Week 7 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Fantasy Running Backs
James Newell
Host · Writer
Welcome back, readers! I am happy to return for a second year as The Sporting Tribune's fantasy football analyst. If you are new here, my mission is to help fantasy managers with any dilemmas or questions they may have through the course of the season to ultimately win their leagues. For the next 17 weeks, I will produce weekly fantasy content that will go over the waiver wire, rankings, and Start 'Em, Sit 'Em columns.
Being a fantasy manager often means having to make difficult roster decisions, but I aim to take some of the guesswork out of it with my Start 'Em and Sit 'Em column for every position. It goes without saying that I won't include obvious calls like "start Trey McBride" or "sit Tommy DeVito." Instead, I search for players that could be perceived as fringe that could propel your lineups for weekly wins.
As always, if you have any questions or don't see your players here, feel free to follow me on Twitter (X) – @JamesNewell96 and send me a message, where I typically respond in a timely manner.
Start ’Em
Jaylen Warren @ NO (Projected FPTS – 17.5): Last week Warren did not replicate the type of performance he put up in the three games prior, where he scored 15-plus fantasy points. Part of the reason is that the Steelers were trailing most of the game and backup Rico Dowdle was active. Warren still had 14 touches, a mark he’s hit in all six games, including three with Dowdle in the game. His matchup this week is just too good to ignore against the Saints. New Orleans’ defense has allowed the most fantasy points per game and per carry, and has the highest rush success rate allowed to opposing running backs. Six running backs this season have scored 17 or more fantasy points against them, and three have scored 25-plus. Warren is ranked as a fringe RB1.
Bucky Irving @ CAR (Projected FPTS – 15.1): I listed Irving as a sit last week, and he put up an uninspiring 6.9 fantasy points against the Steelers. This week I expect him to rebound against the Panthers in what should be a much more favorable matchup. Carolina’s defense has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs and has the seventh-highest run success rate allowed. The Eagles’ practice squad RB Dameon Pierce managed to post 15 fantasy points against the Panthers last week.
Woody Marks vs. NYG (Projected FPTS – 12.4): Finishing the game with 81 yards, Marks was the first running back to rush for more than 40 yards in a game against the Jaguars this season. It’s uncertain whether David Montgomery will play this week, and if he doesn’t, Marks will have an opportunity to have success in a soft matchup against the Giants. New York has allowed double-digit fantasy points to seven running backs this season. If Montgomery is active, I would be more on the fence with Marks, leaning toward benching him.
Honorable Mentions: Ollie Gordon II @ NYJ; Dameon Pierce vs. DAL; Braelon Allen vs. MIA; D’Andre Swift vs. NE; Blake Corum @ LV; Chase Brown @ BAL; Josh Jacobs @ DET.
Sit ’Em
Cam Skattebo @ HOU (Projected FPTS – 7.9): Skattebo goes from one of my top starts of Week Six to the first running back I would bench in Week Seven. He ended the game with a goose egg and was on the field for just six offensive snaps. Because of Skattebo’s fumble in Week Six, head coach John Harbaugh decided to go with Najee Harris and a rotation of Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary. Honestly, I have no idea what Harbaugh has in mind when it comes to Skattebo’s snaps and usage in Week Seven. One thing I do know is that it’s a tough matchup against the Texans, who are starting to find their footing as a collective unit. I find it very hard to have any confidence in starting Skattebo at the moment.
Tony Pollard vs. CLE (Projected FPTS – 11.0): Pollard has seen consistent volume but fails to produce anything with it. Last week he had 19 touches but scored just 7.6 fantasy points, and he’s averaging 8.6 fantasy points per game this season. Pollard is dead last among 39 running backs with at least 50 touches in fantasy points per touch (0.54). This week he goes against the Browns, who’ve allowed the third-fewest fantasy points and the sixth-lowest EPA per game to opposing RBs. I have Pollard as a low-end flex.
Rhamondre Stevenson @ CHI (Projected FPTS – 12.0): Let me get this straight. You’re telling me Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson lost snaps and carries to (checks notes) Corey Kiner? This is not a good sign if you roster either Stevenson or Henderson in fantasy; it’s a major red flag. Stevenson posted 3.6 fantasy points last week despite the favorable matchup against the Jets. The Bears don’t provide a great matchup this week for the Patriots’ backfield either, allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game and the lowest EPA to opposing running backs in the league.
Lowlights: TreVeyon Henderson @ CHI; Emanuel Wilson vs. KC; Alvin Kamara vs. PIT; Tyler Allgeier vs. DEN; Chuba Hubbard vs. TB; J.K. Dobbins @ ARI.
