Fantasy Football Week 14 Running Back Rankings

The 2021-22 NFL season is past its halfway point. Fantasy Football playoffs will start soon and bye weeks will continue to take place. This means that running backs like Jonathan Taylor and Damien Harris will be out this week. On top of that injuries have started to mount up at this point of the season. It is always a great idea to evaluate backup options so that way fantasy managers are prepared if star players miss time. Here are the Fantasy Football Week 14 running back rankings.

*Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to reserve/COVID-19 list*

(Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week)

Key:

Must Start- a player who is in your lineup regardless of the matchup or most circumstances. They Will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and in most weeks.

Starting RB1- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a high floor.

High-End RB2- a player who may isn’t likely to carry a lineup that week, but has the ability to have a breakout game and is teetering between RB1 and RB2 category.

Starting RB2- a player who should be started in most lineups and should reach their point projection. This player is started is because of their consistency and moderately high floor

Low RB2- a player who may not be a lock to start for a team every week, but will start more times than not. Their production may not be pretty or win a person their lineup but the production is consistent enough to make a fantasy owner comfortable starting them.

Flex- a player who could float around the territory of being benched, but is started due to the potential to play better than their point projection. However, this player has the potential to flop and causes a fantasy team to lose if he has a bad game.

Deep League Flex- a player who is more of a Hail Mary throw at the position. There are enough reasons to leave this player on the bench, but their upside makes them an attractive option. Desperate times may call for a player like this to be inserted into starting lineups.

Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.

Possible Changes that can occur before Sunday

RB1 Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

Alvin Kamara has missed four straight game with a knee injury. If Kamara misses another game the Saints backfield is expected to be run by a committee led by Tony Jones Jr. because Mark Ingram was added to the reserve/COVID-19 list. Tony Jones Jr. would move up to RB20 between Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Chuba Hubbard. Ty Montgomery then moves up to RB43 between Latavius Murray and Rashaad Penny. 

RB4 Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings

Alexander Mattison is expected to start for the Minnesota Vikings this Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is worth noting that Dalvin Cooks was limited in practice this week. It is unlikely that Cook returns from his shoulder injury this week. If Cook was to return he would slot in at Mattison’s RB4 and Mattison would move down to RB51 between Travis Homer and Carlos Hyde.

RB5 Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Mixon hurt his neck last week against the Los Angeles Chargers. If he was to miss this week’s game agains the San Francisco 49ers then Samaje Perine would move up to RB20 between Chuba Hubbard and James Conner.

San Francisco 49ers Running Backs: RB11 Elijah Mitchell & RB52 Jeff Wilson Jr.

Elijah Mitchell has been entered into concussion protocol and Jeff Wilson Jr. suffered a knee injury against Seattle. Since Trenton Cannon was also hurt during that game the only healthy running back is Ja’Mycal Hasty. If both are out this weekend against the Cincinnati Bengals then Ja’Mycal Hasty would be the RB22 between James Conner and Devonta Freeman. Kyle Juszczyk would then move up to RB41 between Devin Singletary and Jeremy McNichols.

RB12 Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams

Darrell Henderson was essentially inactive last week against Jacksonville with a high injury. If he was to miss this week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals then Sony Michel would move up to RB17 between Saquon Barkley and James Robinson.

 RB19 Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos