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Running backs have always been some of the most important NFL players during each Fantasy Football season. Their wide range of floors and ceilings from week to week makes it crucial to pay attention to matchups. Starting the right running backs each week can be the difference between winning and losing in Fantasy Football.
Week 7 of the 2022 NFL season creates an additional challenge for running backs as four NFL teams are in their bye weeks. Fantasy Football owners counting on players such as Dalvin Cook, Devin Singletary, and Miles Sanders in their weekly lineups will need to find replacements for Week 7.
Week 7 Fantasy Football Running backs: Start 'Em
Kenneth Walker III - Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Kenneth Walker III took over as the featured running back for the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals. His promotion came because Rashaad Penny suffered an injury the week before, and Walker responded in a big way.
Walker recorded 110 yards and a touchdown in his expanded role and drew an even better matchup in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Cardinals rank in the top five in rushing yards allowed per game, while the Chargers rank in the bottom ten.
Ezekiel Elliott - Dallas Cowboys vs. Detroit Lions
The entire Dallas Cowboys offense should get a boost for the remainder of the 2022 NFL season. Dak Prescott is reportedly ready to make his return in Week 7, which is good news for Fantasy Football players on the Cowboys.
In addition to Prescott returning, Ezekiel Elliott also enters Week 7 in one of the best matchups possible. The Detroit Lions are currently allowing the most rushing yards per game and most points per game in the entire NFL.
Travis Etienne - Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Giants
Travis Etienne and James Robinson continue to share backfield touches within the Jacksonville Jaguars offense. Robinson opened the 2022 Fantasy Football season strong, scoring more than 15 PPR points in each of his first three games. He has failed to exceed 6.5 PPR points since then.
While Robinson is trending down, Etienne has recently emerged as the top back for the Jaguars. He has outscored Robinson in each of the last three weeks while posting his top two PPR scores of the 2022 season in each of his previous two games. Etienne is the preferred Fantasy Football option in Week 7 against the New York Giants' bottom-five run defense.
Week 7 Fantasy Football Running Backs: Sit 'Em
Jeff Wilson Jr. - San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Jeff Wilson Jr. has done a solid job of filling in for the injured Elijah Mitchell as the lead running back for the San Francisco 49ers. He has exceeded 11.5 PPR fantasy points in four of his last five games.
Wilson's role is expected to significantly decrease following the 49ers blockbuster trade for Christian McCaffrey. Wilson should be avoided in Fantasy Football, at least until it becomes clear what his usage will be moving forward.
Michael Carter - New York Jets vs. Denver Broncos
Michael Carter and Breece Hall opened the 2022 NFL season sharing the workload in the New York Jets' backfield. This is no longer the case. Hall recently surpassed Carter to take over as the clear featured back.
Carter received 41 touches across his first three games, compared to Hall's 34 touches. Over the next three games, Carter received 30 total touches, while Hall received a massive 61 touches. Carter can no longer be trusted in Fantasy Football unless he regains a larger share of the work.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire - Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers
Clyde Edwards-Helaire got off to a fast start to the 2022 Fantasy Football season. He recorded at least 15 PPR fantasy points in each of his first four games. He has struggled since then, combining to score less than 10 combined PPR points over his last two games.
Week 7 presents a difficult challenge for CEH to get back on track. The San Francisco 49ers are one of the absolute best defenses in the NFL this season. Along with the Buffalo Bills, they rank in the top two in total yards, rushing yards, and total points allowed this year.
Top 10 Fantasy Football Running Backs in Week 7
- Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Saquon Barkley, New York Giants vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts
- Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans
- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
- Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots vs. Chicago Bears
- Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints vs. Arizona Cardinals
- Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers
- Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens
- Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders vs. Houston Texans
