RBs to start in Week 7
Buccaneers’ Ronald Jones (vs. Raiders): No running back in the NFL — maybe besides Derrick Henry — is playing better right now than Ronald Jones. Jones has strung together three consecutive games of 100+ rushing yards, making him the only RB to achieve that mark this season.
There’s no reason to believe Jones slows down in Week 7 versus the Raiders, even if Leonard Fournette returns to the field. Las Vegas’ defense is conceding 5.2 yards per attempt to RBs, which is by far the most among teams that have seen fewer than 100 rushing attempts this season.
Falcons’ Todd Gurley (vs. Lions): The resurgence of Todd Gurley has been a bright spot for the Falcons so far this season. Even though he’s no longer the All-Pro running back he once was, he’s been a focal point in Atlanta, touching the ball at least 15 times in each game thus far.
Coming off of their first win, expect the Falcons to continue riding the hot hand against the Lions. Detroit’s defense is also giving up 5.2 yards per attempt and is surrendering 30.02 fantasy points per game to RBs (sixth-most in NFL).
Lions’ D’Andre Swift (vs. Falcons): Could we finally see D’Andre Swift become the No. 1 back for the Lions in the near future? The rookie second-round pick out of Georgia flashed his explosiveness in Week 6, rushing for 114 yards and two touchdowns on a season-high 14 carries.
Besides his ability as a runner, Swift is more than capable as a receiver too, which should bode well for him against the Falcons. As of this moment, Atlanta’s defense has allowed 46 receptions (second-most in NFL), 328 receiving yards, and four receiving touchdowns to RBs, which are both the most in the league.
Other RBs to consider in Week 7: Eagles’ Boston Scott (vs. Giants), Chargers’ Joshua Kelley (vs. Jaguars), Broncos’ Melvin Gordon (vs. Chiefs)
RBs to sit in Week 7
Patriots’ Damien Harris (vs. 49ers): It’s evident that the New England Patriots view Damien Harris as their starting running back moving forward. While showing more home-run ability than Sony Michel, Harris has carried it 23 times for 119 yards in his first two games back from injured reserve.
But after facing a stout front of the Denver Broncos in Week 6, Harris will be tasked with running against another stingy defensive front of the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have held opposing RBs to a mere 3.3 yards per attempt and are allowing only 16.58 fantasy points per game to the position (second-best in NFL).
49ers’ Jerick McKinnon (vs. Patriots): On the other side of the field, San Francisco’s offense will have to replace Raheem Mostert for an extended period of time again. For the second time this season, Mostert will likely be placed on short-term injured reserve after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 6.
While most will assume Jerick McKinnon gets the majority of the workload again, it was Jamycal Hasty who out-touched McKinnon in Week 6 and looked effective in the offense. McKinnon’s uncertain usage coupled with San Francisco’s matchup against New England’s defense that has held opposing RBs to 19.22 fantasy points per game (fourth-best in NFL) makes him an unreliable option in fantasy football in Week 7.
