{"id":99881,"date":"2020-12-17T07:22:48","date_gmt":"2020-12-17T12:22:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=99881"},"modified":"2021-06-02T21:33:32","modified_gmt":"2021-06-03T01:33:32","slug":"fantasy-football-week-15-running-back-rankings-lynn-bowden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/12\/17\/fantasy-football-week-15-running-back-rankings-lynn-bowden\/","title":{"rendered":"Fantasy Football Week 15 Running Back Rankings: Lynn Bowden, League Winner?"},"content":{"rendered":"

For all of you still alive in your fantasy football leagues, congratulations. Week 15 means the semifinals in the vast majority of leagues, which means that lineup decisions have never been more important. Lynn Bowden<\/a><\/strong> came out of nowhere last week to put up a huge fantasy football performance, but can you trust him to do it again?<\/p>\n

Note that these rankings are for PPR scoring formats. Obviously, if you\u2019re using a different format, there will be some minor changes to these rankings.<\/p>\n

Week 15 Stream Team<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Lynn Bowden A Risky Play in Fantasy Football Week 15 Running Back Rankings<\/h2>\n

Tier 1: Elite RB1<\/h4>\n

1. Derrick Henry<\/a>
\n2. Dalvin Cook<\/a>
\n3. Aaron Jones<\/a>
\n4. Jonathan Taylor<\/a>
\n5. Austin Ekeler<\/a>
\n6. James Robinson<\/a>
\n7. Nick Chubb<\/a><\/p>\n

December Derrick Henry is an unstoppable force of nature. He should be a lock for 25-30 touches and is going up against a bad Detroit Lions<\/a> defense that might not have<\/a> Matthew Stafford<\/a><\/strong>. Despite playing catch-up for most of the second half, Dalvin Cook still managed to touch the ball 24 times in Week 14. Look for the star running back to continue to see his high workload in what should be a more favorable game script against the Chicago Bears. Aaron Jones played in 70% of the snaps last week against Detroit. Giving him that type of workload in this offense is a perfect recipe for a top-three performance.<\/p>\n

Hopefully you didn\u2019t sell low on Jonathan Taylor. The game appears to have slowed down for the rookie, as he\u2019s been one of the best all-around running backs in football over the past few weeks. While his snap share isn\u2019t quite what you want (~55%), he gets the ball every time he\u2019s on the field. The Los Angeles Chargers<\/a> offense has slowed down in recent weeks, but Austin Ekeler still has an elite workload that keeps him as one of fantasy\u2019s most valuable assets.<\/p>\n

Gardner Minshew<\/a><\/strong> is back in the lineup, which means checkdowns galore for James Robinson. Like always, the undrafted free agent should be a reliable start with great upside. Nick Chubb is probably the best pure runner in the game and Baker Mayfield<\/a><\/strong> is coming alive. This is a great formula for a big week against a turnover-prone New York Giants squad.<\/p>\n

Tier 2: Low-End RB1<\/h4>\n

8. Cam Akers<\/a>
\n9. Alvin Kamara<\/a>
\n10. Miles Sanders<\/a>
\n11. Mike Davis<\/a>
\n12. David Montgomery<\/a><\/p>\n

I\u2019m finally trusting Cam Akers, which means it\u2019s probably going to be a Darrell Henderson<\/a><\/strong> week. Sean McVay<\/strong> has been infuriating with his running back usage, but Akers appears to have taken over the old Todd Gurley<\/a><\/strong> role in the offense. Over the past two weeks, Akers have played in 68% of the offensive snaps and averaged 27 touches per game. That\u2019s elite usage for a great talent.<\/p>\n

Taysom Hill<\/a><\/strong> finally started throwing the ball to Alvin Kamara last week, but can you trust that to happen again? Checking down is not Hill\u2019s natural style, and New Orleans threw the ball more than normal after falling behind early. Miles Sanders, on the other hand, appears to be as good as ever with Jalen Hurts<\/a><\/strong> and still has the target volume.<\/p>\n

Another week without Christian McCaffrey<\/a><\/strong> means another week of Mike Davis. Arguably the best waiver wire claim of the season, Davis should have another great week in this offense. David Montgomery has heated up in recent weeks and has the volume to be a low-end RB1.<\/p>\n

