Week 4 is in the books, and it’s time to take stock of the crazy week we just experienced. What better way to do that then with a retrospective of the top stories from fantasy’s favorite position – the running back. Each Wednesday, we’ll look back on studs, busts, breakouts, timeshares, situations to monitor, and all things RB from the past week.
So settle in, partner. It’s time to saddle up for the RB Roundup. Yeehaw.
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Stud of the week: Joe Mixon (CIN) 44.1 fantasy points
It was the week fantasy managers hoped for, as Mixon ran wild for three scores and easily the best fantasy total of the week. We’ll dig deeper into Mixon’s huge game below.
Breakout of the week: Antonio Gibson (WAS) 24.8
Gibson carried Washington’s offense Sunday, going for 13/46/1 as a rusher and 4/82 as a receiver. He’s seen his work and production increase in each of the last three weeks, and he’s developing into a weekly RB2. He faces the so-so Rams’ rush defense in Week 5, where he’ll look to build on this big performance.
Bust of the week: Kenyan Drake (ARI) 3.5
Drake was able to must a measly 35 yards against one of the league’s worst run defenses, and the time to panic is nigh. The Chase Edmonds hype train is boarding, and it will start rolling down the tracks with one more poor performance from Drake.
Surprise of the week: Jamaal Williams (GB) 19.5
In a game that was lauded by many as an Aaron Jones smash spot, it was Jamaal Williams who had the bigger day, as he provided an 8/95 receiving line in the comfortable victory. Williams displayed his aptitude as a receiver last season, and he’s more than capable of games like this every now and then. To be fair, we should have seen it coming based on Williams’ pre-game performance:
Yes he Kenyan… No he Can’t
This was the week that fantasy managers’ faith was restored in Joe Mixon, but the same cannot be said of Kenyan Drake. Drake struggled mightily against a soft Carolina run defense, and his splits with Chase Edmonds are resoundingly unsettling. Don’t believe me? Take a gander at these numbers:
Despite a clear command of backfield carries in favor of Drake, Edmonds has more than triple the targets and is the preferred receiving back in Arizona’s offense. Drake logged 28 receptions on 35 targets in his eight games with the Cardinals last season, and he was expected to operate as a dual-threat back in 2020. Instead, he has five targets through four games.
His 67 carries ranks seventh in the NFL, but Drake has averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry and has played inefficient football in 2020. Edmonds has averaged more than double the fantasy points per touch, and the two backs with vastly different preseason ADPs are only fractions of a point apart in total fantasy scoring. Drake is a hold for now based on the volume he’s receiving, but it’s hard to get excited about his outlook.
Mixon Up a Winner
Mixon’s production had some pegging him as an early-season bust and others concerned but holding their breath in hopes he would start to become the fantasy superstar we’ve seen him be in the past. Well, Mixon managers got their wish Sunday, as the Bengals’ running back promptly erupted for three touchdowns, including this one, where he hurdles a defender and takes a lick in the end zone:
Mixon received his heaviest workload in Week 4, though he saw markedly improved efficiency as a runner. Best of all, Mixon received a season high in targets, an area that had been a thorn in fantasy managers’ sides thus far.
| Rush | Rush Yards | Targets | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Total TDs | |
| Week 1 | 19 | 69 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Week 2 | 16 | 46 | 4 | 4 | 40 | 0 |
| Week 3 | 17 | 49 | 3 | 2 | 16 | 0 |
| Week 4 | 25 | 151 | 6 | 6 | 30 | 3 |
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Mixon has a brutal upcoming schedule, where his usage and production will be put to the test. His work as a receiver in Week 4 was encouraging, and if he can stay involved in the passing game, he’ll have a high floor no matter the matchup.
Damien Runs Wild – is it an Omen of Good Things to Come?
Damien Harris was the preseason favorite to lead the Patriots’ backfield in rushing in 2020, but a trip to the IR dashed those hopes – at least temporarily. Harris was activated off the injured reserve Monday, while Sony Michel took his place. Harris promptly carried 17 times for 100 yards on MNF, including this nifty 41-yard scamper:
Michel will be on IR until at least Week 8, and Harris could cement himself as New England’s top rusher in Week 5 against Denver and Week 7 against San Francisco. He could be a huge value off the waiver wire if he gets consistent touches out of New England’s backfield.
Quick Hitters
- James White returned in Week 4 and immediately saw eight targets out of the backfield. His role in this crowded backfield is secure as the team’s primary pass-catching back.
- It wouldn’t be a RB Roundup without mentioning the spectacular play of Mike D, would it? Davis has hit the ground running and has done a great Christian McCaffrey impersonation over the last three weeks. In two full games of action (and the fourth quarter of Week 2), Davis has logged 21 receptions, 29 carries, and two total TDs. Continue to play him confidently as an RB2.
- David Johnson hasn’t scored more than 13 PPR points since Week 1, and while he’s still a viable option, he’s shaping up to be more of an RB3/flex moving forward.
- Former AAF star D’Ernest Johnson suddenly finds himself in a favorable situation with the potential for weekly double-digit touches in a run-first offense. With Nick Chubb on IR, Johnson could make some noise in Cleveland.
- D’Andre Swift had a big game Sunday after a dud in Week 3, and his usage has been rather unpredictable to this point. That could change after the Lions’ Week 5 bye. With the team struggling and Matt Patricia in the hot seat, the coaching staff would be wise to scheme its talented rookie more and get him involved regularly in the offense.
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Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.