Week 12 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings & Tiers: Studs, Sleepers, and Must-Starts (Ep. 1854)

Summary

FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Week 12 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings & Tiers: Studs, Sleepers, and Must-Starts (Ep. 1854)
Date: November 20, 2025
Hosts: Chris Welsh, Pat FitzMorrison ("Fitzy"), Andrew Erickson

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on Week 12 running back (RB) rankings and tiers for fantasy football. Chris Welsh, Pat FitzMorrison (“Fitzy”), and Andrew Erickson break down the top 36 RBs, discuss start/sit conundrums, dissect backfield committees, and highlight critical injury updates. The crew debates major names like Saquon Barkley, Trayveon Henderson, and potential flex plays, offering tier-by-tier analysis that helps listeners navigate difficult lineup choices.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Overall Running Back Landscape (00:35–02:01)

• The team remarks that this week’s RB pool feels significantly more viable than recent weeks compared to the wide receiver position.

• “It sure looks better than the wide receiver position this week, Welsh. I think we're counting on running backs to carry the day…” — Pat FitzMorrison (01:07)

• The flex-tier for running backs is actually playable for Week 12, unlike recent “gross” weeks.

• This episode is a “time capsule” for ECR (Expert Consensus Ranking), so listeners are reminded to check for late updates.

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2. RB1 Tier Analysis

Main Players: Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, Jameer Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley, Trayveon Henderson, others (02:12–14:19)

Saquon Barkley Debate

• Pat is higher (RB5) on Saquon, citing matchup data and pass-catching involvement. Notes Dallas’s defense gives up the third-most receiving yards to RBs.
  • “Our RB5 does feel too high. I'm not going to lie. Like, you're starting him this week, but maybe Erickson has a point here with where he is ranking him.” — Pat FitzMorrison (05:04)
• Andrew is lower (RB11), citing Philadelphia’s offensive struggles, injuries to the offensive line (Lane Johnson out), Saquon’s lack of explosive plays, and Dallas’s improved run defense.
  • “It's like, yeah, Saquon, he's facing the Cowboys. You got to start him. He's a top 12 running back, which is how I feel… But I just think it's kind of eye-opening that The Raiders rushed eight carries for 13 yards with their running backs.” — Andrew Erickson (06:07)

Trayveon Henderson vs. Rhamondre Stevenson Usage

• Consensus: Henderson is a smash play due to Bengals’ vulnerability (“You do not necessarily need a 20 touch game out of Travion Henderson to smash here.” — Pat, 10:57).
• Debate centers on touch share with Stevenson returning. Pat is slightly more cautious; Andrew thinks Henderson will remain above 60% snap share.
  • “I think that they want to make sure that he's kept in a role where he can remain efficient. And against the Bengals... I don't know if he's going to need 18 touches to get it done.” — Andrew Erickson (10:12)
• If Rhamondre is active, both could be flex plays but Henderson’s RB1 upside keeps him top 8.

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3. Key RB2 Tier Debates

RB13–24: Travis Etienne, Ashton Genty, Quinshon Judkins, Woody Marks, Breece Hall, DeAndre Swift, Aaron Jones, Ken Walker, Jalen Warren, Emmanuel Wilson, David Montgomery, Kareem Hunt
(15:57–29:16)

Travis Etienne's Value Hinges on Tootin’s Health

• Usage and rank highly dependent on Bashal Tootin’s injury.
  • “If Tootin does play, (ETN) goes…down like five spots and I will have Travis Etienne behind Woody Marks, probably behind DeAndre Swift...” — Pat (18:23)
• Etienne has been “pretty touchdown dependent” and suffers if Tootin and possibly La’Quint Allen are active.

Ashton Genty vs. Browns Defense

• Fitzy is lower (RB18) due to O-line woes and poor recent efficiency.
  • “He’s averaged 3.1 yards per carry over his last five games. It’s just, it’s depressing man. The Raiders offensive line was not opening up holes for Genty…” — Fitz (19:59)
• Andrew sees safe floor through passing game volume (RB14).
  • “…volume is enough for a guy to finish as a mid-range RB2. Again…he’ll be fine.” — Andrew Erickson (20:56)

Quinshon Judkins: Volume vs. Ceiling

• Both hosts note Judkins is volume-dependent behind a failing O-line with little pass game work.
  • “It’s just been empty volume and he has averaged 3.2 yards per carry over his last five games. He has just eight receiving yards over that stretch.” — Pat (24:11)
• Neutral matchup, very little upside if Browns offense is ineffective.

Emmanuel Wilson/Josh Jacobs Dilemma (RB22)

• Placeholder rank for Wilson (RB22–23) is based on Jacobs being out.
• Fitzy warns Chris Brooks could share touches: “It’s possible Brooks could split carries… might be a little more vague with the usage than we think…” (25:25)
• Andrew: Wilson is just a grinder, not a dynamic playmaker. “He’s more of that kind of like grinder type of running back…He’s not like making guys miss in terms of like breaking ankles.” (27:18)

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4. RB3 and Flex Options

RB25–36: Alvin Kamara, Tyrone Tracy, Zach Charbonnet, Sean Tucker, Kenny Gainwell, Bam Knight, Rashad White, Tyjae Spears, Tony Pollard, Kyle Manungai, Devin Singletary, Tyler Allgeier
(29:16–40:26)

Alvin Kamara: Cautious Optimism

• Fitzy: “He’s maybe not back in the circle of trust yet, Welsh, but he’s ringing the doorbell…” (30:33)
• Still some concern over Saints’ O-line, possibility of Taysom Hill and Devin Neal siphoning touches; improved situation compared to two weeks ago.

