A quick glance at this week's byes likely doesn't ring any alarm bells, as four mostly mediocre offenses are idle. However, as we'll discuss in a minute, it's a deceptively tough week for running backs, hurting our Week 11 fantasy RB PPR rankings in the process.
On a positive note, De'Von Achane (knee) and Khalil Herbert (ankle) are expected to return from the IR this week. With only one notable new RB injury last week (Alexander Mattison), fantasy owners have to appreciate the relative health of the position.
With all that in mind, let's break down our Week 11 RB rankings.
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Which RBs are on bye in Week 11?
The Colts, Saints, Patriots, and Falcons are idle this week, so Alvin Kamara, Jonathan Taylor, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Bijan Robinson will be safely planted on fantasy benches. Likewise, deep-league backs Zack Moss, Ezekiel Elliott, and Tyler Allgeier will also be unavailable.
WEEK 11 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
The loss of some of those elite pass-catching backs hurts, but it helps that fantasy owners won't have to worry about the Saints' or Falcons' defenses. Both entered last week in the top six in fewest fantasy points per game (FPPG) allowed to RBs.
WEEK 11 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Who are the best fantasy RBs in Week 11?
Austin Ekeler (@ Packers in Week 11) is an easy call for the top spot this week with Christian McCaffrey (vs. Buccaneers) facing Tampa's lethal run defense. McCaffrey is still our No. 2 back, but he could have a little tougher time than usual this week. Breece Hall (@ Bills), Tony Pollard (@ Panthers), and David Montgomery (vs. Bears) round out our top five. Montgomery isn't a huge pass-catcher, but he's a touchdown machine and playing against a Chicago defense allowing the most receiving yards to RBs. Pollard faces a Panthers' defense allowing the second-most FPPG to backs, so if he can't get it done this week, then it might be time to consider benching him.
Travis Etienne (vs. Titans), Saquon Barkley (@ Commanders), Josh Jacobs (@ Dolphins), Raheem Mostert (vs. Raiders), and James Conner (@ Texans) comprise the rest of our top 10. All are safe bets for touches and targets, though Mostert could see his workload cut into by the expected return of De'Von Achane (vs. Raiders). Before Achane's injury, both he and Mostert ranked among the top three RBs in fantasy, so we're not too worried about both being able to co-exist again in a highly favorable matchup.
WEEK 11 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start-sit
Who are the best fantasy RB sleepers, waiver pickups Week 11?
Several bubble plays are borderline must-starts this week, including Brian Robinson Jr. (vs. Giants), whoever starts between Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler (@ Broncos), and whoever starts between Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary (vs. Cardinals). All face defenses that entered last week in the top six in FPPG allowed to RBs, so we'll have to watch injury reports closely for Mattison and Pierce.
Similarly, Kareem Hunt and Jerome Ford (vs. Steelers) can both be used this week against Pittsburgh's bottom-seven RB defense. You also shouldn't hesitate to start Jahmyr Gibbs (vs. Bears), even in shallow leagues. Chicago leads the league in RB receiving yards per game, and Gibbs was used just as much as David Montgomery last week.
There's also a lot to like this week about James Cook (vs. Jets), Royce Freeman and Darrell Henderson (vs. Seahawks), AJ Dillon (vs. Chargers), and Antonio Gibson (vs. Giants). Freeman and Dillon lose value in PPR formats, so they might be too TD-dependent in 10- or 12-team leagues, but the rest can serve as PPR flexes thanks to favorable matchups.
We also think Jaylen Warren (@ Browns) and Keaton Mitchell (vs. Bengals) can keep the good times rolling. Warren has a tough matchup, but his speed and elusiveness can help him have a Mitchell-like game (66 total yards, TD) against Cleveland, only with more receptions. Mitchell has the big-play potential to pop against a Cincinnati defense that was just shredded by Singletary.
WEEK 11 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Who are the biggest potential fantasy RB busts in Week 11?
It's tough to get too excited about Chuba Hubbard (vs. Cowboys), Isaiah Pacheco (vs. Eagles), D'Onta Foreman and Khalil Herbert (@ Lions), and Najee Harris (@ Browns) given their matchups and usage. The latter four face defenses that entered last week in the bottom five in FPPG allowed to RBs, and Hubbard is limited by his struggling offense.
