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Below you will find our Week 12 running back rankings, to help determine your RB starts/sits for this week, brought to you by Bill Dubiel (@Roto_Dubs), Nick Mariano (@NMariano53) and Ben Ruppert (@Ben_Ruppert_21).
Featured writer Ben Ruppert also highlights some RB rankings and matchups analysis for Week 12, and draws some matchup conclusions. He tells you who he likes, who he doesn't, and most importantly who he thinks you should be starting in Week 12. You can also check out RotoBaller's overall player rankings here.
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Week 12 Running Backs - Rankings & Matchups Analysis
After the injury to starter C.J. Prosise, Thomas Rawls came in as the primary back in his first game back from injury last week. He rushed 14 times for 57 yards, including three receptions for 31 yards. He ran hard, and looked like the back we saw last season. Rawls was experiencing some general soreness after the game, but that should be expected when you play 60% of the team’s offensive snaps in your first game back after a leg injury. He is expected to play at full capacity this week, in no running back by committee of any kind. The Buccaneers have given up the ninth most rushing yards to the RB position this season. With the Seattle offense beginning to role, look for Rawls’ impact to be felt immediately.
On the flip side, we have Doug Martin, who has also recently returned from injury. He has played in two games since his return, rushing for an unimpressive 96 yards on 40 carries for a 2.4 YPC rate. He did have 42 receiving yards last game on three receptions, but the YPC number is something that will need to improve. Unfortunately, this is one of the last teams you turn to when you’re looking for your RB to have a good game. Outside of a solid game by LeGarrette Blount in Week 10, the Seahawks have only allowed three rushing TD all season long, holding opposing RBs to 3.5 YPC. He will struggle this week, but the rest of the season after this week looks very promising.
Ryan Mathews has been ruled out for this weeks’ game against the Packers after sustaining a knee injury in last week’s loss to Seattle. Wendell Smallwood came in, and rushed 13 times for 48 yards, while catching four passes for 31 yards. Darren Sproles was also injured last week, but is expected to play. He will get plenty of work in passing situations. Smallwood will take over Mathews’ role this week, and maybe longer if his injury lingers. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich said he likes ”everything about” Smallwood, when referring to his work in the running game and in pass protection. The Packers defense has been weak against the run lately, allowing two straight rushers to eclipse the century mark on the ground. With an increased role, Smallwood has a shot to finish as a top-15 RB this week.
With Mark Ingram still in concussion protocol, Tim Hightower becomes an interesting play this week against the LA Rams front seven. Ingram has practiced all week but still hasn’t officially been cleared, meaning there is still a chance he suits up on Sunday. Even if he does, Hightower has been looking like the better play of late as the RB head coach Sean Peyton trusts the most. Hightower finished last game rushing 12 times for 69 yards, while catching eight passes on nine targets for 57 yards. Targeting players in the Saints passing game is normally a better play than looking at their running game, and Hightower has been the more efficient pass-catching RB of the two over the past three weeks. Hightower is looking like a RB2 heading into this game. I would be starting him over Ingram, even though our rankings have Ingram a few slots higher.
Jeremy Hill will now be the main RB for the Bengals for the remainder of the season, after Giovani Bernard tore his ACL in the loss to Buffalo last week. Hill finished last weeks’ game rushing 16 times for 62 yards, and caught both of his targets for one yard. His expanding role for the remainder of the season is great for fantasy owners, but this week against Baltimore will likely leave fantasy owners wanting more from Hill. Baltimore has allowed the second fewest fantasy points to the RB position, and has allowed a league-low 676 rushing yards to the RB position this season. Opposing RB are averaging 20 rushes for only 68 yards against them per game. This will be the most difficult matchup for Hill the rest of the season.
Dion Lewis made his long awaited return to the football field last week, rushing five times for 23 yards, while catching 3-of-5 targets for 26 yards. He played only 21-of-77 offensive snaps, three less than James White. White didn’t run the football last week, but caught all six of his passes for 63 yards and a TD. LeGarrette Blount is the clear cut top RB of the trio, and will continue to log the majority of the rushing attempts. White and Lewis will continue hashing out who will get the majority of the snaps in the receiving game as the week’s go on. It will be difficult to predict who will out-produce the other on a week-to-week basis, so until one separates themselves from the pack it’s best to look in another direction unless you’re in a PPR league.
Week 12 Fantasy Football Rankings - Running Backs
Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.
