Week 4 Fantasy Football RB Snap & Touch Report: Kareem Hunt takes over Chiefs' Backfield

Morgan takes a look at important usage numbers for fantasy football running backs coming out of Week 4.

Week 4 of the NFL season is in the books, and now we can dive back into some usage numbers to determine the best starters and possible waiver targets moving forward.

We’ll look at running backs in this story and cover pass catchers in another article.

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Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson got 17 touches to nine for Antonio Gibson, but it was Gibson that had the more productive fantasy showing. Stevenson also played more snaps (35-22).

It’s difficult to trust either of these backs right now in standard leagues, and fantasy owners should use defensive matchups to help make their decisions.

Jets

Breece Hall only got 12 touches in week 4, while Braelon Allen got nine. Hall still held a big lead in snaps, 51-27, but Allen was the better fantasy player.

It’s getting harder and harder to trust Hall every week, while Allen becomes a better starting option each time out. I don’t think Allen is going away, so Hall will have to score or bust a big play or two to remain a top-end fantasy RB.

Bills

James Cook got just 10 touches across 33 snaps in a disjointed offensive game for the Bills. Ty Johnson got 11 snaps, but just one touch, while Ray Davis had seven touches across 10 snaps.

I’d chalk this up to a one-week outlier, but with Davis cutting into Cook’s workload, this could become an issue if it continues.

Dolphins

De'Von Achane had just 29 yards on 13 touches across 44 snaps played in week 4. Jaylen Wright got nine touches across 28 snaps with Raheem Mostert missing another game.

The Dolphins’ offense is a mess without Tua Tagovailoa, and it’ll be hard to play Achane until he’s back. If Mostert plays in week 5, then I think you have to seriously consider sitting Achane.

Ravens

Derrick Henry is the clear workhorse in Baltimore, but Justice Hill also saw 10 touches across 20 snaps, making Hill a possible starter in PPR leagues.

Steelers

With Jaylen Warren out and Cordarrelle Patterson getting injured mid-game, Najee Harris dominated the workload (48 snaps, 16 touches). Expect the same to happen in week 5 if Warren and Patterson are banged up or out.

Bengals

Zack Moss got 19 touches across 40 snaps, while Chase Brown received 17 touches across 27 snaps. Both turned in good fantasy showings.

I don’t think both RBs can be this involved every week in that offense, but in the right defensive matchups, they are both solid starting options.

Browns

Jerome Ford dominated the backfield with 17 touches across 46 snaps played. D'Onta Foreman had just five touches across 13 snaps.

Ford is the clear backfield leader again, but the return of Nick Chubb would complicate things.

Texans

Cam Akers got 13 touches across 30 snaps, while Dare Ogunbowale and J.J. Taylor had six touches across 29 and 16 snaps, respectively.

The return of Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce will certainly shake up the snaps/touches going forward, probably making Akers, Ogunbowale and Taylor completely irrelevant from a fantasy perspective.

Titans

Tony Pollard had 24 touches across 39 snaps, while Tyjae Spears had 17 touches across 27 snaps. The game flow, along with quarterback Will Levis getting hurt, definitely helped both players out.

While both were solid fantasy options in week 4, they remain flex starting options at best.

Colts

Jonathan Taylor dominated the touches (24 touches across 48 snaps), but left with a high ankle sprain in week 4.

Trey Sermon has served as the backup to Taylor this season, and would likely lead the way if Taylor can’t play. Tyler Goodson would likely back him up.

Jaguars

Travis Etienne played 30 snaps and got 12 touches in week 4. Tank Bigsby was on the field for 17 snaps and got seven touches, while D'Ernest Johnson had two touches across 12 snaps.

With Etienne no longer the clear workhorse, he’s not a must start fantasy player. Bigsby has some deep league starting value, while Johnson could take on a larger role if Etienne or Bigsby are ever hurt or traded away.

Broncos

Javonte Williams played 35 snaps and got 18 touches. Jaleel McLaughlin was at 10 touches across 21 snaps. Tyler Badie had three touches across five snaps before leaving with a scary injury.

Williams and McLaughlin had solid rushing days, but this backfield is one to avoid in standard leagues unless the matchup is incredibly favorable. Those two are deep league options, especially if Badie isn’t in the picture.

