Fantasy Football Redraft

Print

Week 15 Fantasy Football Running Back Preview

Top 50 Fantasy RBs for Week 15

Let's dig into the reasons you should -- or shouldn't -- play these guys ...

Check out the other positions as well:

• QB preview
• WR preview
• TE preview

Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers

Hubbard will resume workhorse touches with Jonathon Brooks (ACL tear) sidelined. He draws a Dallas defense that just lost key LB DeMarvion Overshown.

Rico Dowdle, Cowboys

Dowdle enters the weekend with 19+ touches in three straight. Now he gets a beatable Panthers defense that might remain without EDGE Jadeveon Clowney (knee).

Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns

Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs

Pacheco is getting back to a workhorse-type role, with 66.7% of backfield touches last week. That hasn’t paid off for fantasy yet, with only 61 yards total. The big issue is lack of goal-line work, but it may come. He is a cautious RB2 this week in a decent matchup against the Browns, but he has RB1 upside.

Jerome Ford, Browns

Ford is getting a bit more work and if the Browns get down, he could be inline for that again. As a potential pass catcher, there is some upside, but the Browns ultimately will throw downfield with Winston as QB. Ford is an RB4 who is catch dependent in PPR.

Nick Chubb, Browns

Chubb hasn’t hit more than 60 yards in a game yet this season and needs a TD to even be worth starting. With no real usage on the passing game, Chubb is a hard pass as a PPR RB4.

Kareem Hunt, Chiefs

Hunt has taken a backseat to Isiah Pacheco, though Hunt is still getting some goal line work. He is TD-dependent as a low-end RB4 who should be avoided due to his lack of work.

Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans

De’Von Achane, Dolphins

Achane has relied on receiving production to deliver RB1 totals. In fact, he's failed to hit 40 rushing yards in four of his past five outings. Houston’s allowed the third-fewest catches to opposing RBs, but Achane’s target volume figures to remain steady.

Joe Mixon, Texans

Mixon has drawn 20+ carries in six of his past seven, despite four losses over that stretch. Fresh off a bye, he’s forecasted for top-five totals against a bottom-five Miami run D.

New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars

Braelon Allen, Jets

Allen worked in a near-even split with RB Isaiah Davis with RB Breece Hall out last week. Allen played more snaps (56% to 52%) and tallied more carries (11 to 10), but Davis won the target battle six to five. Expect a similar touch distribution this week, assuming Hall remains out. Allen's outlook is boosted, though, by the matchup with Jacksonville's 30th-ranked RB defense.

Isaiah Davis, Jets

Davis matched RB Braelon Allen with 16 opportunities (10 carries, six targets) with RB Breece Hall out last week. He could see similar volume this weekend, especially with the Jets 3.5-point favorites over the Jaguars. Jacksonville ranks 30th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. Davis is a viable Flex play.

Tank Bigsby, Jaguars

Bigsby out-carried RB Travis Etienne 18 to four last week. That could signal a shift in Jacksonville's plans the rest of the way, although we've thought Bigsby was taking over a few times this season before getting rug pulled. The floor remains low here, but there's plenty of upside with the Jaguars "only" 3.5-point underdogs to a Jets defense sitting 23rd in run defense DVOA.

Travis Etienne, Jaguars

Etienne was out-carried 18 to four by RB Tank Bigsby last week. He at least hung on to the passing-down role, registering a 53% route rate and a 4-50-0 receiving line. Still, Etienne would be a desperation Week 15 fantasy start.

Washington Commanders at New Orleans Saints

Alvin Kamara, Saints

Losing QB Derek Carr hurts the offense, which already wasn’t helping Kamara much. (He hasn’t found the end zone since Week 6.) But Kamara actually averaged 1 more reception per game over the three weeks Carr missed earlier this year vs. the 10 games Carr played. His PPR scoring average for those three games would also rank a decent RB17 for the season. That’s enough to keep Kamara playable for most PPR lineups. He’s less attractive in non-PPR and even half-PPR formats, though. Along with the weak scoring offense – tied for second-lowest projected team total this week – Kamara has averaged 51 fewer total yards per game in weeks without Carr.

Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders

Robinson gets a New Orleans D that ranks second-worst in rush DVOA. His team also enters as a 7.5-point favorite. That kind of game flow would only boost his rushing outlook. Robinson came back from a Week 12 ankle sprain to deliver a 16-103-1 rushing line last time out. He’s not even on the injury report coming off a Week 14 bye.

Kendre Miller, Saints

Miller got a TD among 10 carries in his Week 14 return from the latest injury. That more than doubled his carries for the season, which is encouraging given the coaching change while he was out. But the No. 2 RB in one of the league’s worst offenses – now down its starting QB again – doesn’t make for an attractive fantasy option. Hitting this weekend as a 7.5-point underdog hurts further.