Sean Tucker (Bucs Backfield Mess)

• Both see Tampa Bay’s backfield as a risk-laden committee, especially if Bucky Irving returns.
  • “As good as Tucker was last week…he still played 11 fewer snaps than Rashad White…we’re probably not getting another 140 yards out of him.” — Pat (34:23)
  • Andrew is particularly down if three RBs are active: “I think we could have a three-headed mess in a terrible matchup against the Rams.” (35:32)

Bam Knight: Usable Floor Flex

• Both agree Knight is a fine RB3 with touchdown upside if he’s the sole back.
  • “I think Bam is fine. He’s got touchdown equity on an offense that can score points…he should get goal line touchdowns. So, yeah, he’s a strong RB3…” — Andrew (38:26)
  • Fitzy is less bullish: “I’m more with the ‘fine in a pinch’…I kind of have him in a tier…I don’t see a big ceiling for Bam Knight. But maybe he can at least give you a decent floor.” (39:19)

Other Notable RB3 Mentions

• Tyler Allgeier: Seen as a potentially interesting flex play in run-heavy game scripts.
• Tony Pollard/Tyjae Spears: Avoid if possible due to bad matchups.
• Zach Charbonnet, Kenny Gainwell: Only advisable as injury or desperation fill-ins.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On RB Landscape:

  • “This does feel like a flex running back week.” — Andrew Erickson (01:37)

• Barkley Skepticism:

  • “Did not sound like your tone was–not oh, wheels up. We're like, usually we're like top five running back, let's go.” — Chris Welsh (06:05)

• Trayveon Henderson vs. Stevenson:

  • “You do not necessarily need a 20-touch game out of Trayveon Henderson to smash here.” — Pat FitzMorrison (10:57)

• Genty vs. Judkins:

  • “It's just who—which rookie running back can break more tackles?” — Andrew (23:03)

• Bucs RB Chaos:

  • “I, I don’t know...All these Buccaneers running backs ranks are going to change by the time we get the full news on Friday.” — Andrew (36:35)

• Funniest/Most Relatable:

  • “Erickson’s ranking of Sean Tucker has turned into a who’s on first?” — Pat (37:32)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• RB1/Top Tier Rankings Start: 02:12
• Saquon Barkley Debate: 04:12–07:40
• Trayveon Henderson Usage (w/ Stevenson): 07:40–12:24
• Running Back 2s Begin: 15:57
• Travis Etienne Discussion (re: Tootin injury): 16:35–19:29
• Ashton Genty vs. Browns: 19:29–22:25
• Quinshon Judkins Volume: 22:25–24:55
• Emmanuel Wilson/Josh Jacobs Placeholder: 24:55–29:16
• Running Back 3s/Alvin Kamara: 29:16–33:39
• Sean Tucker Bucs Mess: 33:39–37:31
• Bam Knight Flex Value: 37:44–40:26

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Conclusion

This episode delivers actionable RB insight for Week 12, emphasizing context: injury news, game script, usage trends, and matchup difficulty. While consensus shines on clear studs (McCaffrey, Taylor), the flex and RB2/3 area is rife with risk, especially amid injury uncertainty and backfield committees. The episode blends data, banter, and in-season nuance to help fantasy managers optimize their lineups—even if the league’s running back pool is “gross,” as the hosts frequently joke.

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For the latest rankings, check FantasyPros.com/rankings as news and injury statuses will considerably alter RB outlooks leading up to kickoff.

Transcript

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[Chris Welsh]

Hello friends and welcome into Fantasy Pros. This is the Fantasy Football Podcast Week 12 Running Back Ranks I'm Chris Welsh. We got Pat Fitz, Morrison, Andrew Erickson. We're going to be going through the top 36 running backs where our starts are. What disgusting things are we going to be dealing with? How bad does that like fly flex running back range look? Especially compared to what we did on our wide receiver show. We'll talk about all of that tiers and more using Fantasy Pro's ranks on the website using ECR. Mr. Fitzy, what's up with running backs in your world?

[Pat FitzMorrison]

Oh man, it sure looks better than the wide receiver position this week. Welsh. I think we're counting on running backs to carry the day this week because the wide receiver position could not be any more, any less appealing than it is this week.

[Chris Welsh]

Erickson. If obviously no. Bucky, how high are you obligated to put Sean Tucker this week after his performance? What is the obligation of how high he should go? He is going to be talked about in this show but the ECR does not represent what he did last week.

[Andrew Erickson]

No, but the ECR is trying to capture looking ahead, not necessarily just regurgitating what happened last week because last week the optics were much better for Sean Tucker. Played the Buffalo Bills worst run defense in the NFL this week. Is he even the starting running back for his team? Is he the RB3 on his team? So a lot to unpack with that Bucks backfield. But I would say just generally speaking, this does feel like a flex running back week.

[Pat FitzMorrison]

Wait, the Bills are the worst run defense in the NFL? I think the Bengals would like a word.

[Andrew Erickson]

Erickson. I mean they're, they're, they're trying to be the worst run defense in the NFL. They're doing their best.

[Chris Welsh]

I don't think we've talked about running backs being like viable flex until like the first couple weeks of the season. We've, we've at least been on like an eight week run of like nope. Running back threes are really gross and it's got to be wide receivers. But yeah, like you said comparative to what we did on the wide receiver show and what we're talking here, there is a lot more playable wide running backs for this week so we are going to jump into it again. Go to fantasypros.com rankings if you'd like to follow along if you want to see the updates. Remember we are a time capsule of the ranks when we're doing this so there is a chance that when you're watching this there might be some changes as more people submit their ranks in ECR or make changes. But you can do it fantasypros.com rankings if you want to follow along all the way up until kickoff. No more time wasted. Let's jump into it. Your running back ones for the week. Let's look at the big board. Christian McCaffrey coming in at number one up against the Carolina Panthers. Jonathan Taylor at two. The he's got a tough matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Jameer Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley and Travy on Henderson is a top six. Derek Henry, Nico Rico Dowdle, Kyron Williams, Javante Williams, James Cook and Chase Brown. That is your bottom half of the first here. Saquon Barkley, you guys are in a different space on him. This isn't a non startable situation most likely unless you've got like three top 10 running backs. But you guys are on opposite ends. Fitzy, you are on the high, the high end. It's the ECR end where you see him as a top five back this week going up against the Talis Cowboys. It's a good matchup. Erickson is a little bit on the other so it'll be fascinating to hear. But regardless of all the negative things we can say about the Eagles offense, Dallas defense and Finn done, that's kind of where I stop with any discussion on a player especially that's massively talented. Dallas's defense not super great and is that playing the biggest role in keeping Saquon Barkley here top five so I.

