FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Week 17 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings & Tiers: Studs, Sleepers, and Must-Starts (Ep. 1917)

Date: December 24, 2025
Hosts: Chris Welsh, Pat Fitzmaurice, Andrew Erickson

Episode Overview

In this championship week episode, Chris Welsh, Pat Fitzmaurice, and Andrew Erickson break down their running back rankings and tiers for Week 17 fantasy matchups. The discussion includes analysis of top-tier RB studs, deep league sleepers, must-start picks, and tough start/sit decisions, all with actionable insights for those in the fantasy finals. Expect candid reflections on player performance trends, matchup breakdowns, actionable tier discussions, and key injury updates.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Championship RB Roster Trends [00:35]

• Observation: More championship rosters feature true stud RBs this season, with few deep anomalies sneaking through.
  • Quote (Welsh, 01:05): “This might be a year where we see the highest percentage of like a top four running back on championship rosters... I feel like this year there ain’t no anomaly with running backs.”
• Usual suspects: Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, Jonathan Taylor, James Cook—few “random” breakouts like Odric Estime.
  • Fitzmaurice (01:52): “I agree with you... It’s not just who was good all season but how did these guys do in Weeks 15 and 16.”
• James Cook: A draft season “question mark” but proved to be a league-winner by playoff performance.

2. Deep League Running Backs – Sleeper Success [04:04]

• Kenneth Gainwell as top sleeper/deep play for championship teams:
  • Erickson (04:08): “He’s just been an absolute machine... It doesn’t matter because of how often he’s been used in the passing game.”
  • Pat Fitzmaurice adds (04:58): "Gainwell... has had over his last six games: 33 catches for 287 yards and three touchdowns... Whatever the player prop is on Gainwell’s receptions, I’m betting the over."
• Other deep names (blake Corum, Kyle Menon) mentioned, but Consensus: Gainwell is the most likely “surprise” RB in many active lineups.

3. Week 17 Top RB Rankings – “The Big Board” [05:29]

• Top Six RBs (ECR) This Week: Jameer Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, James Cook, Saquon Barkley, Devon Achan.
• Ashton Jeanty (Big story for Week 16):
  • Welsh (06:21): "I was the loudest, most anti-Ashton Jeanty guy last week... He goes off and has a ridiculous game."
  • Erickson (07:35): "He wasn’t it but he ended up being it because he was the RB1 on the week against the Houston Texans against all odds…"
  • This week vs. Giants: “If he can do it against the Texans as RB1, I think he can do it again against the Giants."
• Slight reservations about Jeanty: Fitzmaurice (09:38): "From the time Colton Miller went on IR... Jeanty averaged 3.2 yards per carry... If Miller is back I’m bumping him up; otherwise, I’m more cautious.”

4. RB2 Tier (RB13–24): Detailed Start/Sit Debates

Omariyon Hampton vs. Texans [11:34]

• Pat Fitzmaurice (cautiously optimistic): "Houston has allowed the fifth fewest rushing yards to running backs...but with Hampton’s run/catch usage, he’s still a start in most cases."
• Erickson (optimistic): "If Kamani Vidal is limited, why can’t Hampton see 20+ touches... Texans’ run D is reeling from key injuries. I think he has a really high ceiling this week."
  • On Texans’ decline: "They lost two interior defensive linemen... and suddenly this team can’t stop the run." [13:30]

Ramondre Stevenson (w/o Trayvon Henderson) [16:09]

• Erickson: "He could finish as the RB1 this week. Jets matchup is the best possible."
  • "Ramondre is not a slouch... he can catch passes, he’s explosive, and he gets goal line ops. I would start him over Javonte, Bucky Irving, and even Hampton."
• Fitzmaurice: “I’ve got Ramondre ranked RB15, but Erickson is making me think I don’t have him high enough... He's a bowling ball with the feet of Fred Astaire." [17:24]

Michael Carter vs. Bengals [18:57]

