FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Week 14 RB Rankings & Tiers: Studs, Sleepers, and Must-Starts

Date: December 4, 2025
Host: Chris Welsh
Analysts: Pat Fitzmorris, Andrew Erickson
Main Focus: Week 14 running back rankings and key strategy decisions for the most crucial week of the fantasy regular season.

Overview

This episode offers in-depth analysis of the top 36 running backs for Week 14, providing managers with essential insights for a jam-packed week that features critical byes and shifting player value. With several key players off due to late-season bye weeks, the trio discusses replacement options, must-starts, and dicey flex plays for managers fighting for playoff contention or a first-round bye.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Week 14 Bye Week Dilemma (00:35–03:05)

• Major RBs on Bye: Christian McCaffrey tops a list of key backs unavailable this week.
• Chris Welsh: Laments, “The coolest thing on the planet that can be done is having the number one running back in fantasy have a bye week in week 14.”
• Strategic Impact: Running back takes more of a fantasy hit than other positions, forcing deeper decisions for managers—especially those not yet locked into the playoffs.

Who’s the New No. 1 RB? (03:05–04:40)

• Devon Achane rises to RB1 status due to CMC's bye and favorable matchup. First time holding the weekly top spot this season.
• Top Tier Rankings: Achane, Jameer Gibbs, Jonathan Taylor, James Cook, Bijan Robinson, Chase Brown lead the pack.

Breece Hall: RB9, High Usage Debate (04:40–06:33)

• Pat Fitzmorris: Advocates for Hall’s volume: “He’s had 20 or more touches in four of his last five games... Jets are just letting Breece Hall eat.”
• Andrew Erickson: Treads cautiously: “He’ll be an RB1 if he scores, he’ll probably be an RB2 if he doesn’t... Dolphins have allowed zero RB1 finishes since week seven.”
• Memorable Quote — Erickson (05:27): “That always has to be kind of the caveat with anything Breece Hall upside related. Because look... he has not scored a lot of touchdowns this year.”

Derrick Henry: Polarizing RB1 Debate (06:36–10:38)

• Erickson: Boldly ranks Henry at RB6, touting a soft Steelers run defense and the volume of carries: “I think the ceiling is immensely high against this Steelers defense that might look lifeless at times against the run.” (07:15)
• Pat Fitzmorris: Voices concern about Baltimore’s offensive struggles: “The potential downside here is that they stay in a funk and just can't get it going.” (10:26)

The RB2 Landscape: Volume vs. Production (14:01–18:27)

Saquon Barkley Falls to RB14

• Pat Fitzmorris: “There’s only so far I can drop a guy who’s averaging 19.4 touches a game... But Saquon is just—he’s not an RB1 anymore. I just can’t rank him as one.” (15:04)
• Erickson: Slightly more optimistic, but realistic—calls Saquon a “stinky click” that must be made for lack of better options (16:11).

RJ Harvey vs. Saquon

• Debate: Both analysts lean toward moving Harvey ahead due to more consistent scoring opportunities and recent form (17:49–18:10).

Bears RBs: Swift vs. Monangai (Kyle) (18:27–22:25)

• Back-to-Back Ranks: Erickson and Fitzmorris both have these Bears RBs ranked together, acknowledging their hot-hand approach.
• Erickson: “I’m just going to stop betting against the Bears running backs... they can just run the ball on anybody.” (19:01)
• Fitzmorris: Notes rookie Monangai’s rare dual 100-yard games and the team’s second-in-league rushing yardage (21:44).

Tread Carefully: Fading Woody Marks (22:25–25:44)

• Bad Matchup: Week 14 at the Chiefs is one of the worst situations for any RB.
• Fitzmorris: “Woody Marks is averaging 3.6 yards per carry this season. So going up against the Chiefs, I can’t get excited about that.” (23:46)
• Erickson: “You’ve gotta bench Woody Marks this week... He’s RB13 in expected points but RB38 in real points per game over the last month.” (23:52)

Kareem Hunt vs. Marks

• Both Analysts: Prefer nearly any other viable RB over these two; Hunt is a pure TD-dependent play, and Marks lacks efficiency and volume upside.