[Pat FitzMorrison]

Did feel a little queasy about this ranking and I am open to letting Erickson talk me into dropping Saquon in my rankings. Like it looks like a good matchup on paper. The Cowboys are allowing the 8th most fantasy points per game to running backs. Saquon has been more involved as a pass catcher this season. He's averaging 2.8 receptions a game and the Cowboys have a lot of the third most receiving yards to running backs. But you know they they might be a little bit of a different defense with Quinn and Williams up front now, so they might be a little tougher. And the loss of star offensive tackle Lane Johnson to a list Frank injury is certainly worrisome for Saquon and just the Philly offense in general. I do the Eagles have a lot of talent on their offensive line. They, they have underachieved relative to last year but even without Lane Johnson like this is still a very talented offensive line. And I don't know for what it's worth, when Saquon Barkley faced the Cowboys way back in that Thursday night season opener in Week 1, Barkley 18 carries for 61 yards and a touchdown, four catches for 24 yards. He was tied for RB7 in Week 1 fantasy scoring and I think maybe even that was considered a bit of a letdown for Saquon Barkley stakeholders. So I don't know. Our RB5 does feel too high. I'm not going to lie. Like you're you're starting him this week, but maybe, maybe Erickson has a point here with where he is ranking him.

[Chris Welsh]

Erickson, you've got him at 11. So not a top 10 running back but still an RB1 going up against Cowboys. What is your theoretical negative take on Saquon Barkley here?

[Andrew Erickson]

I'm not sure I have much else to add because I think Fitz kind of outlined the concerns, maybe some of the pessimistic points about Saquon Barkley this week and it's weird because you're talking about top five running back. Did not sound like your tone was not oh, wheels up. We're like, usually we're like top five running back, let's go.

[Chris Welsh]

It's like why are we even talking about this guy?

[Andrew Erickson]

Like it's like yeah Saquon, he's facing the Cowboys. You got to start him. He's a top 12 running back, which is how I feel. Again, we saw him play Dallas this week or this year. He was not a top five running back in the first matchup and that was when the Eagles offensive line argued was at its strength, full health across the board and yet he couldn't be a top five running back. Now I'll admit Barkley has run kind of cold in terms of just touchdowns the last couple of weeks. He's gotten unlucky so because the volume has definitely been there. I mean he's seen over 22 carries in back to back weeks, but we're just not seeing the same type of big explosive plays. And I'm really concerned about this Eagles offense. Overall, the last two weeks have not looked great and you take Lane Johnson out of this offense and I just think this matters so much. This was something that Bill Barnwell tweeted out earlier this week. Since 2013, the Eagles are the league's third best offense by EPA per play. With Lane Johnson on the field, they are 28th over the same time frame when he's not on the field. Now they do have a good swing tackle that has filled in, so I don't think it's okay. Now they are the 28th offense in the NFL and although I agree that Dallas has improved dramatically, again, it's not oh, now you have to avoid the Dallas Cowboys. But I just think it's kind of eye opening that The Raiders rushed eight carries for 13 yards with their running backs. Like this defense was giving up yards after yards after yards and Raiders couldn't do anything on the ground. So I think that should be keep. That should just be kept in mind when you're looking at Saquon. That I just don't think. I mean has he been a top five running back at all this season? No. So for those reasons, that's why I have an outside top five.

[Chris Welsh]

Probably going to be one of the most talked about running backs for the next couple weeks. Every storyline we know can go but even into this week is Trayveon Henderson and Trivia Henderson given a very aggressive rank. Of course, because it's against the Cincinnati Bengals it is a 4. So I'm surprised it's not a 5 star rating on our rating matchup grades over on fantasy pros. But Cincinnati Bengals, fantastic matchup. Trayvon, it's like what the last three games over 300 total yards. I mean he has been a monster. There's always the Ramandre thing that's just kind of looming. There's the usage that's looming. But Erickson, you've got him at 8, Fitzyou've got him at 6. So actually let's go to Fitzy here because you've got him a little bit higher. You actually got him at consensus with Ericsson tiny bit lower. Where are the concerns, if any? Travion, you've got him at 6. This is just a smash play. Don't, don't overthink it type of thing, right?

[Pat FitzMorrison]

Well the concern is that we get a rug pull from Josh McDaniels and how he deploys his running backs. With Ramon Ray Stevenson expected back this week, you know, one week after Trayvon's three touchdown breakout game this is a great matchup. No question about it. The Bengals have allowed the most fantasy points per game to running backs by far. They've given up the most rushing yards, the second most receiving yards to running backs. Running backs are averaging 5.4 yards per carry against Cincinnati. So great matchup if Henderson gets the volume that allows him to cash in. And my RB6 ranking is based on the belief that the genie is out of the bottle with Travion Henderson and he's going to get more work than Ramon Ray Stevenson going. But that's just a guess and I could totally be wrong about that.

