Fantasy Football Week 15 Running Back Start Decision: Isaac Guerendo, Sincere McCormick, Tyrone Tracy, Zach Charbonnet, Isiah Pacheco and More

After looking at 14 quarterbacks in our week fantasy quarterback start decision story, it’s time to move on to some running backs.

The heart of the article is Isaac Guerendo, who is planning to play on Thursday night despite a sprained foot.

Well compare Guerendo against Brian Robinson, Jonathan Taylor, Alvin Kamara, Zach Charbonnet, Patrick Taylor, Kenneth Walker, Isiah Pacheco, James Cook, David Montgomery, Sincere McCormick, Rhamondre Stevenson, Tyrone Tracy, Najee Harris and Tank Bigsby. 

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

Notable Numbers

Guerendo got his first crack at the lead role in week 14, and he went for 27 fantasy points. He rushed 15 times for 78 yards and two scores and added 50 receiving yards on two catches and targets.

Robinson scored 18 fantasy points in his last game, which was a nice bounceback from a three-point showing in week 12. He’s scored a rushing touchdown in seven of the 10 games he’s played in.

Jonathan Taylor tallied 17 fantasy points in his last contest - he only had 12 points in the two weeks before that combined. Taylor has 20 or more rushing attempts in four of the past six games.

Kamara, who is working through an illness, scored 13 fantasy points last week, which tied his lowest mark over the past six contests. He hasn’t scored a touchdown in seven games, but still keeps delivering solid results, especially in PPR leagues.

Charbonnet got a start last week with Walker injured, and all Charbonnet did was score 38 PPR points. He also scored a touchdown in week 13, when Walker was playing.

Patrick Taylor got a little extra run last week and after Guerendo left with his injury. He rushed seven times for 25 yards and a score.

Walker, who is nursing a calf injury, scored seven fantasy points in week 13, but had scored in double figures in the previous three contests.

Pacheco tallied six fantasy points in his return to the field in week 13 and then scored eight in week 14. He saw his touches go from eight in week 13 to 16 in week 14.

Cook only scored five fantasy points after getting eight touches last week. He had scored at least 12 fantasy points in each of the previous five games, but a few touchdowns in that span bumped those fantasy totals up a bit.

Montgomery has been a fantasy stud despite splitting the workload with Jahmyr Gibbs all season. Montgomery had 19 fantasy points in week 14, and has at least 13 points in seven straight contests.

McCormick has been one of the few bright spots for the Raiders over the past couple weeks, scoring nine fantasy points in week 13 and then 11 in week 14 (he didn’t score a touchdown in either week). McCormick might be working with Desmond Ridder at quarterback if Aidan O'Connell cannot go.

Stevenson scored 12 fantasy points last week without a touchdown. He’s alternated single- and double-digit fantasy outings over the past five games.

Tracy scored 19 fantasy points last week, and had 15 the week before that (he scored a touchdown in each game). He only had 45 rushing yards last week, while hauling in five of his 10 targets.

Harris scored 11 fantasy points last week, and that was aided by a touchdown. He’s been between 7-25 fantasy points across the past three games, so there’s some inconsistency fantasy owners have to worry about.

Bigsby went for 13 fantasy points last week, with a touchdown helping him to that mark. He got 19 touches last week, which was the most important thing to see.

Week 15 Matchups

Guerendo and Patrick Taylor play Thursday night against the Rams. Los Angeles is a middle-of-the-pack defense when it comes to slowing fantasy backs.

Robinson and Kamara both play in the same game. It’s a better matchup for Robinson, as New Orleans is a bottom-10 defense, while Washington is a top-12 defense.

Cook and Montgomery are in another game together. The Bills’ defense struggles against backs, while the Lions really excel at slowing them.

Jonathan Taylor faces the Broncos, who are pretty average against backs. Charbonnet and Walker face the Packers on Sunday night. Green Bay is a below-average defense against RBs, but have been much better of late.

Pacheco takes on the Browns, who are one of the tougher matchups against RBs. McCormick takes on the Falcons in the second Monday night game. Atlanta is another top-10 defense in slowing fantasy RBs.

Stevenson takes on the Cardinals, who are a bottom-10 defense against running backs. Tracy faces the Ravens, who are a top-10 defense in slowing RBs.

Harris battles the Eagles, who are a top-five defense against backs. Bigsby faces the Jets, who are top-10 at slowing down RBs.

Projections and Starting Recommendations

In the weekly RB projections, Kamara is the top-projected back of this bunch at 17 PPR points. Montgomery and Tracy are at 15 points each.

Harris, Robinson, Jonathan Taylor, Walker, Pacheco and Stevenson all are projected for 14 points. Guerendo is at 13 points, while Cook is at 10. Charbonnet and Bigsby both sit at 10 points, while McCormick checks in at nine and Patrick Taylor only is at seven.

When it comes time for the fantasy playoffs, I tend to trust the guys who got me there the most.

Kamara and Montgomery are top-10 PPR backs this season, and they are my favorite options among these RBs. I like the matchup more for Montgomery, so I’d give him the edge over Kamara.

I like the matchup for Jonathan Taylor and would take him next. I think he’s starting to become a little overlooked as a fantasy player.

I like Robinson here, with his matchup also playing a pretty big role. Hopefully his bye week got him right for the stretch run, and this upcoming game is the start to a big finish to the season.

I’d take Stevenson here. His matchup is also favorable, and I think he’ll get enough touches to post a good fantasy total, whether that be in yardage or with a touchdown.

Give me Pacheco next. He hasn’t taken off yet, and this matchup suggests it won't be this week, but I like his upside over anyone left and would take that in a playoff fantasy clash.

I’d take a gamble on Harris here. I don’t like his matchup at all, but with George Pickens either out or hampered, I think Harris gets a good number of touches, and that will translate into a good fantasy outing.

If Walker is out for week 15, I’d take Charbonnet next. If not, I’d go with Tracy. He’s been good of late, and the matchup isn’t too terribly tough. The only thing I’d worry about is the Giants falling behind big early, but I think Tracy could still factor in with a handful of catches to post a good fantasy score.

Give me Cook here. The matchup scares me, and his recent usage is definitely alarming, but his upside is still higher than anyone left, so I’d take a chance on him.

Bigsby goes next for me. I like how things are trending for him, and think he comes through again for fantasy owners in week 15.

If Walker is active, this is where I’d take him. This matchup is deceiving, and I think Walker will be less involved than normal with his injury. 

I’d take McCormick here. He’s been a fun story over the past couple weeks, but it’s really hard to trust this Las Vegas offense, especially if Ridder is the one leading it.

I’d go with Guerendo here if he actually plays. I think he’ll split the workload more with Patrick Taylor, but I like Guerendo to get the important snaps, so he gets the edge as a fantasy player. If Guerendo is inactive, then I’d take Patrick Taylor in this spot.

Charbonnet falls here if Walker is active. Seattle usually doesn’t split the workload when both backs are active, with Walker dominating the touches usually. If both are playing, then I’m only considering Charbonnet in a deeper league.

Patrick Taylor falls here if Guerendo suits up tonight. The matchup is solid enough to expect both backs to deliver, but it’d be hard to trust Taylor with Guerendo out there.