Soppe’s Fantasy RB Start-Sit Week 6 Players Include Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry, and Others

Every Sunday brings new opportunities and challenges that can make or break your fantasy football season. This week, some intriguing matchups and storylines present themselves that could significantly impact player values moving forward.

Competent fantasy football managers know that staying ahead of the curve means looking beyond the obvious picks and understanding the underlying factors that drive production. Whether you’re fighting for a playoff spot or trying to maintain your lead, these insights could be the difference between victory and disappointment in your league.

Alvin Kamara | NO

I was out on Alvin Kamara this offseason (and last offseason if we are being honest), and the pushback I got was always the same.

“Yeah, it’s not pretty, but he’s the best player on this team and offers a floor thanks to his versatility that it’ll be tough for him to outright fail.”

That’s a perfectly reasonable argument, but this Saints offense is bringing it into question.

Kamara has more fumbles lost since Week 1 than touchdowns, doesn’t have a game with 30 receiving yards this season, and doesn’t have a 25-yard rush since September … of 2021.

What makes him drastically different from Chase Edmonds?

I’m not labeling either as a must-start, and if you have a receiver with a 6-8 target projection, I wouldn’t hesitate to make that decision in flex spots (I’d rather take my chances on players like DeVonta Smith, Ladd McConkey, or DJ Moore).

Ashton Jeanty | LV

The Raiders continue to look like a mess, but at least they are shaping up to be a fantasy-friendly mess.

“Friendly” might be an exaggeration, but Ashton Jeanty saw just 6.5% of the targets in September, a number that spiked to a team-high 19.4% against the Colts.

Yes, Brock Bowers was inactive, and Jakobi Meyers was held in check. I get it. We saw Jeanty thrive two years ago as a pass catcher in college, and it was good to finally get proof of concept at the professional level.

MORE: Free Fantasy Football Start/Sit Optimizer

It’ll be interesting to see if the rookie RB is as featured as he was on Sunday (seven touches on the opening drive) when Bowers returns. I think it’s more fact than fiction on that front, but if you’re not as sold and cash in this chip after two impressive performances, I wouldn’t blame you.

J.K. Dobbins has scored in four of five weeks and could be overvalued by some managers in your league after their big win; there might be a package worth entertaining.

Bhayshul Tuten | JAX

There were some preseason whispers about the potential of Bhayshul Tuten, and then he scored in consecutive weeks, and the internet lost its collective mind about who was the first to stake a claim to the breakout. Who could make the boldest claim?

Those were fun times.

Tuten still hasn’t reached a 26% snap share in a single game this season, and the red zone usage has evaporated. The rookie certainly has some juice, but the 4-1 Jags haven’t given him more than six touches in all but one game this season, and I can’t imagine they start tweaking things now.

Bijan Robinson | ATL

Michael Penix hasn’t done a ton to demand respect from opposing defenses, and it just doesn’t matter.

Through four games, Bijan Robinson has as many 10+ yard runs as attempts that have failed to gain yardage, something that is difficult to comprehend with the attention that is paid to him by opponents.

Last season, Atlanta did a great job of featuring their stars post bye (Robinson: 90+ rush yards and multiple targets in every game following the off week in 2024). With a few favorable matchups left, there’s a real chance that Atlanta is home to the overall RB1 this year and entering 2026.

Blake Corum | LAR

It was the Kyren Williams show early on Thursday night, but once Blake Corum got into the game, he immediately ripped off a 13-yard gain up the middle.

Entering the game, the second-year back had seen his touch count increase with each passing game, and the first carry suggested that trend had the potential to sustain.

Motion. Misdirection pitch. Fumble.

And just like that, Corum’s night was effectively over. He ends up playing just six total offensive snaps, and with Williams thriving out of the backfield as a pass catcher (eight catches on 10 targets), the Rams didn’t feel the need to take him off the field.

The Williams giveth, the Williams taketh away.

Down the stretch, Williams had a goal-line carry punched out of his hands, and the game ended in overtime on his only carry of the extra session: a fourth-and-one carry that came up short.

For me, Corum remains a high-end handcuff that has the potential to get 8-10 touches in any game but isn’t likely ever to hold standalone value when Williams is active.

He’s Tyler Allgeier, but a recent fumble has given the coaching staff a reason to proceed with caution.

Braelon Allen | NYJ

A “pretty serious” knee injury landed Braelon Allen on IR ahead of Week 5, and it’s generally believed that we are looking at an absence that extends well beyond the required four weeks.

RELATED: Fantasy Football Cut List Week 6: Joe Mixon, Braelon Allen, Darius Slayton, and Others

Isaiah Davis is the new Breece Hall handcuff to make sure he’s rostered, though his path to value hinges fully on the health of RB1. That said, if Hall were to go down, the Jets have December dates with the Dolphins and Saints, matchups that will require us to start whoever is at the top of this depth chart then.

Breece Hall | NYJ

Breece Hall hasn’t reached 15 rush attempts in over a month, but he has managed to total over 110 yards in consecutive games, reminding us of the talent at hand.

This Denver run defense has looked much better in consecutive wins over the Bengals and Eagles (98 total rushing yards allowed on 26 carries), and I fully anticipate them to crowd the line of scrimmage in this spot.

You’re playing Hall. Allen is on injured reserve, and outside of Garrett Wilson, the Jets don’t really have many other options. That said, I wouldn’t bet on 100 scrimmage yards or a touchdown.

As long as your expectations are kept in check, Hall is a fine PPR play.

Bucky Irving | TB

News broke in the middle of last week that Bucky Irving’s foot sprain would cost him a game, maybe two at most.

Over the weekend, however, we heard about a shoulder injury that wasn’t initially reported and is considered to be the more serious of the ailments, carrying with it a multi-week recovery.

We are talking about one of the more promising young players in the game, and that, along with the limited expectations competition-wise in the NFC South, could result in a cautious approach.

Tampa Bay hosts San Francisco next week before consecutive road games (Lions and Saints) ahead of their Week 9 bye. Could we be looking at zero snaps in October?

