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
