It’s fantasy football championship week. As always, it is crucial to know what players are the preferable starts. Here are my Week 17 rankings for the running back position.
Which RBs Should You Start in Fantasy Football?
MORE: Katz’s Week 17 Rankings — QB | WR | TE | K | DST
1) Christian McCaffrey | SF (at WAS)
2) Kyren Williams | LAR (at NYG)
3) Alvin Kamara | NO (at TB)
4) Rachaad White | TB (vs. NO)
5) Bijan Robinson | ATL (at CHI)
6) James Cook | BUF (vs. NE)
7) Jahmyr Gibbs | DET (at DAL)
8) Saquon Barkley | NYG (vs. LAR)
9) Josh Jacobs | LV (at IND)
10) Jonathan Taylor | IND (vs. LV)
11) Raheem Mostert | MIA (at BAL)
12) Travis Etienne Jr. | JAX (vs. CAR)
13) Tony Pollard | DAL (vs. DET)
14) Kenneth Walker III | SEA (vs. PIT)
15) Joe Mixon | CIN (at KC)
16) Breece Hall | NYJ (at CLE)
17) Clyde Edwards-Helaire | KC (vs. CIN)
18) Derrick Henry | TEN (at HOU)
19) D’Andre Swift | PHI (vs. ARI)
20) Ezekiel Elliott | NE (at BUF)
21) Chuba Hubbard | CAR (at JAX)
22) Javonte Williams | DEN (vs. LAC)
23) Aaron Jones | GB (at MIN)
24) Ty Chandler | MIN (vs. GB)
25) De’Von Achane | MIA (at BAL)
26) David Montgomery | DET (at DAL)
27) Austin Ekeler | LAC (at DEN)
28) Devin Singletary | HOU (vs. TEN)
29) James Conner | ARI (at PHI)
30) Najee Harris | PIT (at SEA)
31) Gus Edwards | BAL (vs. MIA)
32) Jerome Ford | CLE (vs. NYJ)
33) Jaylen Warren | PIT (at SEA)
34) Antonio Gibson | WAS (vs. SF)
35) Khalil Herbert | CHI (vs. ATL)
36) Tyjae Spears | TEN (at HOU)
37) Chase Brown | CIN (at KC)
38) Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS (vs. SF)
39) Tyler Allgeier | ATL (at CHI)
40) Zach Charbonnet | SEA (vs. PIT)
41) Kareem Hunt | CLE (vs. NYJ)
42) AJ Dillon | GB (at MIN)
43) Zack Moss | IND (vs. LV)
44) Roschon Johnson | CHI (vs. ATL)
45) Chris Rodriguez Jr. | WAS (vs. SF)
46) Justice Hill | BAL (vs. MIA)
47) Dameon Pierce | HOU (vs. TEN)
48) Zamir White | LV (at IND)
49) Alexander Mattison | MIN (vs. GB)
50) Jamaal Williams | NO (at TB)
51) Kenneth Gainwell | PHI (vs. ARI)
52) Samaje Perine | DEN (vs. LAC)
53) Rico Dowdle | DAL (vs. DET)
54) Latavius Murray | BUF (vs. NE)
55) Miles Sanders | CAR (at JAX)
56) Dalvin Cook | NYJ (at CLE)
57) Joshua Kelley | LAC (at DEN)
58) D’Ernest Johnson | JAX (vs. CAR)
59) Jaleel McLaughlin | DEN (vs. LAC)
60) Cordarrelle Patterson | ATL (at CHI)
61) Isaiah Spiller | LAC (at DEN)
62) Chase Edmonds | TB (vs. NO)
63) Trey Sermon | IND (vs. LV)
64) Matt Breida | NYG (vs. LAR)
65) Royce Freeman | LAR (at NYG)
66) Ameer Abdullah | LV (at IND)
67) Kevin Harris | NE (at BUF)
68) Emari Demercado | ARI (at PHI)
69) Michael Carter | ARI (at PHI)
70) Jordan Mason | SF (at WAS)
71) Boston Scott | PHI (vs. ARI)
72) Israel Abanikanda | NYJ (at CLE)
73) Tyler Goodson | IND (vs. LV)
74) Patrick Taylor Jr. | GB (at MIN)
75) Leonard Fournette | BUF (vs. NE)
76) Pierre Strong Jr. | CLE (vs. NYJ)
77) Jeff Wilson Jr. | MIA (at BAL)
78) Dare Ogunbowale | HOU (vs. TEN)
79) Kene Nwangwu | MIN (vs. GB)
80) Kyle Juszczyk | SF (at WAS)
81) Melvin Gordon III | BAL (vs. MIA)
82) D’Onta Foreman | CHI (vs. ATL)
83) Elijah Mitchell | SF (at WAS)
84) Tank Bigsby | JAX (vs. CAR)
85) Raheem Blackshear | CAR (at JAX)
86) Trayveon Williams | CIN (at KC)
87) Alec Ingold | MIA (at BAL)
88) Craig Reynolds | DET (at DAL)
89) C.J. Ham | MIN (vs. GB)
90) DeeJay Dallas | SEA (vs. PIT)
91) Eric Gray | NYG (vs. LAR)
92) Patrick Ricard | BAL (vs. MIA)
93) Derrick Gore | WAS (vs. SF)
94) Deneric Prince | KC (vs. CIN)
95) Myles Gaskin | MIN (vs. GB)
96) Michael Burton | DEN (vs. LAC)
97) JaMycal Hasty | NE (at BUF)
98) Kenyan Drake | GB (at MIN)
99) Hunter Luepke | DAL (vs. DET)
100) Khari Blasingame | CHI (vs. ATL)
101) Reggie Gilliam | BUF (vs. NE)
Top RBs To Start in Week 17
D’Andre Swift, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. ARI)
After a four-week drought, D’Andre Swift finally cracked double-digit fantasy points on Monday afternoon. He carried the ball 20 times for 92 yards and his first touchdown since Week 11.
A big problem for Swift’s fantasy value is that he has exactly a 0% chance of getting carries from the 1-yard line because those are all Brotherly Shoves for Jalen Hurts. It severely caps Swift’s fantasy value.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
There’s also the matter of Kenneth Gainwell being the clear passing-down back and Swift becoming Jamaal Williams in terms of passing game involvement (nonexistent). He hasn’t even seen a target in two of his last three games and has caught more than two passes just once since Week 7.
Fortunately, even with minimal receiving work, Swift should be able to get it done on the ground this week. The Arizona Cardinals have now overtaken the Denver Broncos to allow the most points per game to running backs. With a projected positive game script, Swift could see another 18+ carries and break off some big gains. He is a strong RB2 in Week 17.
Ty Chandler, RB, Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB)
Alexander Mattison played last week, but I’m not sure why, as he was limited to just five total snaps due to his sprained ankle. This week, Mattison should be healthier, but I still expect Ty Chandler to be the clear lead option in this Minnesota Vikings backfield.
Against an elite Detroit Lions run defense, Chandler was held to 17 yards on eight carries and did not see a target, but he should have a much easier time against a Green Bay Packers defense allowing 23.0 points per game to running backs.
The Packers allow 101 rushing yards and 0.9 rushing touchdowns per game. They also have yielded a healthy 19.9% target share to running backs. Chandler offers both floor and ceiling this week in a favorable spot at home in a must-win game.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!