Jonathan Taylor trying to keep the Colts’ offense in check, Najee Harris welcomes a beautiful matchup in Indianapolis and De’Von Achane looks for answers against the Titans.

Other positions: quarterback | Recipient | Tight End/Kicker/Defense

Week 4 running backs

RB Notes: Saquon Barkley Not only does he lead the NFL in rushing, he is also exceeding expectations in rush yards. That’s not surprising given this small sample size, but Barkley was not only productive, but efficient. The Bucs have accumulated the third-most RB fantasy points over the last three weeks. … The Breece Hall The facts on the ground are: He made 20 touches of the ball and scored a goal in all three games. Braelon Allen‘s involvement is a cause for concern, but is of minor importance for now. This is about an offense that lacks places where quality attacks can take place. Right now, I’m looking at Allen’s “stolen” work as a wide receiver target of sorts. … Alvin Kamara is listed with two injuries ahead of an exciting clash between the Falcons. Atlanta is somehow one of six defenses giving up more than 150 rushing yards on a weekly basis. The Saints are the favorites on narrow streets. A dusted one Jamaal Williams Still, there would be a fight for FLEX relevance if Kamara stayed put. Taysom Hill (Chest) returns for Week 4. … Bijan Robinson is “loss of work”. Tyler Allgeier in that he can’t play everyone Snap. He may monopolize high-quality touches. Robinson cleared 80 percent of the plays in 2 of 3 appearances.

NextGenStats only records Javonte Williams facing more loaded boxes than Jordan Mason in the first three weeks. That makes his production all the more impressive, even if it wasn’t quite what fantasy managers expected. The return of George Kittle would be helpful from both a blocking and pressure relief standpoint. The Pats’ defense is better on the ground than it is in the air, but that doesn’t matter much when the Niners are 10-point favorites. … Jonathan Taylor appears both in the raw totals and in the efficiency indicators. The Steelers are a bad pairing. They’re also unlikely to pull away from the Colts and leave much projected volume behind. …After all this, Kyren Williams is an average of 21 touches. That includes 26 in Week 3 in a game script that was anything but run-friendly. Bears are more vulnerable on the ground than in the air. … David Montgomery only has one touch more than Jahmyr Gibbs both within the 20 (9-8) and the five (3-2). He wins the entire touch battle 59-51, but playing D-Mont to a standstill is a win for the more efficient, explosive Gibbs.

De’Von AchaneWeek 3’s nightmare still included 14 touches. I would have to assume that this is the lowest point. It can’t get any worse than Skylar Thompson under center. Even if Raheem Mostert (Chest) returns and Tyler Huntley gets the start, I’ll give Achane the benefit of the doubt at RB1 for another week. … Derrick Henry is predictably gaining momentum, although the Bills are a far tougher matchup than Dallas. Nevertheless, the Ravens are home favorites and theoretically have good conditions for a positive Henry game scenario. The king will remember those of little faith. … The Lions give up by far the fewest RB fantasy points, but have “only” played against Kyren Williams, Rachaad White and James Conner. Unfortunately for Zach Charbonnethe will be the worst “starter” they have faced to date. He just gets too many touches to fade, especially for what is expected to be a high-scoring but reasonably close dome showdown. Charbonnet is of course not bootable if Kenneth Walker (oblique) finally returns. … The Vikings dominate the run like everything else. I would still expect a healthy one Josh Jacobs Workload as the Pack will likely return Jordan Love (knee).

Jaylen Warren (Knee) is out and Najee Harris averages over 20 ball contacts per game. You don’t have to like it, but he’s what peak RB2 performance looks like against the Colts’ ragged run D. … Devin Singletary is another “you don’t have to like it” RB2 against the Cowboys’ worst run 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 are going to try to get it Aaron Jones a touchdown or three in Green Bay. Jones is the RB8 by average PPR points on the young season. … Chuba Hubbard Set a career-high for yards from scrimmage in Bryce Young’s first start for the Panthers. Sometimes things really are that simple. Jonathan Brooks’ return is imminent. Right now, Hubbard is a simple RB2 in this revitalized offense. … James Conner will face a leaky Commanders run defense in the highest scoring game of the week. There’s still only so high I can rank a back who doesn’t catch passes and has to deal with his quarterback’s legs. …Things have become bleak Travis Etienne in a hurry. Being an underdog on the touchdown road against the Texans is not a good place for a defender who is no longer monopolizing every handle.

With no Austin Ekeler (concussion) against the Cardinals, Brian Robinson is in a great location as the game count in Arizona is north of 50. … Zack Moss appears to finally be taking over 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 reasonably close. As feared, JK Dobbins won’t be doing the big run every week, but his workload seems to be firmly established. Trail mode probably bodes much worse Gus Edwards. … Carson Steele devoured 62 percent of the Chiefs’ Week 3 snaps to 38 percent Samaje Perine. This is a divide that will likely continue for now, but pay attention Kareem Hunt‘s potential promotion to the practice squad. … The red alert is on for both D’Andre Swift And Javonte Williams. The situation is even worse for Williams, who wasn’t the high-paid free agent that Swift is. Tyler Badie was officially added to the 53-man roster on Wednesday. Williams likely only has one more chance to establish the “hot hand.” As for Swift’s “backup.” Roshon JohnsonThis Sunday, anything seems possible, from No. 1 to a distant No. 3.