RADIO
No. 12 - Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints) vs. Washington Commanders
Kamara’s dominant start to the 2024 season has fizzled into a confusing stretch. Over his last nine games, he has just one touchdown and one top-12 fantasy finish. He continues to be one of the NFL’s best pass-catching running backs, but there’s some concern about his ceiling with Jake Haener under center and Kendre Miller stealing backfield opportunities.
Nevertheless, Kamara sneaks into the top 12 running backs once more, given his juicy matchup. This week, the Saints face the Commanders, who have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards and 11th-most rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs in 2024. Even if the Saints fall behind early, Kamara can produce as a pass-catcher, perhaps leading the team in receptions.
No. 11 - De'Von Achane (Miami Dolphins) at Houston Texans
Achane has been another one of the NFL’s top pass-catching backs, tallying 63 receptions for 474 receiving yards on top of his 600 rushing yards and 10 total scores. He continues to demonstrate efficiency on the ground and through the air while scoring double-digit fantasy points in seven of his eight games since the Dolphins’ bye week.
A tougher matchup in Week 15 drops Achane to the low-end RB1 range. The Texans have allowed the seventh-fewest rushing yards, fifth-fewest rushing touchdowns, fifth-fewest catches, and fifth-fewest receiving yards to opposing running backs in 2024, as well as the sixth-fewest fantasy points. Achane still has an edge with his speed, but the Texans’ strong track record against running backs drops him a few spots in this week’s ranking.
No. 10 - Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals) at Tennessee Titans
Brown has strung together five consecutive top-10 finishes, adding an impressive 28 receptions and four total touchdowns during that span. He has done more than just fill in for Zack Moss (neck) — he has emerged as a top dual-threat option among NFL running backs.
Brown’s hot stretch of games makes him a top fantasy option, but we’d caution against viewing him as a surefire RB1. That hesitance is baked into this week’s ranking as the overall RB10, and it mainly stems from his challenging matchup against the Titans. Tennessee has been firm against the run this year, allowing the 10th-fewest rushing yards, seventh-fewest catches, and seventh-fewest receiving yards to opposing running backs in 2024.
No. 9 - Brian Robinson Jr. (Washington Commanders) at New Orleans Saints
Robinson returns from his bye week in a favorable position. Not only does he have a favorable matchup this Sunday, but he also gets the backfield all to himself with Austin Ekeler (concussion) still sidelined. After totaling 109 yards and ranking as the overall RB11 in his last outing, Robinson is trending up.
This week, Robinson faces the Saints, who have done a poor job defending opposing backfields. New Orleans has allowed the ninth-most rushing yards, third-most rushing touchdowns, and fifth-most fantasy points to running backs in 2024. Sunday’s matchup gives Robinson a great opportunity to produce.
No. 8 - Rico Dowdle (Dallas Cowboys) at Carolina Panthers
Dowdle has been trending up lately, ranking as a top-19 fantasy running back in each of his last three games. During that span, he has totaled three of his four largest rushing attempt totals of the season. Also in that three-week window, he has 329 rushing yards, 33 receiving yards, and one touchdown.
In addition to Dowdle taking over as the Cowboys’ primary running back, he benefits from a favorable matchup on Sunday. The Cowboys face the Panthers, who have allowed the most rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. As long as Dallas doesn’t fall into an early deficit, Dowdle should handle heavy volume and yardage while being a favorite to find the end zone in Week 15.
No. 7 - Kyren Williams (Los Angeles Rams) at San Francisco 49ers
Williams had another strong showing last week against the Bills, scoring two touchdowns in the Rams’ exciting shootout victory. He registered a whopping 29 carries (31 total touches) last week against the Bills, leaving some concern about his ability to handle heavy volume on a short week this Thursday against the 49ers.
Those concerns proved to be all for naught. On Thursday night, Williams once again rushed the football 29 times and caught two passes. He totaled 108 rushing yards in the victory but failed to find the end zone as neither the Rams nor the 49ers scored a touchdown. After a brief blip of scoreless games in the middle of the season, Williams seems to have found his groove again. He’s a steady mid-range RB1 option going forward.
No. 6 - Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons) at Las Vegas Raiders
Robinson has been a top-12 fantasy running back in seven of his last eight games, and he’s coming off a solid 101-yard, one-touchdown showing against a stingy Vikings defense. This week, the Falcons’ workhorse running back is heading into a matchup against the Raiders, and with Las Vegas slated to start Desmond Ridder at quarterback, the game script should be in Atlanta’s favor.
In addition to the odds being on the Falcons’ side, Robinson benefits from the Raiders’ subpar run defense. Las Vegas has allowed the 14th-most rushing yards, 12th-most receptions, and 15th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. We expect Robinson to thrive once again this weekend.
No. 5 - Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions) vs. Buffalo Bills
Gibbs has been in a bit of a lull lately, but he did still manage to finish as the overall RB12 last week with his six catches and one touchdown. The Lions’ running back is coming off a tough matchup against the Packers, and he stands to benefit this week against the Bills.
Buffalo’s defense has had no answer for pass-catching backs this season. The Bills have allowed the most targets, second-most receptions, third-most receiving yards, second-most rushing touchdowns, and fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. Gibbs’ pass-catching upside makes him a top-five option this week.
No. 4 - Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers) at Seattle Seahawks
Jacobs has been phenomenal since the Packers’ bye. Over the last four games, he has four top-six fantasy finishes. During that span, the veteran running back has amassed 291 rushing yards, 132 receiving yards, and a whopping eight trips to the end zone. Fantasy managers may feel concerned about his heavy reliance on touchdowns, but we’d argue that he has proven himself as an efficient, productive scoring threat in Green Bay.
This week, Jacobs faces the Seahawks, who have allowed the seventh-most rushing yards to opposing running backs in 2024. He has already surpassed 1,000 rushing yards on the year and shows no signs of slowing down. Managers should deploy Jones as a mid-to-high RB1 once again.
No. 3 - Joe Mixon (Houston Texans) vs. Miami Dolphins
Mixon has been a delightful success story this year, ranking second among running backs in fantasy points per game. He has repeatedly demonstrated his impressive dual-threat ability, and now, he gets a chance to put that on display against a subpar Dolphins run defense.
Miami has been suboptimal against running backs this year, allowing the ninth-most rushing touchdowns, 10th-most receiving yards, eighth-most receiving yards, and 12th-most fantasy points to the position. Mixon should cash in on this favorable matchup, which could include a positive game script if Houston remains a three-point favorite heading into Sunday’s contest.
No. 2 - Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens) at New York Giants
Henry returns from a much-needed bye week after finishing outside the top 10 fantasy running backs in each of his last four games. Lately, it seems as though he has struggled to score in games where he produced high yardage, and he has struggled to rack up yardage in games where he failed to score.
Fortunately, Henry is primed to do both — score and rack up yardage — this week against the Giants. New York has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards, ninth-most receiving yards, 13th-most rushing touchdowns, and eight-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. Also working in Henry’s favor is a potential positive game script; Baltimore is currently favored by a whopping 16.5 points.
No. 1 - Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Barkley remains the overall RB1 after rushing for 124 yards and one touchdown last Sunday. While it wasn’t his best performance — he finished without a catch for the first time this season — it was still more than enough to keep him atop our ranking of fantasy running backs for Week 15.
This week, the Eagles face the Steelers for an in-state rivalry game. Pittsburgh has been quite stingy against the run so far, allowing the sixth-fewest rushing yards and 10th-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. Yet, Barkley has proven that he is matchup-proof. If there is anyone managers should predict as this week’s overall RB1, it’s Barkley.
