Skip to main content

Running Back Roundup: Week 7 (2019 Fantasy Football)

Running Back Roundup: Week 7 (2019 Fantasy Football)

Each and every week, we’ve seen some crazy performances from the league’s running backs, and Week 6 was no exception. Two of the top-five rushing leaders were Adrian Peterson and Carlos Hyde, in a surprising twist. The Packers pulled out a win on Monday Night Football thanks to the huge play of Jamaal Williams, and not the breakout Aaron Jones. David Johnson continued to get it done as a back and a receiver, while Joe Mixon underwhelmed once more behind a makeshift offensive line in Cincinnati. Let’s take a look at some notable news and performances from around the NFL in this week’s running back roundup.

Get free start/sit and waiver wire advice for your fantasy team partner-arrow

Week 6 Rushing Leaders:

1. Chris Carson (SEA): 124
2. Nick Chubb (CLE): 122
3. Adrian Peterson (WAS): 118
4. Carlos Hyde (HOU): 116
5. Ezekiel Elliott (DAL): 105

Week 6 Scrimmage Yards Leaders

1. Chris Carson (SEA): 159
2. Ezekiel Elliott (DAL): 152
3. Adrian Peterson (WAS): 136
4. Jamaal Williams (GB): 136
5. Carlos Hyde (HOU): 130 

Week 6 Fantasy Leaders (PPR)

1. James Conner (PIT): 31.9
2. Nick Chubb (CLE): 31.9
3. David Johnson (ARI): 28.2
4. Ezekiel Elliott (DAL): 27.2
5. Chris Carson (SEA): 26.9

Week 6 Biggest Busts

1. Derrick Henry (TEN): 4.3
2. Jordan Howard (PHI): 4.9
3. Austin Ekeler (LAC): 5.8
4. Joe Mixon (CIN): 5.9
5. Aaron Jones (GB): 9.0

New England

Sony Michel: 22 carries, 86 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 27 receiving yards
Brandon Bolden: 3 carries, 23 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 22 receiving yards, rushing TD
James White: 2  carries, -1 rushing yards, 9 receptions, 46 receiving yards

Despite his inefficiencies, Michel continues to get the bulk of the carries for the Patriots. I feel like a broken record writing about the second-year back every week, but he’s mostly an unexciting, high-risk play when he doesn’t score. He was surprisingly involved in the passing game with two receptions, but he has a 5/59 receiving line thus far. James White is an every-week flex play thanks to his strong receiving skills, and he had a would-be touchdown called down at the one-yard line this week. Bolden shouldn’t be rostered outside of deep leagues, especially with Rex Burkhead’s (foot) return imminent.

Tampa Bay

Peyton Barber: 8 carries, 28 rushing yards
Ronald Jones: 4 receptions, 10 rushing yards, rushing TD

The Buccaneers trailed big early on in this game, and the tandem of Barber and Jones only combined for 12 carries. Barber led the backfield in carries for the second week in a row, and at this point, the workload distribution in Tampa Bay is clear as mud. It was a disappointing performance for Ronald Jones, but he did score a short touchdown to save an otherwise awful outing. Keep rolling with Jones as the preferred play, but keep in mind the risk that comes with him.

Minnesota

Dalvin Cook: 16 carries, 41 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 13 receiving yards, rushing TD
Alexander Mattison: 14 carries, 63 rushing yards 

Cook and Mattison had a tough time finding running lanes against a stout Eagles front, but the Vikings still ran the ball 30 times between the pair. Minnesota is committed to establishing the run, and Cook is an elite RB1, even in tough matchups. Mattison is the top running back handcuff to own, and he has some low-end flex value even as the second option.

