Fantasy Football Week 6: Ryan Torain and More Under-the-Radar RBs You Must Start

With several useful running backs on the bye this weekend, many fantasy owners will be scrambling to find alternative options at the position. Luckily, there are several backs either on the waiver wire or the depths of your bench that should come in handy this week.

Either due to injury or excellent play, a couple new backs have risen to prominence over the past week and could be on the verge of a major breakout. Here are three under-the-radar running backs that you must start in Week 6.

Earnest Graham - Tamp Bay Buccaneers

With LeGarrette Blount on the shelf for a couple weeks with a knee injury, Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup running back Earnest Graham will receive the bulk of the carries. Graham has had some success in the past and he has been very effective in the passing game this season with 23 catches through five games.

The Buccaneers will take an a New Orleans Saints' team that is in the middle of the pack against the run and the pass defensively, but Graham figures to be a huge part of the offense. No. 1 receiver Mike Williams is struggling and the Bucs don't really have many weapons, so I expect Graham to be heavily in involved as a runner as well as a pass receiver, giving him plenty of opportunities to put up big points.

James Starks - Green Bay Packers

While the Green Bay Packers are certainly more well-known for their passing game with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, running back James Starks have been very effective when given touches. Starks has only 57 carries through five games, but he has gained 250 yards and has 13 pass receptions as well.

Starks may be utilized a bit more this Sunday against the St. Louis Rams who are one of the league's worst teams against the run. The Packers will also want to get Starks going as teams are sure to focus on the pass moving forward. If the Packers can grab an early lead, then Starks will have a chance to rack up tons of yardage as Green Bay tries to salt away the game.

Ryan Torain - Washington Redskins

With Tim Hightower ahead of him on the depth chart to start the season, Washington Redskins running back Ryan Torain was a fantasy non-factor over the season's first three weeks. With Hightower struggling, though, head coach Mike Shanahan gave Torain, an old favorite of his, a chance against the St. Louis Rams in Week 4.

Torain responded in a big way by picking up 135 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. While Shanahan's running back situations are always muddled, it would seem as though Torain is the flavor of the month at least. He should receive the bulk of the carries this weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles who have been awful against the run.

In order for Washington to pull off the mini upset, it will have to control the ball, and Torain will be a huge part of that. The Eagles should receive a heavy dose of Torain, and he could put up monster numbers.