Ranking Every Week 16 Running Back as a Start or Sit

Aaron Jones is projected an extremely high yardage total of 78 total yards by Vegas, which is a high number for him. He typically plays 65% of the snaps in the Minnesota offense, which has looked good against weak opponents. The Giants are a poor defense, making this a favorable matchup. Classified as dub flex with a recommendation to have him in your lineup for Week 16.

Placed in shaky flex category for Week 16 despite back-to-back good games prior. In the previous Rams-Seattle matchup, Corum rushed 8 times for approximately 10 yards, illustrating Seattle's defensive strength and the difficulty of the matchup.

Bucky Irving is the primary Tampa Bay RB with an improving health trajectory and increasing touches. Vegas projects 81 yards, a high yardage projection for him. He is the go-to guy getting the majority of touches in the Tampa Bay offense and is ranked as the best player in the offense despite Shawn Tucker's goal-line role. Irving will remain efficient as long as Tampa Bay's offensive pieces stay healthy. While Tucker may get carries at the 1-2 yard line, Irving can still score inside the 10-yard line on pass plays.

Rodriguez was sidelined last week but returned to full practice on Tuesday and is expected to be ready for Thursday. His return will restore the Washington backfield to a muddled committee, making the entire running back group one to avoid for Week 16 fantasy purposes due to unclear carry split and uncertainty about how carries will be distributed.

Must start for Week 16 fantasy playoffs.

Coming off a two-touchdown, nearly 100-yard game. Despite Green Bay being a tough matchup on paper, BDGE Fantasy Football feels relatively good about Swift for Week 16 due to Chicago's receiver injuries (Roma Dunes, Luther Burden, Christian Watson, Dantavian Wixs all DNP) forcing a run-heavy, 12-personnel game script. Ranked as a 'dub flex' (definitely flex); BDGE says 'you definitely have DeAndre Swift in your lineup if you own him,' comparing him to Kyren Williams as a guy who has earned the 'feels good' category.

Flex consideration for Week 16 against Pittsburgh despite initial reluctance to start him. Steelers' defensive injuries (Nick Herbig lost, TJ Watt likely out longer, Derrick Harman status uncertain) create opportunity. Harman's splits show wide gap in run defense with/without him on field. Recent precedent: Devon Henry recently torched Pittsburgh's run defense, suggesting vulnerability.

Must-start for Week 16 against Patriots' weakened run defense. Patriots were elite run defense until Milton Williams' Week 11 injury; since then they've ranked 31st in EPA per rush allowed and 30th in offensive success rate allowed. They've allowed 30 PPG to RBs over the last two weeks (James Cook had a huge game). Williams is out on IR. Henry is likely to get heavy volume as the Ravens try to establish the run game.

Isaiah Davis played 43% of snaps last week in committee with Bruce Hall, who played 57%. The snap split is not considered sticky, making it difficult to feel confident about any Jets offensive player for Week 16.

Pacheco is classified as an avoid for Week 16 against Tennessee. The pass-funnel defense featuring Jeffrey Simmons and Tavandre Sweat makes it difficult to run the ball. Pacheco had more carries than Kareem Hunt last week but still faces a poor matchup.

Cook is ranked as the goat and a must-start for Week 16. He faces Cleveland, which has been shredded by opposing running backs in fantasy football since defensive tackle Malik Collins went out.

Warren had a breakout game last week but was not involved in the passing game. With Chris Rodriguez returning to full practice on Tuesday and expected to be ready for Thursday, the Washington backfield becomes muddled. BDGE Fantasy Football ranks Warren as a shaky flex leaning toward dub flex in a timeshare with Kenneth Gainwell, with mainstream consensus shifting to favor Gainwell over Warren. Detroit Lions run defense is pretty good, making the timeshare more complicated. The entire Washington running back group is recommended to avoid for Week 16.

Must start for Week 16 with 25–30 touches expected as Philip Rivers continues as starter for Monday night. Improved continuity expected with Rivers' additional practice and starting reps. Easier matchup against San Francisco than the previous week vs. Seattle; Colts at home while 49ers travel to Indianapolis.

Jordan Mason is splitting carries and snaps with Aaron Jones in the Minnesota offense, but Jones typically plays 65% of the snaps while Mason gets the remainder. Categorized as shaky flex for Week 16.

Played through knee soreness last week and scored two touchdowns. Expected to miss some practice time this week but should be good to go for Week 16 against Chicago in a cold-weather, run-heavy game script. Ranked as a start.

Hunt's value is limited in Week 16 as a goal-line back. With Gardner Minshew under center instead of Patrick Mahomes, Tennessee's pass-funnel defense and limited goal-line opportunities make him an avoid. Pacheco had more carries than Hunt last week.

Earned dub flex designation in full PPR leagues for Week 16. BDGE Fantasy Football describes him as having a 'Kendrick Lamar type season,' with Aaron Rodgers targeting him as the first read on every dropback. High snap count, strong ground game, and 4.5 reception floor in a 51.5-point total game where both teams will need to score.

Has a 61-yard projection for Week 16 against the Rams. In the previous Rams matchup, Walker went over 100 total yards from scrimmage with 45 receiving yards. However, he is placed in the shaky flex category due to Seattle's offensive line struggles (Charles Cross DNP) and the Rams' strong run defense; not recommended as a strong flex for the Week 16 semi-final.

Kamani Vidal has carved out a role as the pass-catching back in the Los Angeles Chargers offense and is viable to pop off a big play; however, without goal-line touches and without having the backfield to himself, he is classified as closer to a shaky flex than a must-start. The yardage total is expected to continue moving in favor of Omar Hampton.

Arizona RB who assumed a bellcow role last week when Zonovan Knight went out. Despite the offense's tendency to target Michael Wilson and Trey McBride, BDGE Fantasy Football believes Carter is a good start this week and leans closer to dub flex than shaky flex. If Amari De Marcato hovers around 20-25% of snaps, Carter could see a strong day from volume alone; he also catches passes, adding to his upside.

Missed last week's game with rib injury; injury status uncertain for Week 16. BDGE Fantasy Football does not want to start him due to backfield complexity with Woody Marks and Jaward Jordan also in the mix.

Jacksonville RB who suffered a rib injury last game with unclear severity and availability status for Week 16. Despite inefficiency on the ground, he receives high volume of touches and goal-line work, placing him in feels good category due to pass-catching ability and scoring opportunities. BDGE Fantasy Football compares him favorably to Travis ETN in terms of opportunity profile.

Ranked in the 'mustard' (must-start) category for Week 16 despite Philadelphia's ground game not being great overall. Has been coming through in recent weeks and faces Washington, a very easy matchup for Philadelphia as 6-12 point favorites in a 44.5-point total game.

Tyrone Tracy is coming off a massive game with 2 TDs despite missing time the week before with a hip injury. He is sharing the backfield with Devin Singleary in a committee situation where the hot hand approach could benefit him. Riding the hot hand could help this week despite committee risk, but the situation remains volatile.

Left last week's game with ankle injury not expected to be overly serious. If healthy and playing, ranks in dub flex category but closer to middle of tier; needs better performances and backfield takeover to earn higher ranking. Conditional on injury status and competing with Nick Chub and Jaward Jordan.