Top 10 Running Back Studs - Best Fantasy Football RB Performances Including Jonathan Taylor, Chuba Hubbard, De'Von Achane, And More

December 23, 2024

Alex analyzes the top running back performances of Week 16 and predicts how they will fare in the fantasy championship. This weekend's top rushers did not disappoint!

Week 16 felt like a whirlwind. It featured enormous performances for both wideouts and running backs. This slate of NFL action has brandished the second-most touchdowns of the season -- one shy of matching the highest total of 2024 (Week 8). Just in time for the fantasy semi-finals. If you're still kicking, then kudos. Getting to this point takes quite a bit of research and luck. We made it. One game left until fantasy glory.

Despite all the good this week, it didn't come without some disappointments. Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) suffered another gruesome injury this weekend, and injuries aside, there were some subpar performances regarding wideouts in Week 16, but the running backs were out in full force this weekend. For the first time in what felt like a while, the RBs stole the headlines.

This week's top ten felt "normal" for the first time in a few weeks as many of the fantasy stalwarts made an appearance this time around. With the above-mentioned Green Bay and New Orleans meeting, Josh Jacobs and Alvin Kamara (groin) will be the only rushers of note not to qualify for this feature. If your fantasy contest hinges on a player in the outing -- good luck! Let's get to the top running back performances of Week 16.

Top 10 Running Backs of the Week (Including SNF)

Here are the top 10 running backs from Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season in PPR scoring:

1. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

In maybe somewhat of an atonement for stealing a touchdown from fantasy managers in Week 15, Jonathan Taylor delivered a monstrous performance in the fantasy semi-finals. The 25-year-old was stellar in his team's 38-30 win over the Tennessee Titans, compiling a ludicrous 218 yards and three touchdowns.

Taylor was not targeted in the passing game on a day when quarterback Anthony Richardson attempted just 11 passes. However, it is a moot point considering his rushing output. The former second-round pick played with a fire that had not been present previously. His first touchdown was a 65-yard scamper in which he cut back against a flooding defensive front and went untouched 65 yards to the house.

His second came on the first play from scrimmage of the second half, where the fifth-year pro again blew by the Titans' defense en route to a 70-yard TD. For good measure, he punched in one more midway through the third.

65-yard touchdown ☑️
70-yard touchdown ☑️#ProBowlVote x @JayT23

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/4rkXg1XN6r

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 22, 2024

Taylor reminded everyone of his upside in Week 16, racking up the second-highest rushing total of his career (253) -- a mark he set in Week 17 of his debut season. It was his first three-touchdown outing since 2021. However, it was the seventh time he's failed to record a target and the third time he's done so this year.

Still, if you own the Wisconsin alum and are still in the playoffs -- you're likely on your way to a championship appearance. He was due for a blow-up, and it came at the right time. Taylor gets a vulnerable New York Giants defense next Sunday.

2. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

Carolina surprised Arizona in their 36-30 win, their fourth of the season—and again played a tough game. It's an intriguing end to the year for the Panthers, and they could be a popular breakout team heading into 2025. If they can continue building their roster, they could be onto something, especially if Chuba Hubbard continues performing the way he has.

The fourth-year back was excellent on Sunday, churning out 152 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, adding 13 through the air on 4-of-5 receiving. Hubbard fought for tough yards all afternoon, gashing the Cardinals for gains of nine (twice), 12 (twice), 21, and 28 yards.

I'm not saying he's as good as the former All-Pro, but some of Hubbard's game reminds me of Adrian Peterson -- particularly the way he jump-cuts at the line of scrimmage and quickly plants his foot in the ground to get vertical.

The Oklahoma State product will line up for an exploitable matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17. Tampa Bay has been decent against fantasy running backs in 2024 but had allowed 77 receptions (one of the higher totals) to the position through Week 15, and Hubbard has four receptions in three straight games after two total across Weeks 12 and 13.

3. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins

I had been waiting for the De'Von Achane breakout on the ground darn near all season, but it finally came to fruition in Miami's 29-17 win against the San Francisco 49ers. The dynamic dual-threat rusher was an issue for San Fran, consistently gaining heaps of yards on his touches. He accrued a hyper-efficient 120 yards and a TD on his 17 totes (7.06 YPC), chipping in another 70 yards on 6-of-7 receiving.

