Monday we saw the big pass catchers from Week 4 in the NFL. Today, we'll spotlight the running back position in Targets and Touches. A couple of mild surprises in the Top Ten, as we spotlight Beanie, Felix and Ryan. I know, they sound like three guys in a hot new band. Beanie would probably be the lead singer and guitarist, Felix the drummer and Ryan the bassist. I'm on a big music kick since Michael Fabiano mentioned Trixter on Monday's 'NFL Fantasy Live'. He's one in a million.
Analysis
Also with 21 touches was Steven Jackson, who the Rams showed they have no problem leaning on right away. Sam Bradford doesn't have the weapons to light up the scoreboard, so look for St. Louis to dial it back for now, as Jackson is again a strong No. 2 or weak No. 1…
Felix Jones again saw a lot of action even though he left the Lions game with a shoulder injury. With the bye coming up, Jones will be fine, he's getting more responsibility and should be started at the flex at the least, or even a No. 2 spot…
Mathews' toe injury didn't seem to slow him down Sunday, and five of his touches were in the passing game for 68 yards. He'll be a regular on this list the rest of the way. You're starting him with confidence and he'll eventually be your No. 1 RB. He's got the 10th most touches in the NFL so far…
Arian Foster's hamstring injury didn't stop him from topping this list. I liked the workload he received and came out of the game okay. He's your guy - just make sure you handcuff him even though every Texans RB is hurt (Hey, can we get Steve Slaton back?)…
Chris Johnson is rounding into shape now that his month-long 'conditioning' period is over. Hey, I said you'd have to wait until October for the real CJ2K, now October is here and so is he.
Just outside the Top 10 lie Mark Ingram and Ryan Torain (19 touches) and BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Willis McGahee (17). Ingram is a bit deceiving as he hasn't been that impressive and until he improves on his 3.5 YPC average I can't start him. For now, Darren Sproles will continue to be your best option in that Saints backfield…
Ryan Torain is interesting. He stepped in and was huge replacing Clinton Portis last year, but had zero carries through the first three games before exploding for 135 yards and a TD. This is why I don't like Tim Hightower. He had the carries and workload to produce numbers and he hasn't, hence the switch to Torain, who Mike Shanahan said ran like he was 'possessed' Sunday. Even though they have a bye this week, pick him up. He's a spot-starter because Shanahan will still pound Hightower low and keep Roy Helu in the mix. The Mike Shanahan Fantasy Football Not Your Running Back Friend Trend will continue…
The Law Firm is desperately trying to hold off Stevan Ridley, and even though he produced in Oakland you can see which way this is going. Pick up Ridley now…
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Willis McGahee continues to defy logic. He's been a double-digit producer the last few weeks, and you have to play him at your flex. Will it continue? At some point he's going to fall off, but you can't argue with what he's done.
Both Montario Hardesty and Peyton Hillis caught five passes Sunday. The Browns are becoming QB-driven like the rest of the NFL, but watch out for Hardesty. He's nearly becoming a double-digit point threat in his own right. He's cutting into Peyton Hillis' workload and that will keep going as long as Hardesty produces, because Cleveland knows they can't give it to Hillis 25 times a game, even though they say they want to increase Hillis' responsibilities. If you waived Hardesty after last week, pick him back up, he's close to being worth a flex play…
Who's been the best at pass catching out of the backfield overall? Sure, Matt Forte, Sproles and Mike Tolbert are your top 3. But who's got the 4th most receptions out of the backfield? The Buccaneers' Earnest Graham, with 23 so far. However he's not worth owning across the board, as LeGarrette Blount isn't going to lose touches to Graham, so he only has value in a PPR league.