Chiefs

Kareem Hunt assumed the lead role in the Chiefs’ backfield after Carson Steele fumbled in week 4. Hunt got 16 touches across 28 snaps. Samaje Perine played 25 snaps and got five touches, while Steele had just three touches across 11 snaps.

Hunt is the KC back to start this week, while Perine has some starting value in deeper PPR leagues. Clyde Edwards-Helaire could also factor in if he comes off the injured reserve list.

Raiders

Zamir White finally looked like the lead back in Las Vegas, but it didn’t lead to a big fantasy day. He had 17 touches across 35 snaps, while Alexander Mattison had five touches across 21 snaps.

This is another backfield to avoid in standard leagues if you can. White is a decent deep league starting option.

Chargers

J.K. Dobbins dominated the backfield (17 touches across 40 snaps), while Gus Edward had six touches across 14 snaps.

Dobbins is the clear leader, but he’s just a flex option in standard leagues. Edwards should be avoided in all leagues.

Eagles

Saquon Barkley is the clear leader in the Philly backfield, but Kenneth Gainwell did play 25 snaps, although he got just two touches.

Cowboys

Rico Dowdle held a 12-6 touch advantage over Ezekiel Elliott. He played 25 snaps to just 10 for Elliott.

Dowdle is the Dallas back to own, but he’s just a flex option in standard leagues. I’d much rather play him in a deeper league.

Giants

Devin Singletary is the clear lead back for the Giants, but he struggled in week 4. He’s still the fantasy back to own, but is back to a flex option in standard leagues.

Tyrone Tracy is a player to keep tabs on in case the Giants turn to some younger players as the year progresses.

Commanders

With Austin Ekeler out, Brian Robinson had 24 touches across 45 snaps played. Jeremy McNichols had a nice fantasy day after getting nine touches across 27 snaps.

Robinson will remain a good starting option if Ekeler is out any more weeks. McNichols is just a deep league flex option and will go back to barely being involved if Ekeler is healthy.

Vikings

Aaron Jones is all of a sudden the clear workhorse for the Vikings, getting 26 touches across 56 snaps. Ty Chandler had just four touches across eight snaps.

Jones can be started in most leagues, while Chandler should be avoided.

Packers

Josh Jacobs played 46 snaps and got 13 touches in a game the Packers threw 54 times. Emanuel Wilson had eight touches across 30 snaps.

Jacobs is a flex starting option in standard leagues, while Wilson offers some starting value in deeper leagues.

Bears

D'Andre Swift regained control of the Chicago backfield, getting 23 touches across 38 snaps. Roschon Johnson was limited to seven touches across 22 snaps.

Swift goes back to being a starting option in all leagues, while Johnson should probably be avoided in all formats.

Lions

Jahmyr Gibbs (14 touches, 30 snaps) and David Montgomery (13 touches, 21 snaps) continue to split the workload and be good/great starting options.

Falcons

Bijan Robinson got 11 touches across 36 snaps, but is now dealing with an injury. Tyler Allgeier got 10 touches across 21 snaps and would be the featured back if Robinson misses time.

Buccaneers

Rachaad White (12 touches, 45 snaps) and Bucky Irving (11 touches, 32 snaps) look to be in a committee in Tampa Bay.

That makes it difficult to start either guy in standard leagues, but makes them both pretty solid deep league options.

Panthers

Chuba Hubbard got 22 touches across 52 snaps, while Miles Sanders had nine touches across 22 snaps. 

Jonathan Brooks could cut into Hubbard’s workload, but that won’t happen in week 5.

Saints

Alvin Kamara is the clear leader in New Orleans, getting 26 of the 31 touches last week. He’s a must start every week.

Rams

Kyren Williams continues to dominate the Rams’ backfield, getting 23 of the 29 touches. He’s another must start.

Seahawks

Kenneth Walker returned from injury and immediately was the clear lead back over Zach Charbonnet. 

Walker is a starter in all formats, while Charbonnet is probably best avoided, but could be started in deep leagues.

49ers

Jordan Mason got 26 of the team’s 28 RB touches in week 4. He’s a must start until Christian McCaffrey returns.

Cardinals

James Conner got 19 touches across 34 snaps, while Trey Benson had nine touches across 11 snaps. Emari Demercado even got five touches across 14 snaps. 

A lopsided game contributed to the even RB workload. Conner is still the Arizona back to own and start, while Benson and Demercado remain handcuff options.

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