Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em 2022 NFL Week 6: Running back rankings

Week 6 of the 2022 Fantasy Football season presents a different challenge that wasn't present during the first five weeks of the NFL season. The bye week will officially begin this week, shrinking the number of available players in Fantasy Football, both on rosters and in free agent pools.

Running backs have always been one of the most important positions in Fantasy Football because of their wide range of scores each week. Playing the right ones can win a matchup, but a wrong decision can be costly. Here are three running backs to target and three others to avoid in Week 6 of the 2022 Fantasy Football season.

Week 6 Fantasy Football Running Backs: Start 'Em

Running backs to target in Week 6 Fantasy Football.

Rhamondre Stevenson - New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns

New England Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson

The New England Patriots have mostly been splitting their carries between two running backs, Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, during the 2022 NFL season so far. Their offensive distribution took a major change when Harris was injured during their Week 5 game.

Stevenson took over as a workhorse back last week and didn't disappoint, recording 27 touches and 175 total yards. He is projected to receive a similar work load this week while Harris remains injured, making Stevenson a must-start in Week 6.

Melvin Gordon III - Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Denver Broncos RB Melvin Gordon III

Melvin Gordon III took over as the starting running back for the Denver Broncos in Week 5 after Javonte Williams suffered a season-ending injury. Gordon was relatively solid, recording 93 total yards on 18 touches.

Gordon enters Week 6 in an excellent Fantasy Football matchup. He will face off against a Los Angeles Chargers defense. The Chargers have allowed the most yards per carry and most fantasy points per game to running backs this season. They've also allowed the most rushing yards per game last year.

Kenneth Walker III - Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals

Seattle Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III

Kenneth Walker III has been productive, despite having a limited role within the Seattle Seahawks offense this season. While he has totaled just 23 carries so far this year, he has averaged an impressive 6.3 yards per carry.

Walker is now projected to take over as the lead running back in Week 6 after starter Rasaad Penny went down with an injury last week. He has a ton of upside in the matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, who rank in the bottom ten in points allowed per game.

Week 6 Fantasy Football Running Backs: Sit 'Em

Running backs to avoid in Week 6 Fantasy Football.

Antonio Gibson - Washington Commanders vs. Chicago Bears

Washington Commanders RB Antonio Gibson

Antonio Gibson received 12 or more carries and, at least, 13 touches in each of the first four games of the 2022 NFL season with the Washington Commanders. Everything changed in Week 5 when rookie Brian Robinson Jr. made his first appearance of the season after recovering from an injury.

Gibson carried the ball just three times in Week 5, losing almost all of his work to Robinson, who carried the ball 11 times. It appears the Commanders will feature Robinson moving forward, destroying Gibson's overall value in Fantasy Football.

Cam Akers - Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina Panthers

Los Angeles Rams RB Cam Akers

While Cam Akers appears to have taken over as the featured running back for the Los Angeles Rams, he has been unimpressive with his additional opportunities. He has exceeded 50 rushing yards in just one game this year, while only averaging three yards per carry.

Akers has a solid matchup in Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers, but he's hard to trust in Fantasy Football until he proves he can increase his production, not just his workload. The Panthers have allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game during the 2022 NFL season, but Akers should still be avoided.

Tyler Allgeier - Atlanta Falcons vs. San Francisco 49ers

Atlanta Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier

Tyler Allgeier established himself as the leading running back for the Atlanta Falcons in Week 5 in their first game without their usual starter Cordarrelle Patterson. Allgeier played 60 percent of the snaps in Week 5 and recorded 13 total touches, leading all Falcons backs.

Allgeier is a solid Fantasy Football running back to own because of his expected workload, but he is best avoided in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers. They have been the top defense so far, allowing the fewest total yards, rushing yards, and points scored.

Top 10 Fantasy Football Running Backs in Week 6

1. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
2. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings vs. Miami Dolphins
3. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos
4. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns vs. New England Patriots
5. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants vs. Baltimore Ravens
6. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers vs. Los Angeles Rams
7. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints vs. Cincinnati Bengals
8. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers vs. New York Jets
9. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals
10. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns