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Welcome back, RotoBallers, to more fantasy football rankings. If you are still playing fantasy football with the season championship on the line, we are still here to guide you with our PPR fantasy football running back rankings for Week 18 to help fantasy managers with those tough start/sit decisions.
San Francisco 49ers Christian McCaffrey has already been ruled out with a calf injury, while Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (quad) will be a game-time decision. Fantasy MVP Kyren Williams won't play in Week 18. The final week of the NFL season can be hectic with all the injuries and resting scenarios. The Ravens, 49ers, Browns, Rams, and Chiefs cannot change their playoff seed regardless of the outcomes for Week 18. Below, you will see where RotoBaller ranked De'Von Achane, David Montgomery, Ty Chandler, Breece Hall, James Cook, and Zamir White for the regular season finale.
Our PPR fantasy football running back rankings for Week 18 are assembled by Nick Mariano, Scott Engel, Andersen Pickard, and Brandon Murchinson. In addition to our staff rankings, below you will find a summary of this week's important fantasy football injury news. There are always critical injuries to track, so check back until kickoff.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!
Week 18 Running Back Fantasy Football News and Injuries
- Dalvin Cook Signs With The Ravens
- Raheem Mostert Not Expected To Play 17
- Josh Jacobs Won't Suit Up In Week 18
- Alvin Kamara Inactive For Week 18
- Kendre Miller Officially Active For Week 18
- AJ Dillon Won't Play Against Bears
- Rico Dowdle Returning In Week 18
- Aaron Jones Good To Go Against Bears
- Leonard Fournette Elevated Ahead Of Week 18
- D'Andre Swift Nogt Expected To Play In Week 18
Week 18 Running Back Rankings Analysis
A new feature has been added to our weekly fantasy football rankings article. Below, you will find our fantasy football outlooks for key running back options in Week 18, which gives readers a matchup preview of that player and advice on whether to start or avoid for the upcoming week. We provide outlooks for all 32 NFL teams, which can be found on our player profile pages and our fantasy football news desk.
Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Week 18 Overall PPR Rankings: 19
Week 18 Running Back PPR Rankings: 8
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White has been the team's starting running back since Week 15 and has looked dominant in the role since taking over. White ran for 71 yards on 20 carries last week against the Indianapolis Colts. In addition to his massive workload on the ground, White brought in five of his six targets for 35 receiving yards. White has stepped up in the absence of Josh Jacobs, and he should continue to dominate in Week 18.
White faces the Denver Broncos in the final game of the season. The Broncos have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs this season. White is heavily involved on the ground and in the passing game, which makes him extremely valuable. Fantasy managers should not think twice because White is essentially a must-start.
James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
Week 18 Overall PPR Rankings: 8
Week 18 Running Back PPR Rankings: 3
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is slowing up at the wrong time for fantasy managers after a sensational run of 462 rushing yards (80 carries) with 222 yards on 18 catches and four touchdowns in Weeks 10 through 14. Cook has totaled 118 scoreless ground yards with a loss of four yards on one catch in his past two games, which certainly wasn't what managers were looking for during the fantasy playoffs.
However, the 24-year-old first-time Pro Bowler took a season-high five red-zone touches in the Week 17 home win over the New England Patriots. That silver lining should bode well for Cook's TD prospects in what could be a high-scoring meeting for the AFC East title on Sunday night against the Miami Dolphins, which features the highest implied point total (48) that we'll find on the loaded 16-game slate. Trailing only Christian McCaffrey (calf) among tailbacks in total yards (1,515), Cook is a viable RB1 in Week 18.
Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers
Week 18 Overall PPR Rankings: 24
Week 18 Running Back PPR Rankings: 11
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones will face off against the Chicago Bears in Week 18. The veteran had been limited in practice this past week with finger and knee injuries but was left off of the final injury report and will be active for the regular season finale. Jones has been on an absolute tear the past two weeks, tallying 247 rushing yards and averaging six yards per carry.
This week will be a tough test for the 29-year-old, as Chicago has given up the third-fewest yards to running backs all season. With that said, AJ Dillon (neck, thumb) will not play this weekend, leaving Jones with the bulk of touches to himself. Consider the long-time Packer a top 15 option in Week 18.
