Fantasy Football RB PPR Rankings Week 16: Who to start, best sleepers at running back

Sloan Piva

Fantasy Football RB PPR Rankings Week 16: Who to start, best sleepers at running back image

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and for those of us still in the championship hunt in our fantasy football leagues, it's a blessing and a curse. We're blessed to still be alive, fighting for prize money and the eternal glory of bragging rights. We're also cursed with the burden of having to make some of the toughest and most important decisions of our fantasy lives. But fret not, fantasy friends, as our Week 16 fantasy RB PPR rankings will guide you to the 'chip like lit reindeer in the Christmas Eve skies.

As we have all season, we will update you on the entire PPR landscape of the RB position. We'll go over the elite, must-start options for the upcoming weekend of action, highlight the sleepers and worthwhile waiver-wire pickups, warn you about the bust candidates, and update you on the most noteworthy injuries (of which there are plenty this week). 

There's no time to waste this week, and if you're smart, you'll check in early and often. Let's get to our Week 16 RB rankings and help you steer a course toward your league's fantasy football championship match. Good luck, have fun, and happy holidays to you and yours!

Who are the best fantasy RBs in Week 16?

You already know the usual suspects, including superhero Christian McCaffrey (vs. Ravens in Week 16), TD machine Raheem Mostert (@ Vikings), the young-gunning Travis Etienne (@ Buccaneers), and veteran Swiss Army knife Alvin Kamara (@ Rams). These are the tried-and-true, week-in and week-out warriors of the PPR world who we can never imagine benching.

Two rookies — Jahmyr Gibbs (@ Vikings) and Bijan Robinson (vs. Colts) — have proven they both deserve "elite" status in our PPR rankings, at least in plus matchups. Gibbs just amassed 108 yards and two TDs against the Broncos — schwing! Bijan got put in the Arthur Smith fumble doghouse (seriously, Arthur — go screw), but we can't imagine Smith will keep his best offensive asset on the sidelines against Indy after losing to Carolina.

WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS
QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Three more vets — Tony Pollard (@ Dolphins), Austin Ekeler (vs. Bills), and Joe Mixon (@ Steelers) — join De'Von Achane (vs. Cowboys) at the tail end of our top 10. Pollard was running hard against Buffalo in Week 15 even when Dallas QB Dak Prescott was barely running at all. (Someone try putting a quarter into that guy — isn't he an MVP candidate?)

Speaking of barely running at all, Ekeler endured a brutal Easton Stick game in Week 15, but we're hoping to see vintage Ek now that Brandon Staley has finally been fired. Mixon and Achane, meanwhile, are running on all cylinders and facing defenses that just got gashed by the run in Week 15. These guys just have way too much upside to consider benching.

WEEK 16 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Who are the best fantasy RB sleepers, waiver pickups Week 16?

He's not a sleeper, but Green Bay's Aaron Jones (@ Panthers) could be a PPR league-winner from here on out. In Week 15, he finally returned from a sprained MCL that cost him multiple games, and it was just in the nick of time, as AJ Dillon was out because of a broken thumb. Jones casually netted 69 yards on 17 touches against the Buccaneers, a defense that prides itself on stopping the run. He should smash the Panthers like Bijan Robinson should and could have in Week 15, and he has a strong Week 17 matchup against the Vikings, too. 

Whatever you do, keep James Conner (@ Bears) in your lineups. He has a nose for the end zone, he has great hands and route-running ability, and he's quick and elusive now that he's fully healthy. Entering Week 15, Chicago had surrendered an NFL-high 748 receiving yards and 12 total TDs to RBs on the season. 

When it comes to Javonte Williams (vs. Patriots) and Kenneth Walker III (@ Titans), we have no worries whatsoever about these guys despite their recent inconsistencies. New England just got decimated by Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon on the ground and through the air, while Tennessee has quietly been one of the worst run defenses over the past 10 weeks. Fire these dudes up

Ezekiel Elliott (@ Broncos) may not seem like a strong play since he's on the Patriots, but if Rhamondre Stevenson remains sidelined with his ankle injury we can't imagine sitting Zeke. Elliott has been one of the lone bright spots for an otherwise-dismal Pats offense, and even when he can't get much going on the ground, he benefits from Bailey Zappe dump-offs and screens. Denver just got destroyed by David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, who combined to rack up 190 yards and two TDs. 

Other guys who seem boring but could lead to winning: Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon (vs. Raiders) if Isiah Pacheco remains sidelined with his shoulder injury, and Ty Chandler (vs. Lions) if Alexander Mattison (ankle) is out again.

As for guys you should grab or stash but not necessarily start, file Zamir White (@ Chiefs) into that grouping. Chris Jones and the Chiefs have been brutal against RBs, and we're not so sure White can replicate his strong Week 15 performance. We also won't be rolling out Trey Sermon (@ Falcons) unless we know for sure that Jonathan Taylor (thumb) and Zack Moss (arm) will both be out.

WEEK 16 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start-sit

Who are the biggest potential fantasy RB busts in Week 16?