Tier 3: Solid RB2<\/h4>\n

13. J.K. Dobbins<\/a>
\n14. Chris Carson<\/a>
\n15. D\u2019Andre Swift
\n16. Kenyan Drake<\/a>
\n17. Wayne Gallman<\/a>
\n18. Josh Jacobs<\/a>
\n19. Jeff Wilson<\/a>
\n20. Kareem Hunt<\/a>
\n21. J.D. McKissic<\/a>
\n22. Ezekiel Elliott<\/a>
\n23. Nyheim Hines<\/a>
\n24. Clyde Edwards-Helaire<\/a><\/p>\n

After Mark Ingram<\/a><\/strong> played in just two snaps, it\u2019s safe to say that J.K. Dobbins has taken over as the top dog in Baltimore\u2019s backfield. Gus Edwards<\/a><\/strong> will still get some touches, but Dobbins will see the majority of the work in one of the NFL\u2019s best rushing offenses. Chris Carson will forever remain underrated and should have another strong week. D\u2019Andre Swift had a bad Week 14, but he still played in 53% of the snaps while working his way back from injury. He should improve against Tennessee.<\/p>\n

Kenyan Drake finally has the workload, but Arizona\u2019s offense hasn\u2019t been the same since Kyler Murray<\/a> <\/strong>injured his shoulder. Wayne Gallman has done his best Saquon Barkley<\/a><\/strong> impression throughout the season but faces a tough matchup against Cleveland. Josh Jacobs didn\u2019t get the passing work that everybody wanted and is ultimately incredibly dependent on his gamescript.<\/p>\n

Kyle Shanahan<\/strong>\u2019s starting running back is one of the most valuable fantasy football assets, and right now that appears to be Jeff Wilson. Kareem Hunt still has a lock on Cleveland\u2019s passing work and has the volume to justify a RB2 performance. Ditto for J.D. McKissic, although Washington\u2019s offense isn\u2019t nearly as good as Cleveland\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Ezekiel Elliott just isn\u2019t the player he once was, and an Andy Dalton<\/a><\/strong>-led passing attack isn\u2019t good enough to mask his flaws. He still has the volume, but that\u2019s the only thing keeping him afloat. Jonathan Taylor hasn\u2019t completely taken away Nyheim Hines\u2019 passing work, and Philip Rivers<\/a><\/strong> loves throwing to running backs. Clyde Edwards-Helaire played in 74% of the offensive snaps against Miami, despite his underwhelming finish. If that usage continues for a second straight week, he has great odds of outplaying this ranking.<\/p>\n

Tier 4: Serviceable Flex Play<\/h4>\n

25. Lynn Bowden<\/a>
\n26. Melvin Gordon<\/a>
\n27. DeAndre Washington<\/a>
\n28. Damien Harris<\/a>
\n29. James Conner<\/a>
\n30. Jamaal Williams<\/a>
\n31. Chase Edmonds<\/a>
\n32. Todd Gurley<\/a>
\n33. Gus Edwards<\/a>
\n34. Duke Johnson<\/a>
\n35. Giovani Bernard<\/a><\/p>\n

Lynn Bowden is listed as a running back in most formats, but he should make earn most of his points in the passing game. With DeVante Parker<\/a><\/strong> out and Mike Gesicki<\/a> <\/strong>questionable, Bowden could be the top option in this passing attack. Melvin Gordon isn\u2019t a great talent anymore, and he\u2019s splitting snaps with Phillip Lindsay<\/a><\/strong>. However, he still sees the valuable touches, which gives him some fantasy worth. DeAndre Washington did not impress in his first start in Miami, but should have another week with the starting role. Note that this projection changes if Salvon Ahmed<\/a><\/strong> is back in the lineup.<\/p>\n

Damien Harris is a great talent but doesn\u2019t have the passing work or touchdown upside to justify a higher spot in the rankings. Jamaal Williams is nothing more than a backup, but anyone getting the ball has value in this offense. Chase Edmonds was great earlier in the season, but his role has diminished in recent weeks.<\/p>\n

Todd Gurley just might be the worst starting running back in the NFL and now he has to go up against a great defensive front in Tampa Bay. Gus Edwards will see some touches in Balitmore\u2019s backfield, but this is J.K. Dobbins\u2019 show. Duke Johnson showed why coaches refuse to give him a three-down workload and should cede snaps to David Johnson<\/a><\/strong>. Giovani Bernard has the volume, but that doesn\u2019t mean much in this terrible offense.<\/p>\n

Week 15 Stream Team<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Main photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>