[Chris Welsh]

I agree with the sentiment that he will get more work, but I don't. I think Ramandre, I think this is, this is a Trojan horse. This is like this is going to be a problem. We're all like a Trayvon and we're going to jeans that we're all excited and it's just like Ramon Dre is going to get 12 carries and he's going to get a red zone. I don't trust. Yeah, goal line. I don't trust this whatsoever. So to me this feels high because of that. But the matchup is so great. Just Trayvon has also proven to be one of those guys. If you give him 10 touches, he could have over a hundred. Like he could break this away and make it all irrelevant. But the usage is what I'm very scared about. Erickson, you've got them slightly lower. Are you scared about the usage whatsoever or do you think they will not be able to help themselves? All the coach speak stuff, all the like, we like Ramon Dre. Is that going to go out the window and you're going to see Stevenson get 18 plus touches?

[Andrew Erickson]

I don't think he's going to get 18 plus to touches. I think that they want to make sure that he's kept in a role where he can remain efficient. And against the Bengals, Fitz said just you can be really efficient against the Cincinnati Bengals. Like I don't know if he's going to need 18 touches to get it done against Cincinnati, but I just want to capture, hey, if Ramandre is back this week. Look, I think Stevenson could be a flex play this week. I mean he's, he's raising the Bengals too. So if he has a role then I just want to keep that in mind because if Stevenson was, hey, he's not going to play this week. Well, I mean Katravian, he could be like 2 or 3 this week in ECR rankings. So the upside is RB1 on the week and you just can't bench that in any capacity. And it's hard to rank that type of player outside the top eight, which is why I have him eighth.

[Pat FitzMorrison]

Yeah, it's funny because like last year in college, I don't think there was any single game where Treveon Henderson had more than 12 carries because he was sharing a backfield with Quinshon Judkins. But like it didn't matter because he was so good and so efficient. He could have these explosive games on 12 carries and four catches, you know, against the Purdue Boilermakers. And the, the Bengals are the Purdue Boilermakers of the NFL here. So no offense to Purdue. And as a Wisconsin fan, I don't have much room to talk this year. But yeah, it's just matchup. You do not necessarily need a 20 touch game out of Travion Henderson to smash here.

[Chris Welsh]

Okay, two things. Yes or no. Travion Henderson has a 60 plus percent snapshare over Ramondra Stevenson. We'll start with you, Fitzy boy.

[Pat FitzMorrison]

That is a real. You've set this at a very good number, Walsh. That is a tough. I'm going to. I'll say maybe under. I'll say it's like 58, 42.

[Andrew Erickson]

Okay, Erickson, I take over on 60%. Okay.

[Chris Welsh]

And then the other is 9.5 carries. Ramond Ray Stevenson over or under Erickson. We'll start with you on this one.

[Andrew Erickson]

I think he can get double digit carries with Maranjay. So yeah, I'll take over. I think Patriots roll here again. I think Stevenson could be a flex play this week because of how bad the Bengals defense is that.

[Chris Welsh]

You agree? Yeah, over that is that. Those are things I think that are concerning points. The biggest plus to Trayveon it is the Bengals. So again, 1012 touches, he could create a top 10 fantasy finish without hesitation. It's just we're laying out a scenario here where Ramondre does not go to the bench. And that I think is the thing that we worry a little bit about. All right, those are the running back ones. We've got the RB2s coming up. But let's talk about our friends over at Zbiotics. Whether you're raising a glass to your winning team, catching up with old buddies back in town, or just trying to stay sane with the house full of relatives, how you feel the next morning still matters. That is why I drink pre alcohol zebiotic zebiotics. Pre alcohol probiotic drink is the world's first genetically engineered probiotic. It was invented by PhD scientists to tackle rough mornings after drinking. Here's how it works. When you drink, alcohol gets converted into a toxic byproduct in the gut. It's buildup of this byproduct, not dehydration, that's to blame for rough days after drinking. Pre alcohol produces an enzyme to break this byproduct down. Just remember to make pre alcohol your first drink of the night. Drink responsibly and you'll feel your best tomorrow. Make the most of every toast, tailgate and touchdown this holiday season. Just don't forget to bring pre alcohol along for the ride. Go to zbiotics.com fantasypros to learn more and get 15% off your first order with when you use FantasyPros at checkout so code fantasypros. Zebiotics is backed with 100% money back guarantee, so if you're unsatisfied for any reason, they'll refund your money, no questions asked. Remember, head to ZBiotics.com fantasypros and use the code fantasypros at checkout for 15% off.

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[Chris Welsh]

Running back twos. Starting with our RB13, Travis Etienne, we've got on the big board, Ashton Genty, Quinshon Judkins, Woody Marks, Breece Hall, Deandre Swift. The back half at 19 is Aaron Jones, Ken Walker, Jalen Warren, Emmanuel Wilson, David Montgomery and Kareem Hunt. Travis Etienne, gentlemen, going up against the Arizona Cardinals. This is one of a small handful of the four star matchups in this general range. He is ECR 13. Erickson, you got him at 12. Fitzy, you got him at 14. Ericsson, why don't you kick us off? Tutin getting the usage but banged up right now. What do you think about Travis Etienne and the safety net of using him for this week?

[Andrew Erickson]

I think it all depends on whether Tutin is 100% ready to go or if he's limited throughout the week on the injury report. So this one, I don't have a ton to add until we learn more about Bashal Tutin because, yeah, last week it looked like it was a toot and tugboat takeover of that backfield. Although I thought both guys played relatively well and I think that Liam Cohen is sick of Trevor Lawrence and he's like, I want to run the ball like with my two talented running backs. We saw that do it last year a little bit at times with Rashad White and Bucky Irving being both productive in the same backfield using this pony personnel. So I think that both guys could potentially be started as a plus matchup. ETN has run pretty cold in terms of touchdowns. He's just been pretty bad at the goal line. Again, not necessarily like indictment on him. He just hasn't scored. But he's got touchdown upside. He's been efficient. Tootin's been good as well. So this guy will probably move a little bit just based on Tootin's availability.

[Chris Welsh]

So this rank is representative of toot.

