Week 6 Fantasy Football RB Rankings (Top 38)

Let's talk week six running back rankings. Last week, seven running backs went over 20 half PPR points. Two over 30 half PPR points. Yes, the two best runners in the league, Jonathan Taylor and Rico Dattle. He's back in our lives this week. I wonder how high he'll be ranked in Hayden Winkx's rankings this week. Let's kick things off with that first name. Jonathan Taylor versus the Arizona Cardinals. I give you the floor.

These top two guys are making my life very easy. Jonathan Taylor is a complete outlier right now. Uh Tim and Puka for offensive player of the year. They're projected for 27 points as a team once again. That's the fourth most of the week. They're at home. The Arizona Cardinals dealing with some injuries. This is an eruption spot. And even if it wasn't, uh who stopped Jonathan Taylor over like let's even go back to last December. Remember the the the way he finished last December as well? It was pretty historic. So we're talking about like the last 10 games. Is he on pace for like 2,000 yards? I don't look at I don't know the numbers off the top of my head, but it would be pretty close.

We can just make it up and say yes. Uh they are seven point favorites here. Uh we don't know if the Corners are going to have Kyler Murray even for this game. Jonathan Taylor already has two games of three touchdowns so far this season.

Uh and I will add that Arizona's low-key been good at stopping the run, but this is we can still look at like matchups and who they've played so far through five and now it'll be six games. This is by far and way their most difficult test on the ground. Okay, next. Uh, if we were just ranking running back scoring, he might be, you know, the running back 26 in rushing points, but number one by far and away in receiving points, this is Chris McCaffrey at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

I saw Ian Hard said that Chris McAffrey is the RB30 um just in the rushing department. And yeah, like you said, wide receiver one in uh just you're talking about the the receiving production. So,

it sounds like M. Jones is going to be playing instead of Brock Pury. George KD is not going to play. We don't know about Ricky Pearaw, but Jawan Jennings is going to play. Uh, all this to me just means that Christian McCaffrey is going to get peppered through the air once again. I'm kind of waving the white flag on the rushing numbers ever bouncing back. I just think the offensive line has not been very good. And it still does not matter at all. Um, because he's going to be so involved uh in the screen game, actually running routes like in the slot and out wide. Um, and they'll need him in this one because the Buccaneers once again leading the NFL in rushing EPA allowed. They're also best in class when it comes to average tackle depth in on running back carries as well. So, they're just getting stuffed repeatedly. That's a VA stat.

The ATDs. Uh yeah, CMC is at 21 points per game right now. 21. And we can have the conversation when George KD gets back, Ricky Pierol, Jawan Jennings, all these guys about if that's going to impact his receiving production, but it won't this week. Like you talked about, Bucks's very good at stopping the run, but they are 23rd in receiving points allowed to running backs so far this season.

So, let's bring it all back. Speaking of back, Josh Jacobs off of a by-week. He's in our lives against the uh Cincinnati Bengals. And Hayden, hopefully that bye-week allowed for two offensive line starters to return.

It sounds like they're on pace to get back in there over the last month. He's the RB6 on a RB2 overall usage only trailing Christian McCaffrey in that category. This week doesn't get better than this. They have the highest team total of the week at 29.25 points. Uh they are they are 14 point favorites against the Bengals at home. The Bengals have not been able to stop anybody this year. And now we get a spot where they're going to be up double digit touchdowns. So, if you look at it, since Jordan Love has been back halfway through this uh last season, Josh Jacobs, his touchdown rate is bonkers. It's like right up there with best in the league. So, I'm expecting a touchdown, maybe even two or three of them in this one.

Yeah, 14-point favorites. Uh so, we might not see Josh Jacobs in the fourth quarter. It might be some Emanuel Wilson or the Brooks kid. Uh, but even if that's the case, if you look in the pickup lobby right now, Josh Jacobs at 79 and a half, higher or lower in his rushing yardage. By the way, Jacobs has at least 20 touches in every single game so far this season. I mentioned the Pika lobby over on Underdog. Right now, if you live in one of these beautiful golden yellow states that we're putting on the screen at this moment, you can play on UD some type of game. It can be champions, it can be drafts, it can be pick them, and even yes, prediction market. So, in the past, maybe your state has not allowed underdog to occupy it. Right now, we're inside you. So, go and play on Underdog. Use promo code the show. Link in the description down below. Play $5, get 100. Next up, Bejian Robinson against the Buffalo Bills. Also coming off a buy, well-rested and the nucleus of this Falcons offense.

Team totals lower than it typically is for Bejon, but he's the focal point. Obviously, I think the Bills defense is a spot to attack. If you look at the rushing EPA chart that I always post, the Falcons are in a good spot. And then I looked at the average tackle depth against these running back carries. Bills are third worst in that. They've been dealing with some injuries the entire uh season. And I just think it's a great spot for Bejon Robinson to have one of those days on the ground. And what on top of that, he's one of the best receiving backs in the league. So team total's down. They're going to be chasing points most likely here, but the Bills have not been very good against the ground uh in general this year.

Yep, very true. If we just look at how many rushing yards they've allowed so far this season, we know they open with 238 against Derrick Henry, then 130 against the Miami Dolphins. Even I believe the Saints put up 189 rushing yards against them back in week four. Sure, they slowed down the New England Patriots a little bit and the New York Jets a little bit, but even if Bejon doesn't always get there, and I mean, I would expect him to get close to 80 rushing yards in this game. Uh, the receiving aspect is Todd Gurley in this Zack Robinson offense so far.

He's at 105 total yards in the picking lobby right now.

We also like to see Jir Gibbs in the top five this at the Kansas City Chiefs. Chiefs rush defense was actually quite good against the Jaguars this past weekend. And what do you expect them to do against the Detroit Lions, who by the way, once again this season, are number one in points scored and just in line with exactly the total that they put out there last season.

