The NFL season has been a rollercoaster so far this year, and no position in fantasy football has been as volatile as running back. We have seen some studs return to grace and some duds fall on their face. Injuries have been rampant, as always, and byes are serving as bigger obstacles to optimal lineup construction each week. With a pool that feels the shallowest it has all season, our Week 7 fantasy RB PPR rankings have you covered ahead of those ever-important start 'em, sit 'em decisions.
First off, those dreaded bye weeks. Some powerhouse squads will be off this weekend, including the Vikings (Dalvin Cook), Eagles (Miles Sanders), Bills (Devin Singletary), and the Rams (Darell Henderson Jr. and the ghost of Cam Akers). The good news: All four of these teams have good run defenses, so at least they won't stand in the way of our RBs who actually are playing.
The top of the PPR charts at the RB position looks similar to what we've seen all season — and for that matter, throughout the recent history of the NFL. Saquon Barkley (@ Jaguars), Austin Ekeler (vs. Seahawks), and Christian McCaffrey (vs. Chiefs) remain three of the better all-around backs in football and get massive boosts in PPR formats (although McCaffrey might see fewer snaps than usual this week on his new team). Joining them near the top of the list are two-time rushing champ Derrick Henry (vs. Colts), who's seen a big increase in targets this year, and current rushing leader Nick Chubb (@ Ravens).
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs| Kickers
After the top five, things get fun. We have seen Josh Jacobs (vs. Texans) go from a fringe starter in the preseason to a workhorse RB in Josh McDaniels' Raiders offense, and the results have been awesome. Now he draws a Houston D allowing 133.4 rushing yards per game (second-most) and six total TDs to RBs in five games.Rhamondre Stevenson (vs. Bears), a weekly must-start while Damien Harris sits with a hamstring injury, should be able to gash a Bears' front-seven that allows 25.9 PPR points per game to RBs (ninth most).
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
As for the young guns, we love what we are seeing from rookies Kenneth Walker III (@ Chargers) and Dameon Pierce (@ Raiders). Both combine stunning footwork with elite strength, and both possess the ability to bring in catches. We'll see if they get utilized more — neither exceeded three catches or 14 total receiving yards their last time out. We almost feel just as comfortable with fellow rookies Breece Hall (@ Broncos) and Brian Robinson Jr. (vs. Packers). Hall has been electric for the upstart Jets, and B-Rob found the end zone in his first week as the Commanders' featured back.
WEEK 7 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings
Shared backfields will always be a source of consternation. Ezekiel Elliott (vs. Lions) continues to receive the lion's share of the work in Dallas despite Tony Pollard looking like a superior PPR option most weeks. Fortunately, both are very much in play against Detroit's last-ranked defense. Aaron Jones (@ Commanders) still has our heart in PPR formats, but AJ Dillon appeared to fall back in favor with Matt LaFleur against the Jets. Both can be used this week, but they come with obvious risks. The Jaguars duo Travis Etienne and James Robinson (vs. Giants) is in a similar boat, and we're cautiously touting both as potential RB2s/flex backs against a Giants' defense that just had trouble with Kenyan Drake.
WEEK 7 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
Stay away from the low-floor, low-ceiling guys like Michael Carter (@ Broncos) and Kareem Hunt (@ Ravens) who are stuck behind the likes of Hall and Chubb, respectively, in tough matchups. Also steer clear of the Broncos backfield (Latavius Murray and Melvin Gordon vs. Jets) and Falcons backfield (Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley, @ Bengals) if possible, and fade Antonio Gibson (vs. Packers) as long as B-Rob is active. Even J.D. McKissic (vs. Packers) has limited upside in PPR leagues. If you need a "PPR back" in your lineup, you're better off with Dontrell Hillard (vs. Colts) or Jerick McKinnon (@ 49ers) despite their own tough matchups.
WEEK 7 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Plenty of other potential sleepers could emerge depending on the health of Jonathan Taylor (ankle), James Conner (ribs), and D'Andre Swift (ankle). The Colts' top-three RBs are banged up, but both Nyheim Hines (concussion) and Deon Jackson (quad) could have major PPR value if they're starting against the Titans. Eno Benjamin (vs. Saints) would also be in play if Conner is out, and Jamaal Williams (@ Cowboys) is a potential flex even if Swift is active.
Note: We'll be updating these RB PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for analysis and the latest player movement.
Week 7 fantasy RB PPR rankings
Rankings based on full-point PPRscoringleagues
SN/Getty
26
Best of the Rest
26 Kenyan Drake, Ravens vs. Browns
27 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs @ 49ers
28 James Robinson, Jaguars vs. Giants
29 Latavius Murray, Broncos vs. Jets
30 Jamaal Williams, Lions @ Cowboys
31 Kareem Hunt, Browns @ Ravens
32 Michael Carter, Jets @ Broncos
33 D'Onta Foreman, Panthers vs. Buccaneers
34 Caleb Huntley, Falcons @ Bengals
35 Tyler Allgeier, Falcons @ Bengals
36 Nyheim Hines, Colts @ Titans
37 Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers vs. Chiefs
38 Chuba Hubbard, Panthers vs. Buccaneers
39 Rachaad White, Buccaneers @ Panthers
40 Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs @ 49ers
41 Melvin Gordon III, Broncos vs. Jets
42 Sony Michel, Chargers vs. Seahawks
43 Dontrell Hilliard, Titans vs. Colts
44 J.D. McKissic, Commanders vs. Packers
45 Khalil Herbert, Bears @ Patriots
46 Justice Hill, Ravens vs. Browns
47 Mike Boone, Broncos vs. Jets
48 DeeJay Dallas, Seahawks @ Chargers
49 Jaylen Warren, Steelers @ Dolphins
50 Gus Edwards, Ravens vs. Browns
51 Antonio Gibson, Commanders vs. Packers
52 Chase Edmonds, Dolphins vs. Steelers
53 Rex Burkhead, Texans @ Raiders
54 Mark Ingram, Saints @ Cardinals
55 Samaje Perine, Bengals vs. Falcons
56 Matt Breida, Giants @ Jaguars
57 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs @ 49ers
