RADIO
Week 4 is the beginning of bye weeks across the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers rounding off the pair of teams that will have the first rest period in the young 2016 season.
Week 3 brought out the best of Atlanta's tumultuous backfield with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman finishing one-two in total fantasy points scored at the position. We also saw LeSean McCoy come alive in 2016, gashing Arizona's defense for 22.6 points in standard leagues. Also, Carlos Hyde put up 24.5 points against what is supposed to be a stout Seahawks defense.
Entering the final week of the first quarter of the 2016 season, let's take a look at the running back depth charts around the league.
Editor's Note: Be sure to check out FantasyAces DFS contests for Week 4. New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces and make a $20 deposit will receive RotoBaller's full season NFL Premium Pass for free (including Premium DFS), normally a $59.99 value. Expert DFS research, sample lineups, matchup ratings and lots more!
2016 Running Back Depth Charts for Week 4
AFC East
| Baller Stability Rating | Team Name | Primary Running Back | Backup or Handcuff | Long-shot Candidate(s) | Waiver Wire Watch |
| Stable | Bills | LeSean McCoy | Mike Gillislee | Reggie Bush | N/A |
| Questionable | Dolphins | Kenyan Drake, Arian Foster (O) | Jay Ajayi | Damien Williams | Kenyan Drake, Damien Williams |
| Stable | Patriots | LeGarrette Blount, Dion Lewis (O) | James White (PPR) | Brandon Bolden, D.J. Foster | James White |
| Stable | Jets | Matt Forte | Bilal Powell | Troymaine Pope | N/A |
Arian Foster was inactive in Miami's Week 3 contest against the Cleveland Browns. Jay Ajayi was expected to draw the start in Foster's absence, but in a surprise move, Kenyan Drake arose on top of the Dolphins' depth chart. Despite starting, Drake was ineffective as Damien Willaims and Ajayi both found the end zone. Entering Week 4, Miami's backfield appears like it is in disarray. Foster again has been ruled out of the short week's contest against the Browns and the Dolphins are expected to role wit an RBBC for consecutive games. Miami's ground game has AVOID written all over it.
AFC North
| Baller Stability Rating | Team Name | Primary Running Back | Backup or Handcuff | Long-shot Candidate(s) | Waiver Wire Watch |
| Volatile | Ravens | Justin Forsett | Terrance West, Kenneth Dixon (O) | Buck Allen | Kenneth Dixon |
| Questionable | Bengals | Jeremy Hill | Gio Bernard | Rex Burkhead | N/A |
| Stable | Browns | Isaiah Crowell | Duke Johnson | George Atkinson III | N/A |
| Stable | Steelers | Le'Veon Bell | DeAngelo Williams, | Fitzgerald Toussaint | N/A |
Baltimore's backfield appears to remain one to avoid. Justin Forsett continues to share the workload with Terrance West, but neither one could produce double-digit points for consecutive weeks. If this trend continues, it will more than likely be Kenneth Dixon's backfield upon his return. Speaking of his return, it seems to be looming. He resumed practicing this week and could be ready for in-game action in Week 5, according to reports. If Dixon is on the waiver wire, grab him now!
One small note regarding Cleveland. Isiah Crowell is the real deal. He is drastically out-producing Duke Johnson thus far in 2016 and is surfacing as the team's most consistent source of offense. Start him if you got him.
Keep in mind: Pittsburgh is welcoming the return of Le'Veon Bell Week 4 as he has finished serving out his three-game suspension. He should be considered an immediate must-start across all fantasy formats, but don't give up on DeAngelo Wiliams just yet. There are swirling rumors that both Bell and Williams could both be utilized from here on out, and could even share a huddle. It will be an interesting display of talented running backs on the Steelers assuming both remain healthy.
AFC South
| Baller Stability Rating | Team Name | Primary Running Back | Backup or Handcuff | Long-shot Candidate(s) | Waiver Wire Watch |
| Stable | Texans | Lamar Miller | Alfred Blue | Tyler Ervin | N/A |
| Stable | Colts | Frank Gore | Robert Turbin | Josh Ferguson | N/A |
| Questionable | Jaguars | Chris Ivory | T.J. Yedon | Denard Robinson | N/A |
| Stable | Titans | DeMarco Murray | Derrick Henry | Antonio Andrews | N/A |
Chris Ivory made his seemingly long-awaited (for Ivory owners and Jaguars fans) return to the field in Week 3, but to no avail. Ivory was out-scored by Yeldon 2.8-to-2.3 last Sunday, which does not bode well for Jacksonville's 2016 outlook on the ground with both backs healthy. Jacksonville's backfield is shaping up to be one to avoid from here on out or at least until someone emerges as a fantasy-relevant talent. Even if it is Denard Robinson as the year progresses.
AFC West
| Baller Stability Rating | Team Name | Primary Running Back | Backup or Handcuff | Long-shot Candidate(s) | Waiver Wire Watch |
| Stable | Broncos | C.J. Anderson | Devontae Booker | Kapri Bibbs | N/A |
| Questionable | Chiefs | Spencer Ware, Jamaal Charles (Q) | Charcandrick West (Q) | Knile Davis | N/A |
| Stable | Raiders | Latavius Murray | DeAndre Washington | Jalen Richard | Jalen Richard |
| Stable | Chargers | Melvin Gordon | Dexter McCluster (PPR) | Kenneth Farrow | Dexter McCluster |
It may be one more week until we see Jamaal Charles make his 2016 debut, but it may not be. Earlier in the week, head coach Andy Reid sounded the most optimistic that Charles would be out there on Sunday night against the Steelers. Charcandrick West missed two practices with an ankle injury and if he cannot play, it would be a prime spot for a Charles return or an even greater expanded workload for Spencer Ware.
