Chris Thomas’ Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings for Week 13

This year more than ever it has been difficult to make decisions about fantasy football lineups because of injuries, byes, and Covid-19 concerns. This week running backs like Ronald Jones, Mike Davis, and Leonard Fournette have byes. It could be difficult to decide who is the best streamer to replace one of them in a lineup. A roster could also have two running backs with similar value. Deciding between the two could be the difference between winning and losing this week.

With so little time left during the fantasy football regular season every game that’s left is more important than the last to guarantee yourself a spot in a league’s fantasy football playoffs. Here are running back rankings for Week 13 of the 2020 NFL Season

*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 cause a fantasy team to lose if he has a bad game.

Deeper 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

RB9 Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

A matchup against the New York Jets seems like the perfect opportunity for Josh Jacobs to finish among the league’s highest-scoring running backs. But Jacobs barely cracks the top ten because of an ankle injury he sustained last week. it is already reported that the Raiders plan to limit Jacobs in this game and plan to incorporate Devontae Booker in the game script more than usual. There is a chance the Raiders decide not to limit Jacobs, but there is also a chance Jacobs misses the game completely. If so Booker becomes a fantastic start for those who have stashed him and would rank as RB13 on the week in a great matchup against the Jets.

RB11 Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins

After being rumored to return last week, once again Myles Gaskin could potentially be returning from IR after recovering from his MCL injury. If Gaskin were to remain out another week and Salvon Ahmed were to return from his shoulder injury, Ahmed would become RB20 on the week between James White and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. But if both were to miss games this week a healthy DeAndre Washington (hamstring) would be RB30 between Chase Edmonds and Cam Akers. If none can play Matt Breida would slide into that RB30 spot.

RB12 D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions

Even though D’Andre Swift cleared concussion protocol he was immediately added to an illness list. The report on Thursday on Swift was concerning. Other Lions running back Adrian Peterson said Swift hasn’t been the same since sustaining his concussion a few weeks ago. It is not clear what exactly is wrong with Swift but it seems severe enough to hold him out of Week 13. If he was to miss time Adrian Peterson would become RB34 between Ezekiel Elliot and Latavius Murray. Kerryon Johnson would become fantasy-relevant ranking at RB53 between Joshua Kelley and Alexander Mattison.

RB15 James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers

James Conner misses last week’s game after testing positive for Covid-19. If Conner was to test negative and get taken over the Reserve/COVID-19 list before their game against Washington he would be a great option this week. However, if he was to miss time and Benny Snell would become RB27 between J.K. Dobbins and Jonathan Taylor.

RB21 Wayne Gallman, New York Giants

In recent weeks Wayne Gallman has played the best football of any Giants running back this season. However this week Devonta Freeman could return from IR and could turn the Giants backfield into a two-headed committee. If that was the case Freeman would be RB32 between Frank Gore and Todd Gurley. While Gallman would drop all the way to RB46 between Boston Scott and Jordan Wilkins.

RB33 Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons

Due to his touchdown production, Todd Gurley has been an extremely effective fantasy running back this season. But last week Gurley missed his game against the Raiders and the Falcon’s backfield was taken over by Brian Hill and Ito Smith. If Gurley were to miss another week Ito Smith would be RB37 between Devontae Booker and Ito Smith while Brian Hill would rise to RB42 between Jeff Wilson Jr. and Malcolm Brown.

RB44 Kallen Ballage, Los Angeles Chargers

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