[Andrew Erickson]

Not playing, either limited or you're 12 not playing. Yeah. Okay.

[Chris Welsh]

And then Tootin is active. Where does Etien go?

[Andrew Erickson]

Probably a few spots.

[Chris Welsh]

Just relative.

[Andrew Erickson]

I mean, I mean, you're gonna. I mean, you're gonna start him regardless. Like, I don't think that it's like, oh, well, tune's gonna play, you gotta bench etn. It's like, I don't. I wouldn't see it.

[Chris Welsh]

Well, I mean, yeah, if you're. I mean, I guess if we're pushing a lot of running backs into flex, I think there's a scenario of someone Sitting there, like, would he go below Woody Marks? It's not, you know, crazy to think that somebody out there has Derrick Henry, Rico Dowdle, Woody Marks and Travis etn. And if Travis Eaton gets shoved to the bottom of that list, he might not be startable. So just, just offhand, if Tootin's active, Woody Marks or ETN for you, I'm gonna play etn. Woody Marks going up against Buffalo. By the way, Fitzy, what do you think about Travis ETN? You have got him at 14, so you're one spot lower on consensus. And is this a rank of Tootin not playing?

[Pat FitzMorrison]

It is a placeholder ranking. There is. If Tutin doesn't play, I might move up. I'm gonna move up ET in one spot. He'll be RB13. If Tootin does play, I'm gonna move him down like five, five spots and I, I will have Travis ETN behind Woody Marks, probably behind DeAndre Swift. And then yeah, debate between guys like Quinon Judkins, Ashton Genty, Bree hall, that's where he's going to land. He's going to be more of a mid range running back too. And like, even if Tutin doesn't play, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw La Quint Allen take a lot of the passing down work on. Allen is a good pass catcher and he's really good in pass protection. So it's not like this would be a 95% snapshare for ETN if Tutin was out. So yeah, I mean it's not a terrible ranking, but ETN has been pretty touchdown dependent as Erickson mentioned, so. And the touchdowns have kind of dried up lately.

[Chris Welsh]

Ashton Genty, he is ECR's RB14 on the list. Erickson, you agree with. But Fitz, you've got him lower. He has got the Cleveland Browns. This is the singular worst matchup grade rating of these RB2s. Nope, it's a one star. Nobody's lower. Genty did get involved in the receiving game, which was nice to see in this last matchup. But Fitzy, let's start with you because you are lower, pushing him down to 18. Still like a mid ish RV2, but your optimism is obviously a little bit less. What do you think about Genti for week two?

[Pat FitzMorrison]

Oh man, I love Genty. I'm going to be aggressive on him in 2026 drafts, assuming the Raiders make some much needed repairs to their offensive line. But things are just looking so bleak right now. He's averaged 3.1 yards per carry over his last five games. It's just, it's depressing man. Like the Raiders offensive line was not opening up holes for Genty even before they lost Colton Miller, their best offensive lineman to a season ending injury. Now interior lineman Jackson Powers Johnson is on ir. The Raiders O line is just a mess. And while the Browns defense has not been quite as tough in recent weeks as it was early in the season, still not an easy matchup by any means. It's just hard to generate a lot of enthusiasm for Ashton Genti even though I love the player.

[Chris Welsh]

Erickson, what do you think about Genti? You got him right at ecr. You seem to be a little bit more optimistic but it is a tough matchup against the Browns.

[Andrew Erickson]

Just the floor, volume play because I expect Genti to still get fed. He's seeing a lot of targets in the passing game. You know he has one of the best receiving roles over the last couple weeks so he is fifth in running back target share in his last three games. He has five plus targets in three straight games, 13% target share in five of his last six games and he has at least 18 opportunities in four of his last six games. So volume is enough for a guy to finish as a mid range RB2. Again I have a little bit higher at RB14 just because we have four teams on by. So I think that he'll be fine. Is he going to be a top five guy this week? Probably not just because he plays on the Raiders. But you look at the optics of this matchup. The Raiders are playing at home against the rookie quarterback making his first start. So if they're controlling game script, if they're, if they're going to win the game like they're going to have opportunities to score, I don't think they're just going to get shut out at home. I mean anything is possible when Geno Smith is your quarterback. So maybe, maybe that will be the case here. But I think Jenny's going to see enough volume. If he's seeing 20 opportunities in a game where they're not getting blown out, especially through the passing game, I think that he'll be fine. If you talk again going back to the Browns defense, you look at where they actually have been weak this season. They have been not that great in terms of missed tackles. So they're 22 missed tackle rate to running backs giving up 352 yards to running backs from missed tackles. That ranks top 10 in the NFL. 350 yards given up for missed tackles. So look, get Gentian space, let him work his Magic like that's the one thing that he's been able to do at a high level this year. It's what he did at Boise State. He's done at the NFL level. Just get him in space, let him run and he'll get yards on the.

[Chris Welsh]

Opposite end of this exact game. Quinshon Judkins comes in at RB15. Things have just fallen just apart just the obviously with the offense not being able to move how it does. Offensive line hasn't looked as good. Judkins is just not getting the same push. It's like 17 carries for 58 yards. It feels like every single week, not a ton of touchdown equity. You guys are both lower on him than consensus and the matchup isn't super, super fantastic either. So Erickson, quick hit on Ashton Genty or on Quinch on Judkins. He's kind of moving down the excitement list a little bit. He does come in at 15, but you have him at 18.

