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Here in Week 4 of the NFL season we have many regulars still out with injury. However, we do get to welcome Pittsburgh running back Le’Veon Bell back to the mix. DeAngelo Williams will head to a complementary role while Bell will resume his spot as a regular elite running back option in all formats. We also saw how if things are going right, both Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman can be useful in Atlanta. Don’t get me wrong, it won’t be like it was on Monday night every time they play, but the duo could remain fantasy relevant all season. Anyway, let’s jump into it.
Here are the top 5 running backs for Week 4 of the NFL season.
Le’Veon Bell vs. KC
Head coach Mike Tomlin said that Bell is “highly conditioned” and will be used a lot in his season debut. Excellent. Kansas City is allowing just under 4.3 yards per carry and Bell’s work in the passing game figures to increase his fantasy output tenfold. 100 total yards should damn near be his baseline in his debut.
David Johnson vs. LA
Johnson might be the best complete back in all of football and if he isn’t, then he’s surely in the top two or three. He’s gone over 100 total yards in each game this season and while the Rams have been solid against the run, they’ve allowed the tenth-most receiving yards to opposing backs. Johnson’s workload and talent level makes it nearly impossible to rank him outside the top 5. He’s essentially match-up proof.
C.J. Anderson @ TB
Anderson notched only 41 total yards last week, but he will face a Bucs defense this week that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to the position this season. Expect Anderson to get more looks in the passing attack this week, seeing as Tampa Bay has been extremely vulnerable to pass-catching backs this season. Anderson should bounce back in a nice way in Week 4.
Ezekiel Elliott @ SF
If only the Cowboys would let Zeke get some touches near the goal line! It’s frustrating, but Elliott is still so valuable in fantasy formats, despite his coach screwing him out of two or so touchdowns. His 71 carries are third in the NFL while his 274 rushing yards are tied for second. Roll with him in all formats.
Melvin Gordon vs. NO
The New Orleans Saints have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. They’ve surrendered seven total touchdowns to the position, not to mention the fact that they are allowing just under 5.3 yards per carry and almost 10 yards per reception. Melvin Gordon out-snapped backup Dexter McCluster 51 to nine last week, so it’s safe to say Gordon has very high upside this week.
Be sure to check out the rest of the NFL Week 4 Player Rankings here at Fantasy Alarm.
And don;t forget to follow me on Twitter: @colbyrconway
Player News
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said the team does not “have any feelings on competition” when asked about the quarterback room.
O’Connell was asked about a potential quarterback competition on the Rich Eisen Show Wednesday and was unclear on whether J.J. McCarthy would have to compete to start. He said, “we’ve got an obligation as coaches to put our players in position to attack that competition phase.” O’Connell discussed first putting Brett Rypien and the newly acquired Sam Howell in a position to play before any competition would occur. He continued that McCarthy is “owning it” this offseason and is taking snaps from starting center Ryan Kelly. After missing last season with a torn meniscus, McCarthy has been ramping up workouts in the offseason and is the front-runner to start for the Vikings in 2025. As of now, Howell looks to be reinforcement at the backup spot in case it turns out McCarthy is not ready to start.
Texans re-signed DT Foley Fatukasi.
Fatukasi initially joined the Texans last offseason on a one-year contract. The 30-year-old was a rotational defensive lineman, tallying four tackles for loss and one sack. He returns to Houston for 2025, where he will be a part of a deep Texans front seven.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports Tyreek Hill’s second wrist surgery was part of the original plan and his timeline remains unchanged.
Hill announced the second surgery on social media and Pelissero quickly added some context to the situation. The speedy receiver suffered the wrist injury just before the start of the season and it lingered throughout the year, though he never missed a game because of it. If the second surgery truly is a non-story, an offseason to recover might be what Hill needs to return to form after a down 2024 season. On the other hand, Hill is 31 years old, played his worst football last year, and his offense prioritized targets for Jonnu Smith and De’Von Achane. As it stands, Hill might have the highest risk-reward split in fantasy drafts.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports there are “multiple people in the league who believe the new regime is not so high on Travis Etienne.”
Fowler also noted Tank Bigsby’s fumbling issue but didn’t directly relate that to the feelings of the new brain trust in Jacksonville. The Jags clearly felt they were lacking at running back this offseason and addressed that opening via the draft with Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round and LeQuint Allen in the seventh. The pair of additions complicate an already-messy backfield by committee. Etienne is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is a long-shot to be brought back in 2026. The Jags could opt to move on early by trading him, clearing $6.1 million in cap space in the process. If the team does trade Etienne, Tuten would likely be the team’s top back in the long run, making him a high-upside bet in early fantasy drafts.
Broncos signed third-round pick WR Pat Bryant to a four-year contract.
The deal includes $1.4 million guaranteed and is worth $6.6 million in total. Sean Payton compared aspects of Bryant’s game to those of Michael Thomas in his post-draft press conference and there are at least a few similarities in their profiles. Bryant stands at 6'2/204 and ran a 4.61-second Forty at the combine. Thomas measured in at 6'3/212 and clocked a 4.57-second Forty. Though the two have similar physical characteristics, Thomas was known for his proficiency from the slot while Bryant primarily played on the outside as a field-stretcher at Illinois. Bryant’s transition to slot duties may take some time, but third-round draft capital makes him worth a shot in dynasty leagues.
Colts EDGE Samson Ebukam (Achilles) said he is expected to be cleared for training camp.
Ebukam suffered a torn Achilles in training camp last year and did not play in the 2024 season. He broke out in 2023 with a career-high 9.5 sacks in his first season with the Colts. He now has one year left on his deal and will be looking for a rebound season as he stares down free agency in 2026