NFL Fantasy 2025 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Running backs for Week 7

I'm taking a victory lapping here! Way back in July, I wrote a "Top 10 RB values" piece, and had Skattebo in there, saying he'd steal the job from Tyrone Tracy Jr. The rookie has done just that! Skattebo is a rock-solid RB2 who can finish any week as an RB1 due to the usage he has been seeing. He has played over 70 percent of the snaps during the last three weeks, receiving more than 20 opportunities (carries + targets) in each those games. In the last four contests for New York, he has seen 19 and 25 carries in the wins and seven and eight targets in the losses. Since Week 2, he ranks third in the NFL in red-zone carries, and only Jonathan Taylor has more goal-line carries in that span. Denver's defense has been tough, but there's no way you can get away from the Skat man right now.

The Panthers are no longer the slam-dunk RB matchup they once were. They are more middle of the pack, ranking about league average in most categories. This is more about the volume Hall has seen. He is averaging 17.5 touches per game and leads the team in red-zone targets. Well, he is tied with Garrett Wilson in the latter category, but the wideout appears likely to miss some time with a knee injury. That probably means even more volume for Hall. He is also tied for the second-most explosive runs (10-plus yards) in the NFL, so more volume means more big-play chances. Hall has been very up and down this season, but a robust workload keeps him in play.

There was a time when Alvin Kamara's presence in this article would have been laughable. Currently, he is the RB22 on the season, failing to reach 13 fantasy points in a single game over the last month (with two single-digit efforts in that span). The good news is the targets seem to be back, as he has five or more in three straight games. He also gets a fantastic matchup this week against the Bears, who have allowed the seventh-most rushing yards and third-most explosive runs to RBs. They've given up the sixth-most fantasy PPG to the position. Kamara remains in play.

Last week was a tough one for the rookie back. But I think it was more about game script, as the Browns were down multiple scores for most of the day. That is the one worry with Judkins, but when games are close, you can expect him to eat. Even after last week's 3.6-point clunker, there is no way you can get away from him against Miami. The Dolphins have given up the most rushing yards to RBs and yield explosive runs at the highest rate in the NFL. They have allowed a top-nine fantasy RB in four of their last five games. Kimani Vidal got them for 138 total yards and a touchdown last week. Judkins is a must-start option.

Swing and a miss with Dobbins in this space last week. That Broncos-Jets London game was one for everyone to forget. I think things get better against the other New York team. The Giants are in the top seven in rushing yards, touchdowns and explosive run rate allowed to RBs. They also give up the second-most yards after contact on a per-touch basis. Dobbins is tied with Breece Hall for the second-most explosive runs in the NFL and ranks eighth in yards after contact. The Giants have allowed the seventh-most rushing touchdowns. In related news, Dobbins has received all but one of the goal-line carries for Denver this season. He remains in play this week.

The fantasy streets were fighting all last week about Kimani Vidal vs. Hassan Haskins. Vidal was the clear winner, playing 67 percent of snaps while racking up 18 carries and four targets. He turned that into 138 yards and a touchdown, finishing as the RB9 on the week. It came in a favorable matchup vs. Miami, but that is exactly what you want your players to do in those games. This week, he gets the Colts, who are a tough matchup on paper. However, they rank league average in categories like yards per carry and stuff rate. They allow yards before contact and explosive runs at an above-average rate. Vidal is not a must-start, but he is in play as an RB2 or flex option.

Call this a sleeper, or a streamer or a bye-week replacement, if you will. I am not going to lie: Things have been awful for New England's backs fantasy-wise. Even without a third RB, neither was able to have a good fantasy day in New Orleans. Stevenson remains the team's RB1, so he is the preferred play. With Henderson, you hope he racks up targets and/or hits a home run. At the end of the day, though, this is all about getting the Titans, who have allowed the third-most rushing yards and most rush TDs to RBs this season. Game script should help here. Both backs are in play as flex options.

This situation is officially awful for fantasy football purposes. Charbonnet is the lead back, playing 57 percent of snaps, compared to Walker's 43 percent in games both have been active. Charbonnet is also seeing the goal-line work. The issue is, he is averaging 2.6 yards per carry, which is a bit influenced by his short-yard usage, but also shows he has little burst. In fact, he has just one run of 10-plus yards all season. All of this has turned Walker into a big-play-reliant option. He has outscored Charbonnet once in the five games both have played together. Want to know what is sad? Charbonnet has not reached 13 points in a game this season. The Texans are in the bottom 10 in fantasy PPG, rushing yards and explosive run rate allowed to RBs. Get away from the Seattle backs this week.

Don't look now, but Tyjae Spears played 59 percent of the snaps last week, compared to 42 percent for Pollard. Was that likely because Tennessee was trailing throughout and Spears is the passing-game option? Sure. But it is the Titans, and they will often be trailing. The passing downs are extremely valuable on a team like this, and if Pollard is losing them, he is nearly unusable in fantasy. Especially against the Patriots, who have allowed the fewest yards per carry and third-lowest explosive run rate to RBs. Get away from Pollard this week.

Brown is averaging 9.7 fantasy PPG this season. That would have been a down game for him last year. He has not been a top-15 RB in any week this season. It is not just the QB play, either -- it is also the offensive line, as Brown has averaged -0.3 yards before contact per carry, the worst of any RB with over 55 carries. He also has just one goal-line carry over the last three games. The Steelers are a middle-of-the-pack matchup, but they did just shut down Quinshon Judkins last week. The ceiling is low -- and so is the floor this week.

It was starting to look like Marks taking the RB1 reins from Chubb. In Week 3, they split snaps, and then in Week 4, Marks really took over the volume. Then Week 5 happened, and it was once again the Nick Chubb show, as Marks was limited to just eight opportunities. The hope is that the rookie starts to take over after the bye, but I want to see it first after being dupped once already. Plus, Seattle allows the second-fewest yards per carry, yielding explosive runs at the lowest rate in the NFL. They have struggled with RBs in the passing game, so if you need to play one of these two, I lean Marks.

None of the Cardinals backs played even half the snaps last week. Carter and Knight split carries, with the slight lean going to the latter. The pass-game usage went Carter's way, but Knight did run 14 routes (Carter: 20). Knight also received the goal-line carry, producing a touchdown. It is a split that makes both low-floor and low-upside options. Even with a TD, Knight scored just 12.4 fantasy points last week. This is a tough matchup, too, as the Packers have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy PPG to RBs, giving up just two touchdowns to the position.