Right. It's crazy. And how they're getting there is on the ground. They're uh number two in neutral run rate on the season and they're number one in running back usage as they've always been. So it just comes down to is David Montgomery scoring the touchdowns or Jir Gibbs? Oftentimes it is Jir Gibbs. The team total is lower. It's only at 25 this week. their 10th in projected points. Typically, they're at what 27 28. Uh but the Chiefs have struggled against running backs on the entire year, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. There's a little bit of a short rest here and uh most teams against the Chiefs are like trailing or they just feel like they're going to pass the ball a little bit more, but this is a game where expected to be close. So, I think that there's a chance that this matchup on paper is actually a little bit easier than what it seems. Um, so I'm ready for for a big Jir Gibbs week and I wouldn't be surprised if Lions Chiefs just based how their offenses are looking right now and the injuries that they've had on defense that this game could get absolutely wild. So the Chiefs have been looking really good on offense last couple weeks and the Lions since week one have been pretty much the best offense in the league. Yeah, we will barely talk about a Chiefs running back, but they are projected for 27 and a quarter points in this game, while the Lions uh as slight road underdogs 24 and 3/4 points. Next, Javvante Williams so far this season has been the running back three, running back four, running back four, running back 14, and running back 25. He is running back nine in consensus rankings and here for you as running back six at the Carolina Panthers.

This month. He's running back three on running back five usage. The Cowboys are sixth in projected points. They face the Panthers who have been, you know, probably the worst run defense over the last couple years.

Not lately.

I know, but they they are probably better, but still this is the Carolina Panthers and Gamecript's probably going to be on his side.

Yeah. I mean, there's not a number I can look at from Javvante Williams that makes him rank as the RB9 to me. Like, he's kind of been better than that. This team's been ridiculous. It sounds like the Cowboys at least have a chance to get their left tackle and left guard back in this game. Their center and right right guard are going to be out, but that would be a boost. So, it's not as bad for Carolina up front this year versus last year. But still, this is just a good positive game script. And the team total is really high at 26 and a half.

Yeah, the Panthers defensive line stuffed the Miami Dolphins last week and rushing, but we know the Dolphins offensive line is quite bad and couldn't just handle the power that the Panthers do have up front.

We will see what happens. Like you said, they might be getting some of those injured offensive linemen back, but they're not going to get all four of them back. And obviously, those guys outplayed our expectations for them last week. They'll need to do that again. But they definitely can do that again. So, we'll see. It It wouldn't shock me though if like in back-to-back weeks, uh if like it was a really good performance for them last week and they do kind of like take a step back and are a bit less efficient or explosive or quality this week.

I just have a lot of faith in the coaching staff right now and in Dak Prescott. So that's just been how it's gone the entire year.

James Cook, your running back seven, his worst week he is coming off of and now he gets the Atlanta Falcons defense, albeit on the road.

Fourth in projected points as a team at 27. And I don't think really anything's changed. They had one down week, but we know this is going to be a great offense in general. He's the RB7 on RB10 usage this month. That doesn't count that first week where he popped off. So yeah, I think the Val Falcons have played better defense this year. I still think up front they're just light in the shorts.

Yep. So, I think there's a chance where they can get kind of run through. Right now on running back carries, 29th in average tackle depth. And James Cook has the the ability to take it all the way to his house. So, uh 91.5 total yards in the picking lobby. And I think that his touchdown projection looks really good, too.

I really like that. Yeah, the Falcons early this season not surprise people per se, but you know, their rookie edge rushers and other edge rushers started off very hot, but you didn't hear much about their interior defensive line play and kind of got pushed around quite a bit in a couple games. So, I think that that definitely could happen behind this Bill's offensive line here in week six. Next up is Devon Achan, who if he didn't have such great receiving chops would have had a miserable week five. Uh, I will say against this Los Angeles Chargers defense, they're reeling a bit on the ground. I mean, Bill Crosky Merid and let's say Cliff Kingsbury and how he designed the run game last week had plenty of edge runs and edge space against this Jesse Mentor Chargers defense. But unfortunately, I would say that this Dolphins offensive line is a bit garbage in comparison to the Commanders one.

Right? I'm sure that uh Mike McDaniel studied the Cliff Kingsbury where rushing offense from this last week and is probably going to try to do the same outside runs. Just they were able to manipulate that defense a little bit. So hopefully we get these outside runs. That's kind of the way you beat the Chargers defense. There's going to be light in the box. So how do you do that? Throw it quickly to the the flats. Run the ball to the outside. They still don't have Khil Mack. So the interior offensive line for the Dolphins is completely pathetic. But this is just an opportunity to get him out in space. That's just how you would beat the Chargers uh defense on on the white board. So yeah, in full PPR leagues, if you want to move him up a couple spots, totally get it. In half PPR, he's the RB9 and RB8 usage this month. Loses a couple touchdown opportunities to uh Aldi Gordon, but for the most part, we're here for the target share. 20% target share without Tyreek Hill on the field.

Yeah, only behind Chris McCaffrey in terms of team target share.

Uh pretty amazing. Starting our next tier, Saquon Barkley, I think for the first time heading into a week, ends up in tier 2 as your running back nine. His Thursday Night Football at the New York Giants. Big conversation here. Uh we've talked about it in stats versus film how Saquon's not getting as many yards before contact. He did hit his season long run last week, but I think that was just 18 yards and compares it

to 16 yards previously. Uh, we can keep citing what Saquon Barkley did versus opponents last season. I mean, he went over 150 yards against this Giants team last year. He has a chance, I think, Hayden, this week of doing it. You know, he's going to get more than six runs, and the Giants have allowed, you know, 5.6 yards per carry to running backs, which is 31st in the league.

It's a great spot for Saquon Barkley. One note, he is on the injury report with a knee injury. It's a short week, so I knocked him a little bit just because there's some uncertainty. I think he's going to be totally fine, but you just never know in a short week. Did want to mention just kind of zooming back out here, the yards before contact were care just on running back carries alone, like no Jaylen Herz nonsense, no touch bushes, they were first in the league this last in 2024. They're 16th this year. So start looking into the reason why I think it's just the interior offensive line's not good. So to explain that, Landon uh Dickerson, he was playing through a back injury and now he's going to miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury. So that's our left guard. He was awesome this past season. Cam Jurgens uh going into the Super Bowl and right after it had back surgery. He was phenomenal last year and then just a couple days ago Cam Jurgens went up on the mic and said that he's not fully healthy. He's like playing through an injury and he's just not the same caliber player. He's actually getting pushed back quite a bit this last game I thought. And then right guard Tyler Steen, he was the backup to Mai Beckton last year. So I think all three of the interior line spots are just worse uh this year than they were last year. And I think that largely explains the the dip in production. Saquon Barkley is going to have some big big games. No doubt about it. But none of those three spots are expected to get better this week. It's just that's the reality of the situation. So, uh a dip in production for Saquon Barkley versus last year is 100% we should just accept that. And still he's going to have 150 yard games with a touchdown. And that could be against the Giants here.

