Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 6: Who to start, sit at running back in fantasy football

Fantasy football owners might be surprised that in a week where Alvin Kamara is one bye, he’s not even close to the top pass-catching running back who’s off. That honor would go to one of this season’s top breakout RBs, Cordarrelle Patterson, whose 25 receptions is among the best for a running back. Patterson’s teammate, Mike Davis, is also well ahead of Kamara with 18 catches. That doesn’t mean either is a better overall fantasy back than Kamara, but it does show that value can be found in some unexpected places in point-per-reception leagues. Our Week 6 fantasy RB PPR rankings try to account for all the different sources of production.

In addition to Kamara and the Falcons’ backs, Elijah Mitchell and Michael Carter will be on bye this week. Of course, we know more key RBs will be unavailable, as several key guys missed last week (Chris Carson, Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Cook), and injuries will continue to pop up throughout the rest of the season, as we saw with Saquon Barkley and Clyde Edwards-Helaire last Sunday.

WEEK 6 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

A few backs known primarily for their PPR value are in better-than-average spots this week, as J.D. McKissic (vs. Chiefs), Nyheim Hines (vs. Texans), and Jerick McKinnon (@ Washington) have highly favorable matchups. Brandon Bolden (vs. Cowboys) and Kenneth Gainwell (vs. Buccaneers) are two more primary receiving backs with matchups against teams who have struggled against RBs specifically in the passing game. There won’t be much room on the ground for these guys, but they could rack up catches and post flex-worthy numbers in full-point PPR formats. Myles Gaskin (@ Jaguars) is another guy known for his receiving ability with a favorable matchup.

WEEK 6 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Of course, it’s tough to be a starting RB in fantasy leagues based purely on your receiving skills (like Jeremy McNichols or even Giovani Bernard), so plenty of average receiving backs are still worth playing. Darrell Henderson (@ Giants), Leonard Fournette (@ Eagles), and both Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams (vs. Raiders) all have great matchups, and Henderson has the added bonus of playing a defense that also struggled against backs in the passing game.

Among the backs with tough matchups, Damien Harris (vs. Cowboys) is especially risky in PPR leagues since he doesn’t catch many passes. Chris Carson or Alex Collins (@ Steelers) and Josh Jacobs (@ Broncos) are in the same boat. The Seahawks and Jacobs have had some decent reception totals this year, but they’re all nothing more than volume-based flexes in those matchups. Ditto for Devontae Booker (vs. Rams) in relief of Barkley (ankle).

Things are going to be constantly evolving throughout the year at this position, but with bye weeks and injuries, chances are things will be tough for more than a few owners in your league. Sure, if you pick up someone like Damien Williams (vs. Packers) on waivers, you might have three or more viable options, but most owners are going to be scrounging for two. Volume remains key, even in PPR, so unless you have an elite pass-catching back who also gets at least six or seven carries, there’s no need to get too cute with your lineup decisions.

Note:  We’ll be updating these RB PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement. 

Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 6: Who to start at running back

Rankings are based on full-point PPR scoring