Jeremy McNichols, Commanders

McNichols drew just 6 total touches in a blowout victory in the first game after Austin Ekeler landed on IR. He’ll likely need a Brian Robinson injury to become fantasy-viable outside the deepest of leagues. If you’re desperate, this week’s matchup at least finds a bad run D and Washington favored by 7.5.

Baltimore Ravens at New York Giants

Derrick Henry, Ravens

If the Ravens get up early, it could be a heavy dose of Derrick Henry. With the Ravens being two TD favorites, Henry is in line for an RB1 game wich he has had in every game the Ravens have won by a TD or more. Lock him in as a top option.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants 

Tracy has been one of the only shining points for the Giants. He ran for 83 yards and a TD last week. He is clearly ahead of Devin Singletary, but faces one of the best run defenses in the league this week. He may have some PPR upside with checkdowns from Tommy DeVito, but Tracy is an RB3 at best.

Justice Hill, Ravens

Hill still is used in a pass catching capacity, but the Ravens figure to be up by multiple scores in this game. The only hope may be a blowout that puts Henry on the bench and Hill taking snaps. He has gotten some more work lately though and could be a high-end RB4. 

Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans

Chase Brown, Bengals

Khalil Herbert quadrupled his Bengals touch count last week … from 1 to 4, since arriving ahead of Week 10. Brown remains in total control of this backfield and heads into a matchup that finds his team favored by 5 – on the road.

Tony Pollard, Titans

Pollard would likely sit higher in our Week 15 rankings if he weren’t splitting receiving work evenly with Tyjae Spears. That wasn’t the case in Week 13 (Pollard 22 pass routes, Spears 9), but last week found Spears running two more routes than Pollard. That could become more of a factor if Tennessee falls well behind the 5-point-favored Bengals. That said, Cincinnati brings the No. 29 defense overall and No. 26 defense in rush DVOA. The Bengals just allowed Rico Dowdle to run for 131 yards in a narrow victory over Dallas. So Pollard should be a good bet for plenty of work and solid-to-strong production, at least on the ground.

Tyjae Spears, Titans

Spears passed Tony Pollard in pass routes last week, in his second game back from a Week 12 injury. If that continues, he could play a bigger role against Cincinnati, which arrives as a 5-point favorite. But Spears has collected just 5, 1, and 7 touches his past three games. So he’s far from a solid lineup bet.

New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals

James Conner, Cardinals

Despite some flashes from Trey Benson, Conner’s remained a clear lead back for Arizona. He’s hit 17+ opportunities (targets + catches) in six of his past seven. He’s set to remain busy in this one with Arizona installed as 6-point home favorites.

Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots

Stevenson should be fresh coming off a Week 14 bye. Prior to the time off, he hit 18 carries in three of his past four. We expect a close game vs. Arizona, helping support his projection of 15 carries and 3.3 targets.

Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos

Jonathan Taylor, Colts

Taylor hasn’t had an RB1 week over his past six games and has fallen down to RB2 status. With less targets from Anthony Richardson, Taylor’s upside is lacking. He continues to get touches, but has become a TD dependent RB2 against a stout Broncos defense.

Javonte Williams, Broncos

Williams has had three RB1 weeks this year, but his 3.6 yards per carry is among the worst in the NFL. It is difficult to trust Williams despite the Colts giving up a heavy volume to RBs. He could flirt with RB3 numbers, especially if he can find the end zone.

Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos

McLaughlin has been more effective than Javonte Williams recently, averaging over six yards per carry over the last two games. The Broncos may move to him more, but it is difficult to trust. He is an RB4 this week.

Audric Estime, Broncos

Estime has fallen back to the third in the RB rotation, but Javonte Williams’ lack of goal-line effectiveness could lead to some TD opportunities. He is difficult to trust, even in a good matchup. Estime is a low-end RB4 this week.

Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions

Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions

Gibbs delivered disappointing yardage against Green Bay last week: a season-low 3.5 yards per touch. But his workload rebounded after trailing well behind David Montgomery’s on Thanksgiving. Gibbs reached 20 touches for the fourth time this season. Three of those have come among the past five games. A Bills D that has allowed much more ground production than passing this year should favor the touch counts for both Detroit RBs.

David Montgomery, Lions

Even with Jahmyr Gibbs’ workload rebounding last week and neither guy finding much rushing success vs. Green Bay, Montgomery still drew 19 touches – including a season-high 5 catches. He and Gibbs should both be busy against a Buffalo D that has shown more vulnerability vs. the run than the pass (at least against teams other than the Rams). The Bills rank just 26th in yards allowed per carry.

