FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode Title: Week 6 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings & Tiers: Studs, Sleepers, and Must-Starts (Ep. 1761)
Release Date: October 9, 2025
Host: Chris Welsh
Analysts: Pat Fitzmorris & Andrew Erickson

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the murky and ever-changing landscape of fantasy running backs for NFL Week 6. Chris Welsh, Pat Fitzmorris, and Andrew Erickson break down RB1s, RB2s, and flex plays, discuss the most pressing start/sit debates, analyze waiver wire pickups, and provide actionable insight for fantasy managers hit hard by injuries and underperforming studs. The trio also debate the lowest floors and highest ceilings among mid- and low-tier running backs, referencing their own rankings and the latest expert consensus (ECR).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Changing Landscape at Running Back (00:35–01:50)

• Running back injuries and backfield shakeups have made the RB landscape "murky" and unreliable outside the top tier.
• The Chargers' backfield is a prime example of chaos, with injuries and depth chart churn.
• Last week’s hot waiver debates (D. Markado vs. Michael Carter) shift to this week’s battles (Hassan Haskins vs. Kamani Vidal).

2. Chargers' RB Conundrum: Haskins vs. Vidal (01:50–04:03)

• Pat sees Hassan Haskins as the safest low-ceiling choice due to expected goal line work while Omari and Hampton are out. "[Haskins] is probably the safest bet to offer some fantasy value ... probably the safe play to have some low level fantasy value for however long Omari and Hampton [are] out." (01:50)
• Andrew concurs, siding with Haskins over Vidal due to expected opportunities in a favorable matchup versus Miami, but worries about Haskins’ talent and efficiency. “He had a 0% success rate on his runs ... five carries for 13 yards and they were all negative plays. That’s my only concern about just being too bullish on Haskins.” (03:01)

3. Point-Costly Mistakes & Rookie Fumbles (04:03–06:15)

• The hosts jest about rookie mistakes—players dropping the ball before crossing the goal line, notably D. Markado’s recent error.
  "It's dumber because a guy did it the week before. ... Just show everybody low light of these guys ... dropping the ball before they score." — Andrew (04:27)
• Pat defends Adnai Mitchell’s fumble as less egregious but calls D. Markado’s mistake “inexplicable.” (05:09)
• Emphasize to rookies: “Just be sure to get the ball into the end zone first and then, you know, go for it.” — Pat (06:05)

4. RB1 Rankings & Debates (06:15–11:46)

Top 12 RBs (Tier 1)

• Ample agreement on clear top-tier backs: Jonathan Taylor, Bijan Robinson, Christian McCaffrey, etc.

Devon Achan – High Ceiling vs. Uncertainty

• Pat is highest (RB6): "One of the most dangerous dual run-catch threats ... without even breaking off a big play of 30+ yards yet." (07:24)
• Andrew, less optimistic, notes poor showing against Carolina but admits: "The fact that Achan hasn't had that marquee big play yet ... I'm getting now a little bit concerned that I am too low on Achan." (08:10)

Javonte Williams – Ranking Debate

• Andrew pushes Javonte up to RB5, citing bell-cow status and Dallas’s offensive success:
  "Brian Schottenheimer is all on board ... He said actually one of his postgame pressers that he's president of the Javonte Williams fan club." (09:31)
• Pat tempers excitement: "I'm not higher on him [because] Carolina run defense ... is kind of a neutral matchup now." (10:50)

5. RB2 Tier: Volatility & Notable Debates (14:21–28:49)

Derrick Henry – Floor Falling Out?

• Andrew, most pessimistic (RB21): "He needs to get a goal line opportunity ... Rams, one of the toughest defenses to run against ... I see the floor could bottom out entirely." (15:22)
• Pat echoes concerns but holds steady: "The silver lining is that the Ravens fed Derrick Henry 15 carries last week ... that's all I got." (17:10)

Rico Dowdle “Revenge Game” Hype

• Both analysts are slightly above ECR (consensus 15), citing opportunity, passing game role, and matchup.
• Andrew stokes the “revenge” angle: "He wants to show, hey, you guys should have kept me." (19:29)

Bill Crosky-Merritt Is Trustworthy Again

• Both analysts have him inside the top 20, touting efficiency and role: "He basically took over the RB1 role ... and just continue[d] to do what he does.” — Andrew (21:13)
• Pat cautions about a three-RB committee limiting ceiling: "He had his highest snapshare ... only 47.5%.” (22:34)

Rashad White—Volume Wins in a Tough Matchup

• Pat: Stable ECR, value tied to Bucky Irving’s injury: “We got what we expected from Rashad White last week ... maybe I should be a little higher just based on projected volume.” (24:12)
• Andrew: More bullish (RB15): “Passing game ... that's where White actually thrives the most ... I think that he's a top 15 guy.” (24:58)

Michael Carter – Opportunity vs. Talent

• Andrew: Skeptical, outside RB2 (RB27): "[Last week] was the perfect run out ... he's a Jag running back ... wouldn't be so shocked if the Cardinals are trailing and D. Markado is out there." (26:07)
• Pat: Prefers opportunity over talent for RB usage: "So often at running back, opportunity means more than talent ... 23 touches last week for Michael Carter." (27:43)

6. RB3/Flex Tier, Waiver Fliers, and Sleeper Hopefuls (28:49–38:34)

Jalen Warren/Kenny Gainwell Split (30:00–32:31)

• Both see Warren as a floor flex due to passing role, but worry about split with Gainwell post-bye.