[Andrew Erickson]

Kind of feels the same way as Genti, right? Just a volume play on a bad offense behind a bad offensive line. It's just who which rookie running back can break more tackles, right? It's like who is the best rookie running back in this game because they're going to be doing it all on their own because they're not going to get a lot of help from their offense environment. The Browns had more offensive line injuries last week. Cam Robinson got hurt, Jack Conklin is hurt. They're starting a rookie quarterback, Shadur Sanders again. It's very easy to paint the picture where the things could go south for Judkins and what he doesn't have that Genti has is the receiving right. Genti has that floor with targets no matter what. If the Browns come out, you know, up 14 nothing they the Raiders abandoned the run game for two straight weeks in a row. Well at least Genty is going to catch passes whereas Judkins Raiders open up to a big lead. Judkins is nowhere to be found potentially with a very subpar receiving role but besides that and he still sees a ton of carries and if the game is close I would expect them to continue to feature him to help protect their young rookie quarterback.

[Chris Welsh]

It's hard to imagine Judkins doesn't at least get the opportunity for volume with a rookie quarterback in there. It's just it has not amounted to a whole lot. So you also have the lower ranking on Judkins, but what's your take on him for week 12?

[Pat FitzMorrison]

Yeah, correct Welsh it's just been empty volume and he has averaged 3.2 yards per carry over his last five games. He has just eight receiving yards over that stretch. After that three touchdown bad weather game against the Dolphins in Cleveland, he's gone three straight games without a touchdown. And Judkins matchup against the Raiders like it seems enticing, but the Raiders run defense is actually respectable. They're 16th in DVOA against the run. They've allowed the 14th fewest fantasy points to running backs. Just sort of a neutral matchup. And Browns Raiders has a Vegas Total of 36 and a half points. So as far as touchdown odds, doesn't seem like the touchdown odds are great for anyone in a game with a total of 36 and a half.

[Chris Welsh]

This last one, this is a tough one. This is going to be a placeholder conversation, but Emmanuel Wilson comes in at 22 going up against the Vikings. Fitz you got him at 24. Erickson you got him at 23. There's just still questions about Josh Jacobs and what's going on. So Fitzy, this is the placehold. I'm guessing this is the placeholder rank for Josh Jacobs not being active at all or if you get the not active. Do you think there is more potential upside in him being the top back?

[Pat FitzMorrison]

Yeah, correct. As of now I'm not ranking Jacobs, but you know, if it's just a knee contusion which it sounds like is the case, no damage, it's possible Jacobs plays against the Vikings this week because that is one tough dude. In which case Wilson would just become unplayable. But if Jacobs is out, packers are run heavy team. They're running the ball at the ninth highest rate in the league. Their pass rate over expected is minus 3.4% and the Vikings just sort of a neutral matchup for running backs. One thing that concerns me a little bit about Emmanuel Wilson though. If Jacobs is out, the packers other running back Chris Brooks, pretty good player I get. It's possible Brooks could split carries with Wilson and Matt Lafleur could go with kind of the hot hand approach because at one point earlier this season it looked like Brooks was actually number two behind Jacobs, but then Emmanuel Wilson sort of passed him up. So it might be a little more vague with the usage than we think. I know we have Wilson locked in as the pure backup, pure handcuff to Josh Jacobs. I'm not 100% sure that's the case.

[Chris Welsh]

See, that's interesting and I want to get your take on that Erickson, because in my mind here I actually feel like this rank Unless that specific thing is part of it. This rank feels like one foot in, one foot out. Because if there is no Jacobs, in my mind, I do think Emmanuel Wilson will be the top guy. I think he should rank higher. I think he should be into the teens, especially with the run heavy team that they are in a neutral matchup. Plus they can use him out of the passing game. But if you think Chris Brooks is going to take it away and they're not comfortable giving Wilson the Josh Jacobs touches, then that, that does make sense for this style of rank in like the late 20s. But Erickson, you tell us, is Brooks a threat? Is this 100% rank of Jacobs not. There is this kind of placeholder. Where are you at on Wilson and the packers running back?

[Andrew Erickson]

I mean, I can't speak personally or for everyone in ecr. I know I ranked this as Jacobs is out. Emmanuel Wilson is a back end fantasy rito. Like, that's how I view him. And I think even like, stylistically, like, that's kind of what he looks like. I don't. And Fitz, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that Emmanuel Wilson is some like, super dynamic, special running back. And he's definitely not Josh Jacobs. Like, like Josh Jacobs is going to fight for every single yard. And especially given some of the injuries on the packers offensive line this year, it's been tougher sledding. I think for Jacobs, it's not just these wide open holes, so he's had to create a lot of yards on his own. I think Wilson is more of that kind of like grinder type of running back and he's pretty good with yards after contact, but he's not like, super elusive in any way. He's not like making guys miss in terms of like breaking ankles. Again, I don't think. Yeah, he's like, so different from guys like Rodriguez or Bam Knight. And like, we were never ranking these guys as top 20 running backs, even when we felt like, oh, Bam Knight's the guy this week. Okay, did he score a touchdown? Am I happy? Yes. Checking off the boxes. So I think that's kind of what you're looking for with Wilson is like, hey, does he find the end zone great? I feel good about it, but I don't think we're looking at, oh, he's going to go over 100 yards and two touchdowns. Like a monster game from Wilson. So compared to a lot of these wide receivers that we don't feel great about. Yeah, give me Wilson. Give me the floor that he's going to offer, especially playing for the packers high powered offense most weeks at least. You feel good about that. But I'm not trying to rank him super aggressively because yeah, I think Chris Brooks is pretty good and I think, I think entering this year it seemed like it was going to be more Chris Brooks than Wilson. Wilson has played a little bit better and earned more of a role even alongside Jacobs at times this year when he was nursing that calf injury. So if anything, I guess I would be still kind of concerned about Jacobs if he does play because we saw his snaps reduce dramatically when he was dealing with that calf injury and Wilson was playing more. So I don't think we're going to get 85% snapshare of Josh Jacobs. I think that he would be limited now. All we see he can score a touchdown, but I think Jacobs would probably be more of a low end RB2 or, or a mid range RB2 this week than a locked and loaded top 10 guy like he usually is.

