Chris Thomas’ Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings for Week 14

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’s playoffs may start in some fantasy leagues so owners may have a few running backs on their roster that they have been flipping between all season. Deciding between them could be the difference between winning and losing this week. For owners who have to stream a running back this week, it may be difficult to choose who to put into the lineup.

For those who are not in the playoffs yet, there is little time left during the fantasy football regular season. Every game that’s left is more important than the last to guarantee a spot in the 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

RB1 Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

This week Christian McCaffrey is supposed to return from his shoulder injury. However, McCaffrey hurt his quad last week and missed practice on Thursday. If he misses practice Friday there is a good chance he will miss the Panthers’ game against the Broncos. Head coach Matt Rhule says he doesn’t expect McCaffrey to play this week. If that was the case Mike Davis would bump all the way up to RB26 for the week between Todd Gurley and Miles Sanders. This would make Davis an acceptable flex play this week.

RB12 Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

Josh Jacobs missed last week’s game against the Jets with an ankle injury. Raiders head coach Jon Gruden doesn’t expect Jacobs to be ready to play in Week 14 against the Colts. If Jacobs is out Devontae Booker becomes RB33 on the week between J.D. McKissic and Kareem Hunt. There would be plenty of better options than Booker going against the Colts’ tough run defense.

RB14 Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team

During last week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Antonio Gibson tweaked his toe in the first quarter and did not play for the rest of the game. It seems unlikely that Gibson will play against the 49ers. If Gibson is out J.D. McKissic becomes RB24 on the week between Kenyan Drake and Giovanni Bernard. McKissic would be a solid flex option despite the bad matchup because he is used a lot in the passing game when Gibson is out of the lineup.

RB38 Frank Gore, New York Jets

Frank Gore suffered a concussion last week against the Las Vegas Raiders. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and missed practice on Thursday. If he was to miss this week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks Ty Johnson would become RB37 on the week between James White and Jamaal Williams.

RB49 Devonta Freeman, New York Giants

Devonta Freeman has missed the past four weeks because of a high ankle sprain, hamstring injury, and being on the reserve/COVID-19 list. If Freeman were to be activated for the game he wouldn’t likely return as the Giants starter since Wayne Gallman has played so well in his absence, but he’d have a role. If he was to miss this week as well Alfred Morris would be RB52 on the week between Le’Veon Bell and Kallen Ballage.

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