RADIO
Matt's running back (RB) fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season. His RB lineups advice for Week 17 fantasy football start/sit decisions.
We made ourselves a fantasy roster. One that was as perfect as could be. We thought it would be easy, at least that is what some told me. Throughout the season, many things have changed, and our once-perfect roster has now seen plenty of players exchanged.
The 2025 season has been a challenge, with the running back position being the least of our problems. Entering the Fantasy Championship, we are coming off a week in which more than 17 running backs posted more than 15 fantasy points the previous week—with many of the names at the top of the season-long rankings coming through once again.
Fantasy managers must stay glued to the injury report, as James Conner, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Kenneth Walker III all had MRIs on Monday. Don't fret; RotoBaller is here to help fantasy football managers make those tough lineup decisions with our Week 17 starts and sits at the running back position.
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Week 17 Starts - Fantasy Football Booms
Jonathan Taylor - RB, Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants
Last week, Jonathan Taylor was a man possessed. One who was looking for vindication after finding himself on the blooper reel the previous week. Taylor took his frustrations out on the Tennessee Titans, churning out 218 rushing yards on 29 attempts and hitting paydirt on three occasions.
Jonathan Taylor again from 70 yards out! 🔥
📺: #TENvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/IuGb4jFfsu— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024
If you were on the RotoBaller Discord channel, you probably heard me pounding the table for Taylor. Well, I am pounding it once more this week as Taylor stares directly across a New York Giants defense that just allowed Bijan Robinson to run in a pair of scores and 94 yards last week.
Over the last four weeks, New York has allowed 30.58 fantasy points per game to the running back position, a number only the Cincinnati Bengals have topped. In those last four weeks, the Giants have allowed five rushing touchdowns, a receiving score, and 633 total yards to the position. It's not just the previous four weeks. On the season, New York is allowing 25.35 fantasy points per game to the position, the fifth-most.
Breece Hall - RB, New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
Breece Hall started the season averaging more than 20 fantasy points per contest through the first three weeks, but then the production dried up. Since missing that Week 14 contest due to injury, Hall has now put together back-to-back 13-point fantasy performances and pushed his average on the season to 15.5 fantasy points per game.
There had been discussion about shutting Hall down for the season as the Jets' playoff hopes ended long ago. However, Hall said before that Week 16 contest "we got older guys on the team. If they're able to come out here and play, why can't I play? I don't want to be selfish and not play for the team if everybody else is playing. Guys have made a commitment."
Apparently, the Jets felt just as committed to Hall as the Pro Bowl back earned 53 snaps. Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis had just 10 a piece.
Expect the volume to continue this week as the Jets head into Buffalo for an AFC East divisional showdown. On the season, Buffalo has allowed 1,462 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns to backs. They have also allowed six additional receiving scores on 86 receptions, which has turned into 714 receiving yards and 27.17 fantasy points per game.
Gus Edwards - RB, Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots
Let's dig a little deeper, shall we? First, start your studs. However, if you are one of those managers needing to find a potential replacement for Conner, Tracy, or Walker, then Gus Edwards may be the guy you can plug into the lineup this week.
The New England Patriots are ranked ninth in fantasy points this season and over the last four weeks. During the season, they allowed 24.37 fantasy points per game to the running back position, allowing 1,733 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. They have also yielded five receiving touchdowns to backs. Over the last four weeks, they have allowed 24.80 fantasy points and surrendered 308 rushing yards and five total touchdowns.
The blocking on Gus Edwards' long 4Q run was a thing of beauty. pic.twitter.com/433Q1WPgHU
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) December 20, 2024
We know Edwards and the Chargers' run game can be difficult to trust, especially with fantasy glory on the line. But, no risk, no reward is what my mama always says. Edwards is coming off a two-touchdown performance in Week 16, which led to 20.1 fantasy points. The Chargers should get out in front of this one and then bleed the clock with Edwards, as Jim Harbaugh likes to do.
Of note, the Chargers did designate J.K. Dobbins to return from IR on Monday. Something worth monitoring. If Dobbins plays, you start him in fantasy.
Week 17 Sits - Fantasy Football Busts
Chuba Hubbard - RB, Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The volume will be there to get managers to consider starting Chuba Hubbard in Week 17, but so will Vita Vea and the top-ranked fantasy defense against opposing backs over the last five weeks. Tampa Bay entered Week 16 allowing just 12.05 fantasy points per game to the position over the previous four weeks. Over that period, they had allowed just 216 rushing yards and 86 receiving yards to the position.
In Week 16, the Buccaneers' stout defense did its job against the Dallas Cowboys, most notably against Rico Dowdle, who averaged just 1.8 yards per carry on his 13 attempts.
My heart wants to start Chuba Hubbard. Last week, he became the first Panther since Christian McCaffrey to run for 150 yards and score a pair of touchdowns, including the walk-off touchdown in overtime against the Cardinals. Hubbard is the same man that many thought would have his job taken away by Jonathon Brooks, only to sit as the RB12 in fantasy heading into Week 17, not to mention sitting fifth in rushing yards with 1,195. But it's the matchup, and I want to avoid risk when it matters most.
Rico Dowdle - RB, Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Speaking of Rico Dowdle, not only was last week's performance a fantasy dud, but this week doesn't project to be much better. This season, the Eagles have allowed 1,164 rushing yards to the running back position, along with five rushing scores. In terms of fantasy, that equates to 16.91 fantasy points per game. Only the Chiefs are allowing fewer.
With the Eagles likely without Jalen Hurts this week (concussion), Philadelphia is expected to run the ball, which will speed up the clock and limit the ability of the Cowboys' position players to produce fantasy points.
As good as Dowdle has been at times this season, Brian Robinson Jr. was held in check this past week, averaging just 2.4 yards per carry on his 10 rushing attempts last week.
Brian Robinson Jr. - RB, Washington Commanders vs. Atlanta Falcons
It's like a running back pyramid scheme that I am running this week on my sit-list. If I have mentioned the back previously, I will likely mention them again.
Brian Robinson Jr. struggled last week against the Eagles, rushing for just 24 yards on 10 attempts. He also fumbled the ball twice. While Atlanta, on paper, is a more favorable matchup, they are currently sitting ninth in terms of fantasy points allowed to the position this season, allowing 20.65 fantasy points per game and just 16.97 against over the last four weeks.
Jalen Carter forced the fumble and immediately started talking trash to Brian Robinson Jr. 😂 pic.twitter.com/lvS1Irk72F
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) December 22, 2024
Look for Jayden Daniels to continue his Rookie of the Year push through the air as the Falcons have been more susceptible there this season allowing 37.65 fantasy points per game, the third-most.
I also recommend fading other running backs with problematic matchups this week. Joe Mixon and the Houston Texans face the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas. Baltimore is allowing 20.57 fantasy points per game this season, and 18 fantasy points per game over the previous four weeks.
Also, on Christmas, like the Steelers, I am fading Najee Harris. Kansas City is allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to the position on the season and just held Mixon in check the previous week.
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