Washington

Adrian Peterson: 23 carries, 118 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 18 receiving yards
Chris Thompson: 3 carries, 12 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 8 receiving yards

As promised by the new coaching staff, Washington featured the run game, and Adrian Peterson saw season highs in carries and rushing yards. His volume alone makes him an intriguing flex play moving forward, though a tough matchup with San Francisco lies ahead in Week 7. Chris Thompson is reportedly dealing with a toe injury that could sideline him for Week 7 and possibly beyond. He can be stashed in PPR formats in the event his absence is brief, though Peterson should see a boost in usage while the former is out.

Miami

Kenyan Drake: 10 carries, 40 rushing yards, 6 receptions, 30 receiving yards
Mark Walton: 6 carries, 32 rushing yards, 5 receptions, 43 receiving yards
Kalen Ballage: 3 carries, 7 rushing yards, rushing TD

Walton, the former third-stringer, led the backfield in scrimmage yards after his role was promised to increase ahead of Sunday’s game. Kenyan Drake saw the most touches, and Kalen Ballage vultured a short touchdown, but Walton needs to be picked up as a potential flex play moving forward. Miami is still in full tank mode at 0-5, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the team move in a new direction at running back.

San Francisco

Tevin Coleman: 18 carries, 45 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 16 receiving yards, rushing TD
Matt Breida: 13 carries, 36 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 27 receiving yards

Coleman had another big game in his second week back, and he split work fairly evenly with Matt Breida. Coleman should be considered a weekly RB2, with the Niners taking a run-heavy approach on offense. Breida is a shaky flex play, but his explosive speed and athleticism give him big-play upside every time he’s on the field. Raheem Mostert, we hardly knew ye, and he’s off the fantasy radar indefinitely.

Los Angeles Rams

Malcolm Brown: 11 carries, 40 rushing yards
Darrell Henderson: 6 carries, 39 rushing yards, 9-yard reception

Todd Gurley (quad) surprisingly missed Sunday’s contest, and the duo of Henderson and Brown combined for 18 touches. Brown led the backfield in carries by a nearly 2-1 margin, though it was the rookie who did more with his opportunities. If Gurley is forced to miss more time, an RBBC is likely to form, muddling the fantasy prospects of both backs. Henderson has the higher upside of the pair.

Los Angeles Chargers

Melvin Gordon: 8 carries, 18 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 30 receiving yards
Austin Ekeler: 5 carries, 14 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 14 receiving yards

Sunday’s loss was brutal for the Chargers’ running backs, as the team fell into a big hole quickly and abandoned the run game. Gordon and Ekeler combined for only 13 carries, and each caught three passes. There’s no doubt Gordon is the starter, but Ekeler should stay involved moving forward. Both backs can be deployed confidently on a weekly basis, though Gordon isn’t likely to be the shoo-in RB1 many anticipated.

Import your team to My Playbook for instant Waiver Wire advice partner-arrow


Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | SoundCloud | TuneIn | RSS

Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.

More Articles

Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice: Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., Keon Coleman (Fantasy Football)

Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice: Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., Keon Coleman (Fantasy Football)

fp-headshot by FantasyPros Staff | 2 min read
Fantasy Football Draft Advice: Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, Joe Mixon, Derrick Henry

Fantasy Football Draft Advice: Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, Joe Mixon, Derrick Henry

fp-headshot by FantasyPros Staff | 3 min read
Fantasy Football Draft Value Fallers: Kenny Pickett, Justin Jefferson, Tyjae Spears, Justin Herbert

Fantasy Football Draft Value Fallers: Kenny Pickett, Justin Jefferson, Tyjae Spears, Justin Herbert

fp-headshot by FantasyPros Staff | 2 min read
2024 NFL Draft USC Pro Day: Caleb Williams, MarShawn Lloyd, Brenden Rice (Fantasy Football)

2024 NFL Draft USC Pro Day: Caleb Williams, MarShawn Lloyd, Brenden Rice (Fantasy Football)

fp-headshot by FantasyPros Staff | 1 min read

About Author

Hide

Current Article

3 min read

Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice: Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., Keon Coleman (Fantasy Football)

Next Up - Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice: Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., Keon Coleman (Fantasy Football)

Next Article