[Chris Welsh]

Yeah, that's what I was going to ask him. Would he be like, you know, 18 to 20 and then Wilson probably gets thrown down into the 30, 40 type of range. It seems like we were kind of headed. All right, we got wide receiver or running back threes, not wide receivers. Running back threes coming up. But first, dominate your fantasy football league with Fantasy Pros Premium now available free for six months when you deposit and place your first wager on one of our partner sportsbooks. The easiest way to get full access to our top fantasy tools all season long, go to fantasypros.com premium to get started even this late in the season, in the season it totally, you know, can set you up for the playoffs and more. So go and do that today. All right. RB3s 25 through 36 starts off with Alvin Camara at 25, Tyrone Tracy, Zach Charbonnet, Sean Tucker at 28, Kenny Gainwell, Bam Knight at 30. Back half is Rashad White, Taj Spears, Tony Pollard, Kyle Manangai, Devin Singletary and Tyler Algier. Has Alvin Camara re entered the circle of trust? Fitzy, you and him have a bad relationship. He had the big game. Is he back in the circle of trust? You've got him at 26. Erickson does as well. You guys are essentially ECR, but has the thought, thought process change for you?

[Pat FitzMorrison]

Fitzy yeah, he's maybe not back in the circle of trust yet, Welsh, but he's, he's ringing the doorbell and I'm, I'm thinking about whether to let him in Things were just looking so bad for Camara until week 10. The Saints last game before their week 11 by Camara had either his bastard second best game of the season in week 10 with 83 rushing yards and 32 receiving yards before week 10. Camara had not produced more than 31 rushing yards in a game since week four. And I just wonder if Tyler Shuck might be better for Alvin Camara than Spencer Rattler. Wolves. Not even so much from a pass catching perspective, but it was just that Rattler was not challenging defenses downfield very often. So defenses didn't really have to worry about Rattler beating them over the top. Maybe Tyler Schuck can loosen up defenses a little bit for Camara and keep safeties from cheating up against the run. Like I'm not that optimistic but yeah, I mean I feel better about Alvin Camara now than I did a couple of weeks ago. But you know the Saints offensive line is still kind of a mess. It's not a high powered offense so we're keeping expectations in check for sure. But expectations, boy, back before week 10 they were, they were at rock bottom. Welsh.

[Chris Welsh]

Yeah, I mean we had been in ranges of cutting them and being done with him. We've talked a lot about the Saints here, Erickson and their off and what Chuck is doing. You know you have a 25 or 26 so you're not like ringing the bell or anything like that. But the level of confidence has raised a little bit and that he can be a fl. We've talked about this like wide receiver three versus running back three. Camara is definitely a higher end flex option.

[Andrew Erickson]

Yeah, I just like this spot for the Saints. To be honest, going up against Falcons at home, like this is a spot where their offense should be productive and if Alvin Camara is going to see 25 touches for the second straight game then I mean he's got to finish like top 20, right? I know like he got the 17 the last time he played which again 25 touches for over 100 scrimmage yard. You're expecting an RB1 finish. I think that you always have to bring it down a little bit when it comes to the Saints offense. I don't think we're going to See them Score 40 points against the Falcons. But he's been better in home games this year and I think that just goes to the fact the Saints playing closer games, they're not getting blown out, then they can keep Camaro in the game. However, I do have some concerns that it's not 25 touches and we do see a lot of Devin Neal. Devin Neal has been playing that Kendra Miller role alongside Camara where both guys were involved. And I don't know, guys, I'm getting the feeling that's going to be Taysom Hill week as well. We're talking about Saints having a big game if they're having red zone opportunities. Like, they love tasting Hill in the red zone. So I think that's how this hurts you. It's not that the Saints offense lays an egg. It's oh my God, Taysom Hill scored another rushing touchdown in the red zone. Man, you're pulling your hair out. So that's kind of why I'm just pressing pause a little bit on wheels up Camara, top 20 guy. But I think he's fine this week. Obviously better in full ppr, but hey, I mean, taste mill in the flex. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

[Chris Welsh]

Just can't. I can't. We can't, we can't. Ericsson, it's too late this season for us to chase a Taysom Hill week. We just can't. Unless we're forced to. Sean Tucker, though, we talked at the top of the show. Sean Tucker, ECR28. Fitzy, you've got him a little bit higher and Ericsson is trying to bury him. So Fitzy, let's talk the positive here for a second. Sean Tucker has a huge week. There's questions, of course, you know, in the usage and the starting. It's also not a great matchup that's thrown out there, but Tucker definitely had to create a wider net of confidence with the Bucks that he could be used more. But the, you know, these ranks aren't super hyper aggressive, but again, you are one spot higher than consensus. So what's your positive take? Ish on Tucker as a flex?

[Pat FitzMorrison]

Yeah, I mean, it does feel like I'm too high on him, quite honestly. As good as Tucker was last week, 106 rushing yards, two touchdowns, 140 yards from scrimmage, he still played 11 fewer snaps than Rashad White and had a favorable matchup against the Buffalo Run defense. And now he gets a much tougher draw against the Rams, who have a lot of the third fewest fantasy points to running backs. And obviously we're going to have to drop Sean Tucker in the rankings considerably if Bucky Irving is able to return this week. Still no word on his practice status as we record this podcast early Wednesday afternoon. But you know, I think Tucker is like flex worthy if Irving doesn't come back. But yeah, we're probably not getting another 140 yards out of him.

[Chris Welsh]

Yeah, good point. This is the placeholder ranking. I, I think this is the placeholder ranking for Bucky not playing, but there could be some people that are like, I just don't know, let's see. And then they just kind of put him in a relative space. Erickson, you seem pretty definitive. You pushed him down to 35, so he's just barely in that top 36 into that flex range. What is your week 12 take on Sean Tucker?