Regardless of when he returns, Irving is a lineup lock across the board. He was a top 15 producer in each of the first weeks, a nice accomplishment when you consider that he’s yet to hit a home run in the ground game (longest carry: 16 yards).

Unless reports indicate otherwise, I will assume that Irving will return to his bellcow role when cleared medically (Weeks 1-4: 73.8% of RB touches) and be ready to carry your team when it matters most.

• Week 16 at Panthers

• Week 17 at Dolphins

• Week 18 vs. Panthers

Cam Skattebo | NYG

It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Cam Skattebo runs as hard as anyone, has holes open up thanks to a versatile QB, and has soft hands (18 catches on 22 targets this season).

I understand that this offensive environment isn’t as friendly as most, but it’s a concentrated unit that prioritizes giving its young pieces valuable reps.

This is a difficult matchup, and while efficiency could be an issue, I’m not worried about the bottom line. Skattebo is a script-proof back, and that’s going to land him safely inside of my top 20 every single week moving forward.

Chase Brown | CIN

Chase Brown can’t win, even when the Bengals are down so bad that all other fantasy options get home.

In a Week 5 dismantling at the hands of the Lions that saw Chase finish as the WR2 for the week and Tee Higgins get into the end zone with a meaningless score, Brown was still unable to post his first top-20 finish of the season.

Man, this has been brutal. He’s averaging 2.5 yards and only has two red zone touches over the past three weeks. His fluidity in the pass game is the lone saving grace, but that means putting your weekly fate in the hands of this QB situation, and that’s just not comfortable.

I’d love to sell you hope. I was high on Brown entering the season, and skill set-wise, I stand by it, but he’s nothing more than a risky flex these days. In four of five games, the lack of support has resulted in him coming up more than 20% shy of fantasy expectations based on his touch type, a trend that I have a hard time thinking the course corrects.

And now he gets a talented Packers defense off a bye?

I’d rather my week rely on the bizarre usage of the New England running backs or speculate on Hassan Haskins getting the bulk of the work in the first week of Omarion Hampton’s stay on IR.

With the Bengals moving to Flacco, the offensive integrity rises, even without proof of concept. Brown slides into the back-end of my RB2 tier.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. | WAS

I always think it’s interesting when a player rips off a big gain seemingly out of nowhere.

If the coaching staff had a positive impression of the player pregame, the splash play reinforces prior thoughts, and they are programmed to explore just how much juice can be squeezed.

If not, well, nothing changes.

Chris Rodriguez had the 48-yard run against the Falcons in Week 4, and the Commanders found it so encouraging that they gave him two fewer touches last week in Los Angeles.

This is the Jacory Croskey-Merritt show, and there is no two ways about that. The rookie back was our top-ranked runner, per our RBi grading metric, prior to his big Week 5 performance, and the strong showing only confirms that this is a straightforward situation.

It’s Croskey-Merritt or bust. I believe Rodriguez is the next man up, but I don’t think it matters. This isn’t a backfield you need to handcuff.

Christian McCaffrey | SF

Great players make the great performances feel ordinary, and we entered that point with Christian McCaffrey a while ago.

Through five weeks, he’s pacing for 310 carries, 133 catches, and 2,275 yards from scrimmage.

Let me contextualize that for you. Only three players had that many carries in 2021, and only six players in NFL history have ever had that many catches in a season (PPR floor this season: 22.7 points).

Those stats are remarkable by themselves, but he hasn’t even gotten things going on the ground. He doesn’t yet have a run gaining more than 15 yards or a game with 70 rushing yards (3.1 yards per carry). What happens if he trends toward his career rates in that regard?

He has a touchdown reception in three of the past four weeks, Thursday night’s edition coming with him lined up as a slot receiver and making light work of the poor linebacker asked to square up with him.

I don’t care who is or isn’t healthy for the 49ers. I don’t care who they are facing. To be honest, I don’t care if CMC is down a hamstring or up to three fingers.

If he’s on the field, I’m expecting elite production, and that’s the end of the discussion.

Chuba Hubbard | CAR

Chuba Hubbard (calf) missed just his fifth career game last week, and the hope is that he’s good to assume his lead role in a matchup that is as good as it gets.

Thus far, Hubbard is roughly two PPR points per game behind where he finished last season, but that’s more of a Panthers stat than one for their RB1. This season, he has actually produced 1.2% more than expectations, given his usage, up from his 2.6% below mark in 2021.

I don’t think we are looking at a game-changer as much as a high-floor player, but there certainly is value in that, and that’s why he remains in my top 20 for the rest of the season.

This week? RB1 numbers are very much in the conversation.

D’Andre Swift | CHI

D’Andre Swift is coming off a week in which no one thought about him (bye) and is averaging 3.3 yards per carry (46.8 rush yards per game) this season.

And yet, I think the arrow is pointing up.

For now.

Swift has at least three catches and a 10-yard rush in all four games, usage that encourages me as Ben Johnson sinks his teeth. There is an awfully thin needle to thread here, but if you go in with a plan, it may be worth a shot.

Swift’s expected PPR points per game are up 13.8% from a season ago, and if that sticks, he’s going to gain value in the short term. Over the next month, the Bears get the Commanders, Saints, Ravens, Bengals, and Giants.

You could argue specific parts of some of those matchups, but in large part, that’s a great stretch. Could you deal for Swift now, potentially at somewhat of a discount?

It’s possible.

Could you then flip him for a profit?

It’s dangerous to rely on strength-of-schedule metrics, so you’re playing with fire to some extent with this plan. But from Weeks 11-16, Chicago faces the Vikings, Steelers, Eagles, Browns, and Packers twice.

Swift may be a fringe RB1 over the next month and an average flex after that. With enough thought ahead, you can leverage his future outlook; you’ll just need to commit to the plan for it to work fully.

David Montgomery | DET

David Montgomery was the feel-good story of Week 5 with a multi-TD effort and his sister in attendance. He’s rushed for four scores in the past four weeks, but the concerns I had going into the preseason remain: he’s pretty clearly the RB2 in Detroit.

