You’ve spent all week staring at your lineup. It’s that familiar, slightly nauseating Sunday morning ritual where you convince yourself that a backup playing for a winless team is actually a better bet than the superstar you drafted in the first round. Honestly, week 4 is usually when the "studs" start to show some cracks in the armor. Or, in the case of the 2025 season, it's when the rookie class finally decides to stop being polite and start taking over backfields.
If you’re looking for a simple list, you’re in the wrong place. We're talking about the messy reality of the rb ranking week 4 landscape. It’s a week where Christian McCaffrey remains the undisputed king—mostly because he’s catching passes like a slot receiver while the rest of the 49ers offense is in the medical tent—but everywhere else, things are getting weird.
The Top Tier: McCaffrey and the "Safe" Bets
Let’s get the obvious stuff out of the way. Christian McCaffrey is the RB1. Period. Facing a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that technically ranks well against the run doesn't really matter when you consider he had 25 receptions over his first three games. He's the entire Niners offense right now.
Behind him, Bijan Robinson is finally being treated like the generational talent he is. No more Arthur Smith "decoy" games. He’s the engine for Atlanta against a Commanders defense that, frankly, hasn't figured out how to stop anything in the flat. Then there’s Jonathan Taylor. He’s leading the league in red zone carries. If the Colts get inside the 10, it’s Taylor's ball. Every. Single. Time.
But safety is a lie in fantasy.
Take Saquon Barkley, for example. He's ranked high because he’s Saquon, but his offensive line is a mess of "questionable" tags. He’s heading into Tampa Bay to face a Bucs defense that allows exactly 3.0 yards per carry. That is a recipe for a 12-point disappointment that leaves you yelling at your TV.
The Rookie Takeover: Omarion Hampton and Bucky Irving
If you didn't grab Omarion Hampton or Bucky Irving off the wire two weeks ago, I'm sorry.
Hampton basically became the Chargers' entire running game the second Najee Harris went down with that brutal Achilles injury. He’s not just a "rookie flyer" anymore; he’s a bellcow. This week he gets the Giants. The G-Men are currently giving up the 4th-most fantasy points to running backs and just allowed a league-high percentage of carries to exceed "Yards Over Expectation." Hampton is probably going to finish as a top-10 back this week, and it won't even be a fluke.
Then you have Bucky Irving in Tampa. With Mike Evans out, the Bucs are going to have to lean on the short passing game. Irving has been significantly more efficient than Rachaad White, and his role in the aerial attack is exploding. He’s a "start" in almost every format, especially PPR.
Why You Might Want to Fade These "Big Names"
- Breece Hall: The Jets are traveling to Miami, and while Hall is talented, the usage has been... let's say frustrating. He's falling into a mid-range RB2 territory until that offense finds a rhythm.
- David Montgomery: I love Monty. Everyone loves Monty. But he's facing a Cleveland Browns defense led by Myles Garrett that allows a pathetic 2.2 yards per carry. It's a "Jahmyr Gibbs game" written all over it.
- Kyren Williams: His snap share is dropping. Last year it was 86%; now it's around 75%. Blake Corum is lurking, and the Rams are slowly turning this into a committee.
The Weird Mid-Tier: Cam Skattebo and Jordan Mason
Wait, who? If you’re not a degenerate fantasy player, you might have missed the fact that Cam Skattebo is now the "the guy" for the New York Giants. With Tyrone Tracy Jr. out with a shoulder injury, Skattebo is looking at 20+ touches against a Chargers defense that can be run on. He’s the definition of a "volume play." He might not be pretty, but 20 touches is 20 touches.
Jordan Mason is another one. Playing for the Vikings in Dublin against the Steelers. Yes, the NFL is still doing the international thing, and Mason has been a revelation. Even with Carson Wentz under center—which usually spells doom for an offense—Mason has enough volume behind that elite Minnesota offensive line to be a solid RB2.
RB Ranking Week 4: The Must-Know Tiers
The "Don't Overthink It" Tier
- Christian McCaffrey (SF) vs. JAC: The workload is terrifying.
- Bijan Robinson (ATL) vs. WAS: Matchup is too good to pass up.
- James Cook (BUF) vs. NO: The Bills are 16.5-point favorites. Cook is going to get all the "clock-killing" carries in the second half.
The "High Ceiling, Low Floor" Tier
- De'Von Achane (MIA) vs. NYJ: He’s a home run waiting to happen, but the Jets defense is fast enough to catch him.
- Quinshon Judkins (CLE) @ DET: He has the talent, but the Browns offense is, well, the Browns offense.
- Jahmyr Gibbs (DET) vs. CLE: If the Lions get ahead, they might just rest him and let Montgomery do the dirty work.
The "Desperation Starts" That Might Actually Work
- Trey Benson (ARI) vs. SEA: James Conner is out. Benson is the "lead dog" by default.
- Ashton Jeanty (LV) vs. CHI: The Raiders have no other options. Jeanty is going to get 15 carries minimum.
How to Actually Use This Data
Stop looking at "projected points." They’re guesses based on math that doesn't account for a coach getting annoyed with a fumble. Instead, look at Expected Half-PPR Points.
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For example, Omarion Hampton had a season-high 18.9 expected points last week because he was the only back to touch the ball for the Chargers. That is the kind of data that wins leagues. If a guy is getting the hot-read outlets and the goal-line carries, he belongs in your lineup regardless of his "name value."
Also, watch the weather in Buffalo. If it gets nasty, James Cook becomes even more valuable. Conversely, if the Saints-Bills game turns into a blowout (which the 16.5 spread suggests), Alvin Kamara might be a "sit" because the Saints will be forced to throw every down to keep up.
Next Steps for Your Roster:
- Check the Waiver Wire: See if Cam Skattebo or Trey Benson are still sitting there. In most 10-team leagues, someone probably dropped them during the week 2 chaos.
- Monitor the Giants' Injury Report: If Dexter Lawrence is out, it makes the Chargers' run game (Hampton) a must-play.
- Evaluate Your Flex: If you're deciding between a mid-tier WR and a guy like Bucky Irving, lean toward the RB volume in Week 4. History shows targets for RBs are more stable in high-pressure divisional matchups.