Jonathan Taylor tries to keep the Colts offense on his back, Naje Harris Hail a great game in Indianapolis, and De’Von Achane searches for answers against the Titans.

Other positions: Quarterback | Recipient | Tight End/Kickers/Defense

Week 4 Running Backs

RB comments: Saquon Barkley not only does he lead the NFL in rushing, he also leads in rushing yards above expectations. Not surprising with this small sample size, but Barkley has been both efficient and productive. The Bucs cough up the third-most RB fantasy points through three weeks. …The Breece Hall Facts on the ground are: He has reached 20 touches and scored in all three games. Braelon Allen‘s involvement is a concern, but at a low level for the time being. This is about an offense where there is a lack of places to pass quality touches. For now, I’m going to look at Allen’s “stolen” work as akin to wide receiver targets. … Alvin Kamara is listed with two injuries heading into a juicy Falcons game. Atlanta is somehow one of six defenses that surrender more than 150 rushing yards on a weekly basis. The Saints are favorites on the narrow roads. One dusted Jamal Williams would nonetheless struggle for FLEX’s relevance if Kamara were to sit down. Taysom Hill (chest) returns for week 4. … Bijan Robinson has ‘lost work’ Tyler Allgeier that he can’t play each get it. He can monopolize valuable touches. Robinson has cleared 80 percent of plays in 2-of-3 appearances.

NextGenStats only follows Javonte Williams as facing more loaded boxes than Jordan Mason during the first three weeks. That makes his production all the more impressive, even if it’s not quite what fantasy managers expected. The return of George Kittle would help from both a blocking and pressure relief standpoint. The Pats’ defense is better on the ground than through the air, but that doesn’t matter much when the Niners are 10-point favorites. … Jonathan Taylor shows up in both the raw totals and the efficiency metrics. The Steelers are a bad matchup. They’re also unlikely to pull away from the Colts, leaving plenty of projected volume. …After all that, Kyren Williams is an average of 21 touches. That includes 26 in week 3 in an anything but user-friendly game script. The Bears are more vulnerable on the ground than in the air. … David Montgomery only has one more touch left Jahmyr Gibbs both inside the 20 (9-8) and the five (3-2). He wins the overall touch battle 59-51, but stopping D-Mont is a win for the more efficient, explosive Gibbs.

De’Von Achane‘s nightmare Week 3 still featured 14 touches. I would have to assume this is the low point. It also can’t get worse than Skylar Thompson under center. Even if Raheem Mostert (chest) comes back and Tyler Huntley gets the start, I’ll give Achane the benefit of the doubt for another week at RB1. … Dirk Hendrik is predictably gaining momentum, although the Bills are a much tougher matchup than Dallas. The Ravens are nevertheless home favorites and are theoretically well prepared for the positive Henry game script. The King will remember those of little faith. … The Lions give up by far the fewest RB fantasy points, but they have faced “only” Kyren Williams, Rachaad White and James Conner. Unfortunately for that Zach Charbonnethe will be the worst ‘starter’ they have faced yet. He’s simply getting too many touches to fade, especially for what’s expected to be a high-scoring yet fairly close dome showdown. Charbonnet obviously cannot be started as Kenneth Walker (oblique) finally returns. … The Vikings dominate the run, just like everything else. I would expect a healthy one anyway Jos Jacobs workload as the Pack will likely ease Jordan Love (knee) back into things.

Jaylen Warren (knee) is out and Naje Harris is averaging more than 20 touches per game. You don’t have to like it, but he’s what the best RB2 performance looks like against the Colts’ ragged Run D. … Devin Singletair is another ‘you don’t have to like it’ RB2 against the Cowboys’ worst defense in the league to date. He just has to pray that an avalanche of Daniel Jones turnovers doesn’t end the game too early. … We know the Vikings will try to get it Aaron Jones a touchdown or three in Green Bay. Jones is the RB8 with average PPR points on the young season. … Chuba Hubbard posted a career-high for yards from scrimmage in Bryce Young’s first post with the Panthers. Sometimes things really are that simple. Jonathon Brooks’ return is imminent. For now, Hubbard is an easy RB2 in this revitalized offense. … James Conner will face a leaky Commanders defense in the highest total game of the week. There’s still only so high I can rank a defender who doesn’t catch passes and has to deal with his quarterback’s legs. … Things have gotten bleak Travis Etienne in haste. Being a touchdown underdog against the Texans isn’t a great place for a back who no longer monopolizes every hold.

With no Austin Ekeler (concussion) against the Cardinals, Brian Robinson is in a great spot with a game total north of 50 in Arizona. … Bag Mos appears to finally be pythoning the Bengals’ starting job. The Panthers remain a great matchup despite last week’s offensive resurgence. … I expect some Jim Harbaugh Devil Magic to keep the Chargers/Chiefs pretty close. As feared, J. K. Dobbins won’t make a big run every week, but his workload seems ingrained. Trail mode probably bodes much worse for it Guus Edwards. … Carson Steele has gobbled up 62 percent of the Chiefs’ Week 3 snaps to 38 percent Samaje Perine. That’s a split that will likely remain for a while, but beware Kareem Hunt‘s potential practice squad promotion. … It’s red alert time for both of them D’Andre Swift And Javonte Williams. The situation is more dire for Williams, who is not the highly paid free agent Swift. Tyler Badie was officially named to the 53-man roster on Wednesday. Williams likely only has one more chance to establish the hot hand. As for Swift’s “backup”. Roschon JohnsonEverything from number 1 to distant number 3 seems possible this Sunday.