Jahmyr Gibbs has nearly doubled him up in touches this season when the score is within a single possession, and the lack of a versatile role puts the veteran RB at risk (exactly one target in four straight games).

I view Montgomery as a bet on the Lions more than anything. His 10-14 touch role without many routes up for grabs comes with plenty of risk, but if there’s a touchdown-reliant player I want stock of, it’s him.

I’m playing Montgomery this week over Jaylen Warren (vs. CLE) and Chase Edmonds (at GB), given the matchups, but prefer the upside that Kenneth Walker (at JAX) provides with a similar touch expectation.

De’Von Achane | MIA

The Dolphins had a 17-0 lead over one of the league’s worst teams.

What more could we possibly ask for?

De’Von Achane is the clear RB1 in this offense, and a game script like that should have us dancing in the streets, but even a nice run out only saw him carry the rock 10 times for 16 yards.

Now, he got home by catching six of seven targets for 30 yards and a touchdown, but the limited rushing ceiling is concerning. We can’t complain with 6+ catches in each of Miami’s past three losses and three scores in the passing game, but with just one game over 62 rushing yards, he needs to almost be a full-time receiver to post top 10 numbers at the position.

Maybe he can be 80% of Christian McCaffrey, especially after the Hill loss, but that worries me. If you have Achane, you’re playing him every single week, and you should be. I’m just more uneasy about his ability to sustain RB1 production than some of the other backs in this range of the rankings.

Derrick Henry | BAL

Oh boy, what are we supposed to do here?

Derrick Henry has been more Pawn than King over the past month, failing to clear 50 rushing yards in four straight games and turning 46 carries into just 148 yards, after opening the season with an effort against the Bills that saw him pick up 169 yards on 18 attempts.

He has failed to gain a single yard before contact in two games this season, and that’s going to make life difficult for any player, I don’t care how big and scary you are.

As far as the matchup is concerned, this is a tough spot. Jonathan Taylor and McCaffrey both needed heavy involvement to pay off, something that obviously isn’t in the cards for Henry. In terms of traditional RB production, the Rams are far from a get-right opponent, especially with a long week of preparation.

You risk leaving a huge day on your bench if you elect to sit Henry, and all you have to do is ask Chase managers how that feels. I’m not overly optimistic that we get a vintage performance, but there is touchdown equity to chase and single-play upside to consider.

I don’t have any rosters where I have enough depth to realistically bench Henry, and I’m guessing that’s likely the case for you as well, unless you struck gold with Javonte Williams late and/or Bill Crosby-Merritt.

We are in this together. Let’s create some holes and get some downhill running as Baltimore looks to save their season ahead of the bye.

Dylan Sampson | CLE

The cute 20-touch opener is now more than a month ago and it’s clear that Dylan Sampson was the second RB selected by the Browns this past April for a reason.

The versatility is interesting, but until we get any sort of news to the contrary, Quinshon Judkins is set to handle top 10 usage in the league and that means we can live without Sampson.

I don’t want to speak for you, but I’m personally not in the business of rostering more Cleveland players than is absolutely necessary and therefore I have no interest in trying to back up my Judkins share in any way, let alone a player in Sampson that the Browns are not the least bit interested in letting touch the ball (two total yards from scrimmage over the past three weeks).

If you’re looking to poach volume from a bad team, Harold Fannin is the obvious answer, and I’d actually rather stash Isaiah Bond given how often Dillon Gabriel was looking that direction last week than to settle with Sampson, who needs an injury to be even a little interesting.

Hassan Haskins | LAC

Well, this is less than ideal.

The Chargers are down their top two offensive linemen and now, their top two running backs after placing Omarion Hampton on injured reserve (ankle) on Monday afternoon.

This isn’t exactly the optimal spot for a player in Hassan Haskins, a 2022 fourth-round pick with 79 career touches to his name.

A full workload isn’t a completely foreign concept to the former Wolverine, as he touched the ball 288 times (1,458 yards and 20 touchdowns) during his final season at Ann Arbor. That sort of role isn’t likely to be his, but I do expect him to lead this backfield in touches over the weekend with 2024 sixth-round pick Kimani Vidal picking up the remaining 40% or so.

RELATED: How Long Will Omarion Hampton Be Out? Chargers RB Gets Bad News After Week 5 Injury

Both backup backs are clearly worth a roster spot in light of the Hampton news, but the lack of clarity in role has both outside of my top 25 for Week 6, even in a picture-perfect matchup (I have Haskins over Vidal by a handful of spots if you’re choosing between the two).

Isiah Pacheco | KC

He looks good. Maybe better than good.

Last season, Isiah Pacheco averaged 2.39 yards per carry after contact. This season, he’s averaged 3.00 in four of five games and is coming off a season-high in snap share (61.9%).

As a proud owner of a Pacheco Poncho and a card-holding member of his fan club, I should be filled with optimism with that data in hand, but I’m not.

The Chiefs don’t appear comfortable with him holding their fate in their hands.

Kareem Hunt is the featured back in scoring position, and it’s not close. Despite the success of this offense, Pacheco hasn’t played more than three red zone snaps in a single game this year, and we saw Andy Reid get rookie Breshad Smith a touch inside the 10-yard line last week against the Jags.

If you want to bet on Pacheco’s rushing numbers, I’ll green-light it, but his fantasy stock won’t be able to get off the ground until he gets at least a split of the scoring area snaps. Without it, he’s nothing more than a desperation flex, a spot I’d rather use on either Patriots running back this weekend in New Orleans.

J.K. Dobbins | DEN (at NYJ)

I reserve the right to worry about any long-term investment in J.K. Dobbins due to the resume he’s laid out, but there is no denying that he’s been great through five weeks and is deserving to be locked into lineups.

This season, his gain rate is up from 77.4% to an elite 85.7% (eighth best among qualified RBs), and 18.2% of his carries have picked up at least 10 yards, a rate that tops Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor.