Yeah, I I talked on stats versus film about how this team is highly successful in the red zone, but they're not having many trips inside the red zone. It was basically the inverse of that last year in the opening five games. They were getting to the red zone a lot, but they were only converting for touchdowns about 56% of the time.

But what helped them were the long Saquon Barkley plays and touchdowns and all that type of stuff. Maybe it comes back here.

Who knows? Maybe I'll say that every single week. Most likely. I will add it could happen. Giants defense 30th in terms of percent of runs faced to gain 10 or more yards so far this season.

I will admit I have a lower on Saquon Barkley. The rush attempts attempts attempts short

because he's just going to reel off 50 yarders each time is what you're saying.

I'm saying that's part of the thought process. They're the team's actually passing the ball at like crazy rates the last two weeks. So, we'll see what happens. I got lower on 18 and a half attempts, but not ruling out a big game.

So, just trying to look this up because maybe it's not up in the pick lobby right now in terms of longest run. Oh, longest run, 18 and a half rushing yards here for Saquon Barkley over on the underdog pickum lobby. Okay, you've all been waiting for it. It has arrived. I think we can have confidence heading into this week that it is an Ashton Genty week against the Tennessee Titans. Home favorites. Hayden, how often can we say that for this version of the Las Vegas Raiders against the Tennessee Titans who are off of a very, very lucky win. I'll say it with confidence. I love this spot for the Raiders and I love this spot for Ashen Genty.

What can go wrong? But I agree with you. uh last week he played 27 of 31 snaps going into halftime afterwards it was so garbage time that they didn't even play him but if that you know were almost 100% snaps continues he's going to pay off that means a lot more receiving work which was helpful and we saw them the the stat sheet this previous week so 94 and a half total yards in the pickle ball feels a little bit light to me I will say this is still one of the worst offensive lines no left tackle and Colton Miller Gino Spispin very hit and miss um his just backbreaking interceptions have been the problem. They're still moving the football enough, but just those interceptions been really, really bad. But like you said, the Titans just have they have one superstar defensive tackle who's just being wasted on this roster. But everything else is pretty mediocre. So this is a very good spot on paper for Ashton Genty. Please hit the big play.

Already took the Raiders at minus four and a half in this game. Just avoid Gino Smith throwing these interceptions. just be able to block Jeffrey Simmons up front and you have a tremendous chance. Our buddy Rich Reebar pointed this out that this Titans defense is allowing a league high 22 rushing points per game, two back fields. And we even got Ashton Genty involved in the receiving game last week, which is so different, very different than the opening one, two weeks of this season. And like with all those rushing points, this Titans defense was torched by the Houston Texans rushing game and the Arizona Cardinals backfield without James Connor. It was with Michael Carter and Mari D Marcato, you know. So like this is the spot maybe for the entire season that we will have for Ashton Genty.

All right, I hope he pulls it off because if he doesn't, there will be conversations. Next, Kairen Williams, your running back 11, is at the Baltimore Ravens, which is kind of a cupcake matchup to bounce back for the fumbles that both he and Blake Cororm had last week on Thursday Night Football.

Rams are seventh in projected points up at 26. Get used to it as long as Matthew Stafford stays healthy. They've just been dominant uh as a rushing team. The only thing we have to work through here is Blake Corm fumbled. He got benched entirely. Then it was the Ky Williams show. Kyle Williams then fumbles at the goal line and cost them the game. Are they going to go back to that 6633 split or is it just going to be, hey, Blake Corm, your fumble mattered more to us and you're completely erased and we're back to where we were with Kyron Williams as a as a strong RB1. I think the matchup, the team total is so good either way that he's still in the RB1 mix, but very curious to see what they're going to do with Blake K because they just like they completely get got him out of there this last game. So,

I do have a different take on that slightly. Uh, I yes Blake Horn probably got punished a little bit. But I think the other part of this at play was that the Rams were somewhat chasing that game or it was very tight and competitive against the San Francisco 49ers. And I think when we see games that are tight and competitive, then Kron Williams sticks next to Shawn McVey a little bit more often. This one should not be tight and competitive if Lamar Jackson is out. And if that's the case, Blake Cororm could even like filter in here as some hey desperation plays because his 30% snaps could go for 10 points.

Definitely. This is a just a a game where we have to pay attention to the inactives report in practice just because there's a bunch of uh Ravens defenders who were questionable this past game who have a chance to return. Their star defense tackle is not going to be coming back though and that's what matters most for Kyro Williams.

Yeah. this Ravens defense the last four weeks 263 yards and four touchdowns to the Detroit's backfield 131 yards and a touchdown to the Kansas City Chiefs backfield.

Impossible 120 yard 121 yards and a touchdown to the Houston Texans backfield. All right, people. My wife and I just moved into a new home. You know the drill. You get inspections. You get estimates, things to fix, the plumbing, the HVAC, the electrical, the roof, all that type of stuff. If you are going through a similar thing right now, I implore you to add life insurance onto that list. First of all, it's a lot easier to obtain and it's far far less expensive. And I'll point you in the direction of ethos where you can get up to $3 million in coverage and some policies are as low as $2 a day that are build monthly. The reason why it's easy is that it is not complicated and it is 100% online. There is no medical exam required and you can only answer a few questions and that's all that you need. You get a quote in as little as 10 minutes. When I sign up for life insurance, someone came to my door at 7:30 in the morning, sat in the kitchen around the dining table with them for an hour and a half. That was not with Ethos. So again, protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. It is much, much simpler. Get your free quote at ethos.comtheshow. That is ethos.comtheshow. You never think about life insurance. Hopefully this forces you to do that now. Quinnon Judkins is next for you. This is against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Really the third straight road game here for the Browns and they're only projected for 16 points. They've only scored basically 17 points in games so far this year. and Quinn John Judkins is still hitting 100 yards each time.

