My weekly matchup chart highlights the best positional matchups vs. the toughest. Translation: green is a good matchup for the position, red is bad, and yellow is neutral. This information is updated weekly based on fantasy points against (to date) and a few other factors and presented in no particular order per tier.
My Guys This Week
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
I just hope KW-III has it in his heart to forgive me for last week. After an ill-fated sit recommendation from yours truly, Walker III went out and dropped an RB8 finish on the week. Lesson learned. Let me quote myself, though, before we go any further – “Kenneth Walker III is football’s equivalent to Royce Lewis. When he’s healthy and out there, HE MASHES,” and “Walker may just be matchup-proof.” Turns out he more than likely is. Who knew (shrug emoji)? On to this week, where Mr. Walker III (aka my new daddy) finds himself in a GLORIOUS matchup against the Bills, who boast the third-worst defense against running backs in 2024. Granted, Baltimore ran all over Buffalo in Week 4, but that’s what the Ravens do. If you take out that game, Buffalo is still pretty generous to RBs (at least 23 points in 4/6 matchups). Seattle seems intent on keeping Chabonnet involved (just about a 60/40 snap share split favoring Walker III), and he actually out-snapped KWIII against the Falcons. I ain’t scurred. Walker III has been super efficient with his touches, and I expect him to be this week as well.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 09: Breece Hall #20 of the New York Jets runs against Jerome Baker #55 of the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on October 09, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Edward Diller/Getty Images)
Breece Hall, New York Jets
Breece Hall is soooooo back! And not a week too soon, after you spent R1 capital on him. His last two games have been phenomenal, and he has hopefully reassured us all that “In Breece We Trust.” In Weeks 2-5, backup Braelon Allen received approximately 30-35% of the snaps and was decent. It seemed the Jets were content turning this backfield into a timeshare. Then Rodgers had Saleh fired (allegedly), and it’s seemingly knocked some sense into the staff as Hall has dominated the snaps/touches in games not coached by Robert Saleh (87% AND 82% snap share, respectively). And Hall responded with his two best-scoring games of the season. Waiter: “Would you like some more Breece Hall?” Me: YES PLEASE.” The Patriots are up next, who rank 30th against RBs this season. Jerod Mayo blasted the Patriots players this week, and Bill Belichick swooped in to defend them. But Mayo may be on to something. Since Week 3, the Patriots have allowed no fewer than 25 points to running backs in any matchup, including tallies of 51 (HOU) and 37 (JAX) in the last two. You didn’t draft him to sit him, but if you had backed off, time to get back on.
Honorable mention: Javonte Williams (DEN), Josh Jacobs (GB), Kareem Hunt (KC)
My Fades This Week
CHARLOTTE, NC – AUGUST 21: Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball against DeShon Elliott #32 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of a NFL preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 21, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Chris Keane/Getty Images)
Chubba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Chubba was a start recommendation for me last week, and while the floor was decent, I certainly expected more efficiency with his touches. This week, it’s the Broncos for Hubbard, and I don’t like it for a few reasons. First, if you own Alvin Kamara, I really don’t need to articulate how Denver properly handled him last Thursday. And this is a big one because Hubbard was seeing carries and targets, much like Alvin. Second, Jonathon Brooks may be back this week. There’s also a chance he’s not, and as of this writing, I’m leaning toward him not playing in Week 8. But if he does, he’ll get worked in. They didn’t spend the draft capital on Brooks with the intent of him backing up Hubbard for too long. Third, Hub’s fantasy point production has dipped four games in a row heading into Week 8. Is he getting worn out? Possibly, maybe, probably. Chubba should still get the volume here, and that should present a decent floor. But I just don’t trust it. Y’all know I’m big on avoiding the Denver defense where we can. I see Hub on the outside looking in this week.
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rachaad White had himself a ball game on Monday – 16 touches, 111 yards, 2 scores – and we’ve been waiting on it all year, huh? Against the Ravens, no less. That one game dropped the Ravens from 2nd against RBs to 12th. Insane. So, good for him. This is me giving him his flowers. Now, let’s get back to reality. This backfield is a mess. Yes, White is the RB1 in this room, technically (air quotes). But this backfield has turned into a really ugly situation for fantasy purposes between White, Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker. With all three healthy, we caught a glimpse of what snap share most likely looks like on a weekly basis – White (48%), Irving (35%), and Tucker (20%). This means that White will have to be uber-efficient with his touches to be relevant. He was against the Ravens, where he saw significant work as a pass catcher. But what about games that aren’t shootouts? When the targets and receptions aren’t there? It’s far too volatile on a weekly basis for my liking. Plus, the Falcons are no slouch against the run, already holding these backs in check earlier this season (Week 5).
Honorable mention: Devin Singletary (NYG), Tyrone Tracy Jr. (NYG), Alexander Mattison (OAK)