His value obviously isn’t at the level of those two, but he’s running as hard as anyone, and the Broncos are rewarding him. Even after a week where RJ Harvey showed well for himself, Sean Payton decided to give Dobbins five carries for every one he let the rookie have, and it helped fuel a 21-17 win over the reigning Super Bowl champions.

If he can make it to the Week 12 bye in one piece, I see no reason why he can’t finish the season and prove himself to be one of the better values this draft season.

Even if you’re skeptical about his ability to stay on the field, he’s got the Giants and Cowboys to round out October after this week. Selling high on Dobbins is a fine idea; I’d just wait another two weeks to pull the trigger and make your competition pay even more of a premium.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt | WAS

Jacory Croskey-Merritt has a 4.7% Boom vs. Bust rate this season, and among players with at least 40 carries, that’s the top mark by a decent amount.

“Boom vs. Bust” is simply the difference in percentage of carries that “boom” (gain 10+ yards) against the percentage of carries that “bust” (fail to gain yardage). His carry count is smaller, so drastic swings can happen, but through five weeks, his rate is more than double that of Jonathan Taylor, the running back drawing LaDainian Tomlinson comparisons.

The advanced metrics, like the one they call “Bill” before his big Week 5 performance against the Chargers, aren’t backing down. His usage is likely to tick up after the breakout game, and with 72.1% of his carries resulting in more yards after contact than the positional average, I see no reason to pump the brakes.

He’s my favorite running back in this game, and I could see a scenario where you have to decide between him and Derrick Henry this week … I have Croskey-Merritt ranked one spot higher.

What a world.

Jahmyr Gibbs | DET

The explosive plays for Jahmyr Gibbs haven’t been there at the rate we expected so far, and yet, he’s still pacing for 1,486 yards and 17 touchdowns.

That’s what separates the good from the great. The good players in our game have the talent to break off big plays, but they need those chunk gains to make a big impact. Right now, Ashton Jeanty fits that mold: all the talent in the world, but without chunk gains, the production profile doesn’t stand out.

Players like Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, and Gibbs have had their struggles with efficiency at points this season, and it simply doesn’t matter. They are elite options with the chance to level up to week winners via one play, and that’s the type of player deserving of Round 1 draft capital.

Remember to come back next August, and we will outline the handful of players that stand out in that regard. For the time being, you can rest assured that you have one in Gibbs, and I’m very confident that his best days this season are yet to come.

James Cook | BUF

No one is perfect.

James Cook scored in each of his first four games this season, clearing 100 yards from scrimmage in all of them and generally looking like a perfect fit next to Josh Allen.

That’s still the case, even after he laid an egg on Sunday night (49 scrimmage yards without a catch or a touchdown). If there is a skittish manager in your league, I’d suggest pouncing, but the sharp play might be to wait.

The Falcons haven’t allowed a running back to clear 14.5 PPR points in a game this season and are well rested after their bye. I’m not suggesting that Cook struggles for a second straight week (he’s a clear RB1 for me), but it’s within the realm of possibilities. If the manager rostering him loses consecutive weeks because of it, there’s a chance for you to seize the opportunity.

I’ll help you make the case. Simply copy and paste the text below, send the message, and see where the conversation goes.

“Cook has struggled in consecutive weeks and now goes on a bye. Holding onto him could mean you drop three straight matchups, and for what? The Bills draw the Browns and Eagles in Weeks 16-17, the most important weeks of our season if winning is the ultimate goal.

I’ve had a good first half of the season and am willing to take on some risk. I’ll send you a life raft that is guaranteed to help you more than Cook in Week 7 and could out-produce him in the final weeks of our season.”

Javonte Williams | DAL

The irony of Javonte Williams totaling 139 yards and two scores the same week in which the man he replaced this offseason runs for over 200 yards was not lost on anyone.

The Week 5 scoring was off the charts for both him and Rico Dowdle, but I can’t imagine Dallas is at all regretting their decision at all. Williams has scored six times this season and is averaging 5.7 yards per carry, gaining yardage on an astronomical 92.4% of his carries (2022: 79.9%).

With 15+ carries in four of five games and 15+ receiving yards in four of five, we are looking at a running back tethered to a team that needs to score 25+ points weekly to keep up. Williams gets the rare projected benefit of a game script this week, and that has him flirting with top-10 status for me this week.

If you roster Williams, this is the type of player who reminds you why you love the game.

If you don’t, studies say you’re 17% more likely to hate on the industry and dismiss the work we put in during the preseason in trying to identify breakout candidates.

Jaylen Warren | PIT

A nagging knee injury made Jaylen Warren a surprise scratch in Week 4, but all signs are pointing to him being back in his lead role after the bye.

This is a conservative offense with a savvy quarterback who is being asked to get rid of the ball quickly. That plays right into the hands of a versatile threat like Warren, landing him in my RB2 tier this week despite the lingering injury and tough matchup.

READ MORE: Jaylen Warren Injury Update: Will Fantasy Managers Get the Steelers RB Back This Week?

A Steeler RB has graced the top 20 at the position in all four of their games (Warren for the first three and Kenneth Gainwell against the Vikings in Week 4), and while I question the ceiling of all attached to this offense, the floor seems to be high enough to bank on.

Gainwell remains the handcuff to hold over rookie Kaleb Johnson, but I don’t envision this beginning a committee situation, provided that the knee issues are behind Warren.

Jeremy McNichols | WAS

Personally, I think Croskey-Merritt removed any committee discussions last week in Washington, and with three players involved, that’s not a backfield I’m looking to handcuff.

Jeremy McNichols brings a veteran presence to the room, but with just 13 touches on his ledger for 2025, he’s the least appealing healthy back on the Commanders’ depth chart, and it’s not close.

Instead of rostering a running back stuck with next to no role and little path to substantial change, I’d happily roster a Christian Watson or Brandon Aiyuk type. I’m not bullish on either of those receivers, but should they find their way onto a field, I know they have the potential to produce impactful numbers.

Jonathan Taylor | IND

For the children out there, or just those new to the fantasy football world, there was a player named LaDainian Tomlinson, and if you rostered him, you essentially won leagues. The Hall of Famer scored 31 touchdowns on his way to one of the better fantasy seasons on file in 2006.

