Fantasy Football Week 13 Running Back Start Decision: Isiah Pacheco, Gus Edwards, Rachaad White, Kareem Hunt, Aaron Jones and More

The Black Friday NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders doesn’t look all that great on paper, but there’s several trending start/sit decisions involving the game.

Here, we’ll debate several fantasy running backs. We’ll include Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Jaylen Warren, Gus Edwards, Rhamondre Stevenson, Javonte Williams, Najee Harris, Aaron Jones and Rachaad White.

Looking for start/sit help? Be sure to check out the FantasySP Who Should I Start tool.

Season Stats

Pacheco is off the injured reserve list and ready to play for the first time since week 2. He had 135 rushing yards and a score on 34 carries across the first two weeks, while adding in 54 receiving yards on seven receptions and eight targets.

Pacheco doesn’t even have an injury designation, meaning he should be a full go this week, but I’d be surprised if he’s immediately back to being the team’s workhorse, especially with Hunt around.

Hunt has 577 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 155 attempts this season, while adding 135 receiving yards on 17 catches and 22 targets. Hunt has scored in double figures as a fantasy performer in seven of eight games.

Warren has 303 rushing yards and a score on 75 attempts this season. He also has 142 receiving yards on 21 grabs and 25 targets. Warren has scored in double figures in three straight games, and only has one touchdown to boost those fantasy numbers over that span.

Edwards has 206 rushing yards and a touchdown on 63 attempts. He’s caught one of his two targets for two yards. Edwards figures to be the lead Baltimore back this week with J.K. Dobbins out with an injury. 

Stevenson has accumulated 598 rushing yards and six scores on 162 attempts this season. He also has 118 rushing yards and a touchdown on 28 receptions and 35 targets. Stevenson has scored nine or more fantasy points in four of the past five weeks - he scored just three points last week.

Williams is at 445 rushing yards and three scores on 120 attempts, while adding in 256 receiving yards on 37 grabs and 48 targets. Williams has 24 fantasy points over the past three weeks, but 19 of those came in one game.

Harris has rushed for 749 yards and three scores on 191 attempts, while adding in 195 receiving yards on 23 catches and 31 targets. Harris scored just seven points last week, snapping a streak of eight straight games in double figures.

Jones has 798 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 179 attempts. He’s also got 285 receiving yards and a score on 32 grabs and 37 targets. Jones scored 20 fantasy points last week, which was a nice bounceback from a five-point outing in week 11. Jones has 12 or more fantasy points in every game but one dating back to week 7. 

White has accumulated 343 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 92 attempts, while also posting 301 receiving yards and four scores on 38 catches and 42 targets. White has scored at least 12 fantasy points in five straight weeks.

Week 13 Matchups

Pacheco and Hunt take on the Raiders on Friday afternoon. It’s an average matchup, as Las Vegas surrenders 23 fantasy points per week to opposing fantasy backs.

Warren and Harris go up against the Bengals. That’s a tougher matchup, with Cincinnati allowing 20 fantasy points per week.

Edwards takes on the Falcons. Atlanta gives up 21 points per week.

Stevenson faces the Patriots, who allow 23 fantasy points. Williams has a test against the Browns, who give up 19 points a week.

Jones will take on the Cardinals, who allow 23 points a week. White goes up against the Panthers, who give up 29 fantasy points per week.

Projections and Starting Recommendations

In the week 13 projections, Jones leads the way with 15 PPR fantasy points.

White and Stevenson are both projected for 13 points. Pacheco is projected for 12, while Harris is at 11. Edwards, Warren and Williams are all set for 10 points, while Hunt is at just nine.

I also like Jones the most in this group of running backs. He’s got a solid matchup and is the workhorse for his team. I think Jones goes off this week.

Give me White next. Even though he might be the RB2 on his team behind Bucky Irving, the super favorable matchup should help White put up a good fantasy total. Start him with confidence.

Pacheco slots in here for me. The matchup is solid, and I think the Chiefs roll on Friday afternoon. Even if he’s splitting the workload with Hunt, Pacheco should get enough touches to post a good fantasy total and maybe score a touchdown.

Give me Harris next. The matchup is not the greatest, but of the remaining guys in this conversation, I trust Harris the most. 

I’d then take Edwards. Not knowing exactly what his workload might look like, it’s a bit risky to play Edwards this week. The matchup is solid enough to give him a go this week though.

I’d take Hunt here. I think he’ll still get enough touches to deliver a solid fantasy total this week. If he can find the end zone, he might finish above several guys I listed above him.

I’d then take Stevenson. In a somewhat favorable matchup, I’m a bit more confident in Stevenson than I otherwise would be. I still think he’s the top back in New England, which gives him the slight edge over the last two guys.

Warren and Williams round things out for me. Neither have good matchups, so that’s what puts them down the list. Warren being a No. 2 back on his own team makes him a risker starting option. Williams is part of a committee in Denver, and in the tough matchup, he’s simply not appealing.