Gus Edwards (@ 49ers) and Devin Singletary (vs. Browns) both had big weeks, but they have brutal Week 16 matchups. It's tough to sit Singletary given his touch share, but Edwards is much riskier in PPR leagues even with Keaton Mitchell (knee) likely out. 

We have some reservations about Antonio Gibson (@ Jets), who goes into enemy territory in the Meadowlands and could have a tough time getting going. Sam Howell has been brutal lately, and it will undoubtedly get even worse against Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed. If the passing game can't get going, Gibson probably won't excel. 

Don't chase points unless you're desperate! We already mentioned we have doubts about Zamir White (@ Chiefs) and Trey Sermon (@ Falcons) to replicate their Week 15 performances. 

WEEK 16 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks

What are the biggest RB injuries in Week 16?

Zack Moss (arm) and Keaton Mitchell (knee) were the two biggest RBs to exit their Week 15 games early, and we're not expecting either to play in Week 16.

Jonathan Taylor (thumb), Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring), Isiah Pacheco (shoulder), Alexander Mattison (ankle), Josh Jacobs (quad), Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle), and AJ Dillon (thumb) all missed last week, and none are sure things to suit up this week. Jacobs and Dillon were both "questionable" leading up to last week, so that's a slight plus for them, all of these key backs will need to have their practice statuses monitored closely.

We'll be updating these RB PPR rankings all week, so check back for the latest player movement.

Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 16: Who to start, sit at running back

Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring formats 

Rank    Player
1    Christian McCaffrey, 49ers vs. Ravens
2    Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions @ Vikings
3    Raheem Mostert, Dolphins vs. Cowboys
4    Travis Etienne, Jaguars @ Buccaneers
5    Alvin Kamara, Saints @ Rams
6    Bijan Robinson, Falcons vs. Colts
7    Tony Pollard, Cowboys @ Dolphins
8    Austin Ekeler, Chargers vs. Bills
9    Joe Mixon, Bengals @ Steelers
10    De'Von Achane, Dolphins vs. Cowboys
11    Saquon Barkley, Giants @ Eagles
12    Breece Hall, Jets vs. Commanders
13    Kyren Williams, Rams vs. Saints
14    Rachaad White, Buccaneers vs. Jaguars
15    David Montgomery, Lions @ Vikings
16    Derrick Henry, Titans vs. Seahawks
17    Aaron Jones, Packers @ Panthers
18    Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs vs. Raiders
19    Jonathan Taylor, Colts @ Falcons
20    D'Andre Swift, Eagles vs. Giants
21    Josh Jacobs, Raiders @ Chiefs
22    Jaylen Warren, Steelers vs. Bengals
23    Javonte Williams, Broncos vs. Patriots
24    Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks @ Titans
25    Jerome Ford, Browns @ Texans
26    Chuba Hubbard, Panthers vs. Packers
27    James Conner, Cardinals @ Bears
28    Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots @ Broncos
29    Najee Harris, Steelers vs. Bengals
30    James Cook, Bills @ Chargers
31    Devin Singletary, Texans vs. Browns
32    Ty Chandler, Vikings vs. Lions
33    Gus Edwards, Ravens @ 49ers
34    Roschon Johnson, Bears vs. Cardinals
35    Antonio Gibson, Commanders @ Jets
36    Kareem Hunt, Browns @ Texans
37    Chase Brown, Bengals @ Steelers
38    Tyjae Spears, Titans vs. Seahawks
39    Tyler Allgeier, Falcons vs. Colts
40    Khalil Herbert, Bears vs. Cardinals
41    Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs vs. Raiders
42    AJ Dillon, Packers @ Panthers
43    Chris Rodriguez Jr., Commanders @ Jets
44    Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks @ Titans
45    Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles vs. Giants
46    Dalvin Cook, Jets vs. Commanders
47    Alexander Mattison, Vikings vs. Lions
48    Trey Sermon, Colts @ Falcons
49    Dameon Pierce, Texans vs. Browns
50    Miles Sanders, Panthers vs. Packers
51    Zamir White, Raiders @ Chiefs
52    Samaje Perine, Broncos vs. Patriots
53    Joshua Kelley, Chargers vs. Bills
54    Rico Dowdle, Cowboys @ Dolphins
55    Justice Hill, Ravens @ 49ers
56    Chase Edmonds, Buccaneers vs. Jaguars
57    Jeff Wilson Jr., Dolphins vs. Cowboys
58    D'Ernest Johnson, Jaguars @ Buccaneers
59    Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos vs. Patriots
60    Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons vs. Colts
61    Jamaal Williams, Saints @ Rams
62    Latavius Murray, Bills @ Chargers
63    Ameer Abdullah, Raiders @ Chiefs
64    Royce Freeman, Rams vs. Saints
65    Kene Nwangwu, Vikings vs. Lions
66    Tank Bigsby, Jaguars @ Buccaneers
67    Matt Breida, Giants @ Eagles
68    Boston Scott, Eagles vs. Giants

Sloan Piva

Sloan Piva Photo

Sloan Piva is a content producer for The Sporting News, primarily focused on betting, fantasy sports, and poker. A lifelong New Englander, Sloan earned his BA and MA in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts and now lives in coastal Rhode Island with his wife and two kids.