Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings for Week 17: Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Rhamondre Stevenson and More
Morgan gives his week 17 fantasy football rankings for running backs.
Let's put together another set of fantasy football rankings, this time at the running back spot.
We already went over wide receivers and tight ends, and will be covering quarterbacks in another story.
Check out week 17 fantasy football projections for running backs on FantasySP as well.
McCaffrey starred again in week 16, and remains a top-end fantasy option every week.
A below-average matchup against the Bears doesn't scare me off CMC.
Robinson had over 150 total yards, plus a score, last week.
A tougher challenge against the Rams awaits, but I'm not about to start doubting Robinson in such a critical fantasy week.
3. Jahmyr Gibbs
Gibbs added a bunch as a pass catcher to deliver big for fantasy owners last week.
A matchup against Minnesota is next - he had just 28 total yards on 12 touches in the first game against the Vikings. Minnesota is a below-average test on paper, but I expect Gibbs to deliver this time around.
4. James Cook
Cook scored a couple times to turn a good fantasy showing into a great one in week 16.
Philadelphia is actually an above-average matchup for a back, and with Josh Allen banged up, I expect Cook to shine for the Bills and his fantasy owners.
Barkley has finally gotten going as a fantasy asset in the final weeks of the regular season.
A great matchup against the Bills awaits, so he could star if he finds the end zone a couple times.
Achane scored a touchdown to save an otherwise so-so fantasy outing in week 16.
A pretty nice matchup against the Buccaneers awaits, so I see Achane finishing inside the top 10 again.
7. Chase Brown
Brown had a monster fantasy showing in week 16, with three scores turning a good fantasy day into a spectacular one.
Another great matchup against the Cardinals is next, so Brown should be able to keep things rolling.
Henry had a big-time fantasy outing in week 16 as well.
A tougher test against the Packers awaits, but with Lamar Jackson at least banged up (and maybe out completely), I see King Henry putting up a big fantasy score.
Jeanty erupted for a huge fantasy outing in week 16, and that was against a top-end Texans' defense.
He's got a great matchup against the Giants in week 17, so I'd trust him with a starting spot in all fantasy leagues.
10. Jonathan Taylor
A score saved Taylor's fantasy day in week 16, as did a couple catches.
He takes on Jacksonville in week 17, who he delivered 74 yards and a score on 21 touches against back in week 15. The Jaguars are a very tough matchup on paper, so him ranking 10th shows how good he's been this season.
11. Travis Etienne
On the other end of the field in that game will be Etienne, who has been stellar down the stretch for Jacksonville.
He had 82 total yards and two scores across 21 touches against the Colts in week 14. Indy is a slightly below-average matchup, but I'd trust Etienne to deliver for a red-hot Jacksonville offense.
12. Javonte Williams
Williams has a neck injury he's dealing with, so his status needs to be watched.
Washington is his week 17 matchup, and that's a high-end one for a fantasy back. Williams had 118 total yards and a score on 20 touches against the Commanders back in week 7.
If Williams cannot go, it'd likely be Malik Davis leading the charge. In a great matchup, he'd get a top-30 ranking for me, but probably sit in the 20s.
13. Kenneth Gainwell
Gainwell has been on fire over the past three weeks, and has above-average fantasy results in five of the past six.
He had just 36 total yards on 12 touches in the last clash with Cleveland, who he will face again this coming week. Cleveland is a slightly below-average matchup on paper. Things have changed since that game, and I see Gainwell as a great option for week 17.
14. Kyren Williams
Williams was pretty good in week 16 despite not finding the end zone
A slightly above-average matchup against the Falcons this week is reason to fire Williams up. Blake Corum also could be a solid option, but he didn't make my top-30 rankings this time around.
15. Josh Jacobs
Jacobs got benched last week after a fumble, and he's also been dealing with some injuries.
If he plays, he should be a decent fantasy option, even if he's not the workhorse, in an above-average test against Baltimore. If Jacobs is out, Emanuel Wilson would join the rankings in his place, but rank around 20th.
16. Bucky Irving
Irving underwhelmed again as a fantasy asset in week 16, but his usage was pretty solid still.
A pretty good matchup against the Dolphins is a reason to believe in Irving and trust him with week 17 fantasy starting spots.
17. Rhamondre Stevenson or TreVeyon Henderson
Henderson has a head injury that could force him to miss week 17. If he's out, Stevenson gets the No. 17 ranking.
A very favorable matchup against the Jets means the lead Pats' back could be in for a huge fantasy showing. Both could be decent assets if Henderson plays, but I'd still only rank Henderson in my top 30.
18. RJ Harvey
Harvey was great in week 16 despite his team losing.
Kansas City is next for him - Harvey had 50 total yards on 14 touches against KC back in week 11. It's a tough matchup on paper, but not nearly as daunting now that the Chiefs have been eliminated.
19. Omarion Hampton
Hamptn was pretty good in week 16, and could be in line for more as Kimani Vidal is banged up now.
I'd have ranked Hampton higher if not for a tough test this week against the Texans.
20. Jaylen Warren
Warren was great in week 16, but I'm not as high on him this week.
He had 63 total yards on 13 touches in the last game against the Browns. He and Gainwell are both pretty solid fantasy assets this week, and should be starting in a lot of leagues.
21. Kenneth Walker
Walker delivered big in a tough test in week 16, so his outlook is up for week 17.
Carolina is a pretty favorable matchup, so Walker could make this ranking look foolish, especially if he scores again.
22. D'Andre Swift
Swift got 14 touches, but had just 70 total yards last week.
A pretty average test against the Niners is next for him, and I see Swift as a solid flex-level option for the week.
23. Tyrone Tracy
Tracy had a decent fantasy showing without a score in week 16.
Las Vegas is a favorable matchup for him, so Tracy could surprise this week, especially if he finds the end zone.
24. Breece Hall
Hall is getting plenty of work, but on a bad Jets' offense, his fantasy outlook is stunted.
He had 64 total yards on 16 touches in the last game against New England, which is a very tough test on paper.
25. Aaron Jones Sr.
Jones keeps getting banged up, but he keeps playing through the ailments.
He went for 98 total yards on 11 touches against Detroit early in the season. It's a tougher test on paper, but I think Jones could surprise again, especially with the team starting Max Brosmer this week.
26. Michael Carter
Carter did some solid work on just 11 touches last week.
A slightly above-average test against the Falcons means that Carter could surprise in week 17, and that gives him flex-level upside in standard leagues.
27. Tyjae Spears
Spears was stellar as a fantasy asset in week 16, so we'll see if he can keep things rolling in week 17.
A pretty average test against the Saints is next, so I'd be willing to try Spears in a good amount of leagues.
28. Rico Dowdle
Dowdle's fantasy production has fallen off the past few weeks.
A tougher test against the Seahawks is another reason to maybe skip him this week, but I still have him in the top 30.
29. Chris Rodriguez
Rodriguez was a good fantasy asset in week 16 after scoring once.
Dallas is a favorable matchup, so he could surprise again in week 17.
30. Isiah Pacheco
Pacheco was one of the few Chiefs who delivered a decent PPR outing in week 16. A lot of that was due to making six receptions.
Denver is a brutal matchup for him, but there's a chance Pacheco racks up enough touches to deliver another decent fantasy showing this week.