Right. This is basically as high as I can rank him for a team projected for so few points. This is not an easy matchup uh against the Steelers and like you said the travel on top of that. Most teams like do not just go play uh in division uh on the road uh after playing across the pond. So just a really weird spot for Quinc Judkins. He's just been so dominant. His film is phenomenal. In the last two weeks, 17.5 18.9 expected half BPR points. So, he's pretty much too big to fail and he's also like pretty much too good to fail. So, I I have question marks about the offensive line and the team total and all that, but I've had the same exact question marks when he's been in RB1 uh for the last month.

Only point in Den Gabriel's first start last week, Quinnon was on the field for fewer dropbacks than he has been so far this season. It was previously about like 50% and then that dropped down to about 20%. So I'm not sure if they want to get you know the Jerome Ford Dylan Samson stuff more involved now that um Dylan Gabriel's in? But just something to monitor. It's only a oneweek sample so far.

That matters though. I'm going to look into that.

Bree Hall against the Denver Broncos, your running back 13. Uh, we know that in his first game without Brilan Allen, his workload shot up to about 78% of backfield touches when that was previously capped at about 68 to 62% of backfield touches. So, that's a huge difference that jumps from split backfield stuff to bellcow stuff.

Definitely. So, season high and expected points, uh, basically the equivalent of like RB11 usage this last week and that was when they were, you know, really struggling early on and then they were in negative game script. So, in neutral game scripts, this is the most runheavy team in the NFL. That's going to be uh mostly through Bruce Hall, who got to the second level a lot this last week. The Broncos much uh more difficult test for him this week. Jets only projected for 18 points. That's 27th most uh on the week. Isaiah Davis can steal some of the pass game work, but they're still going to get Breeze Hall involved in the screen game and some swing passes as they should. So, he's just a high upside rushing threat. I don't believe in the offense whatsoever. don't like the the matchup whatsoever, but they only have so many options to move the football and Bree Hall is probably second in line for them.

So, last week they were totally dominated by the Cowboys. Cowboys defense also terrible. I know our account and the underdog account posted that Justin Fields has scored about 40% of his fantasy points this season in the final eight minutes of games. I do get nervous about the final eight minutes against the Broncos defense versus the final eight minutes against like the Cowboys defense.

Right. Right. That makes me most nervous for Justin Fields though because there's only so many, you know, you can only get so many other guys involved on the ground game. It's probably going to be Breeze.

Rico Dael is your running back. 14. Chuba Hubard not practicing on Wednesday. We'll see if there are any updates in that direction, but I would just assume that, you know, after a dude runs for over 200 yards in a game and double calf cramps and all that stuff, breaks eight tackles or whatever it was, it's just going to naturally get the start this week and they'll let their, uh, you know, team captain and Chuba sit it out for another week. Talk to me. As to why Rudado is only, and I'll say only, running back 14 against the Dallas Cowboys.

I don't have like a great answer. just maybe the other guys are have a little bit more, you know, proven upside. But yeah, I believe in Rico Dowel 19.3 expected points this last week. That's clear RB1 numbers. The Cowboys may be slightly better up front than the Dolphins were this last week, but this is once again a very good spot for Rico Dael. They don't trust ETN. Panthers above average team total at 23 and a quarter points. So yeah, may if are you trying to make the argument that he should go up against Priest Hall and and Judkins? Is that what you're trying to say? Yes, that was a smirk on my face. You you you know me too well.

Rico Dattle should go ahead of Quinnon Judkins on a team projected for only 16 points.

Should go ahead of Bree Hall on a team only projected for 18 points at least five to seven more than those guys and getting the exact same workload and going up I would say arguably against an easier defense, a defense that's you know allowing per one fantasy point per touch to opposing running backs. so far. So, uh, you know, if Rico gets 18 touches, then that's at least 18 points in his back pocket.

That's simple math, but I like it. Let's move him up.

Okay. Love it. You're in a happy mood. Rashad White, running back 15. This is against the San Francisco 49ers. I mean, I'm looking I don't see Shawn Tucker.

It's weird. My mention, have you checked my mentions? There's a lot of Shawn Tucker in my mentions. I will say consensus rankings still underrating Rashad White at this point. He's running back 20 for them, running back 15 for you. Talk to me.

Well, this is pretty much the same argument that you're going to make for the Rico D ranking where Rashad White, their team total at 25 a half. He had a a season high 16.9 expected half PPR points this last week in Seattle. Maybe the most difficult matchup there is. Shawn Tucker Mixkin on occasion, but Rashad White got both of the goal line opportunities scored. Uh the 49ers, they're still missing Nick Bosa obviously for the season. So, he's got a really high floor, just super reliable in the pass game. So, there's really nothing negative you could say about Rashad White. I think you could even make the argument that maybe in what, this is his third year in the NFL, that he's better than where he was as a rookie. And this team's just so good and so proven that it's hard to fail. So, if you're going to make me move Rico D up because the team total and the usage is up versus Bree Hall and Judkins, then I I don't understand why I wouldn't have to do the same for Rashad. So, let's make it happen.

Is he going even ahead of Rico?

You You decide.

No. No. These are not my rankings. I've I've done my job here.

Okay. Uh, let's keep it like this. Yeah.

Okay. Rashad White also sick pass protection reps last week, which is imperative for usual Baker Mayfield, too. No one I wish I found this stat in stats versus film. No one is throwing downfield more often than Baker Mayfield this year. Whereas last season with Liam Cohen, he was 32nd in the league. Liam's offense lives in that intermediate game. Now, even with, you know, the hiring internally and no Mike Evans, it's still Baker Mayfield throwing the football down the freaking field and uh we are seeing him look even better. So, I kind of wish Jacksonville would lean into those downfield shots a bit more often, too, because Trevor ranks 31st right now. Okay, Bill Crosky Merritt is your running back 16 to close out tier 2. Look, whenever a rookie, someone especially looks as good as Bill did last week, we all get really excited, Hayden, and just think progression's linear. It's only up from here. It's going to be week in week out consistency. I think that's definitely possible, and this is one of the matchups that it can happen for against Chicago as well. I'll say it's even likely. I feel good about the Bill ranking here. He started the game. He played most of the first half. He played almost all of the second half, including getting a goal line opportunity in there. And then Chris Rodriguez, when the game was all the way up at 100% uh in-game win probability, Trey Lance was on the field. That's when Chris Rodriguez stepped up to the plate. So, this has been an earned promotion for Bill and I don't see how they can turn it back. His patience, his vision are very good. He's just more athletic than Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols in general. And right now, Commanders are third in projected points. Jaden Daniels should be fully healthy. This just a great spot. The Bears 31st in average tackle depth uh on running back carries on top of it. So, yeah, in theory, they can just go back to Chris Rodriguez, but I think the cat's out of the bag. Bill has earned the starting job. And last week was a season high 11.3 expected half PPR points. And that that would have been even been a little bit higher if you didn't score from what like 10 yards out. If you those were goal line attempts, those expected points would go up. But when you're that good, uh all of a sudden you don't need to be next to the goal line.

