DFS: Week 4 Running Back Value Rankings
Here's a look at theScore's running back value rankings for Week 3 (Thursday night and Sunday morning games excluded):
Value Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE
Top 5
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latavius Murray (OAK) | at CHI | Low |
| 2 | Adrian Peterson (MIN) | at DEN | Low |
| 3 | Marshawn Lynch (SEA) | vs. DET | Low |
| 4 | Joseph Randle (DAL) | at NO | Low |
| 5 | Jamaal Charles (KC) | at CIN | Low |
With few proven stars with favorable matchups, the top performers for Week 4 feature some of the explosive players from Week 3. Murray and Randle both had massive games that put them on the fast-track to DFS stardom; if they can pound the rock against two awful run defenses at even 80% of the success rate, they will greatly aid their teams' offensive attacks.
Next 5
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Matt Forte (CHI) | vs. OAK | Low |
| 7 | Devonta Freeman (ATL) | vs. HOU | Low |
| 8 | Eddie Lacy (GB) | at SF | Low |
| 9 | Jonathan Stewart (CAR) | at TB | Low |
| 10 | Karlos Williams (ARI) | vs. NYG | Low |
Forte had a near-impossible task when he suited up for a road game in Seattle with backup QB Jimmy Clausen at the helm. Things get a little easier against a middle-of-the-pack Raiders defense. Lacy's health is an ongoing concern but if Aaron Rodgers can build another big lead on a brutal 49ers defense, expect the Green Bay backs to dominate the second half.
Best of the Rest
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | T.J. Yeldon (JAC) | at IND | Medium |
| 12 | Melvin Gordon (SD) | vs. CLE | Medium |
| 13 | Alfred Blue (HOU) | at ATL | Medium |
| 14 | Mark Ingram (NO) | vs. DAL | Medium |
| 15 | Carlos Hyde (SF) | vs. GB | Medium |
| 16 | Matt Jones (WAS) | vs. PHI | Medium |
| 17 | Giovani Bernard (CIN) | vs. KC | Medium |
| 18 | Isaiah Crowell (CLE) | at SD | Medium |
| 19 | C.J. Anderson (DEN) | vs. MIN | Medium |
| 20 | Chris Johnson (ARI) | vs. STL | Medium |
Blue showed enough in Week 3 to be trusted a little while longer - and potentially keep Arian Foster from rushing back. Bernard seems to be the top cat in Cincinnati but he draws a hard opponent in the Chiefs. Crowell draws a great match-up in San Diego but the Browns' RB has struggled to break free for big gains; his ceiling is as high as anyone's but his floor definitely isn't.
Nothing to See Here
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Jeremy Hill (CIN) | vs. KC | Medium |
| 22 | Demarco Murray (PHI) | at WAS | Medium |
| 23 | Frank Gore (IND) | vs. JAC | Medium |
| 24 | Darren McFadden (DAL) | at NO | Medium |
| 25 | Doug Martin (TB) | vs. CAR | Medium |
| 26 | Benny Cunningham (STL) | at ARI | High |
| 27 | Rashad Jennings (NYG) | at BUF | High |
| 28 | Arian Foster (HOU) | vs. ATL | High |
| 29 | Lesean McCoy (BUF) | vs. NYG | High |
| 30 | Ameer Abdullah (DET) | at SEA | High |
Murray, Foster and McCoy will come with high price tags and carry significant risk of being game-time scratches. Hill and McFadden have seen their snaps dwindle with improved play from their teammates. Jennings flashed his athleticism with a blocked-punt safety against Washington but hasn't found his groove yet this season; he, Martin and Abdullah face tough run defenses.