This list has undergone a major shakeup this week, as injuries to three starting running backs (De’Von Achane, Travis Etienne Jr. and Breece Hall) have provided fantasy managers with fresh options. That news couldn’t come at a better time, as some of the RBs who were expected to contribute to a shared backfield, such as Rico Dowdle and Kenny Gainwell, have been major disappointments thus far.
Fantasy managers should base their upcoming roster moves on team needs. Some managers are sitting at 1-2 or 0-3 and need someone who can get them a win this week. In that case, Braelon Allen is the top option. Other managers may need RB depth in the form of someone who will have a significant role in their team’s offense for the remainder of the season, which perfectly describes Ollie Gordon II. Finally, the managers who are strong at the RB position and can afford to stash someone who may eventually become a league-winning player can opt for the likes of Kyle Monangai or Rachaad White.
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Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins (5% rostered on Yahoo)
Gordon will enjoy one week atop this list before likely graduating to starter status after Week 4. The physical runner, who once logged a 1,732-yard, 21-TD season at Oklahoma State, is set to take over for Achane, who will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL.
The scouting report on Gordon is that, while he isn’t a complete zero as a receiver, his skills lie primarily in his ability to wear down defenses with his hard running style. And given that Malik Willis is most likely to scramble when under pressure, we should expect Gordon to get few fantasy points through the air. Gordon will also be hampered by his membership in a Miami offense that ranks last in points scored. That being said, running backs who could be permanent starters are rarely available on the waiver wire, which makes Gordon a must-add player for anyone who needs help at the position.
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Finally, it’s worth noting that Jaylen Wright, who missed Week 3 with a foot injury, could factor into the Dolphins backfield as well. Both players should be added in standard formats.
Braelon Allen, Jets, (20%)
Although Breece Hall seems to have escaped a major injury, his quad ailment will likely keep him out of Week 4. That’s great news for Allen, who is the only other Jets RB who has touched the ball this season. The problem is that Allen hasn’t done much with his opportunities, averaging 3.2 yards per carry and 2.8 yards per reception.
Although Isaiah Davis will likely get some opportunities, Allen is the favorite for early-down and goal-line work. Fantasy managers should keep their expectations in check, but Allen is a worthwhile option for those who need to replace Hall this week, especially given the Jets will face a mediocre Bears run defense.
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Kyle Monangai, Bears (83%)
After impressive performances during the initial two weeks, Monangai laid an egg in a lopsided Week 3 win over the Eagles. The hard-charging runner played just 22 snaps, in comparison to 50 snaps for D’Andre Swift. And he was much less impressive than Swift when given opportunities, gaining 31 yards on 10 carries.
Despite the lackluster effort, Monangai is a big part of the Bears offense. Swift got off to a great start on Monday Night Football, and head coach Ben Johnson decided to run with the hot hand. The expectation here is for Monangai to have larger roles in future weeks. The good news for both players is that the Bears lead the NFL with 553 rushing yards.
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TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (94%)
The Patriots struggled to run the ball against a stout Jaguars defense, which was a big reason for a blowout loss. Rhamdondre Stevenson and Henderson had 10 and nine touches, respectively, and both players did little with their opportunities. After a strong Week 2 performance, Henderson has achieved a relatively even split, with Stevenson remaining more involved in the passing game.
The concern for both players is that the Patriots offense hasn’t looked nearly as good as it did last season, particularly QB Drake Maye. Henderson should get 10 touches in a huge Week 4 game in Buffalo before the team enjoys an easier stretch of games beginning in Week 5. But with little pass-catching work, he’s a boom-or-bust flex option who needs to score a touchdown to exceed expectations.
Rachaad White, Commanders (58%)
White could be on the verge of getting more touches. After all, after outplaying Jacory Croskey-Merritt in Week 2, he gained 35 yards on eight carries last week against the Seahawks in comparison to 36 yards on 19 carries by JCM. White, who dealt with a shoulder injury at times during the game, was not especially involved in the passing game, but he managed to get into the end zone on his only catch.