James Cook, Bills

Buffalo visits a Detroit defense that has seen the league’s fourth-highest pass rate over expected for the season. Arriving as a slight underdog could push that pass-run split a little further to the passing side. Cook also ceded more playing time than usual to Ty Johnson last week against the Rams. He’s ultimately a decent RB2 in an offense that carries the week’s third-highest projected team total. But Cook’s no lock for a high touch count coming off a season-low 8.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Chargers

Rachaad White, Buccaneers

White's Week 15 fantasy outlook largely hinges on RB Bucky Irving's back. If he's out or limited, White will be a solid RB2 play. A full-go Irving would make White a RB3 or Flex. The Chargers rank seventh in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs, but that's mostly because they've surrendered only four TDs to the position. Los Angeles has allowed 4.5 yards per carry to RBs.

Bucky Irving, Buccaneers

Irving continues to deal with back tightness and might wind up as a game-time decision. Check Shark Bites throughout the weekend for updates on his status. If he goes, he'll get a doable matchup against the Chargers, who rank 16th in run defense DVOA and have allowed 4.5 yards per carry to RBs.

Gus Edwards, Chargers

Edwards has out-carried RB Kimani Vidal just 16 to 12 over the last two weeks. He's totaled 68 rushing yards and one receiving yard with one total target in those two games. Edwards is a TD-or-bust fantasy start vs. the Buccaneers this weekend. Tampa Bay has allowed just six RB rushing scores this season -- tied for fifth fewest.

Kimani Vidal, Chargers

Vidal has totaled 12 carries over the last two weeks -- just four fewer than Gus Edwards -- and led the backfield in pass routes in Week 15. With the Chargers 3-point home favorites against a banged-up Buccaneers defense, you could do worse than Vidal as a desperation fantasy start.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles

Saquon Barkley, Eagles

Barkley is on pace to have the most rushing yards in a single season in NFL history. He continued that last week with 6.2 yards per carry, though he didn’t catch a pass last week. The Steelers are a top-ten team against fantasy RBs, but the Eagles should lean on Barkley again. He is a locked-in RB1.

Najee Harris, Steelers

Harris only had 53 yards last week but had another rushing TD. The Steelers are leaning a bit on the run game, but Harris has ceded some touches to Jaylen Warren. Going up against a top five run defense makes Harris a TD dependent RB3 this week.

Jaylen Warren, Steelers

Warren has earned more touches, splitting nearly 50/50 with Najee Harris last week. He looks explosive and has some pass game usage, but he will cede all red zone touches to Harris. Warren is an RB3 in hopes for an explosive play.

Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks

Josh Jacobs, Packers

Since Week 8, Jacobs ranks third among RBs in PPR points. He leads the position with 10 TDs over that stretch. Next up: A Seattle defense that hasn’t allowed a rushing score since Week 8. 

Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks

Charbonnet’s fantasy value comes down to the status of Kenneth Walker (calf). Of course, we saw the touch potential for Charbonnet when Walker missed Week 14. The second-year back compiled a massive 22 carries and 7 targets.

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings

Aaron Jones, Vikings

Jones racked up 129 total yards and a TD on 25 touches against these Bears just three weeks ago. He should be a good bet for opportunities and production again vs. a defense that ranks just 30th in rush DVOA.

D’Andre Swift, Bears

Swift managed only 30 yards on 13 carries in his Week 12 meeting with these Vikings, who sit No. 1 in total defensive DVOA. He could buoy that with receiving production again (3 receptions, 35 yards in first meeting). But that previous Bears meeting marks the only time among the past five games that Swift exceeded 3 targets or 2 catches.

Cam Akers, Vikings

Akers has seen 5 touches or fewer in three straight games.

Atlanta Falcons at Las Vegas Raiders

Bijan Robinson, Falcons

Robinson is averaging 19.8 carries and 4.6 targets over his last five games, ranking fourth among RBs in PPR points per game. With QB Kirk Cousins struggling, the Falcons figure to continue riding Robinson on Monday night as four-point favorites over the Raiders. Vegas ranks 25th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.

Sincere McCormick, Raiders

RB Alexander Mattison is on track to return this week, but HC Antonio Pierce flat-out said that McCormick will remain the team's lead back. He deserves to after racking up 175 rushing yards on 5.5 yards per carry over the last three weeks. McCormick gets a Falcons defense on Monday night that ranks sixth in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. But that's largely because they've allowed just seven RB TDs (3rd fewest). Atlanta sits just 21st in run defense DVOA and has allowed 4.5 yards per carry to RBs. It's a doable matchup, making McCormick a viable RB3 or flex play.

Matt Schauf, Editor

Matt has earned two Fantasy Pros accuracy awards for IDP rankings and won thousands of dollars as a player across best ball, dynasty, and high-stakes fantasy formats. He has been creating fantasy football content for more than 20 years, with work featured by Sporting News, Rotoworld, Athlon, Sirius XM, and others. He's been with Draft Sharks since 2011.