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Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings: RB

Achane could be 'a beneficiary' without Waddle
Patrick Daugherty and Denny Carter evaluate the fantasy impact of Jaylen Waddle's late-season injury and discuss the Miami Dolphins who could put up more production in Waddle's absence.

Bijan Robinson calls for the ball in Chicago, Aaron Jones looks to repeat his strong Christmas Eve performance, and the Dolphins adjust to life without Raheem Mostert.

Other positions: Quarterback | Receiver | Tight End/Kickers/Defense

Updated 12/31 at 11:40 AM ET. Removed D’Onta Foreman.

Week 17 Running Backs

RKPlayerOppTime
1Christian McCaffrey@WASSun, 01:00 pm EST
2Kyren Williams@NYGSun, 01:00 pm EST
3Jahmyr Gibbs@DALSat, 08:15 pm EST
4Rachaad WhiteNOSun, 01:00 pm EST
5James CookNESun, 01:00 pm EST
6Travis EtienneCARSun, 01:00 pm EST
7Alvin Kamara@TBSun, 01:00 pm EST
8Jonathan TaylorLVSun, 01:00 pm EST
9D’Andre SwiftARISun, 01:00 pm EST
10Isiah PachecoCINSun, 04:25 pm EST
11David Montgomery@DALSat, 08:15 pm EST
12Bijan Robinson@CHISun, 01:00 pm EST
13De’Von Achane@BALSun, 01:00 pm EST
14Saquon BarkleyLASun, 01:00 pm EST
15Kenneth WalkerPITSun, 04:05 pm EST
16Zamir White@INDSun, 01:00 pm EST
17Aaron Jones@MINSun, 08:20 pm EST
18Derrick Henry@HOUSun, 01:00 pm EST
19Clyde Edwards-HelaireCINSun, 04:25 pm EST
20Joe Mixon@KCSun, 04:25 pm EST
21Breece Hall@CLEThu, 08:15 pm EST
22Ty ChandlerGBSun, 08:20 pm EST
23Tony PollardDETSat, 08:15 pm EST
24Ezekiel Elliott@BUFSun, 01:00 pm EST
25Austin Ekeler@DENSun, 04:25 pm EST
26Najee Harris@SEASun, 04:05 pm EST
27Chuba Hubbard@JACSun, 01:00 pm EST
28James Conner@PHISun, 01:00 pm EST
29Javonte WilliamsLACSun, 04:25 pm EST
30Jaylen Warren@SEASun, 04:05 pm EST
31Devin SingletaryTENSun, 01:00 pm EST
32Gus EdwardsMIASun, 01:00 pm EST
33Jerome FordNYJThu, 08:15 pm EST
34Khalil HerbertATLSun, 01:00 pm EST
35Tyjae Spears@HOUSun, 01:00 pm EST
36Kareem HuntNYJThu, 08:15 pm EST
37Tyler Allgeier@CHISun, 01:00 pm EST
38Roschon JohnsonATLSun, 01:00 pm EST
39Antonio GibsonSFSun, 01:00 pm EST
40Justice HillMIASun, 01:00 pm EST
41Chase Brown@KCSun, 04:25 pm EST
42Brian RobinsonSFSun, 01:00 pm EST
43Jeff Wilson@BALSun, 01:00 pm EST
44AJ Dillon@MINSun, 08:20 pm EST
45Alexander MattisonGBSun, 08:20 pm EST
46Kenneth GainwellARISun, 01:00 pm EST
47Jaleel McLaughlinLACSun, 04:25 pm EST
48Israel Abanikanda@CLEThu, 08:15 pm EST
49Cordarrelle Patterson@CHISun, 01:00 pm EST
50Dameon PierceTENSun, 01:00 pm EST
51Samaje PerineLACSun, 04:25 pm EST
52Zach CharbonnetPITSun, 04:05 pm EST
53Leonard FournetteNESun, 01:00 pm EST
54Miles Sanders@JACSun, 01:00 pm EST
55Jamaal Williams@TBSun, 01:00 pm EST

RB Notes: Kyren Williams is second in rushing despite missing four games. He might be 2023’s purest “league winner.” … Jahmyr Gibbs is winning leagues of his own. Participating in one of the season’s highest totaled games as a touchdown road ‘dog, Gibbs should get up in the 5-6 reception range for the first time since before Thanksgiving. … Rachaad White has been a poor man’s Kyren Williams. The fact that makes him a top-five back shows you the power of touches in a front-running offense. The Bucs are only narrow Week 17 home favorites, but home favorites they are. This is not the Saints run defense of yore. … James Cook was a Week 16 dud, but one with 20 carries. Playing hyper conservative offense as they try not to lose their way out of the playoffs, the Bills should keep shoveling touches Cook’s way. Even if they finally open the passing-game back up, that would mean 4-5 catches for Cook, which we will take all the same.

