Week 4 Fantasy Football Projections: Chris Johnson and 3 RBs Ready to Explode

Patient owners will be rewarded in Week 4.

Starting a running back week after week without any success begins to kill the confidence you once had in that player. After two or even three weeks, benching, trading, or even releasing that back seems like a logical option. In fantasy football, patience is a key and if you own any of the following three players, you’ll be rewarded for starting them this upcoming week:

3. Kendall Hunter

Well, that didn’t take long; Frank Gore is injured and his status for Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles is uncertain. That means there’s a strong chance Kendall Hunter will take over as the San Francisco 49ers feature back on Sunday. If the 49ers end up starting the rookie, so should you.

Hunter has only averaged 2.7 yards a carry this season, but he’s only received 11 touches on the ground. He was a beast this preseason, rushing for 231 yards on 6.6 yards a pop. Hunter will improve and versus the Eagles’ 29th-ranked run defense, he’s bound to break out.

2. Shonn Greene

Shonn Greene is disappointing fantasy owners once again this year. So far this season, he’s recorded just 134 yards on the ground on 3.3 yards a carry along with just one touchdown.  LaDainian Tomlinson may continue to steal a chunk of Greene’s touches, but that won’t be a problem against the Arizona Cardinals who field one of the worst defenses in the league and surrender an average of 122.7 yards on the ground each week.

You better believe Rex Ryan will have his troops fired up after a two-score loss to the Oakland Raiders. Attempting to get their swagger back, New York will try to run the ball down Zona’s throat early and often. Greene’s rushing totals have steadily increased week by week and they will continue to do so.

1. Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson has been the biggest disappointment in fantasy football this year. CJ2K only has 98 rushing yards through three games because of a sub-par interior offensive line and the fact that defenses are keying on him. Against the Cleveland Browns in Week 4, he will finally fulfill his sky-high expectations.

The Browns have the 28th ranked run defense in the NFL. Johnson hasn’t received as many carries as he’s used to this season, but with stud wide receiver Kenny Britt expected to be out, the Tennessee Titans will be forced to lean on CJ. Cleveland won’t be able to contain the three-time Pro Bowler who’s due to blow up.

David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer.  Follow him on Twitter.