While the Denver Broncos do not have the worst rushing offense in the NFL, their production at that position so far hasn’t been anything worth celebrating either. In short, is there a running back worth considering for fantasy football managers this week?
Here is the fantasy outlook for Javonte Williams, Tyler Badie, and Jaleel McLaughlin for Week 4.
Should You Start Javonte Williams, Tyler Badie, or Jaleel McLaughlin This Week?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say that Williams is the player to start. His projected 8.2 points include 39 rushing yards, two receptions, and 13 receiving yards.
That stat line slightly outperforms the consensus for McLaughlin (7.9 points, 34 rushing yards, two receptions, and 14 receiving yards). Badie doesn’t have any current projections due to his recent promotion to the active roster from the practice squad.
However, when you isolate my rankings, I see McLaughlin outperforming both Williams and Badie. McLaughlin has momentum after his Week 3 performance, and I expect that to continue to this week.
Williams’ Week 4 Fantasy Outlook
Simply put, Williams has been one of the worst running backs in the league so far this season. That alone should be enough for fantasy managers to look elsewhere for production in their lineups this week.
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But if you want proof, here is a telling number to highlight his struggles so far. Out of 47 players who have at least 20 rushing attempts this season, Williams ranks 45th in yards per attempt at 2.2. In addition, his 52 rushing yards are the fewest among those 47 players with at least 20 carries on the season.
After posting a decent effort in Week 2 versus the Pittsburgh Steelers — 65 scrimmage yards, 11.6 fantasy points — Williams slumped to just 6.1 fantasy points last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It simply hasn’t been a good enough start for Williams for fantasy managers to risk wasting a week by assuming he will break out of a slump.
Badie’s Week 4 Fantasy Outlook
Badie has been a well-traveled man of sorts, going to and from the practice squad with regularity this season. He returned to the regular roster this week, which wasn’t a surprise, given his production last week against the Buccaneers.
Badie ran for 70 yards on just nine carries (7.8 yards per carry), and for the season he is averaging nearly nine yards a carry (8.6) on just 10 carries.
There is a lot to like about Badie going forward. And on a team with such inconsistency as the Broncos’ running back position, taking a chance on Badie going forward has value.
McLaughlin’s Week 4 Fantasy Outlook
Given the fact that he has only nine touches total over his last two games, it’s understandable for fantasy managers to look elsewhere between these three Denver running backs.
However, of these three, McLaughlin is the only one who has scored a touchdown this season, that coming last week against the Buccaneers. While he finished with only seven rushing yards on five carries, the touchdown elevated his production to 8.4 points — not bad for a back with seven rushing yards.
So even if he doesn’t see the field as often, if Denver continues to use him around the goal line, a back who can get in the end zone can be invaluable for fantasy managers.
