Chris Thomas’ Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings for Week 16

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 is championship week 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. For owners who have to stream a running back this week, it may be difficult to choose who to put into the lineup.

Here are my running back rankings for Week 16 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.

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

RB2 Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

After the hope of returning earlier this week, Christian McCaffrey is listed as doubtful for this week. If McCaffrey cannot go on Sunday, Mike Davis will be RB20 on the week between Giovanni Bernard and Leonard Fournette.

RB7 Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team

Antonio Gibson has missed the past two games with a turf toe injury. There is a chance that he could return this week. But if Gibson misses this week, J.D. McKissic becomes RB16 between Melvin Gordon and Chris Carson. While Peyton Barber moves up to RB43 between James White and Carlos Hyde.

RB13 James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars

Last week James Robinson suffered an ankle injury. The injury is the reason why Robinson will not practice all week. If Robinson were to miss this week’s game against the Chicago Bears, Dare Ogunbowale becomes RB38 between Tony Pollard and Ito Smith.

RB26 Ezekiel Elliot, Dallas Cowboys

The biggest news that came out before games last Sunday was the late scratch of Ezekiel Elliot. Tony Pollard took over the Cowboys backfield last week. If Elliot misses this week as well Pollard will become RB24 on the week between Myles Gaskin and J.K. Dobbins.

RB27 Damien Harris, New England Patriots

Damien Harris missed last week’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Sony Michel did a solid job filling in for Harris. If Michel was to start over Harris he would be RB29 between Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Wayne Gallman.

RB29 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs

During last week’s game against the New Orleans Saints, Clyde-Edwards-Helaire suffered a high ankle sprain and sprained him that will likely keep him out for the rest of the regular season. That would mean that Le’Veon Bell would become RB30 between Wayne Gallman and Salvon Ahmed making him a solid flex option. While Darrell Williams would move up to RB47 between Kallen Ballage and Tevin Coleman.

RB34 James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers

James Conner has not played great this season and on top of that has been dealing with an injury to his quad that held him out of last week’s game. If Conner is to miss this week as well Benny Snell would move up to RB35 between J.D. McKissic and Frank Gore. Anthony McFarland moves up to RB51 between Zack Moss and Todd Gurley.

RB39 Duke Johnson Jr., Houston Texans

Last week the Houston Texans did not have Duke Johnson because of a neck injury. During that game, David Johnson has 11 targets in the passing game. If Duke Johnson misses this week too David Johnson moves up to RB17 on the week between Melvin Gordon and Chris Carson.

RB45 Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers

Jamaal Williams missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday this week with a quad issue. If Williams doesn’t play A.J. Dillon would take his role in the offense. Dillon would become RB47 on the week between  Tevin Coleman and Devontae Booker.

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