Chase Brown – Flacco Checkdown Effect?

• Andrew: "If [Flacco throwing to RBs] becomes more of the norm, then I think that you're looking at an RB3 floor ... but volume, right?" (33:24)
• Pat: Volume is key, and situation (bad O-line, immobile QB) pushes rush attempts: “You have to at least pay lip service to the running game.” (34:50)

Hassan Haskins – Emergency Rainy Day Start

• Both list Haskins around RB31–32, outside top flex WRs; touchdown-dependent:
  – Pat: “Best bet to have goal line opportunities for the Chargers ... pretty good bet for double digit carries and short yardage duty. And that's about as excited as I can get for Hassan Haskins this week.” (36:16)
  – Andrew: “You’re really starting more as like a desperation RB2 where you have to start a running back. ... I think you can probably find a better wide receiver, even potentially a tight end option this week.” (37:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On rookie fumbles at the goal line:
  "What they should do at the rookie symposium ... show everybody low light of these guys ... dropping the ball before they score." — Andrew Erickson (04:27)

• On opportunity vs. talent at RB:
  "Opportunity means more than talent and I think that's kind of the case here." — Pat Fitzmorris, on Michael Carter (27:43)

• About running back unpredictability in 2025:
  "Fantasy football is weird ... guys you would have thought would maybe be RB2s at this time, like RJ Harvey, Travion Henderson. Would have been crazy to think that those guys would have earned RB2 value by this point." — Pat Fitzmorris (30:00)

• Summing up the RB3 tier:
  “The top end is okay and then it really starts to fall off ... maybe there are even bigger questions which can be saved for the trade show.” — Chris Welsh (29:53)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro & Recent RB Landscape: 00:35–01:50
• Chargers RB Situation (Haskins/Vidal): 01:50–04:03
• Rookie Mistakes/Lowlights Anecdote: 04:03–06:15
• RB1 Rankings & Devon Achan/Javonte Williams Debates: 06:15–11:46
• RB2 Tier & Derrick Henry Debate: 14:21–17:37
• Rico Dowdle Revenge Game Hype: 17:17–20:48
• Bill Crosky-Merritt, Rashad White, & Michael Carter: 21:13–28:49
• RB3/Flex Tier & Deep Sleepers: 28:49–38:34
• Haskins vs. WR/TE in Flex: 37:13–38:34

Summary Table: Key RB Rankings/Opinions

| Player | Fitz Rank | Erickson Rank | Notable Commentary | |----------------------|------------|---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Hassan Haskins | 31 | 32 | Safe, TD-dependent, desperation RB2/flex | | Kamani Vidal | Outside 36 | Outside 36 | More "juice," less trust; some red zone looks | | Devon Achan | 6 | 11 | Huge upside, has not had a breakout play yet | | Javonte Williams | 10 | 5 | True bell cow, trusted by coaching staff | | Derrick Henry | 13 | 21 | Volume remains, low efficiency, brutal matchup | | Rico Dowdle | 14 | 13 | Workhorse with pass game role; “revenge game” narrative | | Bill Crosky-Merritt | 18 | 19 | Efficiency plus role, but limited by committee | | Rashad White | 20 | 15 | Volume/targets if Bucky Irving is out | | Michael Carter | 23 | 27 | All opportunity, little talent | | Jalen Warren | 26 | 30 | Floor with pass game; split concerns | | Kenny Gainwell | 34 | Not ranked | Will hurt Warren more than provide standalone value | | Chase Brown | 29 | 26 | Volume locked, Flacco may boost checkdowns |

Final Thoughts

• Manager’s Dilemma: The RB ranks are turbulent, especially outside the top 12. Volume and opportunity are the primary decision drivers in an otherwise talent-thin, committee-plagued tier.
• Waiver & Flex Planning: Week 6 especially calls for creativity and risk tolerance in RB2/RB3/flex spots.
• Devon Achan & Rico Dowdle: Stand out as high-upside, confident starts, with Dowdle’s revenge-game narrative adding flavor.
• Derrick Henry: Once auto-start, now a matchup-dependent, floor-concern RB2.

For further rankings and updates, the hosts encourage listeners to monitor fantasypros.com/rankings, and join the Thursday live stream (YouTube, 3pm ET) for start/sit Q&A — “There will be no less than 400 billion Hassan Haskins questions.”

Summary created for fantasy football managers seeking in-depth, actionable week 6 running back insights.