RADIO
Andy's running back start 'em, sit 'em picks for fantasy football Week 13 lineups (2025). Read his expert RB start/sit advice for RJ Harvey, Bucky Irving, Travis Etienne Jr., others.
Welcome back, RotoBallers, to another edition of our weekend start 'em sit' em columns. The fantasy football playoffs are just around the corner, which means our lineup decisions have become even more critical to get correct.
In this piece, we will spotlight six running backs that sit in RB2/FLEX territory in Week 13 and determine if they should be in our lineup or held on the bench.
In this weekly piece, we don't look at those must-start options because if you have them, you start them. Instead, we look at those mid-range RB2/flex options that are on the verge of start territory. Let's take a look at which running backs we should lock into our fantasy lineups and which ones are better off on our bench. Don't see the running back you're looking for? Be sure to check out more running back start 'em sit 'em content, and our Week 13 RB rankings on RotoBaller. Let's dive in!
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Week 13 Starts - Potential Fantasy Football Booms
Travis Etienne Jr. - Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans
After nearly falling into a committee with rookie Bhayshul Tuten in Week 11, Travis Etienne quickly reclaimed this backfield last Sunday. During their victory over the Cardinals, the former Clemson standout logged 65% of the snaps while Tuten saw just 21%. In this game, Etienne took 15 carries for 86 yards and brought in three of his four targets for 30 yards and a score.
Over the past four games, Etienne has posted a solid 4.2 YPC while seeing 3.8 targets per game, providing a reliable floor in PPR formats. He has also punched in four touchdowns during this stretch (three on the ground), which has raised his ceiling.
This weekend, he is a must-start high-end RB2 facing the Tennessee Titans in a game in which the Jaguars will likely have a comfortable lead. Given that the Titans have allowed the sixth-most PPR points to opposing RBs, Etienne is a must-start with confidence. Expect a heavy dose of Etienne in the second half as they look to run out the clock.
Travis Etienne Jr. Holds off Bhayshul Tuten, Delivers Another Terrific Outing on Sunday https://t.co/zKYMFyv4E5
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) November 24, 2025
Kenneth Walker III - Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings
Kenneth Walker has typically been found in my "sit" section, but has finally begun to earn the lead role in this offense. Over the last two games, Walker has seen 51% and 63% for the snaps, especially. His 63% snap share last weekend was the highest mark of his season, and the 51% snap share he saw in Week 11 was his third highest.
While he has not fully taken over the lead running back duties, he is finally beginning to separate himself from Zach Charbonnet.
During these games, he averaged 13.5 attempts per game, a feat he only accomplished twice during Weeks 5 through 10. During these two games, Walker also saw 3.5 targets per game and flashed elite efficiency, averaging 5.1 YPC.
While he has a tougher matchup on paper facing the Vikings, who have allowed the 12th-fewest PPR points to RBs this season, expect the heavily-favored Seahawks to churn the clock in the second half, setting up Walker for a very positive game script. Last weekend, Packers backup RB Emanuel Wilson totaled 26.5 PPR points against this same defense.
RJ Harvey - Denver Broncos at Washington Commanders
My final RB to lock into your lineup is Denver rookie RJ Harvey. Harvey had a disappointing showing in his first career start back in Week 11, when he took 11 carries for only 30 yards. He brought in his three targets for another 20 yards. However, he was facing a tough Kansas City defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest PPR to opposing RBs, which is no easy task, especially for a rookie.
Last weekend, this same Kansas City defense shut down MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor to just 58 rushing yards.
In this game, he took 61% of the snaps, suggesting he is the clear favorite in the backfield, even though Jaleel McLaughlin punched in a touchdown on six carries.
This weekend, Harvey is primed for a massive breakout showing against the Washington Commanders. The Commanders have allowed the fifth-most PPR points to opposing RBs this season and recently struggled against De'Von Achane in their most recent outing, surrendering 120 yards on the ground and 45 through the air.
Expect the UCF product to enjoy his long-awaited breakout performance.
Week 13 Concerns - Potential Fantasy Football Busts
Rico Dowdle - Carolina Panthers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Rico Dowdle enjoyed a dominant stretch earlier this season but has seen his momentum take a turn. Last week, Dowdle had one of his worst outings while serving Carolina's RB1, where he took just six carries for 38 yards. He also brought in all four of his targets for 36 yards, which salvaged his fantasy day.
However, with the Panthers facing another high-octane offense against the Los Angeles Rams, do not be surprised if they abandon the run due to the projected game script once again. The Rams enter Week 13 boasting one of the sport's top offensive units and are led by MVP favorite Matthew Stafford.
In addition, the Rams enter this contest, allowing the second-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs. While Dowdle should still dominate the workload as Chuba Hubbard has reverted to the clear RB2 role, he will need to find the back of the end zone to enjoy another RB2 showing.
When they faced the Bills back in Week 8, Dowdle was given just eight carries. Expect another similar output in a game in which the Panthers are expected to be trailing.
Quinshon Judkins - Cleveland Browns vs. San Francisco 49ers
Quinshon Judkins made my bust column last weekend and proved me wrong as he totaled 16.7 PPR points during their victory over the Raiders. However, while his surface-level production was impressive, he was heavily reliant on his touchdowns. Removing his two goal-line scores, Judkins would have just 4.7 PPR points, and would have been one of the biggest disappointments on the slate.
In Week 13, expect significant regression from the former Ohio State standout. This weekend, the Browns will face the 49ers in what will be a tough task for rookie QB Shedeur Sanders. Despite the 49ers sitting near the middle of the pack, allowing the 18th-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs this season, Judkins' projected script may not be overly positive.
This was the same defense that held Dowdle to only 38 yards on the ground last Monday. If the Browns cannot get into the red zone, Judkins will disappoint. More importantly, if the Browns fall behind early, Judkins will not be given enough carries to save his fantasy production.
Bucky Irving - Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals
My final running back to consider benching may be a bit unpopular. Irving is slated to make his long-awaited return from the foot and shoulder injuries that kept him out of action since their Week 4 loss to the Eagles. During his first four games of the season, the second-year back picked up right where he left off from his rookie season, averaging a stellar 18.5 PPR points per game.
Irving was given 17.8 attempts per game and was also heavily involved as a pass-catcher, seeing 4.8 targets per game.
However, given the time he missed, the Buccaneers have already hinted that Irving could be given a strict workload limit in his return. Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard said that Irving could have similar work as Chris Godwin did during his return last weekend.
Bucky Irving Could Be on Snap Count in Week 13? https://t.co/ZrJuILbATF
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) November 26, 2025
In their loss to the Rams last Sunday night, Godwin logged just 36% of the snaps as he made his return following a lengthy six-week absence. With how well Sean Tucker has played over the past two weeks, expect Irving not to return to his bell-cow role immediately. In Week 11, Tucker punched in three scores and added 106 yards on 19 carries, suggesting he can produce in a lead role.
Facing a struggling Arizona team that is free-falling in the standings, the Buccaneers will not need their top running back to be on the field often. While Irving can still be the elite-winner you hope for later in the fantasy playoffs, he will not be in Week 13.
If you have other high-end RB2s, I would suggest moving Irving to your FLEX position. He should carry a safe floor, but his upside will be highly capped, due to the projected workload, as stated by his offensive coordinator.
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