Achane's touchdown was a 50-yard burst on a nifty outside-zone toss. He went untouched, handily outracing the 49ers defense. It was his longest run of the season. Believe it or not, that was the 23-year-old's first 100-yard performance in 2024 and the first time he'd been effective on the ground for a while -- emerging from a four-game stretch in which he averaged an abysmal 2.58 yards per carry on 43 handles.

Devon Achane (11)
Miami Dolphins
50 yards
pic.twitter.com/LFbVfpx4PT

— NFL Touchdown Videos (@NFLTDsVideos) December 23, 2024

Still, the former Texas A&M Aggie has kept his fantasy floor afloat this year with lofty reception totals, tallying 76 catches with still two games to go. He leads all running backs in that category, with the next-closest positional cohort being Kamara (68), who may not even play again this season.

Miami will play the Cleveland Browns on the road next weekend. It's a stiffer test for Achane, but with Miami still in Wild Card contention and needing some help, they're playing to win. Continue relying on him as a high-end RB1.

4. James Cook, Buffalo Bills

In a strange, oddly close contest, the Buffalo Bills beat the Patriots 24-21. Though it seemed like they wouldn't for a good portion of this game. Josh Allen (hand) seemed to be playing hero ball early on -- chucking it deep to no avail. He'd settle in afterward but was not effective when attempting deep targets for the majority of the game. However, James Cook was effective, and it's a wonder Buffalo did not go to him more frequently.

The former Georgia Bulldog notched only 14 touches on Sunday but was uber-effective -- racking up 100 yards and a touchdown on the ground and 26 yards and an additional score on 3-of-3 receiving. He was a yardage machine in the win, generating a superb nine yards per touch.

The 25-year-old has hit the century mark or better in back-to-back games and three times over his last four -- something he'd done just once prior this season.

Cook won't have as easy of a time next Sunday in a rematch with the New York Jets. The third year back was absent for the two squads' meeting earlier this year with a toe sprain, but a big storyline heading into this contest will be the health of Allen and his hand. Not much has been made of that as of now, but obviously, any change in the quarterback situation is a downgrade for the offense.

5. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

Speaking of quarterback issues -- Jalen Hurts (concussion) was knocked from his team's 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders and did not return. While his status for next Sunday's divisional bout with the visiting Dallas Cowboys is TBD, his exit from the game did not affect Saquon Barkley's production. Aside from wide receiver A.J. Brown (8/97/1 on 15 targets), Barkley was their lone bright spot.

Barkley torched the Commanders in Week 11 for 146 yards and two TDs and had a nearly identical performance in their Week 16 rematch. The Penn State product scored another two touchdowns and piled up 150 yards on 29 totes -- his highest carry count of the season and most in a game since Week 8 of 2023 (36). He was targeted once in the passing game but could not corral the target.

Over 100 rushing yards in...
*checks notes*
THE FIRST QUARTER!@saquon | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/bkzqjvTQ7i

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 22, 2024

The 27-year-old needed to average 139 rushing yards per game leading up to this one to tie Eric Dickerson's all-time single-season record (2,105). It won't be easy, but he undoubtedly has a shot. He'll square off against a visiting Cowboys squad next weekend that held him to 66 rushing yards and 8.8 PPR fantasy points in Week 10.

6. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

James Conner (knee) was well on his way to being the week's No. 1 RB performer before exiting his team's 36-30 loss to the Panthers early in the second half. The veteran ended his day with 117 yards, a touchdown on the ground (15 carries), and 49 more on 4-of-4 receiving. Incredibly, he had 111 and 47 of those before the half. However, a third-quarter knee ailment would stop him from returning.

At first glance, it looks like Conner might have hyperextended his knee. With a Saturday meeting against their division-rival Los Angeles Rams on tap, Arizona will be operating on a short week. The Cardinals are already hurting at running back, with Emari Demercado (back) and Trey Benson (ankle) battling their own injuries, so another one would be detrimental.

The 29-year-old's practice status will be one to monitor this week. As of now, DeeJay Dallas and Michael Carter are the only active RBs without a designation on the Cardinals' roster.

7. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

Just as we all thought -- Jahmyr Gibbs was fantastic in a workhorse role. He didn't garner every backfield touch, as Jermar Jefferson and Craig Reynolds combined for nine touches (seven carries). Still, the second-year back showed the upside we've salivated over for nearly two seasons in Detroits' 34-17 win over the Chicago Bears.

Gibbs amassed 109 yards and a touchdown on 23 rushes, with another 45 coming through the air on 4-of-5 receiving. He's got four scores in his last three games and at least four receptions in each over that span -- matching his total from the previous 12 contests. The Alabama product gained eight or more yards on nine of his touches, showcasing his elusiveness, power, and blazing speed. He's one of the best offensive weapons in the league.

While David Montgomery (knee) is out, the former first-round pick will continue to be an elite option at his position and should be in store for a massive workload again next Monday night in a road tilt with the San Francisco 49ers. San Fran has been better with linebacker Dre Greenlaw back in the lineup but just allowed De'Von Achane to go off in Week 16 (see above).

8. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. was gifted a soft matchup in his NFL debut, leading his team to a 34-7 win against the New York Giants. The win can't exactly be credited to him, but in his defense -- he did not look over-matched in his first taste of big-league action. Penix made some nice throws, and it's worth noting that the interception he wears in the box score was a catchable pass that tight end Kyle Pitts let slip through his fingers.

At least for one game, the rookie QB did not hurt Bijan Robinson's fantasy value. The second year back continued his touchdown binge, tallying another two rushing scores and 94 yards on 22 attempts -- his total in back-to-back-to-back contests. He also hauled in both of his targets for nine yards. Robinson has 11 total TDs in 2024, and three more receptions would set a new career high.

It's fair to wonder what his passing role will be like with Penix manning the offense, though his involvement in that aspect has been scaled back for a few weeks now, and he's remained a factor anyway. The 22-year-old has yet to have a single-digit fantasy point total in 2024 and has recorded 20 or more on eight different occasions.

He's a no-brainer elite RB1 against a beatable Washington Commanders unit next weekend on Sunday Night Football.

9. Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns

The Dorian Thompson-Robinson experience has been unsuccessful thus far, but that didn't stop Jerome Ford from having a nice day in his team's 24-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. In all honesty, the Tampa native did most of his damage on a 66-yard rush on Cleveland's first play from scrimmage. They then subbed him out for D'Onta Foreman, who promptly fumbled away the possession at the goal line.

Ford totaled 92 yards on his 11 totes -- including a four-yard touchdown -- and reeled in all five of his targets for 39 yards. Sunday marked the first time he'd go over 100 total scrimmage yards all season, and he has broken a 60-plus yard run in back-to-back weeks. Including against a strong Chiefs' rush defense.

66 yards on the first play of the game!! 😤#CLEvsCIN | @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/ASCGNiQ3z3

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 22, 2024

With teammate Nick Chubb (foot) out, the 25-year-old has two straight outings of at least 18 fantasy points and is an intriguing play down the stretch. However, he's presented with a slightly tougher matchup against the Dolphins next weekend in Week 17. Leading up to Week 16, Miami allowed their opponents the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game (102.1).

10. Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans

Tony Pollard (ankle) was active on Sunday despite missing practice all week with an ankle injury. Even though he led the Titans in rushing in their 38-30 loss to the Colts, Tyjae Spears reaped the touchdown benefits. The Tulane product did most of his work over two drives late in the third and fourth quarters, though he was terribly inefficient in a dream matchup. Still, touchdowns were the culprit of this feature.

Spears had two of them. and he'd rush for just 27 yards on Sunday, averaging 2.7 YPC on ten rushes with a long gain of 11. Fortunately, he put up a nice total in the passing game, registering 39 yards and three receptions on four targets. It's unclear whether Spears' elevated passing game role is due to Pollard's injury or if he's earned those touches, but the former has been active in that regard with QB Mason Rudolph calling signals.

The 23-year-old will get another easy outing in Week 17 in a divisional clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags let up the third-most fantasy points per game to RBs (27.8) leading up to Week 16. If Pollard is limited next Sunday, Spears could handle a sizable workload again.

Thanks for reading, and best of luck in your championship matchups in Week 17!

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