As we head into Week 5 there are just two teams that haven’t given up a rushing TD to a RB: the Patriots and the 49ers. The Ravens, who have a reputation for having a stout defense, give up an average of 5.38 YPC, and have yielded the most rushing TDs to RBs (6). The Texans have given up the most receptions to RBs (34), and the Dolphins have given up the most TD receptions to the position (4). The Bears have a legit run defense that made Vikings RB Dalvin Cook look average. The Packers have given up 5.30 YPC this season and let Eagles RB Jordan Howard look like an RB1 as he scored three TDs against them this week. Here’s some more:

Kansas City Chiefs

Damien Williams returned to practice this week could be active for Sunday night’s matchup against the Colts. LeSean McCoy is dealing with an ankle issue but if he’s active as expected, he and Williams should split carries. Darrel Williams would be the biggest loser if both Williams and McCoy are a full go this Sunday. Follow this situation closely as game time approaches.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers kind of played us a little bit last week. Melvin Gordon was active, but didn’t play a single snap. That should change this week. Gordon might not be the Chargers’ lead back this week, but with Justin Jackson out, he should have a semi-significant role in the Chargers offense against the Broncos. The Broncos just got carved up by Leonard Fournette in Week 4 for 225 rushing yards and are giving up 4.75 YPC on the season. You’re probably safer playing Austin Ekeler than Gordon in fantasy this week. However, Gordon owners should monitor the news coming out of L.A.

New York Giants

There’s been some speculation that Saquon Barkley could possibly return to action in Week 6 against the Patriots. The instillation of Daniel Jones as the team’s QB seems to have reinvigorated the entire franchise and Barkley has been very vocal about wanting to get back on the playing field as quickly as possible. In the meantime, Wayne Gallman will be the Giants’ lead back this week but stay tuned!

Pittsburgh Steelers

Both James Conner and Jaylen Samuels had a productive Week 4. That kind of makes sense, since they were playing the Bengals who’ve given up eight total TDs to RBs, and the most fantasy points to the position. However, it was ironic that each had 10 carries and eight receptions. At 0-3, the Steelers’ backs were up against the wall. With rookie QB Mason Rudolph having gotten off to a slow start in his first two NFL games, they looked outside the box and used an offensive scheme that took advantage of Samuels’ dynamic skillset and incorporated wild cat and jet sweep action. With Conner dealing with an ankle issue which caused him to miss practice this week, if he does play, he’s probably not going to be at 100%. The Steelers would be wise to attack the Ravens with a heavy dose of Samuels this week. Remember, the Ravens showed they’re vulnerable to the run after they gave up 165 rushing yards and three TDs to Nick Chubb last week. If we get another big week from Samuels, look for him to have a significant role in the Steelers offense going forward.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ronald Jones rushed a season high 19 times in Week 4 against the Rams and out snapped Peyton Barber 36 to 19. He also rushed for 5.71 YPC in Week 3. Jones has been the more productive back of the two over the past two weeks and it seems as if we’re starting to see him develop into the more dominant RB in the Buccaneers’ backfield. The Bucs face the Saints who haven’t given up too many fantasy points to RBs, but they have yielded a 4.25 YPC against to the position. Keep an eye on Jones’ usage this week. 

Team

Primary RB

Change of Pace

3rd Down Back

Handcuff

IR/PUP/Susp./Holdout/Injured

Arizona Cardinals

David Johnson

 

 

Chase Edmonds

 

Atlanta Falcons

Devonta Freeman

Ito Smith

 

Ito Smith

 

Baltimore Ravens

Mark Ingram

Justice Hill

 

Gus Edwards

 

Buffalo Bills

Frank Gore

Devin Singletary

T.J. Yeldon

Devin Singeltary

 

Carolina Panthers

Christian McCaffrey

Jordan Scarlett 

 

Jordan Scarlett/Reggie Bonnafon

 

Chicago Bears

David Montgomery

Mike Davis

Tarik Cohen

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Mixon

 

Giovani Bernard

Giovani Bernard

 

Cleveland Browns

Nick Chubb

Dontrelle Hilliard

D’Ernest Johnson

Dontrelle Hilliard

 Kareem Hunt

Dallas Cowboys

Ezekiel Elliott

 

 

Tony Pollard

 

Denver Broncos

Phillip Lindsay

Royce Freeman

 

Royce Freeman

 

Detroit Lions

Kerryon Johnson

Ty Johnson

J.D. McKissic

Ty Johnson

 

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Jones

 

 

Jamaal Williams

 

Houston Texans

Duke Johnson

 Carlos Hyde

 

Carlos Hyde

Lamar Miller

Indianapolis Colts

Marlon Mack

Jordan Wilkins

Nyheim Hines

Jordan Wilkins

 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Leonard Fournette

 

 

Ryquell Armstead

Alfred Blue

Kansas City Chiefs

LeSean McCoy

Damien Williams

Darrel Williams

LeSean McCoy Darrel Williams

Damien Williams

Los Angeles Chargers

Austin Ekeler

Melvin Gordon

 

Melvin Gordon

Justin Jackson

Los Angeles Rams

Todd Gurley

  

Malcolm Brown

 

Miami Dolphins

Kenyan Drake

Kalen Ballage

 

Kalen Ballage

 

Minnesota Vikings

Dalvin Cook

 

 

Alexander Mattison

 

New England Patriots

Sony Michel

Rex Burkhead

James White

Damien Harris

James Develin

New Orleans Saints

Alvin Kamara

 

 

Latavius Murray

 

New York Giants

Wayne Gallman

Elijhaa Penny

 

Elijhaa Penny

Rod Smith , Saquon Barkley

New York Jets

Le’Veon Bell

 

 

Ty Montgomery

 

Oakland Raiders

Josh Jacobs

DeAndre Washington

Jalen Richard

DeAndre Washington /Jalen Richard

 

Philadelphia Eagles

Jordan Howard

Miles Sanders

Darren Sproles

Miles Sanders

 

Pittsburgh Steelers

James Conner

Jaylen Samuels

 Jaylen Samuels

Jaylen Samuels

 

San Francisco 49ers

Matt Breida

Raheem Mostert

Jeff Wilson

Raheem Mostert

Jerick McKinnon , Tevin Coleman

Seattle Seahawks

Chris Carson

Rashaad Penny

C.J. Prosise

 

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ronald Jones

Peyton Barber

Dare Ogunbowale

Peyton Barber

 

Tennessee Titans

Derrick Henry

 

 Dion Lewis

Dion Lewis

 

Washington Redskins

Adrian Peterson

 

Chris Thompson

Wendell Smallwood

Derrius Guice