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Given that they are coming off an impressive win over the Seahawks, the Commanders are unlikely to immediately mess with their backfield plan. Croskey-Merritt will continue to grind out difficult yards while White will get some high-impact touches. But White could soon earn more carries, and the Commanders have two decent home matchups (Colts, Giants) in the next two weeks.
RJ Harvey, Broncos (78%)
With rookie Jonah Coleman on the sidelines, the Broncos deployed Harvey and starter J.K. Dobbins in specific roles during a Week 3 win over the Rams. Dobbins tallied 17 carries and one catch, while Harvey carried the ball just twice but led the team with six receptions. Harvey was much more effective than Dobbins, who averaged just 2.9 yards per carry.
Coleman is on IR, which simplifies this backfield for the coming weeks. Harvey will be much more valuable in PPR formats, where he is a viable flex option. He could also earn more rushing work, since Dobbins has averaged just 3.5 yards per carry.
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Keaton Mitchell, Chargers (32%)
The winless Chargers are re-evaluating everything, and running back Omarion Hampton‘s role is no longer safe. The second-year pro looked sluggish once again last Sunday, while Mitchell averaged 6.5 yards on eight carries and took one of his three catches into the end zone.
Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel was hyping up Mitchell during the offseason, and he should continue to give his speediest running back more opportunities to jumpstart this offense. And while Mitchell lacks the size for a heavy role, his career average of 6.2 yards per carry shows that he doesn’t need many touches to rack up plenty of yards. Although it’s hard to envision the coaching staff straying too far from Hampton, who was a first-round pick in 2025, Mitchell could rise up this list in a hurry with an electrifying Week 4 performance in a virtual must-win game at the Seahawks.
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Alvin Kamara, Saints (43%)
We have seen Aaron Jones Sr. turn back the clock the past two weeks and handle a heavy workload in a Vikings backfield that is missing Jordan Mason. Can Kamara do the same thing, now that the Saints are going to play multiple games without Etienne? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t be a flex option.
Kamara gained 36 yards on nine carries and caught one pass in a Week 3 loss to the Raiders, and is now set to share backfield opportunities with Kendre Miller for the foreseeable future. The veteran is not the player he used to be, but he likely still has a knack at the goal line and in the passing game, which could result in some weeks with double-digit fantasy points. And it’s worth noting that Miller, who has long struggled to win over multiple coaching staffs, fumbled last week.
Woody Marks, Texans (52%)
A Houston offense that didn’t run the ball well last season hasn’t looked much better this year. Their struggles continued in a Week 3 loss to the Colts, with Marks and David Montgomery each averaging 3.0 yards per carry. Both backs had minimal participation in the passing game as well. Marks does deserve credit for tallying a one-yard rushing score.
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Marks continues to have some involvement in each game, and it was great to see him used near the end zone. He has decent odds of getting 7-10 points in PPR leagues each week, which will make him a low-end flex play when we reach the bye weeks.
Blake Corum, Rams (87%)
Through two games, Corum and Kyren Williams had similar touch totals, despite Williams enjoying a much larger snap share. But things swung wildly in Williams’ favor during a narrow Week 3 loss to the Broncos, with the veteran logging 15 carries and seven catches. Corum was mostly an afterthought, tallying just 15 total yards on six carries and two receptions.
Despite the lopsided one-week split, Corum is still an integral part of the Rams offense. But like Henderson, his lack of work in the passing game means that he will have a single-digit fantasy total unless he crosses and the goal line. And will Williams coming off his best game of the season, Corum needs to make a statement in Week 4.
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The best of the rest, factoring in current Flex value and long-term potential.
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Jaylen Wright, Dolphins
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Kendre Miller, Saints
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Mike Washington Jr., Raiders
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Isaiah Davis, Jets
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Kaelon Black, 49ers
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Kenny Gainwell, Buccaneers
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Emmett Johnson, Chiefs
Injured backups to stash
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Jordan Mason, Vikings
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Jonah Coleman, Broncos
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
