Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings for Week 16: Rico Dowdle, Tyrone Tracy, Quinshon Judkins and More
Morgan gives his week 16 fantasy football rankings for running backs.
Let's tackle the third of our four fantasy football ranking stories for week 16. Here, we will look at running backs.
We covered quarterbacks and tight ends already, and will be looking at wide receivers later today, so check back for that!
Check out week 16 fantasy football projections for running backs on FantasySP as well.
I'm giving CMC the top spot again in the rankings despite more “average” showings of late.
The Colts are a tougher test on paper, but I expect McCaffrey to do it all in a game that San Fran controls, leading to a big fantasy score.
2. Jahmyr Gibbs
Gibbs was finally slowed in week 15, but I see him getting right back on track in week 16.
The Steelers are another below-average matchup, but Gibbs rarely has two down weeks in a row, so I'm betting on him bouncing back in a big way.
Robinson was awesome in week 15, and he somehow could be even better in week 16.
He has a great matchup against the Cardinals coming, so I see Robinson being a high-end fantasy back, like he usually is anyways.
Achane has been one of the top fantasy backs, but has more just been above average of late.
He has the best fantasy matchup in week 16 against Cincinnati, but with Quinn Ewers starting at QB, I'm knocking Achane down a couple pegs.
He's working his way through an injury, but I expect him to play against the Commanders.
It's a great fantasy matchup, so Barkley could shine if he's cleared to go.
Taylor put up pretty good numbers in the first start for Philip Rivers, but without a score, his fantasy score lacked.
An average matchup against the 49ers this coming week doesn't scare me off Taylor, and I expect a top-10 finish from him as a result.
7. Josh Jacobs
Jacobs scored twice last week to turn a so-so fantasy showing into a great one.
His status needs to be monitored, as he's working through injuries, but if he's out there, he's a constant top-10 option. Jacobs plays the Bears this week - it's a slightly below-average matchup, but he had 92 total yards and a score on 22 touches against them two weeks ago.
8. James Cook
Cook was great in week 15 as well, with three scores powering him.
Cleveland is another slightly below-average test, but it's not tough enough to scare me off trying Cook in week 16.
9. Bucky Irving
Irving was bottled up pretty well in week 15, but I see him doing more in week 16 against the Panthers.
Carolina is an above-average matchup, and I see Irving shining this coming week.
10. Derrick Henry
Henry's fantasy scores the past two weeks have lacked without a touchdown, but he's had 100 or more total yards in each game, which is still good fantasy production.
He has a tougher test against the Patriots, but I still think he'll do enough for a top-10 finish, although it'll probably take a touchdown to get there.
11. Chase Brown
Brown still delivered good fantasy results in week 15 despite the Bengals being shut out.
Miami is a pretty average test for the Cincy back, so I see him contending for a top-10 fantasy finish.
Henderson erupted for a big fantasy showing in week 15, so he'll look to keep delivering in week 16 against the Ravens.
Baltimore is an above-average test for him, so maybe the rookie can be a top-10, or better, finisher again.
13. Travis Etienne
Etienne scored three times (all receiving) to post a huge fantasy score in week 15.
Denver is his matchup in week 16, and that's a brutal test for a back, so he ranks a little lower than most might expect after such a big showing.
14. Javonte Williams
Williams scored again in week 15 to deliver another pretty solid fantasy result.
A tougher matchup against the Chargers awaits though, so I'm a bit down on Williams this week.
15. Quinshon Judkins
Like the rest of the Browns' offense last week, Judkins struggled as a fantasy asset.
He'll look to bounce back in week 16 in a favorable matchup against the Bills. Buffalo is a top-five fantasy matchup for running backs now.
16. Rico Dowdle
Dowdle scored to save an otherwise poor fantasy showing in week 15, but he still got 17 touches, so that's another positive.
A pretty good matchup against the Buccaneers is why I have Dowdle in my top 20 this week. Hopefully he rewards me with a good showing.
17. Aaron Jones Sr.
Jones has been steadily involved of late, but a lack of scores is holding him back as a fantasy asset.
A great matchup against the Giants is why I have Jones in my top 20 this week. He could push for a top-10 spot with a score.
18. Omarion Hampton
Hampton got 16 touches, going for 65 total yards last week. No touchdown left his fantasy score lacking.
Dallas is a favorable matchup, so I see the rookie delivering a better fantasy result than he had last week.
19. Ashton Jeanty
Jeanty has really lacked as a fantasy asset the past two weeks, but I still decided to give him a top-20 ranking.
A tough test against the Texans isn't helping his cause this week, but maybe he could surprise, especially if he finds the end zone.
20. Kyren Williams
Williams continues to split the Rams' backfield, but he continues to deliver enough fantasy points to keep utilizing him in all leagues.
Seattle is a tough test on paper, so he falls to 20th this week. He had 96 total yards and a score on just 13 touches in the last meeting against the Seahawks, and Williams could do more this week, especially if Davante Adams is out.
21. Breece Hall
Hall has been in single digits as a PPR performer in two straight games.
An average test against the Saints gives him an OK fantasy outlook for the coming week, but I'm more inclined to start him in deeper leagues in week 16.
22. Woody Marks
Marks is dealing with an injury, so his status needs to be watched as the week progresses.
Las Vegas is a pretty good matchup on paper, so Marks could finish inside the top 20, or higher, with a score or two.
23. RJ Harvey
Harvey got a bit dinged up last week, so his status needs to be monitored as well.
Jacksonville is a tougher test already, so Harvey looks just like a deep-league starting option to me in week 16.
24. Kenneth Gainwell
Gainwell appears to be the best fantasy back in Pittsburgh for the time being, and that's especially true in PPR leagues.
Detroit is a tough matchup for him, otherwise he'd rank a few spots higher.
25. D'Andre Swift
Swift starred with nearly 100 total yards and two scores last week.
He gets the Packers this week, who he had 82 total yards over 16 touches against two weeks ago. Green Bay is a tougher fantasy matchup on paper.
26. Tyrone Tracy
Tracy was great in week 15, with nearly 100 total yards and two total scores.
Minnesota is a slightly below-average test, but after his last outing, I'd be fine firing Tracy up in some deeper leagues, and as a flex option in standard leagues.
27. Alvin Kamara or Devin Neal
Both Saints' running backs are injured, so their statuses need to be watched.
The lead back for New Orleans will have a very favorable matchup against the Jets, so hopefully Neal or Kamara can go. I'd skip any Saints' backs in my top 30 if Kamara or Neal are both out.
28. Tyler Allgeier
I'm rolling the dice on a backup running back here heading into a good matchup.
Allgeier didn't do much last week, but with Arizona struggling to slow backs, I see Allgeier doing enough behind Robinson to be worth a top-30 ranking.
29. Kimani Vidal
Vidal is another No. 2 back I wanted to include. He got 13 touches last week, but only had 48 total yards.
In a good matchup against the Cowboys, I see Vidal and Hampton delivering solid fantasy scores each.
30. Blake Corum
Corum is another No. 2 back I decided to include in my week 16 rankings.
He's had a bigger role of late, and with Adams maybe out, I see him handling even more offensively for the Rams. The matchup isn't great, so it's volume touches that will help Corum to a top-30 finish in my eyes.