Absolutely love it. Next up, JK Dobbins, running back 17. This is overseas. Sunday morning.

Again.

New York Jets. I know. I feel like we only had a handful of Sunday morning games previously and now it's like one every single week until I don't know, November 15th, whatever it is. It's crazy.

Well, the Jets always got to go overseas for, you know, ownership reasons and yeah, they got to make sure they have good business partnerships.

Correct. Correct.

Tough.

Anyways, this Jets defense has been miserable since they fired Robert Salah. Like the Jeff stuff took a step back and became worse. And now even despite going from one defensive head coordinated head coach to another in Aaron Glenn, it's far worse. Uh, they're third in runs allowing 10 or more yards. And JK Dobbins has looked excellent so far this season.

They've been missing Quincy Williams, a linebacker, and just over the last couple years they've just lost some key pieces on defense. Even like the secondary just allows the teams to march down the field and then eventually the running backs pay off with scores. So not surprised that the Denver Broncos are eighth in projected points up at 25 and a half. Just a great spot in general like you're talking about and he's just established himself as the clear early down favorite. They're mixing in RJ Harvey at times but JK Dobson absolutely nothing wrong. If you look at all the advanced metrics he's top five, top 10 in basically all of them. I think his film has been very good as well. So it's hard for R.J. Harvey to like stand out if Dobbins is doing nothing wrong himself. So this month RB7 and RB23 usage, that's where I'm going to continue with this ranking.

I will say last week the Broncos were kind of chasing that game. It was very neutral. Whereas the previous week when RJ Harvey did get up to what 15 or so touches and played a whole bunch, they were kind of in command. They were controlling that game. So that might be the type of game script we have to have in order for and RJ Harvey can be effective on those as we saw. But this one's going to be closer to that than probably what we saw last week. Hopefully.

Right? I think you could do I'm not recommending R.J. Harvey, but like this would be a spot where you have a chance.

Yeah. This is one of those games where Shawn Peyton sits and he's like, I'm going to draw three plays for RJ Harvey.

Who's the Joker this week?

Yeah.

Uh, so Travis ETN so far this season had not had a performance worse than running back 18 until week five and he was running back 30. And now he ranks as running back 18 against the Seattle Seahawks. Is this like not a floor play per se, but just back-to-back weeks of tough matchups here for Travis ETN after a nice September?

Yeah, really tough spot for him. Seahawks second best in average tackle depth. Jacksonville still projected for 24 and a half points. So I don't want to like double and triple count how bad the matchup is. Like right now if you look at the betting markets, 24 and a half points is really good for Jacksonville. I want to always kind of lean towards that than some matchup based stats and he's just still getting the rock a ton. They're getting some basial toot and touches out in space. He hasn't been doing quite as much with them recently. So Travis ETN this month removing that week one game where he went crazy just this last four games. RB19 on RB18 usage. I have him as a running back 18. I feel good about it.

As you said, Seattle fantastic at stopping the run. They've actually allowed a lot of receiving work to running backs. So, I do wonder if this is where Liam Cohen on the whiteboard is drawing up those running back screens, even splitting them out wide, doing those things that he did in Tampa Bay and did during the first few weeks of the season as well. Let's look up.

Travis ETN's receiving work in the pick and lobby. If that's up there.

Okay. All right. Uh, not up there yet. We'll report back.

Refresh everybody. Refresh.

Yes. If you're watching this, I don't know, on a Thursday, at this very moment on this time stamp, check out Travis ETN in the pick lobby near you and his receiving work because I think that uh it'll be funneled in his direction. Next, Cam Scataboo running back 19 against the Philadelphia Eagles 7 and a half point dogs on Thursday night. And on top of that, Hayden, it certainly sounds like Tyron Tracy is going to play in this game. He is off the injury report. Cam Scataboo in his absence has owned about 75% of the work. Where do you think that's going to land now that Tracy is back?

I would ding him a little bit, but I think Tyrone Tracy is going to compete with the Devin Singleary role, which is roughly like the last third of of the situation. Cam Scatterba's got the goal line role, and I don't think that Tyrone Tracy or Deon Singleary are ever going to take that away from him unless he keeps fumbling. And he's also electric as a receiving back. We started to see that uh in game negative game scripts. So yeah, not as clean of a matchup this week and the usage probably going to come down. This month though, he's been the RB13 on RB4 overall usage in half PPR. So there's plenty of room for this to to go down where he's still very playable. There's nothing about this that I'm loving. The Giants are 28th in projected points. Eagles short week. Tyron Tracy's back, but still, man, his usage has been too out of control. So, I still have him as a top 20 play.

Running back 20 for you is Dererick Henry. Uh, yeah, after all the names that we just talked about, he's actually running back 15 in consensus rankings, which is shocking to me because if you take out his, and I don't want to take it out necessarily, but his running back won scoring week in week one when he ran over the Bills and the Ravens looked like the Ravens. Ever since then, we know the Ravens have not looked like the Ravens, right? He's been running back 59, running back 22, running back 42, and running back 25. We're not really in the camp of saying, "Hey, consider benching Derrick Henry here." But, uh, Hayden, if you have like three of the names above, which is entirely possible based on injuries and waverwire pickups, it's in the conversation.

