Fantasy Football Week 15 Running Back Start/Sit: Sincere McCormick, Isaiah Davis, James Cook and More
These are the running backs you need to get in your lineup this week and some others who should stay on your bench.
Start
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
White has a bad matchup this week against the Chargers, who are allowing sixth-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Don't let that scare you off. Bucky Irving clearly isn't right and is being impacted by his back and hip injuries. It forced him from last week's game and there is a chance that he doesn't play at all in this game.
Even if he does play, we don't expect him to be 100%. If Irving is out, then White is a smash star, but even with Irving active, White should have a big game. The running backs are an integral part of the passing attack in Tampa and we anticipate White having a major role on Sunday.
Isaiah Davis, New York Jets
With all eyes on Braelon Allen last week after Breece Hall was ruled out for the game, it was Davis who thrived as the top fantasy back for the Jets contributing in all aspects of the game. Most importantly, he led the running backs in targets, finishing behind only Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson while also getting the majority of the red zone work. Even on the ground, he only saw one less carry than Allen.
With Davis seeing more of the valuable opportunities, we want to get him in our lineups this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to running backs and are particularly bad against pass-catching running backs. Allen can also be started in this one. However, if Hall does end up playing then, it's tough to start either guy with any type of confidence.
Sincere McCormick, Las Vegas Raiders
Over the past two weeks, McCormick has gone from a virtual unknown to a bell-cow back in Vegas. He has looked good too. You shouldn't view him as just a volume play because he's shown some juice out there.
Last week, he averaged 5.2 yards per carry while out-carrying all other backs 15-1 and out-targeting them 3-2. There are a few variables to worry about this week, nevertheless, we are still plugging him in.
Alexander Mattison could return this week, however, we view him as a change-of-pace back at best who could see similar touches to what Ameer Abdullah has been seeing in his absence. Also, if Desmond Ridder starts, it could change the offense. On one hand, it could lead to more volume. On the other, this team won't have many scoring chances. Regardless, we like him as a sneaky flex option this week.
Sit
James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Cook is coming off a miserable six-carry game which is his second single-digit carry game in the past three weeks. It's unclear if the Bills are trying to keep him fresh or if he's been game-scripted out, but neither option is good for fantasy owners.
We understand you may still have to start Cook, but there may also be other options to plug in for him on your bench. He takes on a tough Detroit Lions rush defense this week that has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to the position.
This could also be a game that the Bills are playing from behind in, which didn't bode well for Cook last week. Unless he PPRs his way to a good game, we don't expect much out of him as far as efficiency or compiling yards goes.
D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
The change in the scheme in Chicago has gone a long way in helping Caleb Williams produce much better fantasy numbers. That has not been the case for Swift, who has also been dealing with nagging injuries and losing goal-line work to Roschon Johnson, who will likely return to action this week.
Over the past three weeks, he has not managed to hit the 40-yard mark rushing or receiving and has not scored a TD. He's only scored one total TD since October. This week he goes up against the Minnesota Vikings, who are allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Swift has become a matchup-based fantasy option and this is not a good matchup for him.
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Chubb hasn't been particularly good since returning from injury and has visibly lost the explosion that once made him an elite RB1. Nevertheless, he's done enough to maintain his role as a potential low-end starting fantasy running back.
The one thing he hasn't lost is his ability to fall into the end zone. However, he is a must-sit this week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City is allowing the fewest fantasy points to the position this season and has only allowed seven total TDs to all running backs this season.
In this matchup, Chubb isn't worth plugging in with hopes that he scores in such a terrible matchup. His ceiling is low, and there are no teams on bye so you should be able to find a better option for a playoff game.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
This is your weekly reminder to avoid this Broncos' backfield at all costs. They seem to pick a running back at random each week to give all the volume to and then that guy isn't even all that good anyway. The massive risk isn't close to worth the minimal reward you can reap with this nightmarish backfield.
The combination of bad backs and volatility makes all these backs worth avoiding. We're just focusing on Williams because he has the highest ECR this week, just ahead of Jaleel McLaughlin.
