Fantasy Football Week 4 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em Running Backs: Brian Robinson dominates, plus sleepers to play (2024)

Austin Ekeler (concussion) could be out this week, which should give Robinson the chance for 20-plus touches. He's had two excellent outings so far this season with 17.9 PPR points in Week 1 at Tampa Bay and 14.6 PPR points in Week 2 against the Giants. He scored a touchdown in Week 3 at Cincinnati but only had 16 carries for 33 yards and one catch for 4 yards on one target. With Ekeler hurt, Robinson should be more involved in the passing game, and Arizona has already allowed four running backs to score at least 13.3 PPR points this season.

The Dolphins are No. 5 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, but they have been awful the past two weeks against James Cook (28.5 PPR points) and Zach Charbonnet (25.7 PPR points). Let's hope that continues against Pollard, who scored at least 15.2 PPR points in each of his first two games. He struggled in Week 3 against Green Bay with just 5.9 PPR points, but this matchup in Miami should get him back on track. And you can also consider Tyjae Spears a sleeper this week and use him as a flex in PPR.

Singletary is getting hot, and it comes at the right time with a great matchup against the Cowboys in Week 4. He's scored at least 14.5 PPR points in each of the past two games against Washington and Cleveland, and he had four catches for 43 yards on four targets against the Browns, which is the second time this year where he had four receptions in a game. Dallas is No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs after Jerome Ford (18.9 PPR points in Week 1), Alvin Kamara (44.0 PPR points in Week 2) and Derrick Henry (30.4 PPR points in Week 3) tore this defense apart. Let's hope Singletary follows suit in Week 4, and he's worth using as a No. 2 running back in all leagues.

Moss had a breakout game in Week 3 against Washington with 17 total touches, including five catches for 39 yards on six targets, and he scored a touchdown. He's now scored at least 14.1 PPR points in two of three games, and he should have another solid performance against the Panthers in Week 3. Carolina has allowed four touchdowns to running backs in three games, and three running backs (Alvin Kamara, J.K. Dobbins and Alexander Mattison) have each scored at least 13.4 PPR points. Moss is a solid No. 2 running back in all leagues for Week 4.

Harris should be fine for Week 4 after having his right arm in a sling following the Week 3 win against the Chargers. "Naj will be ready to rock and roll," Mike Tomlin said, which is great news. And Harris could be headed for a big role with Jaylen Warren (knee) banged up. Against the Chargers, Harris had 18 carries for 70 yards and five catches for 16 yards on five targets for a season-high 13.6 PPR points. He has yet to score a touchdown, but the Colts have allowed two running backs (Joe Mixon in Week 1 and Josh Jacobs in Week 2) to each score at least 15.1 PPR points. If Warren is out as expected then Harris should be considered a No. 2 running back in all leagues.

We'll see what happens with Kareem Hunt now that he's on the active roster, but it would be surprising if Steele didn't lead the Chiefs in carries again in Week 4. In Week 3 at Atlanta, in the first game without Isiah Pacheco (leg), Steele had 17 carries for 72 yards and one catch for 2 yards on two targets. The Chargers are banged up on both sides of the ball, so the Chiefs should be able to lean on Steele a lot in this matchup if things go as planned. And the Chargers have already allowed two running backs this season to score at least 13.6 PPR points.

We'll see if Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) are both out again in Week 4 (both missed practice Wednesday), and if that happens then Akers can be used as a flex in all leagues. He filled in for both in Week 3 at Minnesota and had nine carries for 21 yards and one catch for 8 yards and a touchdown on three targets, but the entire Houston offense was demolished in that game, leaving Akers little chance to be productive. That should change in Week 4 against the Jaguars, who have allowed three running backs to score at least 13.6 PPR points this season. Keep an eye on the injury report in Houston, and if Akers starts again he can be a useful Fantasy option in all leagues.

Allen is doing a great job finding his spots for the Jets as the No. 2 running back behind Breece Hall. Allen has scored at least 9.8 PPR points in each of his last two games, with two touchdowns and five catches on seven targets over that span. I like him as a flex this week against the Broncos, who have allowed a pair of running backs to score at least 8.1 PPR points in every game this season against Seattle, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay. Even while Hall has been dominant this season, Allen is still able to help Fantasy managers in a secondary role.

Is this the game where we're going to see Irving take over the backfield from Rachaad White? It feels like it's coming since Irving has run better than White this season. Through three games, Irving has 25 carries for 154 yards (6.4 yards per carry), while White has 31 carries for 66 yards (2.1 yards per carry). White has still been solid in the passing game with 12 catches for 98 yards on 13 targets compared to five catches for 28 yards on six targets for Irving, and maybe Tampa Bay just turns White into a third-down back. I'm willing to take the chance on Irving as a flex, and maybe Week 4 is when he becomes the new starter for the Buccaneers.

This should be a good game script for Hill if the Bills and Ravens turns into a track meet, especially if Baltimore is chasing points. The expected point total for this game is 46.5, and I like Hill's role in the passing game against Buffalo. The Bills are No. 4 in most receptions allowed to running backs, and they've allowed at least 5.7 PPR points to three running backs this season on just receiving totals alone. Hill is a good flex option in PPR this week.

Williams will be tough to trust heading into Week 4 at the Jets. He just had another down game in Week 3 at Tampa Bay with 41 total yards, and he scored 6.1 PPR points, which is the second time this season he's been under 7.0 PPR points in a game. He's yet to score a touchdown, and he continues to share touches with Jaleel McLaughlin and potentially Tyler Badie as well. The Jets are No. 8 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and it's tough to even use Williams as a flex in most leagues.

In three games this season, Swift has combined for 37 carries for 68 yards and six catches for 46 yards on 10 targets and no touchdowns. The Bears should start giving Roschon Johnson more work, and Swift can't be trusted even in favorable matchups. Until Swift looks like a capable running back in Chicago, he is no better than a flex option in the majority of leagues.

We'll see how long Antonio Pierce sticks with White because the Raiders might start giving Alexander Mattison more work soon. Through three games, White has 32 carries for 102 yards and five catches for 16 yards on six targets with no touchdowns. It's tough to trust him in favorable matchups, and White likely needs to find the end zone at this point to help your Fantasy roster. Until White looks like a capable running back in Las Vegas, he is no better than a flex option in the majority of leagues.

Bucky Irving could be taking over the starting job soon for White, who is no better than a flex option in most leagues in Week 4. He scored 16.6 PPR points in Week 1 against Washington, but since then has combined for 11.8 PPR points in two games against Detroit and Denver. I'm hopeful he'll still maintain a strong presence in the passing game, but Irving looks like the better runner heading into this matchup with the Eagles. I would plan to use White as just a flex option in the majority of leagues for this week.