So, this month, RB36 and RB27 usage, the success rate has fallen off a cliff for Derrick Henry. I think that there's offensive line issues right now, especially with Ronnie Stanley playing through injury if he can suit up for this one. I'm This ranking assumes that Lamar Jackson's not going to be able to go and right now the Ravens are 26 in projected points. Also wanted to note they've ran the fewest amount of plays per game in the NFL at 50. The league average about 61. That's that's a huge chunk of just loss potential production here. So, yeah, Dererick Henry could easily have two touchdowns here if they get down to the goal line, but that's not, you know, a guarantee to happen. And I think there's a chance the Rams, if they can't get their defensive players back, that this is a straightup blowout. And then it's just some Justice Hill. So, I'm I'm factoring some of that in. This is just, you know, he has some games where he scores 2.8 fantasy points. He has some games where he has 25.8. So, I'm trying to even all that stuff out, but like you said, it's possible that he's on your bench. I think that's that's a reality that we can live in.

Kind of feels like the Ravens know the reality that this is going to be a lost week for them. Then they get a buy and like their season just resets after the by-week and then that's when they win the AFC North. So, I'm just keeping that in mind. I'm not saying Derrick Henry is going to flatten out and like be really bad this week. But on top of this, Rich Rebar had one of the best stats of the week that running backs have only scored 25% of the points allowed by the Rams defense so far this season. And the Rams defense has already faced Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, and Christian McAffrey.

Damn.

And those are like good offenses and good players.

And Dererick Henry is a good player on a bad offense who's also extremely limited in the receiving game in comparison to Saquon and CMC. So nothing that is happening this week is making me think that this is the bounceback week for Derrick Henry. But it does make me believe that maybe during his by-week after another down week, he could be a really nice trade target for people out there.

Okay, I like that a lot. Still the favorites in the division.

Yes, Ken Walker III is your running back 21. This is at the Jacksonville Jaguars. We talk about it all the time. Uh K9 is running for 10 plus yards on 16% of his carries in comparison to Zack Sharet who's running for 10 plus yards on 2.1% of his carries.

But they're sticking with it. I'm kind of just um that's just until proven otherwise. I'm anticipating that's going to be the case in the four games with Sharbs. Kenneth Walker is averaging 9.6 expected half PPR points, which is equivalent to RB27 usage. We know he's efficient. So, I'm ranking him definitely higher than where his usage should be. This is, I think, a decent spot. Jacksonville's been good, and they're taking the football away from opposing defenses, but we'll see if Trayvon Walker is going to play. He had wrist surgery this last before this last game. Did not play in that one. If he's out there, that's a big deal. He's one of the best. I think he's a very good edge rusher, but he's like particularly super physical against the ground game. So, we'll see if he plays. That'd be something where I might tinker uh his ranking up a spot or two depending on that. But Seattle right now, 23 point team total in Jacksonville. So, average environment for him, I would say. And I just trust that he still has the option to hit up a big play. Michael Carter stepped in as a backup to a backup last week and got the vast majority of early down work for the Arizona Cardinals. Now, they are facing the Indianapolis Colts. Like we talked about, they are seven-point underdogs. It kind of sounds like it's turning towards Jacobe Brassette playing here. So, this is likely negative game script. So, dare I say, if he's not punished, could it be a slight demarcado week?

Um, anything's possible. Now, Immari Di Marcado pretty much only played the late down snaps. So, 16 of 18 third and fourth down snaps went to Imari Di Marcado. So, we have like that part of the offense uh figured out and he might play a lot of late down snaps and pass game snaps because of the scoreboard. But Michael Carter had 15.4 expected points this last week and that, you know, was unfortunate because the Bam Knight drive ended in a goal line touchdown opportunity and that would just happen to be, you know, the drive that he was on the field. There's no he got subbed in or anything like that. So most drives is going to be Michael Carter and he is in line for a touchdown. They're projected for 20.5 points against the Colts which is

below average. And like we said, Tip Ryman, their number two uh tight end, one of the better blockers in the league. And this rush rushing scheme has just not been very good because the offensive line's not very good. And if you remove one of the tight ends, the playbook, it gets even smaller. And like you said, the their tight end three who's probably going to have to get more snaps is more of the Trey McBride variety who can like hold the hold the line, but they're not they're not above average run blocker. So, this is a bad situation for Michael Carter. He just played enough where he's still worthy of a flex play.

So, Drew Petting when asked about it, that third and eight run to end the game. Said quote, "Some things that they were doing to sell out to stop the run, felt like we could try to split one there for a big one and catch them off guard." Uh, I then went and clipped on Twitter the three final runs on first and 10, second and eight, and third and eight. It was just normal stuff. You know, they were running out of 13 personnel with their backup to the backup to the backup tight end number 81. Don't know his name. Uh, and they're just getting whooped up front. The crazy part of that is even on that third and eight after dropping the football before going to the goal line and after knowing it's going to be a running play, they kept him de Marcato in the game on the final play even if he had such an impact on on the loss. So yeah, I mean this is just a very different environment to the one that we were basing him a mustart to last week in Michael Carter situation. Yeah, maybe some of these next games I might move in front of him, but he's still it's still pretty solid flex play, just not a clear-cut RB2, I'd say.

DeAndre Swift is the running back 23. He's off a by-week four and a half point underdogs here on the road against the Washington Commanders. Uh I said this earlier in regards the Las Vegas Raiders. Uh I like the Bears here quite a bit.

I think people are kind of not up to speed on what this Bears offense has looked like. and then the buy made them forget to even update their thoughts on it. And it's possible that's a complicated playbook that they figured out what been working, cut out some of the fat, double down to things that are working well, and that Caleb can start, you know, really figure things out. They got to get the offensive line right. They're kind of hosting tryyouts at the tackle spots right now. The whole thing with DeAndre Swift, though, is before the buy, he was the RB20 and RB16 usage. So, I'm ranked a little bit lower than than that standing just because coming out of the buy, I don't think that DeAndre Swift's been a reliable player. He's not been an efficient player. So, there could just be some wonkiness and running back usage, especially the backup is a rookie, so we have a post by rookie bump. So, I'm not sure what's going to happen. I think the most likely scenario is nothing happens and it's the same old DeAndre Swift usage, but there's a chance that this thing could kind of flip. And then in my notes, Commander fourth best average tackle depth on running back carries. So, their defensive line has been better than their secondary. So, I I think the Bears are gonna have a good game through the air. And I like your shout out on the Bears playing well in this one. I just lean more towards Roma Dunay, Coulson Lovelin, and maybe like a DJ more than DeAndre Swift.

