Fantasy Football Week 17 Running Back Rankings

The 2023-24 NFL season has been outstanding so far. Already there have been a ton of breakout players and fantasy duds that have made the game so entertaining. Bye weeks are officially over. This means that playoffs have begun in your fantasy leagues. Most leagues are having their championship this week. During the playoffs Fantasy Managers will have full utilization of their roster and need to make sure they have backup options on their roster incase their stars get hurt. There have plenty of injuries this season to crucial players that make the pool of players to choose from on waivers that much thinner. It’s 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 17 running back rankings.

[Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to Injured Reserve 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 not be likely to carry a lineup that week, but has the ability to have a breakout game and is teetering between RB1 and RB2 territory.

Starting RB2- a player who should be started in most lineups and should reach their point projection. This player is started 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.

Rankings

Players that are could miss this week’s game

RB6 Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

Josh Jacobs the past two games with a quad injury. He was a late scratch this past week which bodes well for his status this upcoming week. If Jacobs misses Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts Zamir White becomes the RB14 between Jahmyr Gibbs and Travis Etienne Jr.

RB12 Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs

Isiah Pacheco suffered a concussion this past week against the Las Vegas Raiders. He will have to clear concussion protocol before this week’s game to play. If Pacheco misses Week 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Clyde Edwards-Helaire becomes the RB27 between Jerome Ford and Ty Chandler.

RB22 Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins

Raheem Mostert is currently dealing with a shin injury. He was able to play through it this past week but it is unclear what this means for his role going forward. If Mostert misses Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens De’Von Achane moves up to RB25 between Aaron Jones and James Conner. Jeff Wilson Jr. becomes RB36 between Ezekiel Elliott and Kenneth Gainwell.

Washington Commanders Running Backs: RB31 Brian Robinson Jr. & RB53 Chris Rodriguez

Brian Robinson Jr. missed the past two games with a hamstring injury. Chris Rodriguez suffered an ankle injury last week against the New York Jets. If Robinson Jr. misses Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers and Rodriguez is active Antonio Gibson becomes RB35 between Gus Edwards and Kenneth Gainwell. Chris Rodriguez Jr. becomes RB37 between Kenneth Gainwell and Alexander Mattison.

If Chris Rodriguez misses Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers Antonio Gibson moves up to RB45 between Chase Brown and A.J. Dillon.

If both Robinson Jr. and Rodriguez miss Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers Antonio Gibson moves up to RB33 between De’Von Achane and Tyjae Spears.

RB39 Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts

Zack Moss missed last week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons with a shoulder injury. It is unclear if he will return this week. If Moss misses Week 17 against the Las Vegas Raiders Trey Sermon becomes the RB54 between Justice Hill and Kyle Juszczyk. Tyler Goodson could also be elevated to the active roster and have a role.

RB40 Kareem, Hunt, Cleveland Browns

Kareem Hunt was limited in practice on Tuesday. It was not specified what limited him in practice but it is likely his groin. Hunt has been dealing with a groin issue for the past few weeks. If Hunt misses Week 17 against the New York Jets Pierre Strong Jr. becomes the RB49 between Tyler Allgeier and Dameon Pierce.

RB41 D’Onta Foreman, Chicago Bears

D’Onta Foreman missed last week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals for personal reasons. It is unknown what his status will be for the rest of the season. If Foreman misses Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons Khalil Herbert moves up to RB49 between Zach Charbonnet and Samaje Perine.

RB57 Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers

Elijah Mitchell missed the past three games with a knee injury. There is an expectation that Mitchell returns this week. If Mitchell misses Week 17 against the Washington Commanderss Jordan Mason becomes RB55 between Justice Hill and Kyle Juszczyk.

Players that are currently not expected to play

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson missed the past three games with a high ankle sprain. New England has put Stevenson on injured reserve ending his season. It will be interesting to see if New England extends Stevenson this offseason who will enter the last year of his rookie deal. Ezekiel Elliott will have the opportunity to show team’s that he is capable of being a lead back in a committee down the stretch of the regular season. Kevin Harris should continue to see work behind Elliott.

Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs

Jerick McKinnon was placed on injured reserve with a groin issue. This will end McKinnon’s play during the regular season. While McKinnon is out Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be the change of pace back for the Chiefs. He has been a huge piece of this offense late the past few seasons but the Chiefs have the depth at the position to finish the regular season without McKinnon in the backfield.

You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers like Chris Thomas