If you're still playing fantasy football in the final week of the NFL season, you're braver than us. Between injuries, COVID, and teams potentially sitting key players, you never know who's going to suit up until just before kickoff. Nonetheless, we're doing our best to keep you figure out your start 'em, sit 'em decisions with our Week 18 fantasy RB rankings for standard and PPR leagues.
The big injury worries at the beginning of the week are Ronald Jones (ankle), Michael Carter (concussion), Damien Harris (hamstring), Miles Sanders (hand), James Conner (heel), and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder), but chances are more will pop up closer to the weekend. Aaron Jones and likely AJ Dillon (@ Lions) also figure to play sparingly, if at all, setting up Patrick Taylor for a big Week 18 -- just like we all predicted back in Week 1.
WEEK 18 FANTASY RANKINGS (PPR & STANDARD):
Quarterback | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
By now, the top matchups are well established. Injuries to offensive linemen or key defensive players might make situations better or worse, but we know the Jets (@ Bills), Chargers (@ Raiders), Seahawks (@ Cardinals), Texans (vs. Titans), Steelers (@ Ravens), Lions (vs. Packers), Giants (vs. Washington), Raiders (vs. Chargers), Bills (vs. Jets), and Vikings (vs. Bears) were the top-10 teams in terms of fantasy points allowed coming into Week 17. The Falcons (vs. Saints) and Jaguars (vs. Colts) weren't far behind, and both got roasted on the ground last week.
SATURDAY SINGLE-GAME DFS:
KC-DEN FD | KC-DEN DK | DAL-PHI FD | DAL-PHI DK
That creates big opportunities for borderline starters like the aforementioned Taylor (@ Lions), Devin Singletary and maybe even Zack Moss (vs. Jets), both Cardinals backs if Conner plays (vs. Seahawks), D'Onta Foreman (@ Texans), Devonta Freeman and maybe even Latavius Murray (vs. Steelers), and whoever starts for the Jets if Carter is out, likely Austin Walter or Tevin Coleman (@ Bills). All have varying degrees of upside, but they should all have decent floors, with Edmonds and Freeman having more value in PPR leagues.
SATURDAY FULL-SLATE DFS: DraftKings | FanDuel
On the flip side, the Saints (@ Falcons), Buccaneers (vs. Panthers), Titans (@ Texans), Cardinals (vs. Seahawks), 49ers (@ Rams), and Colts (@ Jaguars) have been particularly tough on fantasy RBs. You're not going to sit the slightly slumping Cordarrelle Patterson (vs. Saints), surging Rashaad Penny (@ Cardinals), or safe Sony Michel (vs. 49ers), but you'll need to think twice about Dare Ogunbowale (vs. Colts), Rex Burkhead (vs. Titans), and Chuba Hubbard (@ Buccaneers). Ogunbowale and Burkhead have higher floors in PPR leagues -- and both could produce well in garbage time, as Ogunbowale did last week -- but there are obvious risks with both.
WEEK 18 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo
Speaking of PPR floors, the Seahawks (@ Cardinals), Eagles (vs. Cowboys), Buccaneers (vs. Panthers), Bengals (@ Browns), Chiefs (@ Broncos), Jets (@ Bills), and Raiders (vs. Chargers) all entered Week 17 allowing at least six RB receptions per game. We already mentioned how Edmonds is in a good spot this week, but obviously he looks even better now. The same goes for Kareem Hunt (vs. Bengals) if he plays. Both Broncos backs have slightly raised PPR floors, too.
MORE WEEK 18 DFS: Best stacks | Best values | Lineup builder
Plenty will change throughout the week, as some starters will be ruled out as a precaution (Saquon Barkley? Antonio Gibson?) and others will be claimed by the reserve/COVID list. We always see unlikely heroes late in the season, so grab your handcuffs and be ready to pounce.
WEEK 18 SNF LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings
Note: We'll be updating these RB rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement.