Through 5 Games

• LaDainian Tomlinson (2006): 581 scrimmage yards on 136 touches, 7 TDs

• Jonathan Taylor (2025): 613 scrimmage yards on 110 touches, 7 TDs

When I start invoking the name of LT, things are serious. Taylor’s usage floor this season has been 17 carries and two receptions, which is much more representative of a ceiling for most players.

Taylor sits atop my rest-of-season rankings as he could well rip apart the “you can’t win leagues in the early rounds, you can only lose them” narrative this year, should he cash in on two home games, on the fast track, during the time where fantasy trophies are handed out (Weeks 16-17).

Josh Jacobs | GB

Josh Jacobs has one finish this season better than RB18, and that’s disappointing based on the price you paid, but I’m not close to panicking, and the “vs. CIN” part of things can never be overlooked as this game carries series game script potential for a rested Packers team at home.

Green Bay has given its lead back at least 20 touches in every game this season, a level of work that ranks him among the elite. Last season, Jacobs produced 10.1% over expectations, and so far this season, he’s 4.8% under.

That sort of thing can even out with time, and I have no problem labeling him as an RB1 for the rest of the season with top 5 positional potential for this week specifically.

Kaleb Johnson | PIT

Kaleb Johnson got a little run in Week 4 with Jaylen Warren (knee) inactive, but the 22 yards he picked up on six carries are not likely enough to earn him anything close to a viable role when this backfield is at full strength.

Had Kenneth Gainwell fallen on his face in Ireland, maybe you could have talked me into stashing the rookie and hoping for contingent value in an offense that plays in a very conservative manner, thus elevating the potential of their RBs.

That didn’t happen.

Johnson’s name might be one to keep in mind in dynasty formats, but in redraft leagues, his early-season struggles relegate him to waiver-wire fodder.

Kareem Hunt | KC

I think we’ve done it. This Kansas City backfield is officially as bad as it gets for fantasy managers. Think about the current profile:

• Week 5: Isiah Pacheco out-snaps Kareem Hunt 39-21

• Week 5: Pacheco runs 20 more routes than Hunt

• Season: Kareem Hunt has out-snapped Pacheco 29-13 in the red zone (10-4 in touches)

The “he’s our guy until we get close” mold of a backfield is as annoying as it gets, but what if I told you that the franchise quarterback is tracking for a career year in scramble count? Or that an intriguing rookie RB has a red zone touch in consecutive weeks?

I have Pacheco ranked a touch higher than Hunt for the remainder of the season, but you can’t possibly play either with any level of confidence right now. Hunt is getting his fair share of valuable looks, but we are 10 months removed from his last 15-touch regular season game, making him a touchdown-reliant player and nothing else.

Kenneth Gainwell | PIT

Kenneth Gainwell started in Ireland before Pittsburgh went on bye last week and looked good in doing so (134 yards and two touchdowns on 25 touches in a 24-21 win over the Vikings). Kaleb Johnson was, theoretically, drafted to be the lead man in this backfield looking forward, but there are no real signs of that being in the cards for 2023.

The Steelers brought Gainwell this offseason as a complementary piece. While I still assume that to be his role when Jaylen Warren (knee) is healthy enough to play, there’s no denying that the former Eagles back showed well for himself with an extended run in Week 4.

This isn’t a full-blown committee, and the replication of skill sets between Warren and Gainwell further muddies the waters. Still, I do think he’s worth rostering (he’s widely available due to limited work through three weeks (23 touches, 3.7 yards per touch and the Week 5 bye).

This offense is far from perfect, but it is predictable: low-octane, rewarding those whom Rodgers trusts. Gainwell shouldn’t be considered a flex option when Warren is active, but he’s a valuable handcuff and could move atop this depth chart should efficiency in the run game continue to be an option.

Kenneth Walker III | SEA

Death, taxes, and this Seattle situation.

Zach Charbonnet is going to out-snap Kenneth Walker III and cash in on short carries, regardless of what the ladder shows.

They’ve shared a field for three games over the past month, and in those contests, Walker has 42 carries for 272 yards (6.5 yards per carry). The new version of this offense isn’t capitalizing on the versatility of their most explosive back (who has exactly one reception in four straight games, a stretch that includes the game Charbonnet missed), and that’s a problem.

If we could count on 15-20 carries, I’d be willing to overlook the limitations in the pass game, but we can’t. In a game where the Seahawks scored 35 points, Walker touched the ball 11 times despite running hard.

I have Walker ranked ahead of Charbonnet because that’s how I approach things like this: give me the upside case, even if the touch projection lags slightly behind. He enters Week 6 as my RB22, just ahead of Alvin Kamara, but behind rookies like Cam Akers and Quinshon Judkins, who have their arrow pointing up.

Kimani Vidal | LAC

Kimani Vidal is a 24-year-old with 53 NFL touches on his resume, but he’s a name you need to know now with Omarion Hampton set to miss at least a month after being placed on IR with an ankle injury.

He and Haskins will split the vacated role. Vidal is more suited to pick up the work in the passing game (92 catches during his collegiate career). That’s not to say he can’t mix it up between the tackles (he’s only 13 pounds lighter than Haskins, despite a six-inch height difference), but a committee approach, playing to each RB’s strength, is the most likely outcome.

It wouldn’t shock me if Vidal is the more valuable of these two replacement options over the next month, but it would surprise me a little if that were the case on Sunday, with a game script more favorable to the run being my expectation.

Both Bolts are priority adds and strong DFS punt options, but neither is a must-start in redraft leagues where there are only two teams on a bye.

Kyren Williams | LAR

There are a few things that feel better than jumping out to a big lead in your matchup in the first game of the week.

Kyren Williams was the focal point of everything for the Rams on Thursday night in the upset loss at the hands of the 49ers, racking up 131 yards of offense and scoring twice. His eight catches give him as many in October as in September, and while the rushing was a slog for much of the night, a late 20-yarder helped save the day in that regard.

And it could have been even better.

