Each week during the NFL season, we will rank enough players at each position to appease everyone from those in 8-team leagues to 16-team leagues, those that can start two QBs, two TEs, three RBs and four WRs. We cut out the rest, because if you're looking at who the 50th-best running back or the 17th-best kicker is for that week, you need more help than any Web site can give you.
Indianapolis and Pittsburgh are on bye.
2012 NFL Week 4 Fantasy Football Rankings — Running Backs
| Rk | Player | Team | OPPONENT | Notes |
| 1 | Arian Foster | HOU | vs. TEN | Titans 29th in rushing defense. |
| 2 | Ray Rice | BAL | vs. CLE (Thurs.) | |
| 3 | Maurice Jones-Drew | JAC | vs. CIN | MJD already back in top 5 among RBs. |
| 4 | LeSean McCoy | PHI | vs. NYG | Hoping to back up trash talk against G-Men. |
| 5 | Marshawn Lynch | SEA | at STL | Beast mode could be in full effect vs. Rams. |
| 6 | Adrian Peterson | MIN | at DET | |
| 7 | Jamaal Charles | KC | vs. SD | Back in charge after 233-yard effort. |
| 8 | Darren McFadden | OAK | at DEN | |
| 9 | Ryan Mathews | SD | at KC | Should see even more touches against Chiefs. |
| 10 | Frank Gore | SF | at NYJ | Jets allowing 150 yards rushing per game. |
| 11 | Doug Martin | TB | vs. WAS | |
| 12 | BenJarvus Green-Ellis | CIN | at JAC | BJGE should have success vs. Jags. |
| 13 | DeMarco Murray | DAL | vs. CHI (Mon.) | Bears will be tough test. |
| 14 | Trent Richardson | CLE | at BAL (Thurs.) | Rookie could be in for long night. |
| 15 | Michael Bush | CHI | at DAL (Mon.) | Forte's status for this week uknown. |
| 16 | Stevan Ridley | NE | at BUF | Hope Week 3 (13 att) is exception, not rule. |
| 17 | Reggie Bush | MIA | at ARI | Knee checked out OK, but watch status closely. |
| 18 | Michael Turner | ATL | vs. CAR | |
| 19 | Darren Sproles | NO | at GB | |
| 20 | Cedric Benson | GB | vs. NO | Saints giving up most fantasy points to RBs. |
| 21 | Alfred Morris | WAS | at TB | Looks to be entrenched as No. 1 back. |
| 22 | Mikel Leshoure | DET | vs. MIN | Can he top 100-yard debut? |
| 23 | Steven Jackson | STL | vs. SEA | |
| 24 | Andre Brown | NYG | at PHI | No longer the starter, but has earned a role. |
| 25 | Ahmad Bradshaw | NYG | at PHI | Named the starter, but will share with Brown. |
| 26 | Chris Johnson | TEN | vs. HOU | Texans not what struggling CJ needs. |
| 27 | Ryan Williams | ARI | vs. MIA | Now the starter with Beanie Wells on IR. |
| 28 | Tashard Choice | BUF | vs. NE | Less appealing if injured Bills return. |
| 29 | Jonathan Stewart | CAR | at ATL | Hoping toe/ankle issues are over with. |
| 30 | DeAngelo Williams | CAR | at ATL | |
| 31 | Ben Tate | HOU | vs. TEN | Solid flex option vs. Titans. |
| 32 | Shonn Greene | NYJ | vs. SF | Powell breathing down his neck. |
| 33 | Willis McGahee | DEN | vs. OAK | Rib injury could limit/sideline him. |
| 34 | Daniel Thomas | MIA | at ARI | If Reggie sits, Thomas gets the start. |
| 35 | Jacquizz Rodgers | ATL | vs. CAR | |
| 36 | Pierre Thomas | NO | at GB | |
| 37 | Mark Ingram | NO | at GB | |
| 38 | Fred Jackson | BUF | vs. NE | Even if he plays, expect limited impact. |
| 39 | Lance Ball | DEN | vs. OAK | Should start if McGahee doesn't play. |
| 40 | Bilal Powell | NYJ | vs. SF | Time to shine with Greene struggling. |
| 41 | Shaun Draughn | KC | vs. SD | Peyton Hillis (ankle) questionable. |
| 42 | Danny Woodhead | NE | at BUF | |
| 43 | Daryl Richardson | STL | vs. SEA | |
| 44 | Lamar Miller | MIA | at ARI | |
| 45 | Kendall Hunter | SF | at NYJ | |
| 46 | Toby Gerhart | MIN | at DET | |
| 47 | Jackie Battle | SD | at KC | Chargers' goal-line back? |
| 48 | Kevin Smith | DET | vs. MIN |
Rankings are based upon Athlon Sports' standard scoring system:
OFFENSIVE SCORING
All touchdowns are 6 points
1 point for 25 yards passing
1 point for 10 yards rushing/receiving
Receptions are .5 points
Interceptions/fumbles are minus-2 points
Additional Week 4 Positional Rankings
Quarterbacks
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Defense/Special Teams
