Empty the Bench

We tend to aggressively rank our weekly fantasy plays, within reason. Sometimes we nail it, sometimes we flub–yes, even ETB makes overly optimistic predictions from time to time. Not often, but it does happen. This week, however, we’re fairly confident you’ll thank us for starting breakouts-in-waiting like Donald Brown and Glen Coffee.

The Franklin Delano Gore-Glen Coffee situation in San Francisco is Exhibit A for why you always, always, always secure solid handcuffs to your RB1. With Gore out for the next 2 weeks, Coffee will essentially step into Gore’s role as the team’s main offensive weapon and get a full load at home against the lowly St. Louis Rams this Sunday. He also gets another home game next week against an Atlanta Falcons rush defense that’s ranked towards the bottom. Yes, Coffee is a sexy fantasy play, especially for those of you who scooped him up and foiled those Gore owners who weren’t smart enough to prioritize Coffee on draft day. It’s like pissing in their Cheerios.

Start Glen Coffee with confidence as your RB2. Start Donald Brown with confidence as your RB3/Flex. And speaking as a frustrated Steve Slaton owner to others in the same boat, don’t give up on the man just yet: I smell somewhat of a breakout game this week at home against the Oakland Raiders. Pencil him in for 140+ total yards and at least one score.

See also:
- Week 4 QB Rankings
- Week 4 WR Rankings
- Week 4 TE Ranks
- Week 4 DEF Ranks

1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings vs. GB
2. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans @ JAC
3. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. TEN
4. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears vs. DET
5. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants @ KC
6. Steve Slaton, Houston Texans vs. OAK
7. Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals @ CLE
8. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams @ SF
9. Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins vs. BUF
10. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints vs. NYJ
11. Glen Coffee, San Francisco 49ers vs. STL
12. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders @ HOU
13. Marion Barber/Tashard Choice, Dallas Cowboys @ DEN (Check Status)
14. Darren Sproles/LT, San Diego Chargers @ PIT (Check LT’s Status)
15. Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens @ NE

Running back rankings 16 through 36, after the jump…

16. Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts vs. SEA
17. Leon Washington, New York Jets @ NO
18. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens @ NE
19. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills @ MIA
20. Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints vs. NYJ
21. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts vs. SEA
22. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers @ MIN
23. Thomas Jones, New York Jets @ NO
24. Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants @ KC
25. Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos vs. DAL
26. Correll Buckhalter, Denver Broncos vs. DAL
27. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins vs. TB (Check Status)
28. Lendale White, Tennessee Titans @ JAC
29. Carnell Williams, Tampa Bay Bucs @ WAS
30. Julius Jones, Seattle Seahawks @ IND
31. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills @ MIA
32. Willie Parker/Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. SD (Check Status)
33. Aaron Brown, Detroit Lions @ CHI (Check Kevin Smith’s Status)
34. Jerome Harrison, Cleveland Browns vs. CIN
35. Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins vs. BUF
36. Michael Bush, Oakland Raiders @ HOU
37. Fred Taylor, New England Patriots vs. BAL

See also:
- Week 4 QB Rankings
- Week 4 WR Rankings
- Week 4 TE Ranks
- Week 4 DEF Ranks

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