Williams lost a fumble for the second straight game, this one coming on a last-second punch-out with a touchdown in sight. As if the potential game-losing play wasn’t bad enough, he was stuffed on a fourth-and-one to officially end the game, a drive that had the potential to end in a third touchdown for Williams.

Those missed opportunities leave the door open for the Blake Corum experience, one that seemed to be on thin ice after he mishandled a pitch on his second opportunity of the contest. On Thursday night, Williams played 90.6% of the offensive snaps, a specific spike from his 73% rate through four weeks.

The latter snap share seems more predictive than the first, but you’re splitting hairs. Personally, I’m not a big Williams fan. I don’t trust the target volume that we saw this week, and the lack of efficiency on the ground is a real problem. That said, he’s a starter in all formats as the trusted RB in an above-average offense.

But if you can cash in this chip for a fringe RB1 the rest of the way, I do it and I don’t think twice.

Michael Carter | ARI

How many running backs project for a more inclusive Week 6 workload than Michael Carter?

Seriously, think about it.

Last week, the first since the Trey Benson injury, Michael Carter handled 72% of Arizona’s rushing attempts while also leading the team in receptions with five.

If that were the end of the story, I’d be on board with the role, but there’s obviously more to consider.

Against the Titans in the embarrassing loss, Bam Knight’s four carries netted 11 yards, and Emari Demarcado thought it was sharp to let go of the ball before crossing the goal line for a touchdown on his third carry.

Carter wasn’t anything special (51 yards on 18 carries and 22 yards on his five receptions), but he was one of the top 10 usage running backs for the week and is more likely to see an uptick than anything in this spot against the overachieving Colts.

Efficiency could be an issue (IND: seventh fewest rush yards allowed to RBs after first contact), but projectable volume at this level is hard to find outside of the first-round talents. With the versatility (roughly one catch for every three carries across his career) and bulletproof role, Carter is an RB2 for me, and that’s without me expecting anything special on a per-touch basis.

Miles Sanders | DAL

Miles Sanders missed the second half of Week 4’s tie against the Packers, and the ankle injury cost him last week.

That allowed Jaydon Blue to work his way into the mix, and he responded by gaining seven yards on four carries.

If you want to bet against Javonte Williams, I still think Sanders is the way to do it (multiple receptions in three straight games), but I don’t think that’s necessary at this point. He hasn’t averaged four yards per carry for a season since his time with the Eagles, and an injury like this, along with a rookie waiting in the wings, isn’t exactly the profile I want for my handcuff.

There are five to ten players on your waiver wire that have a clearer path to your lineup than Sanders, and I may be undershooting it.

Ollie Gordon II | MIA

If you were still holding out hope that Ollie Gordon would work into a role with standalone value, last week should have killed those hopes.

The rookie played just 26.4% of the snaps in a game where the ‘Fins jumped out to a lead against a team struggling at similar levels. Through five weeks, Gordon has run 21 times for 58 yards and has shown very little promise.

He’s thought of as a bruiser (zero or fewer receiving yards in four of five games), and for that skill set to be interesting in our game, he has to be heavily featured. At this point, I’m not positive that Gordon would be a top 20 RB even if Achane were out of the mix, and that puts him squarely on the chopping block should you run into depth concerns.

Omarion Hampton | LAC

We got the news we feared would come down after seeing Omarion Hampton in a walking boot following the 27-10 loss to the Commanders in Week 5, and that was that the rookie will miss at least the next four games due to the ankle injury he suffered in the fourth quarter.

The Chargers have six games between this news and their bye, making a return to performance timetable of eight weeks potentially more likely. This is obviously a huge injury, as Hampton was gaining his footing as the bellcow in this backfield and flashing upside on a routine basis.

All is not lost. Los Angeles is likely to remain competitive during his absence, and even if we have to wait until Week 13 to feel good about plugging Hampton back into lineups, there’s a matchup against the Raiders just waiting for us.

Not to mention a date with the Cowboys in Week 16. There’s still a world in which Hampton can be a key cog in your run to a title; he’s just not going to be nearly as involved in getting you there as previously hoped.

Quinshon Judkins | CLE

That’s 18+ carries in three straight games and 60+ rushing yards in all four of his career games. In fact, with at least one reception in each game, Quinshon Judkins joined some pretty elite company when it comes to opening a career with four straight such games:

• LaDainian Tomlinson

• Adrian Peterson

• Chris Johnson

• Dalvin Cook

• Kareem Hunt

I don’t think his fantasy stock is going to touch what those five did, but the floor is remarkably high for a rookie as a part of a brutal situation.

It’s hard to blame you for feeling uncomfortable in starting any member of this offense, but if you’re benching Judkins, you’re doing it wrong.

Rachaad White | TB

We kind of know what Rachaad White is at this point, don’t we?

Through 55 career games, the 26-year-old is averaging 3.8 yards per carry while hauling in 89.4% of his targets.

He’s not a current-day Theo Riddick because he’s had moments where he’s been trusted with high levels of volume on the ground, but in terms of a strengths and weaknesses profile, it’s a similar look.

White was the lead back on Sunday in Bucky Irving’s absence (shoulder) and will be again this week. That role, paired with his savvy in the passing game, makes him a starter in most formats, but understand that the 14 carries for 41 yards from last week isn’t exactly an outlier.

If he can cash in the short carries, there is low-end RB1 potential to chase. The floor is enough to operate with confidence, especially after a week in this situation where Sean Tucker wasn’t a major factor.

I don’t think White has much of a chance to take work off of Irving’s plate long-term, but as long as the shoulder is bothering the starter, you’ve got a weekly asset on your hands, especially in PPR formats.

Ray Davis | BUF

Ray Davis probably has a future in this league as a grinder, but asking him to work his way into any sort of complementary role in this version of the Bills offense is unwise.

His snap share has failed to clear 11% in four of five games this season (the Week 2 blowout of the Jets being the lone exception), and I actually think that’s a good thing for his fantasy stock.

There’s zero temptation to wedge him into your lineup as things stand right now, and there’s value in not having to make a decision. It also means that Buffalo is committed to a bellcow backfield, something that plays well should Davis see his number be called.

