Week 7 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: Running Backs

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.

Fabs’ Top 10 Running Backs

1. Christian McCaffrey at Vikings (Mon.)
2. Austin Ekeler at Chiefs
3. Bijan Robinson at Buccaneers
4. Josh Jacobs at Bears
5. Travis Etienne at Saints (Thur.)
6. D’Andre Swift vs. Dolphins
7. Kenneth Walker vs. Cardinals
8. Alvin Kamara vs. Jaguars (Thur.)
9. Saquon Barkley vs. Commanders
10. Raheem Mostert at Eagles

Week 7 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Byes: Bengals, Cowboys, Jets, Panthers, Texans, Titans

Week 7 Start ’Em: Running Backs

Start of the Week

Aaron Jones at Broncos (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): This is low-hanging fruit, but with six teams on a bye, Jones (assuming he’s back from a bum hamstring) will be an attractive starter. The Broncos have been awful against enemy running backs, as five have beaten them for more than 20 fantasy points this season. In all, no team in the league has been more generous to backs, so Jones is a must start.

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Start ’Em

Isiah Pacheco vs. Chargers (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Pacheco has been on quite a hot streak, scoring 13-plus fantasy points in each of his last four games. He’s seen at least 17 touches in that quartet of games too, so Pacheco is more of a featured back this season. He should thrive against the Chargers, who have given up 13-plus PPR points to five running backs including four with more than 17.

D’Andre Swift vs. Dolphins (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Swift has put up great totals over his last five games, averaging nearly 19 points per game and well over five yards per rush. He’s also seen more than 35% touch share in the Eagles backfield, and a matchup against the Dolphins makes him a must start. Their defense has allowed 14-plus fantasy points to five different running backs this season.

Brian Robinson at Giants (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Robinson did nothing on the ground against the Falcons last week, but he did have a touchdown catch and put up a respectable 13.6 points. He should be in starting fantasy lineups this week, as a game against the Giants is favorable. Their defense has allowed 13-plus points to six different runners, including three who have scored more than 20 points.

Roschon Johnson vs. Raiders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Johnson missed last weekend’s game with a concussion, but he should be cleared to return to action against the Raiders. In that event, he’ll be a solid No. 2 fantasy runner in a plus matchup vs. the Raiders. Their defense has allowed six different running backs to score 11-plus points, including two who have gone over 18 points, in the first six weeks.

More Starts

James Cook at Patriots (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Jerome Ford at Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Bills ($5,600)
Jerome Ford at Colts ($5,100)
Roschon Johnson vs. Raiders ($4,600)

Week 7 Sit ’Em: Running Backs

Sit of the Week

Najee Harris at Rams (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Harris has been an absolute fantasy disaster, scoring fewer than seven points in all but one game while averaging an awful 6.7 points per contest. While you’ll probably have to start him with six teams on a bye, Harris seems destined to disappoint again. The Rams have allowed just two backs to beat them for more than 14 points, so Harris is a very risky play.

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Sit ’Em

Alexander Mattison vs. 49ers (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Mattison has retained his featured role in the Vikings offense even after the addition of Cam Akers, and he’ll be tough to fade in most leagues. Just keep in mind that he’ll have a brutal task against what will be a salty Niners run defense on Monday night. Minnesota could fall into a negative game script, so be wary of Mattison this weekend.

Rachaad White vs. Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): White has seen volume and plays a lot of snaps in the Buccaneers offense, but his numbers haven’t been all that good in fantasy leagues. He’s scored more than 11 points just once, including three games where he’s recorded single digits. He’ll be tough to trust versus the Falcons, who have allowed no rushing scores and the fourth-fewest PPR points to backs.

Zack Moss vs. Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Moss is going to be tough to bench in bye-mageddon, but I’d temper expectations and fade him in DFS. He’ll continue to lose work to Jonathan Taylor, and this week’s matchup against the Browns is a bad one. The Cleveland defense hasn’t allowed a back to score more than 14.2 points, and that was Christian McCaffrey! In all, just three backs have scored double digits.

Gus Edwards vs. Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Edwards has struggled in the last four weeks, scoring fewer than seven fantasy points in each game. He's also lost work to Justice Hill in what's become a confusing committee in Baltimore. The Ravens have a tough matchup next on the schedule against the Lions and their sturdy run defense, so Edwards doesn’t appear likely to break out of his recent slide.

More Sits

Tyler Allgeier at Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Keaontay Ingram at Seahawks (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)
Jaleel McLaughlin vs. Packers (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Jonathan Taylor vs. Browns ($6,500)
Najee Harris at Rams ($5,200)
Rachaad White vs. Falcons ($5,100)