The Running Back Landscape

Week 4 has arrived, and it’s been a rollercoaster ride for fantasy managers, especially when it comes to the RB position. Injuries and surprises have left many scratching their heads, wondering who they can trust. Christian McCaffrey is a no-brainer start if he’s healthy, but beyond that, it’s been a wild ride.

Austin Ekeler and Saquon Barkley are battling injuries, and star RBs like Nick Chubb and Derek Henry are out of commission. It’s safe to say that the RB landscape is undergoing a transformation. But fear not, I’m here to guide you through it.

Start Em

Start ‘Em: Alexander Madison vs. Carolina Panthers
Alexander Madison of the Minnesota Vikings is my first must-start recommendation. Madison is coming off an impressive performance against the Chargers, where he racked up 90 rushing yards and added 32 receiving yards. In Week 4, he faces the Carolina Panthers, who have struggled against RBs, allowing both rushing and receiving touchdowns. Madison’s 80% snap rate is a clear indicator of his role in the offense.

However, Madison needs to work on securing the ball better after a few fumbles. Nevertheless, the matchup against the Panthers bodes well for him, and he’s a strong start this week.

Start ‘Em: Damen Pierce vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Damen Pierce of the Houston Texans is another RB you should consider starting in Week 4. Pierce had a solid outing last week, finding the end zone and earning 14 fantasy points despite limited yardage. This week, he faces the Pittsburgh Steelers, a defense that allowed Josh Jacobs to rush for 80 yards in the previous game and has surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to RBs this season.

Pittsburgh’s defense is currently giving up an average of 131.5 rushing yards per game, which is good news for Pierce. Despite his lower yards per carry average, the volume and matchup make him a valuable start.

Start ‘Em: Kenneth Walker vs. New York Giants
The New York Giants have had their struggles against RBs this season, allowing more than 25 fantasy points per game to the position. They recently faced Christian McCaffrey, who had a solid outing with both rushing and receiving yards. However, Kenneth Walker, the backup RB for the Giants, has been making waves.

Walker impressed with 156 total yards on 21 touches and has already scored multiple times this season. His seven carries inside the 5-yard line show his potential for goal-line work. Against a vulnerable Giants defense, Walker is a strong RB start for Week 4.

Start ‘Em: Ran Johnson vs. Denver Broncos
Chicago needs to get back to its ground game, and Ran Johnson is the man for the job. Johnson averaged an impressive 4.8 yards per attempt on 11 carries in his recent outing. Facing the Denver Broncos, who allowed a whopping 285 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in their last game, Johnson is a must-start this week.

While we can’t expect another historic performance, the Broncos’ vulnerability against the run makes Johnson an attractive option for fantasy managers.