There’s contingent value as one of the five most sought-after handcuffs in the league, but this is the type of player who is living on the fringe of your roster and can be cut should you find yourself in need of immediate help.

Rhamondre Stevenson | NE

“What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.”

The football equivalent, in most locker rooms, is “what doesn’t kill possessions makes us stronger,” an ideology that Mike Vrabel seems hellbent on challenging.

I’m not sure if he’s stubborn or what, but at this point, it feels like every Rhamondre Stevenson fumble gives him life. It gives him a platform to stand and preach about the importance of having the back of the guy next to you.

In theory, it has served as a rallying point, and it has worked for a Patriots team that is back in the AFC East mix. Stevenson managers are certainly thankful for the loyalty, and with Antonio Gibson done for the season, there’s a pretty clear path for his touch count to move from 10 to 14-16.

But is that in the best interest of this team?

Personally, I need more than a 7.9% big rush rate to overlook the ball security issues, especially with a high-pedigree prospect waiting in the wings. Through five weeks, Stevenson has been on the field for 53.3% of New England’s red zone snaps (Gibson: 24.4% and TreVeyon Henderson: 22.2%), a role that he seems to have in hand.

I continue to think that Henderson is the best bet for winter production that could swing your fantasy postseason, but with each passing week, I soften that stance. At this point, the most likely outcome is that none of these backs are viable every week, and that’s disappointing given the trajectory of this offense.

Even in a strong matchup, I’m not confident that either RB reaches 15 touches, and therefore, both are ranked outside of my top 25 at the position.

Rico Dowdle | CAR

Peak behind the curtain:

“Wow, 97 scrimmage yards in the first half for Rico Dowdle. Save for if he falls off after the half but still has strong counting numbers.”

That was a note I jotted down in real time during the Panthers game last week.

As it turns out, it was noteworthy, but for a different reason: he was better in the second half of the win over the Dolphins!

When all was said and done, the Chuba Hubbard replacement racked up 234 yards of offense and was the fantasy story of the week.

Now what? We saw him clear 1,000 rushing yards with Dallas last season, but that was more of a volume thing than anything impressive talent-wise (3.7% production below expectation). He certainly looked the part of a game-changer last week (+62.8%), though the opponent should be noted.

I’m not sure the performance was overly predictive for Dowdle. But with Hubbard (calf) entering this week with a ‘day-to-day’ plan and another ultra-enticing matchup ahead (sixth most PPR RB points allowed), we might get a chance to use him for another week with top-20 expectations.

Carolina’s lead back has gotten his hands on the ball at least 19 times in three of five games, and because I think this game will be competitive, such a projection is very possible for Dowdle should Hubbard miss another game.

If that’s not the case, we might be looking at a 60/40 type of split in a below-average offense where you’re not comfortable playing either.

RJ Harvey | DEN

I think we need to put an “ignore all Bengal games” data filter when doing research.

RJ Harvey looked good in the Week 4 win over Cincinnati and played 41.3% of snaps as Sean Payton got him some valuable live reps. It was encouraging, but with a 21.4% snap rate over the weekend in Philadelphia, it was hardly predictive.

He’s caught 3+ passes in three straight games, and the versatile profile is one I’m holding onto, given Dobbins’ track record of making it through an entire season. Still, I’m throwing in the towel on thinking that there is a chance at standalone value here outside of an injury.

Saquon Barkley | PHI

Everything worked away from Saquon Barkley last week against the Broncos. Philadelphia had the ball for less than 26 minutes, couldn’t extend drives (two-of-11 on third down), and nearly half (48.6%) of Jalen Hurts’ targets went to his top two receivers.

That’s the world in which Barkley can fail. That’s the hyper-niche situation where one of the premier talents in this game can fall flat.

It didn’t happen.

He scored from 47 yards out on a pass, his first 20-yard gain of the season and a reminder of what he was doing weekly just a season ago.

I talked about it last week, and I’m not moving off of it: I’m just as in on Barkley’s profile now as I was two months ago. He’s caught 17 passes already (33 last season), and I trust the efficiency on the ground to recover, something that would put him back in the top five discussion at the position.

There is some “general soreness” for Philly’s bellcow entering this short week, so make sure you’re by your phone as we near kickoff, but as long as he plays, you play him and feel great about it.

Sean Tucker | TB

There was some speculation that the Buccaneers would opt for a committee to replace Irving, and that Sean Tucker’s hard-nosed running style could be a sneaky source of value.

After one week, I think we can safely say that Tampa Bay is content with White handling the majority of the work, thus making Tucker a player that can be rostered in deeper formats, but doesn’t need to be prioritized.

The third-year man out of Syracuse played just 20.7% of the snaps in Seattle last week and saw his six touches net a total of -1 yard.

If Tucker is going to see his role increase, it would likely be the result of a one-sided game in favor of the Bucs, and that’s not how I see this game playing out. White is the superior player in the passing game, and until he gives the team a reason to pivot, he should again be featured in what amounts to the Irving role, but with less upside.

Tony Pollard | TEN

Not all players on your roster are there to determine your fate.

Tony Pollard has 16+ carries or three catches in all five weeks this season, and while his per-touch production is limited and the scoring equity capped by those around him, there is value in work, and we are getting that consistently.

The Titans were competitive last week, and that helped Pollard score 14.8 PPR points, despite losing his second fumble of the season. Tyjae Spears handled four touches in his return to action, and while he stands to be more involved as the season wears on, Pollard is entrenched as the bellcow in this offense, and that’ll keep him in the low-end RB2 conversation for as long as he’s healthy.

A second straight favorable matchup looks good for his projection and has him safely in the starting tier of running backs for me across all formats, even if his range of outcomes is relatively narrow.

Travis Etienne Jr. | JAX

Travis Etienne has been RB21 or better in four of five weeks, earning multiple targets in every game. The usage appears safe now that the Bhasyal Tuten hype train has come to a halt (33 total yards over the past two weeks), and this Jaguars offense looked solid against the Chiefs on Monday night.