The Deep Flex Throw: RB3s and Desperation Plays (29:15–36:32)

• Devin Neal (RB25): Only a consideration if Alvin Kamara remains out; volume alone gives him RB3/flex appeal in PPR.
• Chris Rodriguez Jr.: The “mayor of Maybeville” due to his strict TD-dependence. Not a recommended play unless desperate. (32:09–33:52)
• Blake Corum: Preferred among deep desperation flexes due to his role in a potent Rams offense and potential for increased usage. (35:02–36:09)
  • Welsh: “Would you rather bet on the Rams offense with Blake Corum and 10 to 12 touches or the Commanders offense and 10 touches with Chris Rodriguez? I’d rather go with Corum at this point.” (37:05)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Chris Welsh (00:35): “Isn’t it the coolest thing ever that we have four teams on a bye and maybe one of the best fantasy players out there will not be playing in the regular season fantasy game?”
• Pat Fitzmorris (04:40): “We are excited about the usage with Breece Hall. You have to be. He’s had 20 or more touches in four of his last five games...”
• Andrew Erickson (07:15): “I think the Steelers are done, right?... I think that this is a potential—does the Steelers defense kind of roll over here against the Baltimore Ravens?”
• Pat Fitzmorris (15:04): “There’s only so far I can drop a guy who’s averaging 19.4 touches a game... But Saquon is just—he’s not an RB1 anymore.”
• Andrew Erickson (16:11): “He’s seeing nearly 20 touches per game—you’re going to just sit him down on the bench? Like, that’s going to be some type of production.”
• Andrew Erickson (19:01): “I’m just going to stop betting against the Bears running backs. I don’t care who they’re playing... they can just run the ball on anybody.”
• Pat Fitzmorris (21:44): “It’s interesting that this highly regarded rookie running back class only has one guy who has had two 100-yard rushing games, and it’s Kyle Monangai, a seventh-round pick.”
• Andrew Erickson (23:52): “I think you’ve got to bench Woody Marks this week. He’s had every opportunity to smash over the last month... RB13 expected points per game, RB38 in real points per game.”
• Chris Welsh (37:05): “Would you rather bet on the Rams offense with Blake Corum and 10 to 12 touches or the Commanders offense and 10 touches with Chris Rodriguez? I’d rather go with Corum at this point.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:35–03:05: The impact of Week 14 bye weeks on RBs
• 03:05–04:40: New RB1 in weekly rankings—Devon Achane’s rise
• 04:40–06:33: Debate on Breece Hall’s RB1/2 status for the week
• 06:36–10:38: Derrick Henry’s outlook against the Steelers; analyst rankings split
• 14:01–18:27: RB2 zone—Saquon Barkley’s fall, RJ Harvey debate
• 18:27–22:25: The Bears RB split—Monangai vs. Swift
• 22:25–25:44: Woody Marks vs. Cream Hunt—two fades in tough matchups
• 29:15–33:52: The “Maybeville” RBs: Devin Neal, Chris Rodriguez, and deep flex plays
• 35:02–36:32: Rapid-fire: picking a desperation deep RB flex
• 37:05: Final thoughts on deep league RB decisions

Takeaways & Actionable Advice

• Stash & Stream: With so many pivotal RBs on bye, don’t be afraid to stream more obscure options—just temper expectations for consistency or big-play upside.
• Volume Is King: Even struggling workhorses like Saquon Barkley and Breece Hall are tough to bench when touches are guaranteed, but prioritize those with positive matchups or role-expansion potential.
• Desperation Flexes: Among near-the-bottom options, Blake Corum stands out for his tie to a healthy offense and potential uptick in touches thanks to team philosophy and opponent.
• Fade the Floor: Avoid relying on RBs like Woody Marks and Kareem Hunt unless you’re out of alternatives; both are unlikely to deliver ceiling games in tough matchups.

For the full rankings and the latest updates, visit fantasypros.com/rankings, and tune in for Thursday’s live start/sit stream on YouTube to get your last-minute questions answered. Good luck in Week 14—playoffs are on the line!