Okay, next. David Montgomery at the Kansas City Chiefs. We already talked about Jir Gibbs at the top. Uh Lions still scoring a bunch of points. We know he was a factor in two touchdowns last week. 24 and three quarters as underdogs is a really nice total for them.

Yeah, it really is. Chiefs 4.9 yards per carry allowed here. So, I think it's just a an underrated spot for David Montgomery this month. RB16 and RB20 usage like we shouted out. David Montgomery had a outlier usage game last week with his sister in town. Um had two touchdowns. Hopefully you can get that here. He's This is kind of where he's been for the last, you know, year and a half. So, this is kind of my starting point and then adjust based off of the matchup. So, I might end up sliding him ahead of Michael Carter as we get a little bit more information.

All right, we have to adjust potentially to the Patriots backfield here as your running back 25 is Raandre Stevenson. Antonio Gibson is gone for the season with a knee injury. We know they're on the road here against the New Orleans Saints. Uh the big thing is no running back has been effective on like a downto-down standpoint from running the football for the Patriots. The difference is Raandre has the one long reception on the season that was drawn up for Trevian, but then Trevian was benched for holding penalties and then Raandre Stevenson owns the vast majority of the work inside of the 10 yard line and that has what's equaled fantasy points so far. Yeah, last week Trayvon was on the field for an explosive play that got the Patriots down to the five yard line. Once that happened, they subbed Arandre Stevenson in. He scores a touchdown. So just the size difference between the two. When they do get to the goal line, most likely scenario, it's going to be Reandre Stevenson. So that's how my rankings have it. It's a good spot to figure out what the running back rotation's going to be because the the Patriots are projected for 24.5 points against the Saints. So, if we can kind of figure out who it's going to be, and I think it's going to be Reminder Stevenson in half PPR, then I want to kind of lean into it. He's the RB25 and RB32 usage this month, despite the fumbles, and also despite Antonio Gibson was pretty much the bellcow in the first quarter before tearing up his knee. So, like you said, they don't trust either one of their backs right now, but they're it seems like they're putting more faith in Raandre Stevenson figuring out the fumble stuff because he's like shown well when he's not putting the ball on the ground, which obviously huge caveat there, but they don't trust Rayon Henderson. Like when Vable was talking about Hendo, they're like, "Yeah, we were this close to springing him up on special teams." Well, I mean, come on. Doesn't matter for us.

Tony Pard, running back 26. This is at the Las Vegas Raiders. uh a good week for Tony Per last week, but Taj Spears to me usage will only go up versus what he had in his first week back in uniform.

I think even your call out that Tony Pard's a trade can was a good one as well. There just no reason to have Tony Pard long term for Tennessee. Ta Spears is on a rookie contract, has some theoretical upside. So, I think as the season plays out, they'll want to see more of Tai Spears and that comes at the expense of Tony Pard. Last week, Pard at 74% snaps, Spears at the remaining 25%. That can end up being 63 66 33% something like that. Uh, so tough spot for Tony Pard who's used to be at like 90% snaps. This month he's been the RB22 and RB23 usage. I think it's a good spot for him as well. The team total's up this week to 18.5, which is still really bad, but it's better than where it's been in previous weeks. And the Raiders have one good defensive player right now. Chase Brown is your running back 27. Uh he's averaging a league worst 2.5 yards per carry with also a league worst 1.5% of his runs going for 10 plus yards. Uh arguably arguably a quarterback improvement who he is next to but he's all the way down as running back 27 against the Packers.

Dead last and projected points and on top of that Bengals been second lowest in plays per game. And on top of that, the highest neutral pass rate this month as well. So, and the Packers, I mean, good luck everybody. I think there's a chance he can do the you called it the Dylan Samson. You catch six passes, you keep it moving in full PPR. Pick him lobby still at 70.5 total yards. So, he's still firmly flex flex play.

He's a flex play, but a low-end flex at that. 70 total yards for Chase Brown.

Yeah, Tony Pard was at 69 and a half for reference. Um, some of the other guys we just mentioned are in the 70s. Like Cam Scad was at 68 and a half. So, it's kind of in this this tier. It felt a little high to me, but he still plays a bunch of snaps. And, you know, if the Packers are really putting it on the Bengals defense, I I do think it's possible that he catches five swing passes and it goes.

That's all the way up to 73 and a half. Now.

It's a Flaco bump.

Okay, Well, it's also Josh Shaken the lower. There we go.

Okay, next is Jaylen Warren. This is against the Cleveland Browns. This is another adjustment. Uh pre-injjury, Jaylen Warren was owning this backfield to the tune of like 80% of the touches.

Uh once he gets injured and Kenny Gaining Well comes in, Arthur Smith to me is a type of coordinator to reward what Kenny Gainwell did. And if that's the case, then uh I'm not saying Jaylen Mo's going to go to zero, but really all that he was doing well was getting volume and it wasn't really being efficient other than that one sick explosive catch that he had earlier in the year, which was scrambled drill, not by design or anything like that. Credit where Steve was, I think, still probably the best uh running back play of the season. But on the ground, just carries alone, he's been one of the least efficient backs in the league. I think that's an offensive line stat Kenny Kenny Gable made the most out of in his situation. So, this is currently a vibesbased ranking. Waiting to read more reports to see exactly where they're going to go. In theory, you have post by rookie bump Caleb Johnson eventually, too. So, there's a lot of uncertainty with Jaylen Warren who I think profiles as a committee back. Same thing with Kenny Gainwell. Same thing with Caleb Johnson. So, I think as the season plays out, it's just going to become more and more of a committee and veteran incumbent gets September, but that kind of wears off as the season continues.

Alvin Kamara also is someone who's seen his workload change. I mean, he was up at 82% of the touches in week two, and that's dropped down to 52% in week five. On top of that, Kendre Mailer has been one of the best ball carriers after contact in the league this season. So, it would make sense for a team that is one and four right now to get a little bit more work of their younger back. And they're facing the New England Patriots who have been excellent versus the run so far this season.