Travis Etienne has been “eliminate you from the fantasy playoffs” bad over the past month. If you’ve survived his slump, he finally has the right matchup at the right time. The Panthers sparked Aaron Jones’ first genuine Aaron Jones outing in Week 16 and will do everything they can to get Etienne back on track. … Alvin Kamara is in the midst of one of fantasy’s most confounding slumps. His usage and production have both taken a hit even as Taysom Hill has disappeared from the Saints offense. Trail mode was to blame against the Rams in Week 17. The bookmakers don’t think Tampa will get too far out in front this time around, and Kamara is still catching five-plus passes more weeks than not. … Jonathan Taylor was saved by a touchdown in Week 16. There will be more scoring chances as a home favorite vs. a Raiders run D that is the weaker link of Antonio Pierce’s unit. … I’ll keep betting on Raheem Mostert touchdowns even against the mighty Ravens. There will be drives to finish in Baltimore.

With Isiah Pacheco (concussion, shoulder) not practicing as Jerick McKinnon heals up on injured reserve, Clyde Edwards-Helaire is shaping up as a top-20 option for the fantasy finals. … I’m expecting another punt week for the Eagles’ offense, feeding D’Andre Swift as a huge home favorite against the Cardinals. … David Montgomery didn’t score in Weeks 14-15 before getting off the schneid in Week 16. I will bet on a touchdown or two as the Lions desperately try to match points with the Cowboys. … Bijan Robinson’s ground usage remained frustrating against the Colts, but he posted season highs as a pass-catcher. It’s hard to believe that won’t remain the plan vs. a Bears defense that has silver plattered the second most running back receptions. … Saquon Barkley has become a safer projection with Tyrod Taylor under center. We know the Giants at least won’t collapse through the crust of the earth … provided Taylor stays healthy. That has been an issue. … Ken Walker has out-touched Zach Charbonnet 39-7 over the past two weeks, greatly enhancing his reliability as a home favorite.

Aaron Jones is finally healthy enough to take on bigger workloads. He should expect all the touches he can handle in Minnesota. … Derrick Henry has become one of the tougher projections out there. With the Titans decisive underdogs against a strong Texans run D, Henry feels like a boom-or-bust RB2 for finals week. … Josh Jacobs (quad) still isn’t practicing. It seemed he would suit up last week before ultimately finding himself inactive on Christmas Day, so it’s difficult to know what to expect against the Colts. Zamir White would slot in the RB15-20 range were Jacobs to sit. … Joe Mixon and Breece Hall find themselves in similar Week 17 situations. They are touchdown-plus road ‘dogs who need to catch some passes. Mixon’s receps have waned a bit in recent weeks. Hall’s kicked up a notch last Sunday. Hall has higher upside. Mixon unquestionably has a safer floor. Both ultimately belong in the top 20 for finals week. … It’s hard to believe Tony Pollard can’t crack the top 20, but he’s long since proven A+ game environments don’t matter. Seeing as the Lions boast a strong run defense despite their passing-game struggles, Pollard is a touchdown-only play for Week 17.

Ty Chandler was a Week 16 dud but T.J. Hockenson’s season-ending injury frees up valuable touches. Alexander Mattison doesn’t seem healthy enough to steal work. … Austin Ekeler is seeing his typical usage amidst the Chargers’ injury carnage. The backup-quarterback starting Broncos aren’t about to blow out the Bolts. … The thesis of the De’Von Achane play did not come to fruition in Week 16. With Jaylen Waddle (ankle) now banged up, it would seem the Dolphins have no choice but to increase Achane’s targets. He is the kind of gamble we like to take during the playoffs since his upside remains week-winning. … James Conner is suddenly catching passes again. It shores up his floor in this no-hope offense. … With Russell Wilson cooked, Javonte Williams figures to see his best usage in several months. … The Bears’ “make it up as they go along” backfield seems to be settled on Khalil Herbert for the moment, but D’Onta Foreman is expected back from his personal issue. … Even with Chris Rodriguez (ankle) sidelined, there is no RB2 value to be found in this Commanders backfield.