Happy Holidays, everybody! If you’re still alive in your fantasy league, congratulations. Win or lose, you’ve accomplished an amazing feat as you are still playing in week 17, and you’ve managed to get a full fantasy season out of your entrance fee. Whether you’re playing in your league’s finals or the less exciting “consolation game,” we want to help you finish strong to close out this season. The running back position took another big hit last week as we lost Cleveland‘s rookie sensation, Quinshon Judkins, to a gruesome foot injury that ended his roller coaster season. If Dylan Sampson or Raheim Sanders are on your league’s waiver wire, they make for decent desperation plays. We also need to keep an eye on Judkins’ college teammate, fellow rookie Treveyon Henderson, who is in the league’s concussion protocol after leaving the Patriot‘s game last week in the second quarter. If Henderson is able to post, he’s a must-start in a great matchup against the Jets, even in a timeshare role with Rhomondre Stephenson. Let’s not waste any more time and jump right into our running back rankings for Week 17.
Week 17 Running Back Rankings
1) Jahmyr Gibbs vs. Vikings
Last week could have been better. Gibbs had his career-worst rushing game as he managed just 2 total rushing yards on 7 attempts. Yet, he was still able to put up over 20 PPR points thanks to 10 receptions for 66 yards and a score. That’s why we love this guy, and that’s why he’s a must-start every week. The Vikings are a mess right now, and I don’t expect them to put up much resistance when these two teams play on Christmas Day. Gibbs struggled in their previous meeting, but that was when the Vikings were still playing for something. The players that show up will be there to compete, but this defense has been allowing over 4 yards per run in each of their last three games. I expect a big game from Gibbs as well as a solid game from David Montgomery as the Lions cruise to an easy win.
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2) Christian McCaffrey vs. Bears
CMC has been great all year, and after last week’s big performance on Monday night, he’s probably on a very large portion of rosters in fantasy finals across the globe. If you drafted him, congratulations, you’ve made it. He not only managed to play the full season, but he has dominated the league as both a runner and a pass catcher. His 1039 yards and 9 scores on the ground are great, but when you add in his 92 receptions, 849 receiving yards, and his 7 touchdowns, you get a historic season. You didn’t need to read this to know to start him this week. I just typed all of that so you can feel good about yourself for not only drafting him but also holding onto him for the entire season. Well done.
3) Bijan Robinson vs. Rams
The matchup isn’t ideal, but more often than not, they haven’t been for Robinson and the Falcons. It shouldn’t matter much, as Raheem Morris has finally figured out how to get the ball into Bijan’s hands well over 20 times each week. He has averaged almost 30 opportunities (rush attempts + targets) over the Falcons’ last two games, and I expect more of the same in this matchup against the Rams and their stout defense. Much like McCaffrey, Bijan has done his damage as both a rusher and a receiver with over 2,000 combined yards on the season. Keep him in your lineup and enjoy.
4) James Cook vs. Eagles
I expect Cook to be leaned on heavily, whether Josh Allen plays in this game or not, since the Eagles have been much weaker against the run lately than against the pass. The return of Jalen Carter should go a long way in changing that, but Cook is going to be peppered with opportunities regardless. He was able to top 100 yards and two scores last week against Cleveland’s #2-ranked run defense; he should do fine this week against Philly and their #21-ranked unit.
5) Saquon Barkley vs. Bills
For all of the whining and complaining we’ve heard about Saquon Barkley, he’s actually had a pretty good season. Sure, when we drafted him in the first round as one of the top 4 or 5 backs off the board, expecting him to anchor our fantasy rosters, we were hoping for him to be an RB1 this year, weren’t we? Well, guess where he’s ranked right now? He’s ranked as the overall RB12 in the entire league, and by my calculations, that makes him an RB1 in 12-team leagues. He has a nice matchup this week against the Bills run defense, and he’s coming off a big game. Fire him up.
6) De’Von Achane vs. Bucs
Achane is another back who will be leaned on heavily by his team, but in his case, it’s because they’re starting a quarterback that most likely will be playing in the UFL next year. The Buccaneers are pretty tough against inside runners, but Achane is going to do most of his damage around the outside and as a pass catcher. We would like to see more than the 3 targets he got in the passing game last week, but we’ll take those 90 total yards, a touchdown again, over what some other backs offer as a floor.
7) Chase Brown vs. Cardinals
We had Brown as a top 10 back last week, and he came through like gangbusters, so let’s roll with him while he’s hot. While I’d love to say he will be able to repeat his 3-touchdown performance from a week ago, I’m feeling pretty good about his chances to have a big day against this Arizona defense. I love this game to shoot out and want to get any piece of it in my lineup that I can. While Michael Carter isn’t going to make this list, he’s not a bad start as a RB2 or flex this week as the Cardinals’ starting back.
8) Travis Etienne vs. Colts
He had a bit of a quiet game last week, but if we told you he was going to put up over 15 PPR points against the Broncos, I’m sure most of you would have gladly taken it. That’s exactly what he did, and now this week he gets a much softer matchup against the Colts. The last time these two teams met, Etienne was able to find paydirt twice in a game the Jaguars won handily, 36-19. That also happens to be the game where Daniel Jones was injured, effectively ending the Colts’ magical season. This should be a great game script for Etienne to pile up yards and at least one score.
9) Ashton Jeanty vs. Giants
Did you play him last week? Be honest. If you have him on your roster, and you left him on your bench, and you somehow won the game, congratulations. Now you have a tough decision, because one of last week’s starters is going to have to sit down. Hopefully, you have somebody like D.K. Metcalf on your roster, and a flex spot was magically opened with one ill-advised swing of a fist. Jeanty put on a show last week against the Texans, and now he gets to take on the Giants and their #31-ranked rush defense. Get him in your lineup and hope that the fantasy gods don’t go and get all ironic on you.
10) Jonathan Taylor vs. Jags
I just couldn’t bring myself to leave him off the list. Obviously, things are different these days in Indy, but JT isn’t the one to blame, as he’s running as hard as ever. The loss of Daniel Jones was devastating for the Colts as well as the fantasy owners of Taylor and his pass-catching teammates. Despite the change at quarterback, you have to play Taylor, even in this crummy matchup against Jacksonville and their #1-ranked run defense. It’s not ideal, but unless you are playing in a very shallow league and have two or three of the names listed above, Taylor is still your best bet. Some other backs that just missed this list that I don’t hate as alternatives are Javonte Williams against the Commanders and Kyren Williams against the Falcons.
Happy Holidays and Good Luck!!!
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