In 2024, we have moved away from quarterbacks and wide receivers running the football landscape and returned to the golden years of running backs forging the path to fantasy football success.
This year, two players who have helped teams win in the early portion of 2024 are Zach Charbonnet and Rhamondre Stevenson. Both players have been incredible while working with a teammate who can dominate from the backfield. Our only job as fantasy managers is to figure out which player is better in Week 4.
Let’s break down each player’s situation in Week 4 to see who can guide us to a fantasy football victory.
Should You Start Zach Charbonnet or Rhamondre Stevenson in Week 4?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say that Stevenson and Charbonnet will score 9.9 fantasy points in Week 4. Charbonnet is slated for 42.3 rushing yards, while Stevenson is meant to produce 43.8. Charbonnet is projected to outproduce Stevenson by almost six yards through the air.
This combination of running backs will be a close call. However, Charbonnet is the correct choice for your fantasy football team in Week 4. The only risk with Charbonnet is that Kenneth Walker III has begun to practice again and could completely derail his stellar season if he returns this week.
Charbonnet’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Without Walker, Charbonnet would have been a fine glass of Chardonnay. TruMedia ranks Charbonnet 14th among NFL running backs this season in yards after contact per rushing attempt. He has helped shed his “plodder” title and shown us that he can create and be a playmaker just like Walker. The ace up his sleeve has been his volume.
Without the volume in a tough matchup, we can be at risk of a challenging finish for the Seattle Seahawks running back. With Charbonnet, you know you have the running back who is being used at the goal line. His three rushing touchdowns are fifth-best in the NFL this season. With or without Walker, Charbonnet has earned the right to be utilized in a more even snap share in the Seahawks backfield.
Zach Charbonnet fantasy owners are having a nice day.
📺: #MIAvsSEA on CBS/Paramount
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/JiHsRk0k1L— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
Stevenson’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Stevenson has become the lone bright spot inside the New England Patriots’ offense. His 224 rushing yards are the 10th-highest in the NFL. Stevenson sees less than a yard before contact but produces 3.58 yards after contact per rush to show off his playmaker side. This total has him ranked 10th overall among running backs in the NFL.
This week, the Patriots face a challenging opponent, the San Francisco 49ers. This defensive unit has only allowed 274 rushing yards this season. The same unit struggles with running backs in the passing game, allowing the 10th-most receiving yards to the position.
Stevenson will have his share in the passing game, but Antonio Gibson will also be utilized in this position and eat into Stevenson’s totals. With the challenging opponent and sharing of the backfield in the passing game, this is not the week to expect ceiling outcomes for the Patriots running back.