The Week 12 Running Back Rankings are here to help you make tough decisions this week. Whether it is deciding which of your options to start, or who you should be looking to pick up this week to cover your byes and injuries. Our team will be here the rest of the year ranking the offensive positions, defensive positions, and team defenses to try and help you win your fantasy football leagues.
Below the table, I’ll be highlighting some pick ups for this week (if they are still available) and sneaky-starts for your bye-week needs.
| Rank | RUNNING BACKS | OPP |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saquon Barkley NYG | at PHI |
| 2 | Alvin Kamara NO | vs. ATL |
| 3 | Melvin Gordon LAC | vs. ARI |
| 4 | Ezekiel Elliott DAL | vs. WAS |
| 5 | James Conner PIT | at DEN |
| 6 | Christian McCaffrey CAR | vs. SEA |
| 7 | Nick Chubb CLE | at CIN |
| 8 | David Johnson ARI | at LAC |
| 9 | Leonard Fournette JAC | at BUF |
| 10 | Joe Mixon CIN | vs. CLE |
| 11 | Marlon Mack IND | vs. MIA |
| 12 | Dalvin Cook MIN | vs. GB |
| 13 | Mark Ingram NO | vs. ATL |
| 14 | Aaron Jones GB | at MIN |
| 15 | Matt Breida SF | at TB |
| 16 | James White NE | at NYJ |
| 17 | Sony Michel NE | at NYJ |
| 18 | Tevin Coleman ATL | at NO |
| 19 | Tarik Cohen CHI | at DET |
| 20 | Phillip Lindsay DEN | vs. PIT |
| 21 | Gus Edwards BAL | vs. OAK |
| 22 | Jordan Howard CHI | at DET |
| 23 | Dion Lewis TEN | at HOU |
| 24 | Chris Carson SEA | at CAR |
| 25 | Lamar Miller HOU | vs. TEN |
| 26 | Adrian Peterson WAS | at DAL |
| 27 | Josh Adams PHI | vs. NYG |
| 28 | Peyton Barber TB | vs. SF |
| 29 | LeSean McCoy BUF | vs. JAC |
| 30 | Duke Johnson CLE | at CIN |
| 31 | Alex Collins BAL | vs. OAK |
| 32 | Kenyan Drake MIA | at IND |
| 33 | Theo Riddick DET | vs. CHI |
| 34 | Frank Gore MIA | at IND |
| 35 | Elijah McGuire NYJ | vs. NE |
| 36 | Derrick Henry TEN | at HOU |
| 37 | Isaiah Crowell NYJ | vs. NE |
| 38 | LeGarrette Blount DET | vs. CHI |
| 39 | Ito Smith ATL | at NO |
| 40 | Jalen Richard OAK | at BAL |
| 41 | Rashaad Penny SEA | at CAR |
| 42 | Austin Ekeler LAC | vs. ARI |
| 43 | Nyheim Hines IND | vs. MIA |
| 44 | Doug Martin OAK | at BAL |
| 45 | Royce Freeman DEN | vs. PIT |
| 46 | Corey Clement PHI | vs. NYG |
| 47 | Mike Davis SEA | at CAR |
| 48 | Latavius Murray MIN | vs. GB |
| 49 | Giovani Bernard CIN | vs. CLE |
| 50 | Trenton Cannon NYJ | vs. NE |
Jalen Richard, OAK at BAL
Week 12 represents the last week for byes. If you are fighting for a playoff spot in a deeper league, and are considering the Raiders backfield, Richard is your guy. Last week, rushes were about an even split with “starter” Doug Martin, and DeAndre Washington. Why is that significant?
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Because, Richard is already Derek Carr‘s leading receiver on the season in terms of catches, and second on the team in targets and yards. I know that’s not saying a ton, but if he can mix in 10-12 carries along with his pass catching ability, Richard’s fantasy ceiling would see a slight bump this week, and beyond.
Going a bit higher up the ranks, Theo Riddick continues to receive a healthy share of targets. With Kerryon Johnson unlikely to play, Riddick and Blount’s touches should increase.
Elijah McGuire, NYJ vs NE
Sandwiched in between the two, coming in at 35 for the week is Jets second year runner, Elijah McGuire. Similar to Richard, his team’s offense will limit his upside, but he is the preferred option to Isaiah Crowell, when the Jets are in catch up mode.
As almost double digit underdogs to a Patriots team that is coming out of a bye week, it’s likely there will be plenty game flow opportunities for McGuire to produce this week. Furthermore, it’s reasonable think, the Jets want to see as much as possible from their sixth round pick from last season, in order to gauge a crowded position group heading into the off-season.
If you’re considering that range of running backs, I think McGuire has a 12-15 touch floor this week.
Good luck for Week 12! Follow me on twitter @realBobbyAdcock compliments and insults are greatly appreciated.
