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

Last week wasn't as disastrous as it could've been at the running back position. It wasn't great -- injuries and COVID issues still caused plenty of roster headaches -- but there weren't many stud backs unexpectedly affected. Chances are, more havoc will be wreaked in the second round of the fantasy football playoffs, so expect plenty of updates to our Week 16 fantasy RB PPR rankings throughout the week. 

Ideally, matchups would be the biggest worry, and there are definitely a few that could cause some usual starters to wind up benches. The toughest calls in PPR leagues will be Chase Edmonds (vs. Colts) and Myles Gaskin (@ Saints). Both are facing brutal opponents, but their high-target ways usually keeps them in PPR lineups. However, both struggled last week, and while we can attribute some of that to both being "eased" back into their respective lineups, it still gives us pause this week. Plus, in win-or-go-home scenarios like most are faced with now, it's fair to question whether a high ceiling or a high floor is more valuable. Most of the time, it comes down to your specific matchup. 

WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

James Conner (vs. Colts), Myles Gaskin (@ Saints), Devonta Freeman (@ Bengals), Chuba Hubbard (vs. Buccaneers), D'Onta Foreman (vs. 49ers), and Devin Singletary (@ Patriots) are also in tough situations this week. Conner might be TD-or-bust in PPR since he doesn't figure to see as many targets with Edmonds back, but his TD upside is too high to ignore. Foreman is also tough to sit, as he gets the vast majority of Tennessee's carries, but he's no sure thing either. The rest are probably best suited for benches depending on your others options even though some of these opponents (Bengals, Bucs, Pats) give up a fair amount of receptions to RBs. The backs facing those teams simply aren't reliable enough to produce. That also might be true of Ronald Jones (@ Panthers) if he's starting in place of Leonard Fournette (hamstring), as he would profile simillar to Conner. 

WEEK 16 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

If you're looking for sleepers, handcuffs Darrel Williams (vs. Steelers), Sony Michel (@ Vikings), Jordan Howard (@ Giants), and Rex Burkhead (vs. Chargers) all have more upside than usual. Michel and Howard won't catch many passes, so they're also TD-or-bust, which might make them too risky in PPR formats, but Williams and Burkhead usually get some catches. In their highly favorable matchups, they could easily come through.

WEEK 16 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em

The "borderline" backs with the best matchups are Darrell Henderson (@ Vikings), Michael Carter (vs. Jaguars), Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams (@ Raiders), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (vs. Steelers), Miles Sanders (@ Giants), and Detroit's starter (@ Falcons), which is likely to be Jamaal Williams. All should be played this week in 12-team leagues, as all are capable of catching at least a handful of passes to go along with what should be solid days on the ground.

WEEK 16 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo

Like we said before, there will be plenty of changes throughout the week to these rankings, so make sure to handcuff your top RBs. It wouldn't hurt to even handcuff your handcuffs if you have enough space on your roster. It's going to be a wacky final two weeks (Craig Reynolds and Duke Johnson, anyone?), so get ready if you're still alive for your fantasy title.

MORE WEEK 16 DFS: Best stacks | Lineup Builder

Note: We'll be updating these RB PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for analysis and the latest player movement.

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

Rankings are based on full-point PPR scoring