Welcome to the Week 13 Running Back Rankings!
I put in a few good hours on the backs already but there is still more work to do. I’ll have the flex level options ranked a bit tighter by the time I finalize everything this weekend.
There are a lot of moving backfields and backfield with new lead backs. We also have a few poorly timed injuries and one moronic suspension for Leonard Fournette. The injured backs are Melvin Gordon and Kerryon Johnson. Tough losses for those in need of Week 13 wins.
For DFS, it’ll be nice to have Todd Gurley back, and we have some other nice matchups as well. Kareem Hunt, Christian McCaffrey and Aaron Jones all look pretty good with Jones being the most cost-friendly. Phillip Lindsay is another money-saver with ceiling. I’ll get into my core group of Week 13 backs for DraftKings on the Saturday podcast.
I’ll be back in a bit with the tight ends.
These rankings will be updated on Saturday.
Week 13 Rankings:
All Rotobahn rankings are based on .5 PPR scoring.
RBRanksWk13V2-18
Rank | Name | Team | Cost | Matchup | The Skinny |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Todd Gurley II | LAR | 9.300 | LAR@DET 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | He’s back and this is the only spot where he can be ranked when this offense is running well and he’s healthy. |
2 | Christian McCaffrey | CAR | 8.800 | CAR@TB 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | He’s on fire and this matchup is hardly a bucket of water. |
3 | Saquon Barkley | NYG | 7.900 | CHI@NYG 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | Tough matchup but he’s excelled in tough spots several time this year. |
4 | Aaron Jones | GB | 6.700 | ARI@GB 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | He could do a lot fo damage here. |
5 | James Conner | PIT | 7.300 | LAC@PIT 12/02/2018 08:20PM ET | He’s locked into the lead role so volume is going to be there despite the tough matchup. |
6 | Nick Chubb | CLE | 7.000 | CLE@HOU 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | Tough matchup this week. He’ll need the touchdowns, so Mayfield moving the ball is key. |
7 | Phillip Lindsay | DEN | 5.400 | DEN@CIN 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | Great matchup for him. I could see some big plays against this team. |
8 | David Johnson | ARI | 7.400 | ARI@GB 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | They need to get him more targets and a more diverse array of targets, but he’s viable here as the Pack gives up rushing yardage. He’s a has floor, but lacks his rightful ceiling due to this lost-at-sea organization. Leftwich has helped since taking over the Offense, but it’s still low end stuff due to a rookie QB and a mediocre OL. |
9 | Joe Mixon | CIN | 7.300 | DEN@CIN 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | Tough matchup and he’s playing less—probably because his knee is still less than 100%. He’s only hit 20 carries once since Week 5. This is a fairly tough rushing matchup. |
10 | Austin Ekeler | LAC | 5.400 | LAC@PIT 12/02/2018 08:20PM ET | Volume is locked in with Gordon out. |
11 | Matt Breida | SF | 5.800 | SF@SEA 12/02/2018 04:25PM ET | Has a sore ankle but the way he’s played though it means you stick with him. Breida’s been incredible—playing hurt for a struggling team and getting it done most fo the time. |
12 | Lamar Miller | HOU | 4.600 | CLE@HOU 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | Had him way too low by accident on Thursday. He’s a solid RB2. |
13 | Chris Carson | SEA | 5.200 | SF@SEA 12/02/2018 04:25PM ET | No reason to shy away here in a solid matchup and a must-win game. Seattle is making a legit playoff push, and Wilson makes them a potentially tough out. They will lean on Carson in this game as they are all-in to win. He can rest his hip later. |
14 | Dalvin Cook | MIN | 6.200 | MIN@NE 12/02/2018 04:25PM ET | Has plenty of upside in this matchup. He profiles as a back who could give NE problems both on the ground and as a receiver. |
15 | Spencer Ware | KC | 4.000 | KC@OAK 12/02/2018 04:05PM ET | He’s now the lead back in the wake of Hunt’s demise. We’ll have to see how they use him, but he could end up being a strong RB2 option the rest of the way. |