Ty Chandler, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Week 18 Overall PPR Rankings: 40
Week 18 Running Back PPR Rankings: 19
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler can be left on the bench in most fantasy leagues ahead of his Week 18 game versus the Detroit Lions. A variety of factors contribute to Chandler's lack of reliability this week, including a very difficult matchup. The Lions' defense has surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs, holding them to an average of just 58.4 rushing yards per game. Furthermore, Chandler continues to split snaps with Alexander Mattison. The 25-year-old played just 57 percent of offensive snaps last week, accruing 40 rushing and 24 receiving yards. Fantasy managers preparing for the final week of the season should look elsewhere for production at the running back position.
James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Week 18 Overall PPR Rankings: 16
Week 18 Running Back PPR Rankings: 6
Arizona running back James Conner's Week 17 heroics, amassing 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns, highlight his dominant form heading into Week 18. With a four-game scoring streak, Conner needs just 110 yards to reach 1,000 for the season. Averaging 21.6 touches and 109.8 total yards since Week 13, he's a prime asset.
Ranking 12th in explosive run rate, seventh in missed tackles forced per attempt, and eighth in yards after contact, Conner has been electric. Seattle's porous run defense, allowing the most yards and fifth-highest explosive run rate since Week 12, sets the stage for Conner's success in Week 18. Fantasy managers should confidently start him as he aims to continue his impressive run and end the season strong.
Week 18 Fantasy Football Running Back PPR Rankings
Rankings are updated until kick-off. Be sure to bookmark our weekly PPR rankings, Half-PPR rankings, Standard rankings.
| RB Tier |
RB Rank |
Player Name |
Pos. | Overall Rank |
| 1 | 1 | Jonathan Taylor | RB | 5 |
| 1 | 2 | Rachaad White | RB | 6 |
| 1 | 3 | James Cook | RB | 8 |
| 1 | 4 | Kenneth Walker III | RB | 10 |
| 1 | 5 | Travis Etienne Jr. | RB | 12 |
| 1 | 6 | James Conner | RB | 16 |
| 2 | 7 | Bijan Robinson | RB | 18 |
| 2 | 8 | Zamir White | RB | 19 |
| 2 | 9 | Tony Pollard | RB | 22 |
| 3 | 10 | Saquon Barkley | RB | 23 |
| 3 | 11 | Aaron Jones | RB | 24 |
| 3 | 12 | De'Von Achane | RB | 26 |
| 3 | 13 | Jahmyr Gibbs | RB | 27 |
| 3 | 14 | Breece Hall | RB | 28 |
| 3 | 15 | Devin Singletary | RB | 29 |
| 3 | 16 | Kenneth Gainwell | RB | 31 |
| 3 | 17 | Austin Ekeler | RB | 32 |
| 4 | 18 | David Montgomery | RB | 35 |
| 4 | 19 | Ty Chandler | RB | 40 |
| 4 | 20 | Derrick Henry | RB | 41 |
| 4 | 21 | Ezekiel Elliott | RB | 43 |
| 4 | 22 | Joe Mixon | RB | 45 |
| 5 | 23 | Jamaal Williams | RB | 46 |
| 5 | 24 | Jordan Mason | RB | 47 |
| 5 | 25 | Pierre Strong Jr. | RB | 52 |
| 5 | 26 | Elijah Mitchell | RB | 53 |
| 5 | 27 | Chuba Hubbard | RB | 54 |