[Andrew Erickson]

Well, Todd Bowles said again, this is kind of relatively new, that Bucky Irving is ramping up his practice reps to be available for week 12. So I think we could have a three headed mess in a terrible matchup against the Rams. So this is a situation where we don't know how the touches are going to be distributed at all and they're not facing the Buffalo Bills. It's one thing when you can kind of embrace the risk of, okay, I'm not sure what the workload is going to be like, but it's the Bills, it's the Bengals, it's the Cowboys, whatever. I, the guys can be efficient, but against the Rams, much tougher defense to run the football on. You gotta, you gotta have big stones to play Sean Tucker again.

[Chris Welsh]

So is this, is this, is this rank Bucky is out?

[Andrew Erickson]

No, Bucky's in like RB35 for me is. He's. You're not starting Sean Tucker this week.

[Chris Welsh]

No, no, I meant like you're 35 rank of Sean Tucker. This is Bucky being out.

[Andrew Erickson]

No, this is Bucky being in it.

[Chris Welsh]

Oh, okay. I'm sorry. Yeah, then I wasn't. So then where, where's Bucky in your ranks in this three headed monster?

[Andrew Erickson]

I have not ranked Bucky yet. So I was still waiting. I mean, I was under the impression that he was going to come back at some point, but again, all these Buccaneers running backs ranks are going to change by the time we get the full news on Friday.

[Chris Welsh]

So what? Okay, so what's the theoretical rank? All three are active. What does it look like to you? You don't have to be exact. You can just give rings.

[Andrew Erickson]

I really don't know off the top of my head. I, I mean, I don't mean to give bad radio, but I just like, I, I don't know.

[Chris Welsh]

Okay, so my brain is frying. The Sean tucker rank of 35 is with bucky active.

[Andrew Erickson]

Correct.

[Chris Welsh]

Got it. And Bucky will rank higher, but he is not ranked there.

[Andrew Erickson]

Correct. I have not decided Bucky yet.

[Chris Welsh]

If Bucky Is inactive. Does Tucker move higher than 35?

[Andrew Erickson]

Yes. 30, sure. Okay, cool. That makes you happy?

[Fantasy Pros Host (Ad Read)]

It does.

[Pat FitzMorrison]

Erickson's ranking of Sean Tucker has turned into a who's on first?

[Chris Welsh]

That it's a hundred percent like we're dancers.

[Andrew Erickson]

Check the rank. Those are on Friday at 5pm Eastern. We can all find out together where I decided to put Sean Tucker.

[Chris Welsh]

Boom. That's who's on first. All right, let's go through the final one. Here it is. Bam Night. Bam Night comes in at 30. Kind of another one of those that's floating out there. There's no demarcato. So you know you have that Trey Benson's window is up. That will obviously affect this. So this rank is going to just be a rank of he's the only guy, which. That's kind of the wheels up situation of like he's just the dude. You got to feel good about it. He is at 30. You guys are roughly in the same range. Erickson, you kick it off real quick. I'm not going to ask you if Bucky is active. What is Spam?

[Andrew Erickson]

If Kyler Murray comes back in this game, how does that affect. What about Marlon Mack?

[Chris Welsh]

What about. I could do the Trey Benson. I could do the Trey Benson one here. But talk to us about Bam. Bam's the only guy in town.

[Andrew Erickson]

I think Bam is fine. He's got touchdown equity on an offense that can score points. The Jaguars, like Fitz mentioned on one of the. I think it was the wide receiver show. They are more of a pass funnel than a run funnel. So you're not expecting this massive rushing efficiency from Bam Knight, but his offense moves the ball and puts themselves in red zone opportunities. He should get goal line touchdowns. So, yeah, I think that he's a strong RB3 and with him versus some of these fringier wide receiver options, I think that he can be fine in a pinch.

[Chris Welsh]

Fitzy, you got him at 31. Just right off of there. But take us home here. Bam Knight, confidence level. Like I asked you before, is he like the. You think it's a start of a tier, the end of a tier or. I mean, you could play the middle too, if you want. Like, where do you think he kind of sits in the range of RBs that he's. He's around, you know, Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker and Charbonnet. And behind him is like Tajie Spears and Pollard.

[Pat FitzMorrison]

Yeah, Erickson just used two phrases that paint sort of different pictures. Strong RB3 or. Well, fine in a pinch. I'm more with the fine in a pinch. Like I don't see him as that strong. I kind of have him in a tier. Like I've actually got Tyler Algier ranked one spot ahead of Bam Knight this week and I've got him. I've got, I've got Bam Knight just ahead of the two Tennessee Titans and I don't think any anyone feels great about either Tajai Spears or Tony Pollard against the Seahawks this week. I guess the Jaguars are a good run defense. They have allowed the second fewest rushing yards. Only the Patriots have given up fewer rushing yards than the Jaguars this year. And while barring a surprise return, or maybe not such a surprise, but barring Trey Benson's return, Knight's going to be the lead guy. But Michael Carter is probably going to get some snaps too. So I don't know, it's, it's just hard to see a big ceiling for Bam Knight. But maybe he can at least give you a decent floor.

[Chris Welsh]

Always forget about Michael Carter. Michael Carter forgetting about, well, ECR 30. He's in that mid tier range. It's funny you said Algier because that was one I was going to bring up going up against the Saints and you know, probably going to want to run the ball a little bit more to get the ball out of Kirk Cousins hands. I think Algier becomes kind of an interesting flex option as well. Those are our running backs for week 12 that we're talking about. If we did not pseudo answer your question or there was another guy, you still got an opportunity. The Start and Sit live stream on our YouTube channel where you can come and ask any specific start and sit questions. Thursday 3pm Eastern if you're on the podcast YouTube.com fantasy fantasypros subscribe click get notified. Don't miss it. That is going to do it. Week 12 RBs in the books for Erickson and Fitzy. I'm Welsh. Let's see what happens with Bucky Irving. Goodbye.

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