They're actually the best in tackles for loss rate against running backs in the whole league. So, just not a good spot for for Alvin. The offensive line's banged up. Kendrick Miller's playing more in the first half than he was previously. But also, if the Saints do end up having a lead here, that's where Kendrick Miller like took almost all of the touches in the second half of this last week. Also wanted to note the neutral pass rate has started to dip in recent weeks. And Taesm Hill returned and immediately played a bunch of Wildcat. Wildcat touches are bad for everybody involved except for Taesm Hill. They just cannot get over the bit. And honestly, the Taesm Hill bit's been working very well for the last couple years, so I get it. But if Taesm Hill gets a couple goal line carries on top of it now, now exactly where we hope hoping to land this plane. So I think you get bailed out by an Alvin Chimera trade. If he stays on the Saints, it will be one of the worst picks that you could have made.

We also got word right now on the underdog NFL newsfeed that Alvin Chimera injured his ankle in practice on Wednesday and he was limited. So we'll see what happens moving forward.

Good timing on that, but bad timing for him. Zack Charbanet is your running back. 30. Anything you want to add here other than, hey, Kenneth Walker is like the really good running back who, you know, is really fun and creates explosives. And then Zack Charbanet is checking in untimely into inside the 5-yard line situations and also has some pass protecting chops on top of it.

I think you summed it up well. We got nothing else to add. He's RB36 this month.

The go to the Chiefs backfield entirely. You have Kareem Hunt first and Isaiah Pacheco second. this year running back 31 and 32. I mentioned that against Jacksonville, I actually thought Pacheco looked the best he has all season long, but it doesn't really matter when you're also not catching that many passes. And then Kareem Hunt is by far and away more so than basically any other back that we've talked about checking in for inside the five and inside the 10 yard line work and scoring all the touchdowns.

All four of the inside the five yard line opportunities that the running backs had last week belong to Kareem Hunt. They came on different drives, too. Just checks in there. He's the vulture of the season right now. So, and it's been working. He finds the end zone on a lot of them. So, the Chiefs are second in projected points, 27.

Can he gain well the Pittsburgh series? We already talked about him. We were talking about RJ Harvey. Anything you want to add about Trevon Henderson here?

Uh, I mean, or do we should we just go to the back that is the most influx out in LA?

Well, with Trayvon, there's just always a chance now without Antonio Gibson that he just starts to take over. I don't think that's going to include goal line stuff, but if they want to make him a focal point, if they want to run a big double move on a wheel route or something like that or just an angle route and he takes off, now is the time they could use it right now. So, I will say he did play a season high in snaps last week at 50%.

So, it's looking better for him. You removed a third of the back.

Exactly.

Seems good.

It's only week six. Two Chargers running backs, Hassan Haskins and Kamani Vidal. Hayden, I believe just like you, Hassan Haskins should be ranked higher because he went to the University of Michigan.

That's like the true tiebreaker. It's also important the Dolphins cannot tackle anybody right now. It's the worst tackle depth against running back carries at six yards down the field. So on average, six yards down the field. That's pretty insane for.

Kenneth Grant has been quite bad.

He has been bad. I was going to mention the Dolphins have spent three first round picks on defensive lineman over the last five years. All of them are on their rookie contracts and they cannot stop the run and they can't roast the passers. So, if you're wondering why the Dolphins Zack Cer, he's been much worse this season, too. Like, it's been it's been real rough.

Yeah, If you're wondering why the Dolphins are struggling and you want to fire Mike McDaniel, well, maybe look at all the defensive and offensive line investments they've made. And tell me if if you can find pretty much like any hits right now. It's it's been really bad. Uh Haskins is the early down rusher. Um, Kamani Vidal is gonna compete with Naim Hines who they just signed.

And I think that's that's the thing that I'm breaking ties. Vidal and Naim Hines are all the same. Hassan Haskins is a different back. I like some differentiation because Naim Hines can go split time with Kamani Vidal for all all we know.

It sounds like a joke, but Hassan Haskins going to Michigan, I think, is the tiebreaker.

Totally matters.

I'm being serious.

It totally matters. And yeah, I mean Naim Hines I think is going to see a bit of run. he was with this team in training camp if I'm not mistaken. Um and then yeah, if they get near the goal line, we know that Justin Herbert has been running the football and passing the football at a high rate in that area. But Haskins will get that work for sure there.

And I mentioned this on the waver show. Make sure you go to check that out. Hassan Haskins was playing for snaps before Omar Hampton left and then once Trey Lance was on the field and they removed all the starters, Hassan Haskin was removed and Kamani Vidal was still on the field with like the quote backup. So that's just more evidence for Assan Haskins. Okay, we close it out with Kre Miller, who we already discussed and he's running back 38 and maybe that's even going to be higher if Chimera gets banged up.

Like, yeah, if that happens, then would Kre Miller go ahead of at least Jaylen? I mean, yeah, yeah, in that range. Raandre Stevenson, you know, he's early down grinder type with touchdown opportunity. So, yeah, go and pick him up. We we've highlighted his tape a couple times in stats versus him. He's been really good. Dennis Allen hated Kendrick Miller and you know Kell Moore has obviously showcased what Kendrick Miller can do.

He likes him on the mic. He says like I love Kendry Miller. He's big and physical and he runs the ball well. All right, sold.

And it's all true with our eyeballs. That's going to do it. Okay, Thursday trade show with Farz. You have been enjoying it and uh trade show still rolling in. So, tune in to that episode. And then Friday and Saturday, wide receivers, quarterback, and tight in rankings. And then we do it all over again most likely on Sunday morning if we're still here. If I can ever get over whatever is intruding into my nasal passages at this moment. There it is. Shout out to Mosho. Shout out to Weave. Shout out to Hayden. Shout out to all of you for going to play on Underdog. By the way, the pick them entry that I have, Ashen Genty, higher 72 and a half rushing yards. Josh Jacobs higher 79 and a half rushing yards. Saquon Barkley higher 18 and a half longest rush. And Chase Brown lower 73 and a half total yards. There it is. 41 states underdog is in. Go play on the dog app. Play five bucks, get 100 if you're a firsttime user. Up the bill. We'll talk to you'all soon. See.