Week 7 of the 2024 fantasy football season is upon us, and as always, running back is a crucial position that can swing matchups in your favor or leave you in the dust. With several key players on bye and some intriguing matchups on tap, setting your lineup requires careful consideration. To help you make those tough start/sit calls, we’ve compiled our top PPR running back rankings for this critical week.
Cream of the Crop
At the top of our Week 7 PPR rankings, you’ll find the usual suspects who have been dominating all season long. Christian McCaffrey maintains his ironclad grip on the RB1 spot thanks to his unmatched combination of rushing and receiving usage. McCaffrey has eclipsed 25 PPR points in four of six games and draws a juicy home matchup against a floundering Jets run defense.
Close behind him is Bijan Robinson, the breakout superstar for the Falcons. The sensational rookie has been as advertised, utilizing his burst, power, and receiving chops to rack up 100+ scrimmage yards in every game. He’s tallied 7 touchdowns and shows no signs of slowing down. Fire up Robinson as an elite RB1 against the Bengals.
“Bijan Robinson is the kind of special talent that offensive coordinators build game plans around. He’s a threat to take it to the house every single time he touches the ball. There’s no debate; he’s a locked-in, top-3 PPR running back going forward.”
– An NFC scout
Rounding out the top tier is Nick Chubb, who just continues to churn out rushing yards at a historic pace for the Browns. Chubb doesn’t see quite as much receiving work as some other elite backs, but his unrivaled consistency and nose for the end zone make him an RB1 with a sky-high weekly floor. He’s totaled 110+ rushing yards in an astonishing 5 of 6 games.
Reliable RB2s
After the cream of the crop, we have a deep tier of reliable RB2 options who can serve as strong starters depending on your roster. Miles Sanders warrants RB1 consideration in a delectable matchup with the Cardinals putrid rush defense. Sanders has been the focal point of Philly’s offense, averaging 18 carries and 3 receptions per game.
James Conner has bounced back from an injury-marred 2023 campaign to resume his role as Arizona’s unquestioned lead back. He’s found the end zone in 4 of 5 games and has provided a steady floor thanks to ample goal line work. Conner is a borderline RB1 against Seattle’s generous defense.
Don’t sleep on D’Andre Swift either. While he may not dominate carries, Swift’s receiving ability gives him robust PPR upside every week. Swift has 5+ receptions in 4 of 6 contests and eclipsed 20 PPR points last time out. He ranks as a quality RB2 versus a Bears defense that has been victimized by pass-catching backs.
“Fantasy managers need to view D’Andre Swift as an elite receiving weapon who just happens to line up in the backfield. He has legitimate WR1 upside in PPR formats given his dynamic skill set and sizable receiving role. You’re starting him every single week.”
– An NFC offensive coach
Flex-Worthy Options
If you’re looking for PPR flex plays or RB2 streamers, there are several backs with enticing Week 7 matchups. Khalil Herbert and Antonio Gibson both rank inside our top-20 and should see increased touches with David Montgomery and Brian Robinson sidelined, respectively.
Travis Etienne has emerged as the clear lead back in Jacksonville, out-snapping and out-touching James Robinson by a wide margin the past few weeks. Etienne has RB2 upside as the engine of the Jags’ offense in a possible shootout versus the Giants. The speedster has 90+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4.
Finally, don’t overlook Michael Carter as a sneaky-good PPR flex. Though he splits work with Breece Hall, Carter has carved out a valuable receiving role with 5+ catches in 4 straight. He ranks as an RB2 against a shaky Broncos linebacking corps that has given up the 3rd-most receptions to RBs.
Tread Carefully
While every starting RB has some merit in PPR formats, there are a few workhorse backs who have less appeal than usual this week:
- Derrick Henry always has touchdown upside, but his PPR ceiling is limited since he rarely catches passes. Henry has averaged just 8.7 PPR points in 3 career games versus the Chiefs.
- Damien Harris may see his role reduced coming off a hamstring injury with Rhamondre Stevenson excelling in a near every-down role. Harris’ lack of receiving chops caps his PPR appeal.
- AJ Dillon has been scripted out of Green Bay’s offensive game plans with Aaron Jones dominating backfield snaps and targets. Dillon is merely a low-end flex versus a stout Commanders front.
Navigating running back decisions is critical to sustained fantasy success given the volatility at the position. As you set your Week 7 lineups, consider factors like:
- Receiving ability and pass game usage
- Matchup and game script
- Market share of backfield touches
- Expected goal line opportunities
By weighing these elements, you can make informed start/sit choices and increase your odds of RB success. Be sure to monitor injury reports and stay abreast of workload trends as the season rolls on. And if you have specific lineup questions, don’t hesitate to consult our weekly PPR rankings to guide your decisions. Good luck in Week 7!
