With all the stars on bye, let's take a look at who you should, and shouldn't, be starting this week at the running back position.
There are some surprising names in the top 12, and definitely in the RB13-24 range, due to how many top-tier and even secondary backs that are resting this week. Add in the IR, COVID-19, and/or limited guys...it shakes things up. Predicting workloads becomes near impossible, but here are the projected top 24. Basically, if you have these guys, roll them out in your RB1 and RB2 slots.
*orange denotes TNF participant
Elijiah Mitchell has the best shot of production in San Francisco, and though Vegas's Josh Jacobs ceded two scores to Kenyan Drake in week 6, he still is the volume back in Vegas. After a strong week 6 showing, Leonard Fournette is a solid play at home against the Bears.
Cordarrelle Patterson has been a huge surprise this year, creating value from the RB position yet lining up on the field at WR when he isn't in the backfield. Double the fun.
We still don't know if Antonio Gibson will play, and if he will be limited to 12 touches again even if he does. James Conner and Chase Edmonds both have favorable matchups for different reasons out of the same backfield, and due to lack of options they sneak into the RB2 conversation.
Khalil Herbert shouldered the load last week and despite a tough matchup with Tampa this week, he becomes a solid RB2 even if Damien Williams clears Covid protocols.
Miles Sanders dominated the snap count in the Philly backfield last week over rookie Kenneth Gainwell, and profiles to do the same again although that doesn't guarantee fantasy points in a risky matchup against the Raiders.
AJ Dillon slides into the top 24 along with Aaron Jones due to his touchdown upside in a game where both backs profile to see usage.
Mike Davis sees the volume to put him in the low-end RB2 mix, even though the chance of a terrible outing is certainly lurking, as Patterson so far has been the one stealing the big plays in the backfield. The Denver backs once again shared the snaps Thursday night and both scored, which salvaged mediocre outings against the Browns for both.
Wide receivers dominate the flex rankings this week, but if you are in need of an RB3-level guy, or just super weak at WR, let's take a look at the next 24 RBs. #25-#36 are considered RB3/situational flex "starts".
Again, these "Ball 'Em" suggestions are merely for desperate situations, and mainly in PPR formats where some receptions or a lucky score can vault these guys into the top-24.
JD McKissic and especially Jaret Patterson are interesting plays if Gibson is out or limited. Patterson is much more a Gibson-type RB than McKissic, so the rookie could surprise if given the chance.
The Baltimore backfield is cloudy but several will be productive and I like Devonta Freeman and Le'Veon Bell better than Latavius Murray dealing with an ankle, and Ty'Son Williams coming back into the mix as well.
We can't expect Kenyan Drake to replicate his fantasy performance from a week ago, but the upside exists against Philly.
Nyheim Hines is in a situation where he could have enough air yardage to give him value in a matchup against the 49ers.
Michael Carter, Devontae Booker, and Mark Ingram II will see the lion's share of the work on their teams, but that doesn't mean they will be effective. All three face tough defenses in week 7 and purely make the "Ball 'Em" list because, well, someone has to carry the rock, and volume = relevancy (usually).
Sleepers: Rashaad Penny is expected to come off IR, so look for him to get involved with Carson out. Alex Collins breaks easily, and DeeJay Dallas looks to get the third down work, but a 100% Penny could surprise fantasy managers with the volume he sees.
Rhamondre Stevenson got his first touchdown last week and was heavily involved in the passing game as well. With starter Damien Harris already experiencing injury woes, Stevenson will get more opportunities especially in the red zone against the Jets, as he is a larger-bodied back with real power. New England’s next LaGarrette Blount perhaps? (Stevenson isn’t quite that big).
Damien Williams is a great play with similar or even greater value as teammate Khalil Herbert, if he clears the Covid list and is 100%. Confidence seems shaky at best on his availability, so we will keep an eye on the injury reports coming out of Chicago. The Bears are on the road this week so Williams will likely have to clear protocols by Friday in order to travel with the team.
Ball ‘Em Bench ‘Em Wide Receivers is a doozy, and coming soon.
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