Sleepers at Running Back
Rachaad White, Washington (vs Philadelphia)
White will come out of the bye as the starting running back for at least three more weeks after Jacory Croskey-Merritt was placed on injured reserve. He missed Week 3 with a shoulder injury that should be feeling better just in time for a matchup with an Eagles team that seemed to lose the wind beneath its wings last week against the Cowboys. White is an excellent pass-catching back and should add extra value in PPR leagues. He's a solid RB2 play in a game the Commanders should win.
Jonah Coleman, Denver (vs Kansas City)
Everyone, including Sean Payton, got the memo on Coleman being the best back in Denver by the end of the game last week. Yes, Payton is known for his fantasy football rug pulls, but he also wants to win. Coleman is a three-down back, and the Broncos offense is just better when he is out there. He's a what-the-heck RB2/Flex this week, but could graduate to an every-week starter against a weak second-half schedule.
Omarion Hampton, LA Chargers (vs LA Rams)
So it has come to this. A player who was a second-round pick in drafts two months ago is a mere sleeper. Hampton deserves what-the-heck RB2/Flex consideration this week because the Chargers got "back to basics" during the bye, which means more Hampton and gap-running plays. Jim Harbaugh did say that Mike McDaniel will continue to call plays, but hopefully even McDaniel can see that Buffalo had James Cook III run the ball 25 times even though Josh Allen only threw 19 passes in a win earlier this season. Arizona also established the run in their win over the Rams with 33 carries for 118 yards.
Braelon Allen, NY Jets (vs Las Vegas) **Monitor Breece Hall Status**
Breece Hall got in two limited practices last week and started this week with a limited practice. He's trending towards playing. If Hall is inactive, Allen is a strong RB2 play. But even if Hall is active, Allen shouldn't fall out of flex or emergency RB2 consideration. He is playing at a high level, and the Jets should ease Hall back in. An even split is not hard to imagine, and if Hall doesn't get in a full practice or is listed as questionable, we should expect that. The Raiders are a vulnerable run defense that has been gashed by every opposing running game except the Dolphins in the season opener - and that includes the Saints and Chargers, who are among the most inept teams in the league at running the ball. The Jets also prefer to lean on their running game, so as long as this one is close, both Jets running backs could get fed.
Elijah Mitchell, Philadelphia (at Washington) **Monitor Saquon Barkley Status**
Barkley wasn't practicing to begin the week with hamstring and back injuries. He'll play if it is humanly possible, he said as much after the Monday night game when he touched the ball all nine times he got on the field and scored while piling up 71 total yards along the way, but he left the game in the second quarter and did not return. He also said that he is pushing his body to the limit, and his body isn't responding. Even if Barkley is active, Mitchell - who is experienced but was just signed to the practice squad two weeks ago - should get 15+ touches, which means he's in play if you need an RB2 or flex off of the waiver wire.