Fantasy RB Rankings Week 18: Who to start at running back
Rankings are based on standard, non-PPR scoring
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Jonathan Taylor, IND @ JAX |
| 2 | Dalvin Cook, MIN vs. CHI |
| 3 | Austin Ekeler, LAC @ LV |
| 4 | Alvin Kamara, NO @ ATL |
| 5 | David Montgomery, CHI @ MIN |
| 6 | Antonio Gibson, WAS @ NYG |
| 7 | Josh Jacobs, LV vs. LAC |
| 8 | Devin Singletary, BUF vs. NYJ |
| 9 | James Conner, ARI vs. SEA |
| 10 | Najee Harris, PIT @ BAL |
| 11 | Ezekiel Elliott, DAL @ PHI |
| 12 | Nick Chubb, CLE vs. CIN |
| 13 | Rashaad Penny, SEA @ ARI |
| 14 | Saquon Barkley, NYG vs. WAS |
| 15 | Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL vs. NO |
| 16 | Damien Harris, NE @ MIA |
| 17 | Sony Michel, LAR vs. SF |
| 18 | Darrel Williams, KC @ DEN |
| 19 | D'Onta Foreman, TEN @ HOU |
| 20 | Elijah Mitchell, SF @ LAR |
| 21 | Javonte Williams, DEN vs. KC |
| 22 | Patrick Taylor, GB @ DET |
| 23 | Kareem Hunt, CLE vs. CIN |
| 24 | Melvin Gordon, DEN vs. KC |
| 25 | Samaje Perine, CIN @ CLE |
| 26 | Jamaal Williams, DET vs. GB |
| 27 | Boston Scott, PHI vs. DAL |
| 28 | Devonta Freeman, BAL vs. PIT |
| 29 | Latavius Murray, BAL vs. PIT |
| 30 | Rhamondre Stevenson, NE @ MIA |
| 31 | Ke'Shawn Vaughn, TB vs. CAR |
| 32 | D'Andre Swift, DET vs. GB |
| 33 | Dare Ogunbowale, JAX vs. IND |
| 34 | Jordan Howard, PHI vs. DAL |
| 35 | Rex Burkhead, HOU vs. TEN |
| 36 | Tevin Coleman, NYJ @ BUF |
| 37 | Zack Moss, BUF vs. NYJ |
| 38 | Mark Ingram, NO @ ATL |
| 39 | Le'Veon Bell, TB vs. CAR |
| 40 | Chuba Hubbard, CAR @ TB |
| 41 | Corey Clement, DAL @ PHI |
| 42 | Eno Benjamin, ARI vs. SEA |
| 43 | Dontrell Hillard, TEN @ HOU |
| 44 | Duke Johnson, MIA vs. NE |
| 45 | Jeremy McNichols, TEN @ HOU |
| 46 | Ty Johnson, NYJ @ BUF |
| 47 | Justin Jackson, LAC @ LV |
| 48 | Nyheim Hines, IND @ JAX |
| 49 | DeeJay Dallas, SEA @ ARI |
| 50 | Royce Freeman, HOU vs. TEN |
| 51 | Derrick Gore, KC @ DEN |
| 52 | Alexander Mattison, MIN vs. CHI |
| 53 | Matt Breida, BUF vs. NYJ |
| 54 | Chris Evans, CIN @ CLE |
| 55 | Myles Gaskin, MIA vs. NE |
| 56 | Devontae Booker, NYG vs. WAS |
| 57 | Jaret Patterson, WAS @ NYG |
| 58 | Khalil Herbert, CHI @ MIN |
| 59 | Jeff Wilson Jr., SF @ LAR |
| 60 | Brandon Bolden, NE @ MIA |
| 61 | Phillip Lindsay, MIA vs. NE |
| 62 | Peyton Barber, LV vs. LAC |
| 63 | Mike Davis, ATL vs. NO |
| 64 | Cam Akers, LAR vs SF |
| 65 | D'Ernest Johnson, CLE vs. CIN |
| 66 | Craig Reynolds, DET vs. GB |
| 67 | Joshua Kelley, LAC @ LV |
| 68 | Ameer Abdullah, CAR @ TB |
| 69 | Kenneth Gainwell, PHI vs. DAL |
| 70 | Jonathan Williams, WAS @ NYG |
Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 18: Who to start at running back
Rankings are based on full-point PPR scoring
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Jonathan Taylor, IND @ JAX |
| 2 | Dalvin Cook, MIN vs. CHI |
| 3 | Austin Ekeler, LAC @ LV |
| 4 | Alvin Kamara, NO @ ATL |
| 5 | David Montgomery, CHI @ MIN |
| 6 | Antonio Gibson, WAS @ NYG |
| 7 | Josh Jacobs, LV vs. LAC |
| 8 | Devin Singletary, BUF vs. NYJ |
| 9 | Najee Harris, PIT @ BAL |
| 10 | Ezekiel Elliott, DAL @ PHI |
| 11 | James Conner, ARI vs. SEA |
| 12 | Nick Chubb, CLE vs. CIN |
| 13 | Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL vs. NO |
| 14 | Rashaad Penny, SEA @ ARI |
| 15 | Saquon Barkley, NYG vs. WAS |
| 16 | Sony Michel, LAR vs. SF |
| 17 | Darrel Williams, KC @ DEN |
| 18 | Elijah Mitchell, SF @ LAR |
| 19 | Damien Harris, NE @ MIA |
| 20 | D'Onta Foreman, TEN @ HOU |
| 21 | Javonte Williams, DEN vs. KC |
| 22 | Patrick Taylor, GB @ DET |
| 23 | Kareem Hunt, CLE vs. CIN |
| 24 | Samaje Perine, CIN @ CLE |
| 25 | Melvin Gordon, DEN vs. KC |
| 26 | Boston Scott, PHI vs. DAL |
| 27 | Jamaal Williams, DET vs. GB |
| 28 | Devonta Freeman, BAL vs. PIT |
| 29 | D'Andre Swift, DET vs. GB |
| 30 | Ke'Shawn Vaughn, TB vs. CAR |
| 31 | Latavius Murray, BAL vs. PIT |
| 32 | Rhamondre Stevenson, NE @ MIA |
| 33 | Dare Ogunbowale, JAX vs. IND |
| 34 | Rex Burkhead, HOU vs. TEN |
| 35 | Jordan Howard, PHI vs. DAL |
| 36 | Tevin Coleman, NYJ @ BUF |
| 37 | Le'Veon Bell, TB vs. CAR |
| 38 | Zack Moss, BUF vs. NYJ |
| 39 | Dontrell Hillard, TEN @ HOU |
| 40 | Eno Benjamin, ARI vs. SEA |
| 41 | Chuba Hubbard, CAR @ TB |
| 42 | Corey Clement, DAL @ PHI |
| 43 | Duke Johnson, MIA vs. NE |
| 44 | Jeremy McNichols, TEN @ HOU |
| 45 | Ty Johnson, NYJ @ BUF |
| 46 | Mark Ingram, NO @ ATL |
| 47 | Justin Jackson, LAC @ LV |
| 48 | Nyheim Hines, IND @ JAX |
| 49 | Matt Breida, BUF vs. NYJ |
| 50 | DeeJay Dallas, SEA @ ARI |
| 51 | Royce Freeman, HOU vs. TEN |
| 52 | Derrick Gore, KC @ DEN |
| 53 | Alexander Mattison, MIN vs. CHI |
| 54 | Chris Evans, CIN @ CLE |
| 55 | Myles Gaskin, MIA vs. NE |
| 56 | Devontae Booker, NYG vs. WAS |
| 57 | Jaret Patterson, WAS @ NYG |
| 58 | Jeff Wilson Jr., SF @ LAR |
| 59 | Brandon Bolden, NE @ MIA |
| 60 | Phillip Lindsay, MIA vs. NE |
| 61 | Mike Davis, ATL vs. NO |
| 62 | Ameer Abdullah, CAR @ TB |
| 63 | Khalil Herbert, CHI @ MIN |
| 64 | Cam Akers, LAR vs SF |
| 65 | Peyton Barber, LV vs. LAC |
| 66 | D'Ernest Johnson, CLE vs. CIN |
| 67 | Craig Reynolds, DET vs. GB |
| 68 | Kenneth Gainwell, PHI vs. DAL |
| 69 | Joshua Kelley, LAC @ LV |
| 70 | Jonathan Williams, WAS @ NYG |