If we are picking nits, I have two that I can’t shake.

In the upset win over Kansas City, Trevor Lawrence’s legs were the most dangerous part of their offense, and should they lean more into that moving forward, a role for Etienne with a 16-touch ceiling, not expectation, is certainly a downgrade.

The more pressing concern for me is the boom/bust nature of his game this season.

The volume in the passing game is good to see, but he’s yet to reach 20 receiving yards in a game this season, so there are only so many points to pick up there.

As a runner, he’s hit three home runs, and I’ll grant you that three in five weeks is impressive, but they are tough to project. Without those three runs, he’s just under four yards per carry.

Those minor red flags by themselves aren’t enough to make me sweat, but when combined, we have an issue.

I’m not suggesting a sell-high, but his profile has my attention as one to monitor moving forward, rather than simply assuming he’s a top 15 RB going forward.

TreVeyon Henderson | NE

With multiple catches in every game this season and a few sparks, you can’t cut ties with TreVeyon Henderson, but the Patriots have made it annoyingly clear that they are willing to ride-and-die with Rhamondre Stevenson.

The starting running back put the ball on the grass again last week, and Vrabel insisted that he work through it, not in the upcoming week in practice, but on the upcoming drive.

They upset the Bills in Buffalo, so it’s hard to imagine that any lasting damage was done from yet another turnover. Henderson is going to continue to be on the wrong end of this committee, and if he’s not getting enough work to prove himself (47 touches through five weeks), it’s hard to see the touch distribution change in a meaningful way.

The schedule is awfully light for New England over the next two months: if Henderson ever gets his chance to shine, there’s a real chance he does, and that’s why I’m not considering anything but holding the 38th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Trey Benson | ARI

We knew that there was a knee thing bugging Trey Benson coming out of Week 4, but we got news last Wednesday that arthroscopic surgery was required and that a trip to IR was a decision made by the team.

Initial reporting suggests that Benson may return when first eligible in Week 10 against the Seahawks, good news for those who had hoped that, following the James Conner injury, they would have a bellcow at a bargain.

READ MORE: What Happened to Trey Benson? Revisiting the Cardinals RB’s Injury and When He’ll Return

Game script factored in, but he wasn’t used in the same dominating fashion that Conner was, more serving as the plus-side of a low-end committee than a true feature back.

That’s about what I’m expecting when he comes back, though this window does give Michael Carter a good chance to prove capable of handling more two-down work, including a juicy matchup in Week 9 with the Cowboys.

Before landing on IR, Benson had back-to-back 13-touch efforts, both coming in losses. The volume isn’t going to overwhelm, though I do think he’s the favorite to end this season with the lead role in an above-average offense that will benefit from a game against the Bengals in Week 17.

I’m holding and considering a low-ball trade offer, should the manager with Benson be fighting to keep their season on track.

Tyjae Spears | TEN

Tyjae Spears missed September with an ankle injury and returned last week to essentially spell Tony Pollard.

He finished with a 26.2% snap share and accounted for only four of Tennessee’s 22 running back touches, but all reports suggest he made it through his season debut without any sort of flare-up.

That’s obviously good news, but for a running back averaging under 10 touches per game for his career, asking him to impact your fantasy roster is a bit of a long shot. You waited out the injury, so I understand wanting to see a few games. But if this week looks like last, moving on could well be the right move, as roster spots become increasingly valuable the deeper we get into the season.

Tyler Allgeier | ATL

I remain steadfast in my belief that Tyler Allgeier is one of the 32 best running backs in the NFL, but that doesn’t matter if you’re playing behind a top-five guy, and that’s the situation in Atlanta.

Allgeier has been handed the ball 10+ times in every game this season besides the 30-0 loss to the Panthers. He owns a very narrow range of outcomes, and that can be useful in ultra-specific spots, but with just two teams on a bye, hopefully Week 6 isn’t one of those spots for you.

He’s one of my three favorite handcuffs in the game, but that doesn’t mean he’s holding standalone value in most situations.

Tyrone Tracy Jr. | NYG

They tell young kids that you can’t lose your job due to injury, and in amateur athletics, I’m all here for that messaging.

This isn’t that.

Tyrone Tracy is set to return, but the role he left behind is likely not his to reclaim.

I’m keeping Tracy rostered if for no other reason than Skattebo runs like a maniac and that carries injury potential of its own, but with this franchise giving the keys to Jaxson Dart, the youth movement is underway, and while Tracy isn’t old even by running back standards, he’s more than two years older than Skattebo, and that matters.

Tracy is a good player, but at 3.1 yards per carry this year, it’s not as if what he’s doing can’t be replicated. I think we are looking at a committee that lowers the floor of both backs to a point where there is risk of finishing outside of the top 35 in a matchup where cracking the top 20 with only two teams on a bye was always going to be difficult.

Personally, I think it’s Skattebo or bust this week. My read on this situation may change in Week 7, after we see just how healthy Tracy is and give him an extended week to recover. For now, I’m giving Skattebo 60-65% of the work and with a quarterback that is going to account for plenty of work on the ground, that leaves Tracy on the outside looking in at my flex tier in all formats.

Zach Charbonnet | SEA

The three highest snap share games in this backfield all belong to Zach Charbonnet this season (58% in Week 1, 57.4% in Week 5, and 54.7% in Week 2), and he’s found paydirt in three of four contests.

He was fortunate to get into the end zone against the Buccaneers over the weekend, as he cashed in a five-yard carry after Kenneth Walker III ripped off a 31-yard gain to put Seattle on the doorstep.

We complain weekly about the usage rates of this backfield, but should we? Charbonnet has 9-12 carries in three games this season and … doesn’t have a touch gaining more than 15 yards.

Why would we expect this to be anything but a full-blown committee?

Walker has a 20+ yard rush in three straight games with Charbonnet by his side, and yet, the Seahawks aren’t comfortable extending him. We’ve got three finishes in the mid-20s at the position from Charbonnet thus far, and that’s where he falls for me this weekend against a Jaguars team on a short work week.