16 | James White | NE | 6.500 | MIN@NE 12/02/2018 04:25PM ET | They have more backs healthy now so White’s back to being a RB2. |
17 | Sony Michel | NE | 6.100 | MIN@NE 12/02/2018 04:25PM ET | Tough week to run. Minny ground support is strong. |
18 | Tarik Cohen | CHI | 5.600 | CHI@NYG 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | His playing time has been shrinking over the last three weeks for some reason. Taquan Mizzell stole some time last week. That’s something to keep an eye on, but I expect them to get back to Cohen for obvious reasons. |
19 | Marlon Mack | IND | 5.000 | IND@JAX 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | He has a concussion and a tough matchup. He’s a RB2 if he goes, and he probably will. |
20 | Gus Edwards | BAL | 4.800 | BAL@ATL 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | Should get plenty of work again with Collins banged up. Has an ankle injury so keep tabs on his status, but should be ok. ***UPDATE*** He’s likley to play but may not have the high volume role we’ve seen recently. |
21 | LeSean McCoy | BUF | 4.900 | BUF@MIA 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
22 | Tevin Coleman | ATL | 4.500 | BAL@ATL 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
23 | T.J. Yeldon | JAX | 4.400 | IND@JAX 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | He should get the most action but Hyde should factor in as well with Fournette out on suspension. Figure Yeldon will see a lot of passing game work and some carries as well. Hyde should get more carries early but this game should end up requiring more work from Yeldon as I expect the Colts to win cleanly. |
24 | Dion Lewis | TEN | 5.300 | NYJ@TEN 12/02/2018 04:05PM ET | Derrick Henry has played more recently and that’s something to watch. It makes sense, but it’s bad for Lewis in fantasy terms. |
25 | Carlos Hyde | JAX | 3.300 | IND@JAX 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
26 | Kenyan Drake | MIA | 4.600 | BUF@MIA 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
27 | Chris Thompson | WAS | 4.500 | WAS@PHI 12/03/2018 08:15PM ET | Expected to return (ribs) this week. He’s now off the injurt report so good to go. |
28 | LeGarrette Blount | DET | 3.900 | LAR@DET 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | Will be the lead back but in a blowout that’s going in the other direction. |
29 | Josh Adams | PHI | 4.700 | WAS@PHI 12/03/2018 08:15PM ET | He’s looking very good and has the gig now. ***UPDATE*** He’s now questionable with a hip injury suffred in practice. Tough spot since he’s going Monday night. Roster Clement or Smallwood if you plan to push the envelope with Adams. |
30 | Peyton Barber | TB | 3.700 | CAR@TB 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
31 | Jordan Howard | CHI | 4.000 | CHI@NYG 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
32 | Adrian Peterson | WAS | 5.100 | WAS@PHI 12/03/2018 08:15PM ET | Tough matchup and he’s banged up for sure with a sore shoulder and other things. Making this worse will be Chris Thompson’s return. This feel like a Thompson game too. |
33 | Doug Martin | OAK | 4.200 | KC@OAK 12/02/2018 04:05PM ET | He’ll get a shot at controlling the game but who knows how it’ll work. Once they get behind, it’ll be Richard and Washington. |
34 | Isaiah Crowell | NYJ | 3.800 | NYJ@TEN 12/02/2018 04:05PM ET | |
35 | Derrick Henry | TEN | 3.800 | NYJ@TEN 12/02/2018 04:05PM ET | |
36 | Jalen Richard | OAK | 4.300 | KC@OAK 12/02/2018 04:05PM ET | |
37 | Frank Gore | MIA | 3.500 | BUF@MIA 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
38 | Theo Riddick | DET | 4.700 | LAR@DET 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | Gets a small bump in PPR. |
39 | Nyheim Hines | IND | 4.100 | IND@JAX 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
40 | Elijah McGuire | NYJ | 3.600 | NYJ@TEN 12/02/2018 04:05PM ET | |
41 | Mike Davis | SEA | 3.800 | SF@SEA 12/02/2018 04:25PM ET | |
42 | Giovani Bernard | CIN | 4.000 | DEN@CIN 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
43 | Rashaad Penny | SEA | 3.500 | SF@SEA 12/02/2018 04:25PM ET | |
