Thanksgiving week is here. That’s typically a good indication that the fantasy playoffs are just right around the corner. In the spirit of giving, the NFL is blessing us with zero bye weeks and three Thanksgiving day games. With the exception of a couple of injuries, we have all the top running backs at our disposal this week heading into a crucial stretch of games for playoff hopefuls. Just like your plate, the running back rankings are stuffed with juicy mouth-watering treats for week 12.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Running Back Rankings
Tier 1: Elite Options
- Christian McCaffrey
- Austin Ekeler
- Alvin Kamara
- Travis Etienne
These players are the cream of the crop of the running back rankings. They have game-breaking talent and an offensive system that gives them high-volume touches in both the running and passing game. High-end starters each and every week regardless of the match-up.
Tier 2: Should Be RB1
- Jonathan Taylor
- Derrick Henry
- Saquon Barkley
- David Montgomery
- Tony Pollard
- Jahmyr Gibbs
Jonathan Taylor has a tougher matchup this week, but coming off a bye and slowly getting his workhorse role back puts him in the higher tiers. Derrick Henry has failed to score double-digit points in back-to-back games, but this week against a poor Carolina run defense is the perfect “bounce back” game. No matter who’s under center, or what the obstacle is, Saquon Barkley is going to get the football in his hands. His volume alone gives him a safe RB1 low-end RB1 every week in the running back rankings. The Lions back duo just continues to steamroll the competition. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs should feast on some cheese this Thursday. Tony Pollard scored his first touchdown since week 1, hopefully, he can continue the trend against the Washington Commanders.
Tier 3: Borderline RB1/RB2
- D’Andre Swift
- Kyren Williams*
- James Conner
- Rachaad White
- Bijan Robinson
- Aaron Jones*
- Josh Jacobs
- Breece Hall
- Kenneth Walker/Zach Charbonnet*
- Isiah Pacheco
The Eagles schedule starts to get tougher, but that just means potential shootouts and more scoring opportunities for Swift. Kyren Williams is eligible to return this week after his time on the injured reserve. If he’s activated, he’ll get a date with the Arizona Cardinals defense that just got scorched by Devin Singletary. Speaking of the Cardinals, James Conner continues to be the hammer in the running game. Rachaad White has five straight games with 15+ PR points. Now he gets to face a lowly Colts run defense. Breece Hall has a new starting quarterback, we’ll see how it affects his workload and status in the running back rankings.
Both Aaron Jones and Kenneth Walker are at risk of missing their respective games this week. It’s something to monitor, but if they end up playing they each have RB1 upside. Bijan Robinson faces a tough Saints defense coming off a bye week. We’ll see if his touches increase at all or if Arthur Smith continues to handicap his own team. Josh Jacobs and the Raiders square off against the Chiefs who have been pretty solid versus the running backs this season. His counterpart, Isiah Pacheco, gets a little easier task running through the Las Vegas defense.
Tier 4: Should Be RB2
- De’Von Achane*
- Raheem Mostert
- Joe Mixon
- Rhamondre Stevenson
Injuries are never fun, especially if it’s one you just recovered from. De’Von Achane re-aggravated his knee injury in his first game back after spending time on the injured reserve. Raheem Mostert will resume being the top option if he’s forced to miss time again. Joe Mixon is another player in the running back rankings undergoing a quarterback change. Joe Burrow is out for the season and we’ll see how the dynamic of the Bengals offense changes. Rhamondre Stevenson has back-to-back games with double-digit points before the bye week. Now he’ll look to continue the trend against the Giants.
Tier 5: RB3 Floor, RB2 Upside
- Jerome Ford
- Gus Edwards
- Javonte Williams
- Alexander Mattison
- Jaylen Warren
- Najee Harris
- James Cook
- Devin Singletary/Dameon Pierce*
- Brian Robinson
- Khalil Herbert*
- Tyjae Spears
- Ty Chandler
- Kareem Hunt
Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt are splitting the carries right down the middle. They cap each other’s ceilings, but in a run-heavy offense, they both can reach double-digit points any given week. Gus Edwards is dominating the running back carries in Baltimore. In a run-first offense, he’s always a threat to get 20+ touches a game. Jaylen Warren just looks like the best runner in Pittsburgh. He and Najee Harris keep flip-flopping on the running back rankings, and this week it’s Warren over Harris. Brian Robinson has the luxury of going against the Dallas Cowboys’ stout run defense. He should be downgraded in all formats. Javonte Williams laid an egg last week and now has an even tougher matchup – a major fade.
James Cook is back in the good graces of the coaching staff but faces one of the best run-stopping offenses in the league. He’s a low-floor type of play this week and would likely need a touchdown to save his fantasy day. Alexander Mattison is getting the bulk of the running back touches, but Ty Chandler has gone back-to-back weeks outsourcing him in fantasy. Maybe this is the next backfield to monitor the 1A option. Dameon Pierce has missed three straight games with an ankle injury. His return is to be determined, but Devin Singletary has filled in nicely during his absence, either way, they cap each other’s ceiling and neither are exciting to start. Tyjae Spears could benefit from a lopsided affair and running against a poor run defense. There are much worse options if you need a spot start.
Main Photo: Alex Gallardo – USA Today Sports
