Fantasy Football Week 15 Running Back Rankings

The 2021-22 NFL season has only four weeks left. Bye weeks are over which means the fantasy playoffs have begun in most standard leagues. This time of year COVID-19 is running rampant which makes it important to have backup options on your fantasy roster. On top of that injuries are continuing to mount up. 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 15 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

RB11 Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams

Darrell Henderson was inactive last week because he was added to the Reserve/COVID-19 list. If he was to miss this week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks then Sony Michel would move up to RB16 between Javonte Williams and James Robinson.

RB13 Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Leonard Fournette missed practice Wednesday with a sore ankle. They brought in Kenjon Barner to ensure they had depth. Giovanni Bernard is on injured reserve. If Fournette was to miss this week against the New Orleans Saints then Ronald Jones would become the RB29 between Jamaal Williams and Darrel Williams.

RB14 Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers

Elijah Mitchell missed last week’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals because he was still in concussion protocol. If Mitchell was to miss this week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons then Jeff Wilson Jr. would become the RB22 between Damien Harris and Devonta Freeman.

Arizona Cardinals Running Backs: RB15 James Conner & RB18 Chase Edmonds

The Arizona Cardinals activated Chase Edmonds from injured reserve last week. Edmonds has missed the last four games (five weeks) with a high ankle sprain. Late last week against the Los Angles Rams James Conner suffered an ankle injury. That ankle injury held Conner out of practice Wednesday. If both are inactive this week against the Detroit Lions then Eno Benjamin would join the list at RB20 between Saquon Barkley and Damien Harris.

If the Cardinals decide to not activate Edmonds and Conner plays then Conner would move up to RB6 between Alvin Kamara and Najee Harris.

If the Cardinals activate Edmonds and Conner plays then Edmonds would move up to RB13 between Ezekiel Eliott and Leonard Fournette.

RB16 Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos

Javonte Williams was limited in practice with a knee injury. If he was to miss this week’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals then Melvin Gordon would move up to RB18 between Chase Edmonds and Aaron Jones.

Miami Dolphins Running Backs: RB20 Myles Gaskin, RB57 Salvon Ahmed, & RB64 Phillip Lindsay

The Miami Dolphins running back room is all dealing with COVID-19. All of Myles Gaskins, Salvon Ahmed, and Phillip Lindsay are on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. This is something fantasy managers must pay attention to throughout the week. If none are activated Sunday before the New York Jets then Duke Johnson Jr. moves up to RB24 between A.J. Dillon and Michael Carter.

RB22 Damien Harris, New England Patriots

Damien Harris was limited with a hamstring injury he has been dealing with since New England’s last game which was the Monday night game before their bye against Buffalo. If he was to miss this week’s game against the Indianapolis Colts then Rhamondre Stevenson would move up to RB20 between Aaron Jones and Myles Gaskin.

RB29 Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions

Shortly before their game last week against the Denver Broncos the Detroit Lions place Jamaal Williams on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. It is unclear whether Williams will return this week against the Arizona Cardinals. If Williams was to miss another game then Craig Reynolds would move up to RB33 between J.D. McKissic and Rhamondre Stevenson. Godwin Igwebuike would move up to RB43 between Brandon Bolden and Ameer Abdullah. Jermar Jefferson would also move up to RB66 between Kyle Juszczyk and Nyheim Hines.

RB31 Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys

Tony Pollard is dealing with a torn plantar fascia (foot injury). He missed last week’s game against the Washington Football Team. If Pollard cannot play then veterans Corey Clement should complement Ezekiel Elliott this weekend against the New York Giants

RB33 J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team

J.D. McKissic missed the past two weeks with a concussion. If he was to miss this week against the Philadelphia Eagles then Antonio Gibson should see more work on passing downs and Wendell Smallwood could be the change-of-pace back.

Philadelphia Eagles Running Backs: RB35 Miles Sanders & RB46 Jordan Howard

After their bye the Philadephia Eagles’ top two running backs are dealing with injuries. Miles Sanders was limited in practice with an ankle injury and Jordan Howard was limited with a knee issue. If both miss this week’s game against the Washington Football Team then Boston Scott would take over Sanders’ RB35 slot.

If Sanders was inactive and Howard was active then Howard would move up to RB32 between Tony Pollard and Chuba Hubbard, Boston Scott would then move up to RB45 between Royce Freeman and Jeremy McNichols.

If Sanders was active and Howard was inactive then Sanders would stay the RB35 and Boston Scott would move up to RB45 between Royce Freeman and Jeremy McNichols.

RB49 Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints

Mark Ingram missed last week’s game against the New York Jets because he was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. If he was to miss this week’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers then Tony Jones Jr. would become the RB55 between Alex Collins and Tevin Coleman.

RB53 Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars

Carlos Hyde missed practice Wednesday because of a concussion. If he was to miss this week’s game against the Houston Texans then James Robinson would be solidified as the RB17 and Dare Ogunbowale would be his backup.

RB55 Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks,

The Seattle Seahawks placed running back Alex Collins on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday. If he was to miss this week’s game against the Los Angeles Rams then Rashaad Penny retains his value at RB26 and Adrian Peterson moves up to Collins’ RB55 slot. Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas could get work for Seattle this weekend as well.

RB56 Tevin Coleman, New York Jets

Tevin Coleman missed last week’s game against the New Orleans Saints with a concussion. If he was to miss this week’s game against the Miami Dolphins then Ty Johnson would jump into Coleman’s RB56 slot.

RB62 Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings

Alexander Mattison has been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list by the Minnesota Vikings. If Mattison was to miss this week’s game against the Chicago Bears Kene Nwangwu would jump into Mattison’s role for this offense and his slot at RB62.