2016 Fantasy Football PPR Rankings: Week 6 Running Backs UPDATED

We are officially over a third through the NFL season, which is mildly depressing. Regardless of whether you’re trying to secure a round one bye or fight your way into the playoff picture, wins are more crucial now than ever. Make sure you’re lineup is set with The Wolf’s PPR Rankings. 

Sunday Update – 

  • Theo Riddick has been ruled out, while Adam Schefter reports Dwayne Washington will also sit despite returning to a limited practice Friday. This opens up some serious work for newly signed Justin Forsett and classic plodder Zach Zenner. While neither are desirable options, Zenner might be a sneaky TD bet, while Forsett could haul in 4-5 balls given the Jim Bob Cooter’s high usage of RBs in the passing game.
  • James Starks has been ruled out for Green Bay, locking the also banged up Eddie Lacy into featured back duties. While there’s a serious risk Lacy aggravates his ankle, he also has a real shot at 20+ carries versus the Cowboys.
  • Rashad Jennings is expected to play. Monitor his usage, as whether he resumes featured back duties or enters a three-headed nightmare will be an important Week 6 storyline.

Friday Update

  •  Jonathan Stewart called himself “ready to go” on Thursday, locking him in as a quality RB2 against a joke New Orleans run defense. Fozzy Whittaker and Cameron Artis Payne are rendered useless.

Tier 1 – Potential Top Scorers

1. Le’Veon Bell (PIT) @ MIA

2. David Johnson (ARI) vs. NYJ

3. LeSean McCoy (BUF) vs. SF

4. DeMarco Murray (TEN) vs. CLE

Tier 2 – Quality RB1s

This tier is deep in Week 6 due to many strong matchups for talented backs. 

5. C.J. Anderson (DEN) @ SD – Inching towards “Panic Button” status if he can’t get rolling once more against the second-worst defense against RBs.

6. Lamar Miller (HOU) vs. IND – Consider this a “Panic Button” game. If Lamar can’t get it done against a whorish Indy defense that surrenders the 3rd most points to RBs, he’s doomed. I think this is his explosion, and his buy-low window is about to slam shut.

7. Christine Michael (SEA) vs. ATL

8. Todd Gurley (LA) @ DET

9. Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) @ GB – Normally, Elliott would rank in the “Potential Top Scorers” category. Yet, Green Bay has been historically good against the run in 2016, so this has the looks of a rare dud game for the immensely talented rookie.

10. Carlos Hyde (SF) @ BUF

11. Melvin Gordon (SD) vs. DEN – The matchup appears intimidating upon first glance, but Denver actually hands out the 7th most fantasy points to RBs. A TD is still a solid bet for the rushing TD leader.

Tier 3 – Low End RB1s, High End RB2s

12. Jordan Howard (CHI) vs. JAC

13. Jamaal Charles (KC) @ OAK

14. Mark Ingram (NO) vs. CAR

15. Eddie Lacy (GB) vs. DAL QUESTIONABLE – Before injuring his ankle and not returning, Lacy was finally rumbling Sunday night against a tough Giants run defense. Monitor his health all week, as the matchup is surprisingly tough, but Lacy had a matchup proof look during last week’s carries.

UPDATE

James Starks has been ruled out for Green Bay, locking the also banged up Eddie Lacy into featured back duties. While there’s a serious risk Lacy aggravates his ankle, he also has a real shot at 20+ carries versus the Cowboys.

16. UPDATE  Jonathan Stewart (CAR) @ NO

17. Devonta Freeman (ATL) @ SEA

Tier 4 – Lower-end RB2s

The drop off from Tier 3 and Tier 4 is pretty steep. Ideally you’re rolling out two top-16 options.

18.  James White (NE) @ CIN

 

19. Giovani Bernard (CIN) @ NE

20. Ryan Mathews (PHI) @ WAS – Last week’s fumble makes me highly nervous.

21. Terrance West (BAL) @ NYG

22. Matt Forte (NYJ) @ ARI

23. LeGarrette Blount (NE) vs. CIN

24. Frank Gore (IND) @ HOU

25. Isaiah Crowell (CLE) @ TEN

26. Tevin Coleman (ATL) @ SEA

Tier 5 – Last startable names

27. Darren Sproles (PHI) @ WAS

28. Spencer Ware (KC) @ OAK

29. TJ Yeldon (JAC) @ CHI

30.  Jalen Richard (OAK) vs. KC

31. DeAndre Washington (OAK) vs. KC

Tier 5.5

32. Bilal Powell (NYJ) @ ARI

33. UPDATE Justin Forsett (DET) vs. LA

Theo Riddick has been ruled out, while Adam Schefter reports Dwayne Washington will also sit despite returning to a limited practice Friday. This opens up some serious work for newly signed Justin Forsett and classic plodder Zach Zenner. While neither are desirable options, Zenner might be a sneaky TD bet, while Forsett could haul in 4-5 balls given the Jim Bob Cooter’s high usage of RBs in the passing game.

34. Jeremy Hill (CIN) @ NE

35. Arian Foster (MIA) vs. PIT QUESTIONABLE – Monitor his injury status closely, as Foster would warrant consideration against a Steelers defense that surprisingly yields the 8th most points to opposing backs. Plus, the Dolphins should get massacred, and Foster has served as the primary receiving back — some cheap catches may be in his future.

36.  Matt Jones (WAS) vs. PHI

37. UPDATE Zach Zenner (DET) vs. LA

Theo Riddick has been ruled out, while Adam Schefter reports Dwayne Washington will also sit despite returning to a limited practice Friday. This opens up some serious work for newly signed Justin Forsett and classic plodder Zach Zenner. While neither are desirable options, Zenner might be a sneaky TD bet, while Forsett could haul in 4-5 balls given the Jim Bob Cooter’s high usage of RBs in the passing game.

38. Duke Johnson (CLE) @ TEN

39. Derrick Henry (TEN) vs. CLE

40.  Rashad Jennings (NYG) vs. BAL QUESTIONABLE

UPDATE – Jennings is expected to play. Monitor his usage, and whether he resumes featured back duties or enters a three-headed nightmare will be an important Week 6 storyline.

Tier 6 –  WHY?

41.  Devontae Booker (DEN) @ SD

42. Mike Gillislee (BUF) vs SF – As strong of a bet for a cheap TD as any against the hapless 49ers. Upside for more if the Bills jump out to a major lead and want to rest Shady.

43.  CJ Spiller (SEA) vs. ATL  – Here’s a desperation option I’m monitoring in Week 6. Spiller looked solid before the bye, and now the team had a whole week to get him caught up to speed. He could emerge as a viable weapon for Pete Carroll and fantasy owners alike, and Atlanta is slutty enough to facilitate this.

44. Bobby Rainey (NYG) vs. BAL

45. Chris Ivory (JAC) @ CHI

 

46. Chris Thompson (WAS) vs. PHI

47. Jay Ajayi (MIA) vs. PIT

48. Kenneth Dixon (BAL) @ NYG

49. Andre Ellington (ARI) vs. NYJ

50. Josh Ferguson (IND) @ HOU

Author

  • Founder of Roto Street Journal. Lover of workhorse backs, target hog wideouts, and Game of Thrones. Aspiring to be the "Brady" and "Leo" of the fantasy universe.

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