NFL Fantasy 2025 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Running backs for Week 4

Last week on the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, we started a new segment called “Biggie Players," where we discuss guys who need one more chance. That's Hall after two down weeks. The Dolphins have allowed the eighth-most rushing yards to backs this season, yielding explosive runs (10-plus yards) at the fifth-highest rate. Because Hall is the Jets' lead rusher and heavily involved in the pass game, he is a little less game-script dependent. The explosive Hall brings too much upside in this matchup, and that's especially true if Justin Fields returns.

The Chargers rookie took his game to the next level last week when he played 79 percent of the offensive snaps and has 19 carries and seven targets. He finished with 129 total yards, a touchdown and 24.9 fantasy points. In the wake of Najee Harris' season-ending Achilles injury, expect Hampton to have heavy workloads moving forward. He should turn that opportunity into another big fantasy outing this week against the Giants, who have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards to backs. That includes giving up over 5 yards per carry and explosive runs on 12 percent of carries (10th-highest in NFL). Hampton is a must-start this week. 

You may notice a theme: I think Week 4 will be the week this rookie class fully arrives in the NFL. The first three weeks have been a struggle for Jeanty. Getting hit at or behind the line of scrimmage has been an issue, occurring on 57 percent of Jeanty’s carries this season, per ESPN's Ryan McFadden. He did rush for a season-high 63 yards in Week 3. Even better, he had his first two carries of 15-plus yards. This week, Jeanty faces a Bears defense that has allowed a league-high 2.2 yards before contract per carry to running backs, along with the most rush yards to the position. Still not sold? Chicago is allowing explosive runs at an above-average rate this season. This feels like a breakout opportunity for Jeanty.

Speaking of breaking out, Judkins played 58 percent of the Browns offensive snaps last week with 18 (of the team's 19) carries and two targets. He finished with 95 total yards, a touchdown and 16.5 fantasy points. The performance was especially impressive considering it came against a Packers team that shut down both the Lions' and Commanders' rushing attacks in previous weeks. The rookie has fully taken over Cleveland's backfield and should see enough volume to be in the RB2 range each week moving forward. He faces a tough Lions defense this week, but Detroit has allowed explosive runs at the seventh-highest rate in the NFL. Volume and last week's showing against a tough D keep Judkins in play.

I can feel some of you rolling your eyes at me through the screen. Like with Breece Hall, I am giving Henderson one more chance. Last week, after Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson coughed up three fumbles, Henderson was given his chance to see consistent volume in this backfield, playing 88 percent of the snaps after that third fumble. It didn't turn into a huge outing, but the hope is this kind of opportunity continues. The Patriots are likely to still use Stevenson plenty, but the rookie should receive touches over Gibson. This week's matchup is favorable, as the Panthers have given up the third-most rushing yards to running backs, yielding a league-high average of 5.7 yards per carry and allowing explosive runs at an above-average rate. Lastly, Henderson is fifth on the team in targets despite his limited playing time. More snaps only means more valuable pass-game looks. He gets one more shot to break out.

James Conner's season-ending injury moves Benson in as the Cards' lead rusher. Last week, Benson played 61 percent of the snaps, saw 10 carries and four targets, and finished with 51 yards and 8.1 fantasy points. Even before Conner's injury, the Cardinals were featuring Benson in the pass game. That could be huge this week against the Seahawks, who have allowed the most targets, receiving yards and second-most catches to running backs this season. Benson isn't a must-start, but he is certainly in play as an RB2 or flex option.  

I was a big believer in Skattebo the prospect, and I've been saying all summer that he would be the Giants' best fantasy RB in 2025. So, naturally, I'm including him after his big performance on Sunday Night Football. Skattebo played 59 percent of the snaps with 10 carries and eight targets, finishing with 121 total yards and the Giants' lone touchdown. He led the team in rushing yards, targets, catches and receiving yards -- making it feel more like an Arizona State game than an NFL one. He also forced seven missed tackles against the Chiefs; in the first two weeks of the season, the Giants RBs forced a league-low three. The Chargers haven't allowed a ton of rushing yards to RBs, but they are giving up 4.6 per carry. Skattebo is not a must-start against them, but with Tyrone Tracy Jr. dealing with an shoulder injury, volume certainly has the rookie in the RB2 and flex range.

This is a bit of a spicier call, but the matchup against the Patriots scares me. New England has allowed the second-fewest rushing yards to backs this season. In fact, they have allowed just 0.5 yards before contact to them, while the Panthers have averaged 0.6 yards before contact, the fifth-worst in the NFL. In Week 3, Carolina's first game since putting multiple offensive lineman on IR, the team averaged a league-worst zero yards before contact. Yikes. In addition, Rico Dowdle's usage has increased each week. Equally concerning: The Panthers have run the ball at the eighth-lowest rate in the NFL. Hubbard isn't a must-sit, but if you're starting him, you better hope he earns some opportunities in the pass game.

Sit Montgomery? After he exploded for his best fantasy outing of the year in Week 3? Unfortunately, yes. I'm worried this could be closer to a floor performance against an extremely tough Cleveland defense, one which has allowed the fewest rushing yards and just one touchdown to RBs this season. The Browns are the only team in the NFL yet to allow a run of 10-plus yards to a running back. They have also yielded a league-low -0.7 yards before contact to the position. They held Josh Jacobs to just 30 ground yards last week and Derrick Henry to 23 in Week 2. Monty had 13 or fewer touches in each of the last two games and posted 8.3 fantasy points in a tough Week 1 matchup against Green Bay. Managers can't expect receiving output to save his day, either. He might need to start in deep leagues, but if you have another option, take it. 

While Pacheco is still the lead back in Kansas City, he's splitting snaps, carries and routes with Kareem Hunt. Pacheco's targets have declined each week, and the valuable goal-line looks are going to Hunt. I also fear seventh-round rookie Brashard Smith could become more of a factor. Pacheco has yet to score six fantasy points in a game this season. Don't start him until he starts producing.

There's definite hype surrounding "Bill," but my fear is coming to fruition. The Commanders have so many options in the run game -- even without the injured Austin Ekeler -- and Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. have been utilized more of late. Deebo Samuel will always be a factor out of the backfield, and both Commanders QBs (Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota) are threats to steal goal-line carries. While Croskey-Merritt scored last week, Rodriguez led Washington in carries, McNichols paced the team in yards and Mariota had a goal-line TD. Bill was fourth on the team in rush yards. Now he faces the Falcons, who have allowed just one explosive run and one touchdown to RBs this season. They also rank 10th against the run. Sit Bill this week.

While I think this is the breakout week for many rookies, Harvey could be on the outside looking in. The second-round pick has played fewer than 40 percent of the snaps in each game this season, with seven touches in Week 1, six in Week 2 and just five last week. While I still believe in Harvey's talent, he's not a "start" this week. J.K. Dobbins looks like a must-start option against Cincy, but Harvey should hit the bench.