Gusy like Derrick Henry (@ Jaguars), Joe Mixon (@ Ravens), Kenneth Walker III (@ Rams), Javonte Williams (vs. Vikings), and Rachaad White (vs. 49ers) also have tough matchups, but it's tough to bench any of them in 12-team leagues. White has the lowest floor, but his pass-catching prowess gives him a boost in PPR formats. All the rest are always threats to score and/or compile stats thanks to ample touches.
What are the biggest RB injuries in Week 11?
De'Von Achane (hamstring) and Khalil Herbert (ankle) are both expected to come off the IR this week. Herbert (@ Lions) almost returned last week, but the Bears held him back despite a full week of practice. There were positive reports out of Miami last week about Achane's progress, so we expect to him back against the Raiders.
Dameon Pierce (ankle) is no sure thing to avoid his third-straight missed game. If he's out, Devin Singletary (vs. Cardinals) will once again operate as Houston's starter.
Alexander Mattison exited last week's game because of a concussion, and most players in concussion protocol also miss the next game. If he's out, Ty Chandler will get a matchup against Denver's league-worst run defense.
We'll continue to update our RB PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for updates.
Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 11: Who to start, sit at running back
Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring formats
Rank Player
1 Austin Ekeler, Chargers @ Packers
2 Christian McCaffrey, 49ers vs. Buccaneers
3 Breece Hall, Jets @ Bills
4 Tony Pollard, Cowboys @ Panthers
5 David Montgomery, Lions vs. Bears
6 Travis Etienne, Jaguars vs. Titans
7 Saquon Barkley, Giants @ Commanders
8 Josh Jacobs, Raiders @ Dolphins
9 Raheem Mostert, Dolphins vs. Raiders
10 James Conner, Cardinals @ Texans
11 Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions vs. Bears
12 Aaron Jones, Packers vs. Chargers
13 De'Von Achane, Dolphins vs. Raiders
14 D'Andre Swift, Eagles @ Chiefs
15 Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders vs. Giants
16 Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks @ Rams
17 Devin Singletary, Texans vs. Cardinals
18 Rachaad White, Buccaneers @ 49ers
19 Joe Mixon, Bengals @ Ravens
20 Jerome Ford, Browns vs. Steelers
21 Jaylen Warren, Steelers @ Browns
22 Gus Edwards, Ravens vs. Bengals
23 Alexander Mattison, Vikings
24 Derrick Henry, Titans @ Jaguars
25 Javonte Williams, Broncos vs. Vikings
26 Keaton Mitchell, Ravens vs. Bengals
27 Kareem Hunt, Browns vs. Steelers
28 James Cook, Bills vs. Jets
29 Darrell Henderson, Rams vs. Seahawks
30 Najee Harris, Steelers @ Browns
31 Royce Freeman, Rams vs. Seahawks
32 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs vs. Eagles
33 Chuba Hubbard, Panthers vs. Cowboys
34 Khalil Herbert, Bears @ Lions
35 AJ Dillon, Packers vs. Chargers
36 D'Onta Foreman, Bears @ Lions
37 Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks @ Rams
38 Tyjae Spears, Titans @ Jaguars
39 Rico Dowdle, Cowboys @ Panthers
40 Ty Chandler, Vikings @ Broncos
41 Chris Rodriguez Jr., Commanders vs. Giants
42 Joshua Kelley, Chargers @ Packers
43 Miles Sanders, Panthers vs. Cowboys
44 Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs vs. Eagles
45 Latavius Murray, Bills vs. Jets
46 Dalvin Cook, Jets @ Bills
47 Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles @ Chiefs
48 Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos vs. Vikings
49 Justice Hill, Ravens vs. Bengals
50 Chase Edmonds, Buccaneers @ 49ers
51 Keaontay Ingram, Cardinals @ Texans
52 Elijah Mitchell, 49ers vs. Buccaneers
53 Darrynton Evans, Bears @ Lions
54 Boston Scott, Eagles @ Chiefs
55 Matt Breida, Giants @ Commanders
56 Tank Bigsby, Jaguars vs. Titans
57 Samaje Perine, Broncos vs. Vikings
58 Jeff Wilson Jr., Dolphins vs. Raiders
Week 11 RB PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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