injury issues in the past, the Giants need to make sure they are managing his workload in order for him to remain productive all season. The only problem with that? Barkley is an unrestricted free agent after this year and there really isn't anyone else on the Giants' running back depth chart who is even remotely close to Barkley from a talent perspective. New head coach Brian Daboll has made it very clear he intends to change the culture in New York this season and he has them at 5-1 right now, which is an impressive feat.

The high workload could have an impact on Barkley as far as 2023 is concerned, but if he is on your roster now he should be viewed as the RB1 in fantasy and will more than likely help plenty of fantasy managers win a championship this year. Barkley is currently averaging 5.2 yards per carry and is simply just that good. Having him back healthy this season has been great for NFL fans everywhere.

T-9. Nick Chubb

Nick Chubb is Mr. Reliable and showed us again on Sunday by rushing 16 times for 91 yards and a TD on top of catching both of his targets for 16 yards. With the Browns not sitting at 2-5, Kareem Hunt has been a player involved in trade talks, which could be a huge boost for Chubb's fantasy value. In the last few seasons, Chubb has had his fantasy upside capped because of Hunt, but Hunt has been less of a factor this year as the Browns' offense has had to lean heavily on Chubb while quarterback Deshaun Watson is suspended.

Chubb is arguably the purest runner in the NFL and could have close to the same production as prime Derrick Henry did if he were to play 70 percent plus of all the Browns' offensive snaps. If Hunt is traded soon that could very well be the case for the second half of the season. The Browns have a challenging schedule coming up against the Bengals, Dolphins, Bills, and Bucs, but the offense has been much better than expected for fantasy. Largely it's been Joe Woods' defense that has been unable to stop anyone this season.

Nick Chubb is in our lineup each and every week regardless of who the Browns are playing.

T-9. Ezekiel Elliott

Yesterday was a make-or-break game for Elliott as many fantasy managers had gotten frustrated with him in recent weeks. Turns out that facing the Lions' defense was all he needed in order to get going again. On Sunday, Elliott rushed 15 times for 57 yards but found the end zone twice in a 24-6 victory. He was held without a reception again and it's safe to say that Zeke's typical receiving work hasn't been there so far this season, which has hampered his upside. Now that Dak Prescott is back under center could things change? In the last 4 seasons he has averaged 57.5 receptions, but this year he is on pace for just 14 total receptions this year.

Elliott has been playing 60-plus percent of the offensive snaps so far this season and has been the clear-cut starter on the team even if backup Tony Pollard has been involved in the offense as well. What's concerning for Elliott's fantasy value has been his lack of receiving work so far this season. Zeke should be viewed as a matchup-dependent, low-end RB2 / high-end RB3 until he starts producing more for fantasy.

The good news for the Cowboys is they have a bye coming up in Week 8 which could allow a veteran like Elliott some time to rest his legs. The Cowboys' schedule is favorable over the next few weeks as they play the Bears, Packers, and Vikings.

Looking Forward

How did you fare in Week 7? It has been a tough year overall for early-drafted fantasy running backs, but the good news is many of the old familiar faces made their way back into the top 10 this week and will likely continue for the rest of the season. As we head into another week of byes, only the Chiefs and Chargers will be on a bye for Week 8.

A lot can change throughout the course of the season and it's important to stay up to date on all team injury reports and news so that you can use your waivers and FAAB priority wisely. Having running back depth can be crucial for your team over the full grind of a fantasy season and we should always be looking to find value at RB whenever possible.

Are there any running backs not on this list who you expect to bounce back in Week Eight? If you have any FAAB or waiver questions as well, feel free to get at me on Twitter.

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