NFC East
| Baller Stability Rating | Team Name | Primary Running Back | Backup or Handcuff | Long-shot Candidate(s) | Waiver Wire Watch |
| Stable | Cowboys | Ezekiel Elliott | Alfred Morris | Lance Dunbar | Lance Dunbar |
| Stable | Giants | Orleans Darkwa, Rashad Jennings (Q) | Bobby Rainey (PPR) | Paul Perkins | Orleans Darkwa, Bobby Rainey |
| Stable | Eagles (BYE) | Ryan Matthews | Daren Sproles (PPR) | Kenjon Barner, Wendell Smallwood | Kenjon Barner |
| Questionable | Redskins | Matt Jones | Chris Thompson | Rob Kelley | Chris Thompson |
The Giants learned that Shane Vereen suffered a severe triceps injury that would likely keep the running back out for an extended period of time, possibly the duration of the season. With Rashad Jennings also on the mend from a thumb injury and on track to miss his second consecutive game in Week 4, New York will have to lean on their younger backs on the depth chart. Orleans Darkwa, Paul Perkins and Bobby Rainey are all in line for an expanded workload, but they should remain on the fantasy bench in this week's matchup against a stout Vikings defense.
The Philadelphia Eagles are on a bye this week, but their backfield is beginning to become turbulent. Ryan Matthews was used in "spot" situations in Week 3 as he is battling his yearly injury. Wendell Smallwood and Kenjon Barner both garnered work in Sunday's win over the Steelers, as did Darren Sproles did on passing downs. Smallwood is rumored to be the favorite of the group for the start if Matthews remains sidelined for an extended period of time. Although, Sproles seems to be emerging as a legitimate receiving threat for PPR leagues. This is a situation that should be watched leading up to Philadelphia's next game Week 6.
NFC North
| Baller Stability Rating | Team Name | Primary Running Back | Backup or Handcuff | Long-shot Candidate(s) | Waiver Wire Watch | |
| Questionable | Bears | Jordan Howard, Jeremy Langford (O) |
|
N/A | Jordan Howard, Ka'Deem Carey | |
| Questionable | Lions | Theo Riddick (PPR) | Dwayne Washington | Zach Zenner | Dwayne Washington | |
| Stable (BYE) | Packers | Eddie Lacy | James Starks | Jhurell Pressley | N/A | |
| Questionable | Vikings | Jerick McKinnon | Matt Asiata | Ronnie Hillman | Matt Asiata, Ronnie Hillman |
Minnesota's backfield appears to be Jerick McKinnon's as he was the featured back over Matt Asiata in the team's first week without Adrian Peterson. Neither McKinnon or Asiata were very effective against the Carolina Panthers Week 3 and it does not appear to be getting any easier Week 4 as the New York Giants come to town. If possible, shy away from the Vikings' backfield on Monday night.
Detroit's outstanding start to their run game came to a screeching halt Week 3. Both Theo Riddick and Dwayne Washinton struggled in a tough matchup against the Green Bay Packers, but will have an opportunity to redeem themselves in their upcoming contest against the Chicago Bears. The Bears defense is coming off of a week where they allowed Dallas' Lance Dunbar and Alfred Morris to score on a pair of short touchdowns runs and Ezekiel Elliott to run for 140 yards.
Jordan Howard should be added across all fantasy scoring formats. The Bears learned that Jeremy Langford will be sidelined for up to six weeks. With Ka'Deem Carey also mending his injuries, Howard has a solid opportunity to lock up the starting job going forward in Chicago's backfield.
NFC South
| Long-shot Candidate(s) | Waiver Wire Watch | ||||
| Volatile | Falcons | Devonta Freeman | Tevin Coleman | Terron Ward | N/A |
| Questionable | Panthers | Cameron Artis-Payne, Jonathan Stewart (O) | Fozzy Whittaker | Cameron Artis-Payne | Cameron Aris-Payne, Fozzy Whittaker |
| Stable | Saints | Mark Ingram | Tim Hightower | Travaris Cadet (PPR) | Travaris Cadet (PPR) |
| Stable | Buccaneers | Charles Sims, Doug Martin (O) | Jacquizz Rodgers | Peyton Barber | Jacquizz Rodgers |
The Carolina Panthers could be employing a by-committee approach to their running game for the foreseeable future. Head coach Ron Rivera recently stated that Jonathan Stewart could miss up to another four weeks and the tandem of Fozzy Whittaker and Cameron Artis-Payne could be splitting the workload heading into the second half of the season.
NFC West
| Baller Stability Rating | Team Name | Primary Running Back | Backup or Handcuff | Long-shot Candidate(s) | Waiver Wire Watch |
| Stable | Cardinals | David Johnson | Chris Johnson | Andre Ellington | N/A |
| Stable | Rams | Todd Gurley | Benny Cunningham | Malcolm Brown | N/A |
| Stable | 49ers | Carlos Hyde | Shaun Draughn | Mike Davis | Shaun Draughn |
| Volatile | Seahawks | Christine Michael | C.J. Prosise, Thomas Rawls (O) | C.J. Spiller | C.J. Prosise, C.J. Spiller |
Seattle's backfield appears to be a little bit more clear-cut entering Week 4. Thomas Rawls is on the shelf with a hairline fracture in his fibula and Christine Micahel went from emerging to emerged in Week 3. Michael single-handedly put a dagger into the 49ers during the first half of the game by scoring a pair of touchdowns and rushing for the majority of his 106-yards on the ground. He should be considered as a low-end RB2 bordering the RB1 tier in the coming weeks.
Anthony Cervino is a primary contributor for Rotoballer and a lead NFL News Desk writer. For additional content, visit his archive or follow him on Twitter @theRealnflguru.
Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
