Week 3 was filled with chaos and breakout performances by several running back sleepers. Adrian Peterson led all Week 3 running backs with 24 fantasy points and was one of five backs to score two touchdowns. Peterson will be out of action this week, as Washington is one of two teams to have a Week 4 bye. Christian McCaffrey and the Panthers are the other, meaning two early top-10 fantasy running backs will not be in play. That makes the process of exploiting favorable matchups all the more important. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of my top Week 4 running back sleepers.
All our Week 4 Sleepers: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends
Week 4 Running Back Sleepers
Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons
If starting running back Joe Mixon continues to sit out this week, Giovani Bernard is a locked and loaded fantasy start. He posted a top-12 finish last week and will likely do so again if Mixon remains sidelined. But with reports circulating that Mixon may indeed suit up this week, owners who rostered Bernard are worried about a potential lack of involvement. They shouldn’t be. Bernard will be a factor in this game regardless of whether Mixon is available or not.
Atlanta has led the league in receptions allowed to opposing running backs in each season of head coach Dan Quinn’s tenure. And that pace is being led by the Falcons once again in 2018. Granted, dates with Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey will often skew those numbers a bit, but Bernard also excels in the passing game. He has nine receptions over his last two games and should see a healthy target-share in this game. Atlanta’s defense has been ravaged by injuries and Bernard should excel in this matchup. If Mixon sits out, Bernard is an RB1 in all formats. Even if Mixon does play, I expect Bernard to finish as a top-20 fantasy back, particularly in PPR leagues.
James White, New England Patriots v. Miami Dolphins
New England has uncharacteristically struggled on offense over the last two weeks, but James White continues to be a bright spot. The fifth-year running back out of Wisconsin is a top-20 fantasy back through three weeks. With early-season injuries to Rex Burkhead and Sony Michel limiting their production, White has taken advantage. Usually more of a PPR specialist, White has finished as a top-30 running back in standard formats in each week so far in 2018. White should have another opportunity to post a similar finish in Week 4 when the Patriots host the Miami Dolphins.
White makes his name catching passes out of the backfield and should thrive in this matchup. Running backs have caused plenty of damage in the passing game against the Dolphins so far this season. Dion Lewis, Bilal Powell, and Jalen Richard have combined for 168 receiving yards and a touchdown thus far versus Miami. With Rex Burkhead’s health in question and Sony Michel seemingly unable to catch a pass, White will be in for a big day. I expect him to find the end zone again this week and finish as a mid-range RB2 in all formats. James White is one of my favorite Week 4 running back sleepers.
Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys
Kerryon Johnson cracked the century mark in Detroit’s upset victory against New England on Sunday night. His performance ended Detroit’s pronounced drought without a 100-yard rusher. The rookie has seen his touches and yardage totals increase in each game, and he is making a case to be much more than just the leader of an RBBC. Johnson will have a chance to further distance himself from LeGarrette Blount and Theo Riddick when the Lions travel down to Dallas to take on the Cowboys.
Dallas has done a pretty good job of stopping the run so far this season. They have allowed just 75.3 rushing yards per game to opposing running backs, limiting them to just 3.3 yards per carry. But Dallas will be without linebacker Sean Lee in this game. Lee suffered a hamstring injury and will be out for a couple of weeks. Dallas is simply not the same defense without Lee in the lineup. Dallas will also have their hands full with Detroit’s trio of wide receivers, which should open up room for Johnson. I think Johnson will score the first touchdown of his NFL career on his way to a top-20 weekly finish.
Royce Freeman, Denver Broncos v. Kansas City Chiefs
Royce Freeman has slowly increased his fantasy production in each game thus far in 2018. He has scored a touchdown and finished as an RB2 in each of his last two games. Last week, the rookie carried the ball 13 times for 53 yards, adding a five-yard catch. Freeman will have a chance to keep his momentum going on Monday night when the Denver Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs. The matchup is certainly one to exploit for fantasy purposes.
Kansas City was gashed by San Francisco’s Alfred Morris and Matt Breida for 157 yards and a score on just 24 carries last week. They have already allowed five top-24 weekly fantasy finishes to the running back position. That bodes well for both Freeman and Phillip Lindsay. Lindsay was forced to hit the showers early after being ejected for throwing a punch last week. It remains to be seen if this will impact his playing time on the field. I believe Denver may limit Lindsay’s involvement early as a way to send a message. This would benefit Freeman even more in what is a juicy matchup. I believe Freeman puts up a third consecutive RB2 finish this week.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers v. Buffalo Bills
I am going back to the well with the belief that I was merely just a week early on Aaron Jones. Jones returned from a two-game suspension and saw limited action last week. He looked good when he got the ball, rushing for 42 yards on six carries. While that usage is certainly not ideal, the game script was not in his favor in a game the Packers trailed throughout. But Jones certainly seems to have a much more dynamic running style than backfield mate Jamaal Williams. Jones has a chance to pave the way for a much bigger role in this offense when Green Bay hosts Buffalo this week.
Jones must improve his pass protection to warrant more work in Green Bay’s backfield. Aaron Rodgers is injured and it appears to be an injury that will linger and potentially worsen throughout the season. Either way, Green Bay should attempt to lean on the running game more than they have in recent years. Despite Buffalo’s stunning Week 3 domination over Minnesota, their rushing defense remains suspect. They were not tested in a game where no Viking carried the ball more than two times. Buffalo allowed six total touchdowns to opposing running backs through two weeks, so this is still a favorable matchup for Jones. With Green Bay heavily favored and Rodgers hobbled, I expect Jones and Williams to each see at least ten carries in this game. I think that is enough for Jones to break a big play and warrant fantasy consideration in Week 4.
Mick Ciallela has been writing for FantraxHQ since July 2017. He has also written for Bleacher Report. He is a lifelong sports fan and has been an avid fantasy sports player for many years. Mick was the Overall Champion of both the 2016 Football Challenge – Roto and 2017 Play 3 Football contests hosted by CDM Sports. MIck was born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York and currently resides in New London, Connecticut.
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