44 | Latavius Murray | MIN | 3.700 | MIN@NE 12/02/2018 04:25PM ET | |
45 | Jacquizz Rodgers | TB | 3.200 | CAR@TB 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
46 | Royce Freeman | DEN | 3.600 | DEN@CIN 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
47 | Justin Jackson | LAC | 3.600 | LAC@PIT 12/02/2018 08:20PM ET | |
48 | Jordan Wilkins | IND | 3.300 | IND@JAX 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
49 | Alfred Blue | HOU | 3.500 | CLE@HOU 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
50 | Rex Burkhead | NE | 3.300 | MIN@NE 12/02/2018 04:25PM ET | No idea how much he’ll play. |
51 | Corey Clement | PHI | 3.300 | WAS@PHI 12/03/2018 08:15PM ET | |
52 | Jamaal Williams | GB | 3.500 | ARI@GB 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
53 | Malcolm Brown | LAR | 3.800 | LAR@DET 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
54 | Ito Smith | ATL | 3.400 | BAL@ATL 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
55 | Javorius Allen | BAL | 3.200 | BAL@ATL 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
56 | Wendell Smallwood | PHI | 3.000 | WAS@PHI 12/03/2018 08:15PM ET | |
57 | Chris Ivory | BUF | 3.400 | BUF@MIA 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
58 | Devontae Booker | DEN | 3.400 | DEN@CIN 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
59 | Chase Edmonds | ARI | 3.800 | ARI@GB 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
60 | Ty Montgomery | BAL | 3.600 | BAL@ATL 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
61 | Wayne Gallman Jr. | NYG | 3.600 | CHI@NYG 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
62 | Jaylen Samuels | PIT | 3.600 | LAC@PIT 12/02/2018 08:20PM ET | |
63 | DeAndre Washington | OAK | 3.000 | KC@OAK 12/02/2018 04:05PM ET | |
64 | Damien Williams | KC | 3.000 | KC@OAK 12/02/2018 04:05PM ET | |
65 | Kapri Bibbs | WAS | 3.700 | WAS@PHI 12/03/2018 08:15PM ET | |
66 | Jeff Wilson Jr. | SF | 3.000 | SF@SEA 12/02/2018 04:25PM ET | |
67 | Alfred Morris | SF | 3.300 | SF@SEA 12/02/2018 04:25PM ET | |
68 | Darren Sproles | PHI | 3.400 | WAS@PHI 12/03/2018 08:15PM ET | Could return this week. |
69 | Kyle Juszczyk | SF | 3.100 | SF@SEA 12/02/2018 04:25PM ET | |
70 | Ronald Jones II | TB | 3.100 | CAR@TB 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | Could return this week (hamstring) |
71 | Kenneth Dixon | BAL | 3.000 | BAL@ATL 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | He’s been activated. |
72 | Cameron Artis-Payne | CAR | 3.000 | CAR@TB 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
73 | Zach Zenner | DET | 3.000 | LAR@DET 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | |
74 | Samaje Perine | WAS | 3.000 | WAS@PHI 12/03/2018 08:15PM ET | |
75 | Melvin Gordon III | LAC | 8.500 | LAC@PIT 12/02/2018 08:20PM ET | Week-to-week, but OUT for Week 13. (knee) |
76 | Leonard Fournette | JAX | 7.200 | IND@JAX 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | Suspended (and, yes, I’m bitter) |
77 | Kerryon Johnson | DET | 5.300 | LAR@DET 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | Looking like a longshot again. No practice through Thursday. ***OUT*** |
78 | Ezekiel Elliott | DAL | 8.000 | NO@DAL 11/29/2018 08:20PM ET | (ALREADY PLAYED) His volume makes him a great play all the time. maybe they can shut him down but it’s only happened twice all year. He’s has 22 receptions over the last four weeks and is up to 47 on the season. |
79 | Alvin Kamara | NO | 8.400 | NO@DAL 11/29/2018 08:20PM ET | (ALREADY PLAYED) He should crush it here. Volume is a mild concern with Ingram involved. |
80 | Mark Ingram | NO | 5.700 | NO@DAL 11/29/2018 08:20PM ET | (ALREADY PLAYED) Could get some goal line love in this game, but the game flow should work for him. That’s the bigger factor. |
81 | Rod Smith | DAL | 4.000 | NO@DAL 11/29/2018 08:20PM ET | (ALREADY PLAYED) |
82 | Alex Collins | BAL | 3.900 | BAL@ATL 12/02/2018 01:00PM ET | Foot (IR) |
83 | Kareem Hunt | KC | 7.800 | KC@OAK 12/02/2018 04:05PM ET | Smash spot. ***UPDATE*** He’s been released and is doen for 2018. |
Rank | Name | Team | Cost | Matchup | The Skinny |