| 5 | 28 | Khalil Herbert | RB | 56 |
| 5 | 29 | Najee Harris | RB | 58 |
| 5 | 30 | Jaylen Warren | RB | 67 |
| 6 | 31 | Javonte Williams | RB | 81 |
| 6 | 32 | Ronnie Rivers | RB | 87 |
| 6 | 33 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | RB | 92 |
| 6 | 34 | Melvin Gordon III | RB | 94 |
| 7 | 35 | Tyjae Spears | RB | 96 |
| 7 | 36 | Brian Robinson Jr. | RB | 102 |
| 8 | 37 | Jerome Ford | RB | 104 |
| 8 | 38 | Jaleel McLaughlin | RB | 109 |
| 8 | 39 | Jeff Wilson Jr. | RB | 110 |
| 8 | 40 | Antonio Gibson | RB | 113 |
| 8 | 41 | Chase Brown | RB | 123 |
| 8 | 42 | Roschon Johnson | RB | 129 |
| 8 | 43 | Tyler Allgeier | RB | 131 |
| 9 | 44 | Kareem Hunt | RB | 132 |
| 9 | 45 | John Kelly Jr. | RB | 139 |
| 9 | 46 | Rico Dowdle | RB | 140 |
| 9 | 47 | Zach Charbonnet | RB | 144 |
| 9 | 48 | Boston Scott | RB | 145 |
| 9 | 49 | Alexander Mattison | RB | 149 |
| 10 | 50 | Patrick Taylor Jr. | RB | 150 |
| 10 | 51 | Justice Hill | RB | 152 |
| 10 | 52 | Tyrion Davis-Price | RB | 153 |
| 10 | 53 | Deneric Prince | RB | 159 |
| 11 | 54 | Ameer Abdullah | RB | 160 |
| 11 | 55 | La'Mical Perine | RB | 164 |
| 11 | 56 | Chase Edmonds | RB | 166 |
| 11 | 57 | Leonard Fournette | RB | 172 |
| 11 | 58 | Kendre Miller | RB | 176 |
| 11 | 59 | Dameon Pierce | RB | 177 |
| 12 | 60 | Royce Freeman | RB | 178 |
| 12 | 61 | Samaje Perine | RB | 181 |
| 12 | 62 | Gus Edwards | RB | 185 |
| 12 | 63 | Michael Carter | RB | 193 |
| 13 | 64 | Zack Moss | RB | 195 |
| 13 | 65 | Ty Johnson | RB | 196 |
| 13 | 66 | Kevin Harris | RB | 201 |
| 13 | 67 | Miles Sanders | RB | 209 |
| 13 | 68 | Cordarrelle Patterson | RB | 224 |
| 13 | 69 | D'Onta Foreman | RB | 225 |
| 13 | 70 | Emari Demercado | RB | 238 |
| 13 | 71 | Israel Abanikanda | RB | 242 |
| 14 | 72 | D'Ernest Johnson | RB | 243 |
| 14 | 73 | Isaiah Spiller | RB | 245 |
| 15 | 74 | Keaontay Ingram | RB | 248 |
| 15 | 75 | Matt Breida | RB | 252 |
| 15 | 76 | Dalvin Cook | RB | 254 |
| 15 | 77 | Zach Evans | RB | 256 |
| 15 | 78 | Eric Gray | RB | 268 |
| 15 | 79 | Craig Reynolds | RB | 270 |
| 15 | 80 | Latavius Murray | RB | 273 |
| 15 | 81 | Malik Davis | RB | 278 |
| 15 | 82 | Dare Ogunbowale | RB | 281 |
| 15 | 83 | Joshua Kelley | RB | 284 |
| 15 | 84 | Kyle Juszczyk | RB | 285 |
| 15 | 85 | Rashaad Penny | RB | 289 |
| 15 | 86 | Hunter Luepke | RB | 290 |
| 15 | 87 | Alec Ingold | RB | 291 |
| 15 | 88 | Trey Sermon | RB | 292 |
| 15 | 89 | Tyler Goodson | RB | 293 |
| 16 | 90 | Patrick Ricard | RB | 294 |
| 16 | 91 | Derrick Gore | RB | 295 |
| 16 | 92 | Trayveon Williams | RB | 296 |
| 16 | 93 | C.J. Ham | RB | 297 |
| 16 | 94 | Tank Bigsby | RB | 298 |
| 16 | 95 | Raheem Blackshear | RB | 299 |
| 16 | 96 | Kene Nwangwu | RB | 300 |
| 16 | 97 | Michael Burton | RB | 301 |
| 16 | 98 | DeeJay Dallas | RB | 302 |
| 16 | 99 | Chris Brooks | RB | 303 |
| 16 | 100 | Brandon Bolden | RB | 304 |
| 16 | 101 | Khari Blasingame | RB | 305 |
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