Running Back Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 16 (2025)

December 18, 2025

Andy's running back start 'em, sit 'em picks for fantasy football Week 16 lineups (2025). Read his expert RB start/sit advice for Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Walker III, Omarion Hampton, others.

The first week of the fantasy playoffs is in the books. Hopefully, you were on the better side of your matchup and lived to fight another day.

As we have throughout the entire season, we will spotlight six running backs who are in the RB2/flex territory and determine whether managers should trust them in their lineup or keep them on the side.

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 16 RB rankings on RotoBaller. Let's dive in!

Week 16 Starts - Potential Fantasy Football Booms

Omarion Hampton - Los Angeles Chargers at Dallas Cowboys

Since returning from his ankle injury, Omarion Hampton's production has been quite underwhelming, to say the least. In his return in Week 14, Hampton took 13 carries but tallied only 56 yards. However, he salvaged his day by bringing in both of his targets for 11 yards and a touchdown. In Week 15, Hampton's production took a dip, albeit against a potent Kansas City rushing defense.

In this matchup, Hampton totaled just 61 yards on 15 carries and caught his lone target for four yards. During these two games, Hampton has logged under 40% of the snaps, while Kimani Vidal has operated as the slight "lead" back.

However, do not let the snap share fool you. Despite logging fewer snaps, Hampton has been given more carries during these two games and is the option the coaching staff favors. Given the ample time he missed (Weeks 6 through 13), expect Hampton's snap share to gradually climb to build him up for the NFL playoffs in January.

He has a prime matchup to regain his footing against a weak Dallas defense. The Cowboys enter this contest allowing the seventh-most PPR points to opposing RBs. Lock Hampton into your RB2 spot with confidence.

D'Andre Swift - Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

Another running back who has been in a committee in the second half is D'Andre Swift of the Chicago Bears. However, unlike the Chargers, Swift is beginning to distance himself from rookie Kyle Monangai and become a high-end RB2 every week.

During their rout over the Browns last weekend, Swift took 18 carries for 98 yards and two scores. In this game, Monangai was deployed as the clear RB2, as he logged just 11 carries for 53 yards. However, in the previous week, Monangai took 14 carries while Swift only had 13. Despite this, Swift was far more efficient, which likely earned him the majority in Week 15.

Given that Swift has now logged at least 57% of the snaps in each of his last two games, while Monangai has yet to surpass the 50% mark, managers should feel confident trusting Swift as their RB2. Even though his upside may be slightly capped given that Monangai will still see double-digit carries, Swift should remain the "1A" in this backfield.

Even though the matchup is a bit tougher on paper, given that the Packers are allowing the ninth-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs, Swift just tallied 63 yards against them in Week 14 and was even able to earn two carries within the 5-yard line. Expect Swift to find the end zone and eclipse the 15.0 PPR point mark.

D'Andre Swift shrugging off defender after defender 💪

CLEvsCHI on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/JZAaZEiNJn

— NFL (@NFL) December 14, 2025

Rico Dowdle - Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rico Dowdle appears to be losing ground in this backfield, but reclaimed his lead role in Week 15. During their tough loss to the Saints, Dowdle took 16 carries for 49 yards and a score, while Chuba Hubbard logged eight attempts. This was a stark decline for Hubbard as he earned a hefty 17 attempts in Week 13 and even outsnapped Dowdle in that contest.

Rico Dowdle in for SIX

CARvsNO on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/5I0m2p0zGM

— NFL (@NFL) December 14, 2025

However, the backfield reverted to Dowdle, as he logged 60% of the snaps last weekend, compared to Hubbard's 42%. While this may be close to a 60/40 committee, Dowdle is primarily being used as the lead back. More importantly, he's also the goal-line back, which makes him a viable mid-end RB2.

In Week 15, Hubbard was given just one red-zone carry, while Dowdle earned two within the 20-yard line, one within the 10-yard line, and one within the 5-yard line. These high-usage touches can be the difference between a running back reaching the double-digit PPR point mark or falling short.

Facing a Buccaneers defense that has allowed the eighth-most PPR points to opposing RBs makes Dowdle a safe RB2 in all formats.

Week 16 Concerns - Potential Fantasy Football Busts

Kenneth Walker III - Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams

After appearing to claim this backfield, Kenneth Walker III took a massive step back in Week 15. During their victory over the Colts, Walker tallied just 2.9 PPR points. He earned only nine carries and totaled just 17 yards, and caught his lone target for two yards. Instead, Zach Charbonnet was the far more impressive option in the backfield, taking eight carries for 31 yards.

After eclipsing the 50% snap mark in each game from Week 11 through 14, Walker logged just 42% of the snaps in Week 15, while Charbonnet earned a surge, taking 55% of the snaps. Given their inconsistent usage, it is very difficult to trust either option, as both are extremely touchdown-dependent.

Facing a Los Angeles Rams defense that has allowed the fewest PPR points to opposing RBs makes Walker a must-sit in all leagues. You cannot afford another dud in your semifinals.

Ashton Jeanty - Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans

Ashton Jeanty has not lived up to his draft capital (in both real football and fantasy football). Last weekend, Jeanty almost lost you your matchup as he totaled just 8.2 PPR points. He ran for 35 yards on eight carries and salvaged his day through the air, catching four of his six targets for seven yards. In half-PPR formats, he scored just 6.2 fantasy points.

Over his last three games, the former Boise State standout is averaging only 2.8 yards per attempt and 8.7 PPR points during this stretch. Over these three games, the vast majority of fantasy points have come through the air as he has caught 4.0 passes per game while averaging just 32.0 rushing yards per game.

His efficiency will not improve facing a stout Houston defense with potentially Kenny Pickett under center once again. The Texans are allowing the seventh-fewest PPR points per game to the position. Jeanty is a must-sit in all standard leagues and is a low-end flex in PPR given his usage as a pass-catcher.

Given his heavy reliance on his receptions, he is extremely volatile and could disappoint if the Raiders do not look his way in the passing game.

Jaylen Warren - Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions

The final running back we will look at this week is Jaylen Warren of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Warren entered Monday's game with an illness and was in danger of sitting out. While he was able to play, his usage was quite alarming.

In their victory over the Dolphins, Warren took 12 carries for 33 yards and brought in three of his five targets for 15 yards. Kenneth Gainwell, the "No. 2" option, was far more effective, taking 13 carries for 80 yards and catching seven passes for another 46 yards.

Since Week 12, both options have operated in a near 50/50 split, and Monday was the second time during this stretch in which Gainwell outsnapped Warren. From Weeks 12 through 15, Warren has averaged 50.3% of the snaps while Gainwell has seen 48.3% of the snaps. However, Warren's efficiency has significantly declined, and given his lower snap share, he has not been as high-end an RB2 as he was in the first half.

Kenneth Gainwell's Fantasy Value Continues to Trend Up for Week 16 https://t.co/5qMYvGdT5J

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 17, 2025

During these four games, Warren has posted a low 3.1 YPC average and just 12.1 PPR points per game. However, without his three touchdowns, Warren would have been a bust in all three games. Meanwhile, Gainwell has averaged 15.2 PPR points per game during this stretch, scoring only one touchdown.

A touchdown-dependent RB in a split 50/50 committee should not be started in the fantasy playoffs, especially facing a Detroit defense that is allowing the fourth-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs.

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