We’re only a few weeks into the 2025 NFL season, but workloads, snap shares and more trends are starting to emerge across the league’s backfields. With that in mind, let’s break down my fantasy football RB start/sit Week 4 picks.
Check out my full Week 4 start/sit article with picks at each position here!
Start ‘Em: J.K. Dobbins (Broncos) vs. Bengals
A trend is starting to emerge with the Bengals… start any running back that’s facing them without hesitation.
Through three weeks, Cincy is allowing a whopping 30 fantasy points to opposing backfields per contest, second-most in the NFL. This isn’t exactly a shocker, as run defense has been a struggle for the Bengals for quite some time. Jordan Mason ran all over them last Sunday en route to a 48-10 blowout, taking his 16 carries for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
That sets the stage nicely for Dobbins, who has established himself as the clear top back in Denver. The 26-year-old has scored at least 14 PPR points in all three contests this year, also finding the end zone in each game. He hasn’t been that involved in the passing attack, but is averaging an impressive 5.4 yards per carry on solid volume. Fire Dobbins up as a high-end RB2 ahead of this advantageous matchup.
Sit ‘Em: David Montgomery (Lions) vs. Browns
Am I really telling you to sit a guy who is coming off a 29.4-point performance?
Yes. I am. You don’t want to mess around with the Browns’ run defense this season.
In a somewhat strange turn of events, Cleveland has been absolutely dominant against opposing rushing attacks through three weeks. The Browns are allowing a league-low 57.3 rushing yards per game and the second-fewest fantasy points to RBs. This feels like a game script that will feature a lot of Jahmyr Gibbs taking carries to the outside and racking up receptions out of the backfield. Montgomery, on the other hand, will be left to deal with a stout defensive line on fringe double-digit inside handoffs. Unless the veteran finds the end zone, we’re likely looking at a fantasy dud.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL WEEK 4 START/SIT PICKS AT EACH POSITION!
Start ‘Em: Trey Benson (Cardinals) vs. Seahawks
Heading into the season, James Conner himself admitted that Benson was expected to handle a larger share of the workload.
Flash forward just a few weeks, and following Conner’s season-ending ankle injury, the second-year RB suddenly will be tasked with handling almost all of the backfield work. Benson was efficient in his immediately expanded role in Week 3, taking 10 carries for 42 yards and adding three receptions. That may just be a preview of a significant workload for the 23-year-old against Seattle this weekend.
The Seahawks allow the 10th-most fantasy points to running backs. Assuming Benson earns 15-20 touches, he could realistically aim for a 20-point fantasy outing as Arizona’s new bellcow. A similar situation played out in Minnesota last week, as Jordan Mason stepped in for the injured Aaron Jones and ran all over Cincinnati. Similar results could be in the cards for Benson.
Sit ‘Em: Jacory (Bill) Croskey-Merritt (Commanders) at Falcons
The Bill Nye the Science Guy memes may have to wait a couple of weeks.
While everyone expects Croskey-Merritt to inevitably take over Washington’s backfield, especially with Austin Ekeler out of the equation, it didn’t happen against the Raiders. Bill saw a 40% snap share and only nine touches, salvaging his fantasy day with a touchdown.
Instead, it was Chris Rodriguez who paced the Commanders’ backfield, taking his team-high 11 carries for 39 yards. Jeremy McNichols produced the big play, scampering for a 60-yard touchdown. Croskey-Merritt may still produce fantasy value weekly, but it’s best to sit him as long as Washington is utilizing a committee, especially against a stout Falcons run defense.
Looking for more RB start/sit Week 4 picks? Stay tuned for my MNF fantasy start/sit article! New RB start/sit picks drop weekly!
Start ‘Em: Quinshon Judkins (Browns) at Lions
My sincerest apologies to Judkins, whom I labeled a “sit” last week against the Packers. I had no faith in Cleveland’s offensive line against one of the league’s best defenses, but I was promptly proven wrong.
After being eased into the offense in Week 2, Judkins handled a bellcow’s workload on Sunday, rushing 18 times for 94 yards and a touchdown. The rookie also caught his only target, raising his receptions total to four on the year. That’s not an aspect of Judkins’ game I expect to be a mainstay, but it’s nice to see him flash receiving capabilities.
The Ole Miss and Ohio State product’s strong day earned fantasy managers 16.5 PPR points. Those stats also came on just a 55% snap share, which will almost certainly be bumped next game against the Lions. Fire up Judkins as a strong RB2 in Week 4.
Those are my RB start ’em, sit ’em Week 4 fantasy football picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice throughout the week.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
