Week 4 Running Back Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: James Robinson to Run Wild in Week 4

Want to see more articles like this one? Our NFL fantasy football section has all of the information you need to dominate your fantasy league this year. Make sure to check out the fantasy football section, along with the NFL matchup section to get the most updated information for this NFL season. In this article, I will be discussing who to start and who to sit at the running back position for fantasy football.

Start ‘Em

James Robinson has been taking advantage of his backfield’s injuries and lack of talent. The undrafted rookie is ranked fifth in total fantasy points among running backs this season and will continue to do that against the Cincinnati Bengals, who have one of the worst rushing defenses in the league. The fact that Robinson gets plenty of rushing attempts and is included in the passing game is a huge advantage for his value too. I would certainly start him next week and going forward as a solid RB2 fantasy starter and possible flex for owners that picked him up or drafted him at a low value.

Myles Gaskin has certainly been productive this season and is ranked 22nd in total fantasy points this season. He gets a plethora of touches in the Miami backfield, including a large 22 last week, but he also produces in the passing game too. He has averaged five receptions per game through three weeks and 30 yards receiving. He has a low value because his offense and the offensive line is certainly below-average in the NFL. However, he has the talent and versatility to be a solid fantasy running back with his low value in fantasy football. Next week, Miami faces the Seattle Seahawks, who have a very solid defense, but I think he will be important in Miami putting up a fight against one of the best teams in the league. Seattle has let up a lot of points to their opposing teams this season and I expect Gaskin to get his share next week.

Joshua Kelley has been a replacement in the backfield for Justin Jackson due to injury. Meanwhile, Kelley has been the definition of a positive waiver wire play because of the amount of action he sees in the Charger backfield. Last week, the Chargers had a tough week in their loss to the Panthers and Kelley did not get much action because they passed the ball an absurd amount with Herbert. Next week, the Chargers face a tough game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are looking for an easy win. The Bucs have a lackluster rushing defense and an above-average passing defense, giving a nice opportunity for Kelley to perform in the backfield while Ekeler works in the passing game. Kelley is another great option to start in week four as a possible RB2/high ceiling flex option for fantasy teams.

Devin Singletary took advantage of his handcuff, Zack Moss, being out due to injury last week against the Rams. Singeltary had 13 carries for 71 yards and 4 receptions for 50 yards against the Rams. Singletary has been tied down in fantasy due to the Bills’ insistence on playing rookie Zack Moss in the backfield. Moss is still questionable this week and even if he plays, he will most likely be on a snap count. The Bills go up against the Las Vegas Raiders next week, who have allowed the most fantasy points to running backs this season. Look for Devin Singletary to get a healthy number of touches and get his first score of the season, to be a high ceiling RB2 in week four.

Adrian Peterson and the Detroit Lions are coming off an impressive win against the Arizona Cardinals in week three. Peterson has been taking most of the workload in the backfield as he took 22 carries last week for the Lions. He has shown he can still be explosive and produce for fantasy owners this season. The Lions go against the Saints, who have a below-average rushing defense and a solid passing defense that will make the Lions rely on Peterson in week four. I like Adrian Peterson as a solid flex option with possible RB2 potential for week four.

Sit ‘Em

Rex Burkhead had a monster game last week scoring 34.8 fantasy points and putting him in 16th place on the season for total running back fantasy points. He certainly shined in the Patriots’ backfield, but I would not start him for week four. The Patriots’ backfield is always very unpredictable, and I see this performance as a one-time occurrence for Burkhead. He has never really been a consistent fantasy player, and I do not anticipate him repeating last week’s performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in week four.

David Johnson has been a reliable RB2 thus far in the season while getting consistent touches and making use of them for the Texans. The Texans have struggled greatly this season on both sides of the ball and David Johnson has been a solid cushion for their offense. Next week the Texans play the Steelers, who have one of the best defenses in the league, especially rushing. If you can, I would not start David Johnson next week because of the hard defense they will face. I think Johnson will be a solid fantasy asset this season once their schedule lightens up.

Antonio Gibson has certainly proved me wrong as a solid fantasy running back this season. I was certainly skeptical in his potential after it looked like Petyon Barber might run the backfield, however, he has produced off of his minimal carries. He has been in the end zone once in each of his last two games and sees a decent amount of touches for a committee running back. However, this week the Washington Football team will go against the Baltimore Ravens, who have an outstanding defense. The Ravens will be looking for redemption after their loss to the Cheifs last week, and I expect Washington to be throwing the ball most of the game. Even in Gibson sees some touches in the backfield, I would not expect him to get too far with them.