Divisional Round Fantasy Football RB Rankings: Top 16 Backs
Ranking the top fantasy running backs for the Divisional Round — who to trust and who to avoid.
Let's go over another set of fantasy football rankings for the Divisional Round. Let's discuss running backs next, going over my top-16 options.
We already went over quarterbacks and will discuss wide receivers and tight ends in other articles. Check back for those!
Use the FantasySP start/sit tool to help determine the best options for the Divisional Round.
McCaffrey gets the No. 1 ranking, like he has several times this season.
He's been one of the top fantasy assets all year, and that doesn't change in the postseason, regardless of his matchup. Seattle is one of the tougher matchups a fantasy back could have.
In week 1, McCaffrey was held to 69 rushing yards on 22 attempts, while catching nine of his 10 targets for 73 yards. In week 18, CMC had 23 rushing yards over eight carries, while adding 34 receiving yards on six catches and seven targets.
CMC should be heavily involved again in the Divisional Round, especially now that George Kittle is out for the season. Expect McCaffrey to shine this week, whether the Niners win or lose.
2. James Cook
I'm giving Cook the No. 2 ranking despite a brutal matchup against the Broncos.
Denver is the toughest fantasy test a back could have, allowing just 17 fantasy points per contest. Cook hasn't faced the Broncos this year.
Cook was held in check in a similarly tough test against the Jaguars in the Wild Card Round. He had 46 rushing yards on 15 carries, plus five receiving yards on two catches and three targets.
His upside is still high in the Bills' offense, especially because he can post big fantasy scores by finding the end zone a time or two. That's why I still rank him second despite Cook coming off a down game and going into a tough test again.
Williams gets the No. 3 RB ranking going into a test against the Bears.
Chicago is a below-average matchup, but nothing too daunting. They allowed 21 fantasy points per game this season. It's the first time the teams will meet this season.
Williams had a decent fantasy showing in the Wild Card Round, but a score bailed him out a bit. I think he will be involved enough to deliver big again for fantasy owners this coming week.
4. RJ Harvey
I'm going to take Harvey fourth for the coming week.
Buffalo is the best fantasy matchup a back could have this week. The Bills allowed 24 fantasy points per game this season to backs.
I think Harvey could surprise as a result this week. The rookie should get enough touches to deliver a big fantasy score.
Walker is another back coming off a bye, so he should be fresh and ready to roll.
San Francisco is an above-average test as well, with the Niners giving up 23 fantasy points per game on the season.
Walker had just 20 rushing yards on 10 carries and three catches for four yards across three targets against San Fran back in week 1. In week 18, Walker had 97 rushing yards on 16 attempts, plus 36 receiving yards on four catches and targets.
I think Walker probably delivers a statline between those two performances. He could surprise and finish higher than fifth with a score or two, but this feels like the safest spot to place him.
Swift gets my No. 6 ranking as he prepares for the Rams.
Los Angeles is another below-average test, allowing 20 fantasy points per game this season. It's nothing too daunting though.
If Swift wasn't losing work, he could have ranked higher. This just feels like the safest spot to put him, but if he scores like he did last week, he's got a chance to make my ranking look silly.
I have Henderson as the top New England back going into the team's battle with Houston.
The Texans only allow 20 fantasy points per game to backs this season, so it will be a stiff test. Add in a split backfield and Henderson loses some fantasy appeal.
Henderson got 10 touches last week, and if that happens again this week, I wouldn't anticipate a huge fantasy outing.
8. Woody Marks
Marks is the last No. 1 back in the rankings, coming in eighth overall.
He has a tough test against New England, who allowed 18 fantasy points per game (the third-fewest in the NFL).
Marks got 12 touches in the Wild Card Round, and didn't do much with his touches. You should be able to see why I am ranking him here.
Charbonnet is the top backup I'm ranking this week.
The nice matchup against the Niners definitely plays a role in that. Charbonnet had 12 touches for 47 yards and a score in the week 1 clash against the Niners, before tallying 97 total yards and a score on 20 touches in week 18.
If he scores again, he'll likely finish higher than ninth at the RB position. This just feels like the safest spot to try him in, but make no mistake, he's a sneaky-good fantasy option this week.
Stevenson ranks 10th for me.
He delivered big in the Wild Card Round, with three catches for 75 yards helping him to 128 total yards over 13 touches overall.
Some are ranking him over Henderson, but I still believe in the rookie a bit more. Both are likely to be bottled up against a good Houston defense, so whoever you like the most needs to have their expectations tempered.
11. Kyle Monangai
Monangai is the Bears' No. 2 running back, and gets my No. 11 ranking.
He got nine touches in the Wild Card Round, and didn't do too much with his looks.
In a below-average test, I don't have super high hopes for Monangai, but he's also not the worst option out there.
12. Blake Corum
I decided to give Corum the No. 12 ranking.
He got 13 touches in the Wild Card Round, and had an OK fantasy showing. The Bears being another below-average test doesn't set things up too well for Corum.
I think he'll get enough work to score several fantasy points though.
McLaughlin gets the No. 13 spot in my book.
He's the Broncos' No. 2 back, and got enough work in the final couple weeks of the regular season to be worth mentioning at least.
The Bills being an above-average matchup means that McLaughlin could deliver a decent fantasy score on a single play, so that's why he ranks here for me.
14. Nick Chubb
Chubb ranks 14th for me.
He got more work than I expected him to in the first round of the postseason. Chubb had 10 rushes for 48 yards.
Some might want to rank him higher, but in a tough matchup, I don't see him doing even that much against the Patriots. He could surprise with a score, or if Marks gets banged up and doesn't play as much.
15. Brian Robinson
Robinson falls to the No. 15 spot, even with Kittle out of the picture.
Robinson still wasn't involved last week, and hasn't been utilized much behind McCaffrey this season.
A very tough test against the Seahawks is not a great matchup to try him in anyways. Robinson had 37 total yards across 10 touches against Seattle in week 1, but then got just nine yards on two rushes in the week 18 clash.
16. Ray Davis
Davis is the Buffalo No. 2 back, but he didn't even get a touch last week.
He did play 20 offensive snaps, so I at least decided to mention him.
I don't think he does much in a brutal matchup against the Broncos.