• Fitzmaurice: "He’s Arizona’s lead back, but line is banged up. Still, Bengals are the worst against RBs—if you just bet against their run defense, you usually come out on top."
• Erickson: "I’m lower than ECR... last week, a random guy (Corey Kiner) got goal-line work. I’m concerned Jonathan Gannon might Bam Knight Carter at any time." [21:41]

Ken Walker vs. Carolina [21:59]

• Fitzmaurice: "Big ECR bump after last week, but don’t overreact. His usage is unpredictable, goal-line work goes to Charbonnet, and only two big finishes in ten games."
• Erickson: "I haven’t RB22. Yes, he’s explosive, but red zone is Charbonnet’s. This is a classic case of ECR overrating a recent big game." [23:09]

5. RB3/Flex Tier (RB25–36): Deciding Between Risky Options

Breece Hall vs. Patriots [27:37]

• Erickson: "Patriots run defense is buns, cheeks, whatever you want to say... Hall still sees volume and can be a top-24 RB this week."
• Fitzmaurice: "In Cook’s two starts, Hall has averaged 50 scrimmage yards—RB47 and RB40. I just don’t want him in my championship lineup." [31:06]

David Montgomery vs. Vikings [32:03]

• Fitzmaurice: "Lions will run vs. Minnesota, who are a run-funnel defense. Could mean more Montgomery this week."
• Erickson: "He played 13 snaps last week—it's not a 1A/1B anymore. Only start if really desperate, Vikings matchup or not." [33:24]

Audric Estime vs. Titans [35:42]

• Erickson: "He led the Saints backfield in snaps but they’re just using a TE as their ‘lead ball carrier.’ Titans D-line is nasty, and I've got no trust in Estime."
• Fitzmaurice: "He’s caught 3 passes in each of the last two games, which is weird, but unless you're truly desperate, play someone else." [37:09]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Gainwell’s emergence:
  Pat Fitzmaurice [04:58]:
  “He has had over his last six games 33 catches for 287 yards and three touchdowns and he’s had five or more catches in five of his last six games. Whatever the prop is on Kenneth Gainwell’s receptions this week, I’m betting the over.”

• On Ashton Jeanty's upside:
  Andrew Erickson [07:35]:
  “He wasn’t it but he ended up being it because he was the RB1 on the week against the Houston Texans against all odds... If you can do it against the Texans ... I think you can do it against the Giants.”

• On Ramondre's "must-start" case: Pat Fitzmaurice [17:24]: “He’s a bowling ball with the feet of Fred Astaire. There’s nothing not to like about Ramondre other than the occasional fumbleitis.”

• On Patriots' run defense:
  Chris Welsh [28:35]:
  “Would you say that they’re buns?”
  Andrew Erickson: “Perhaps? Buns, cheeks, whatever you want to say. That’s what the Patriots run defense has been.”

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Championship RB Trends + Stars vs. Sleepers – 00:35–05:29
• Deep RB names & Gainwell breakdown – 04:04–05:29
• Top 12 RBs, Jeanty discussion & recap – 05:29–10:33
• RB2s: Omariyon Hampton, Ramondre, Carter, Walker – 10:33–24:30
• RB3/Flex: Breece Hall, Montgomery, Estime – 27:37–37:47

Summary Table: Key RBs Mentioned and Their Outlook

| Player | Hosts' Take | Week 17 Outlook | |--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Christian McCaffrey| Clear stud, high % on championship rosters | Must-start, no debate | | James Cook | Surprised some; clear playoff impact | Firm RB1 | | Kenneth Gainwell | Top sleeper; passing usage keeps value high | RB2-worthy, decent floor | | Ashton Jeanty | Monster Week 16; great matchup; some concern if LT Colton Miller doesn't play | RB1 upside vs. NYG, slightly more risky if Miller sits | | Omarion Hampton | Hosts like; Texans run D decimated by injury | High ceiling RB2, could move up if Kamani Vidal sits | | Ramondre Stevenson | Major Week 17 upside; great matchup if Henderson out | Fringe RB1/Strong RB2 | | Michael Carter | Arizona lead, but role uncertainty and O-Line issues | Low-end RB2/Flex, play only if desperate | | Ken Walker | Big Week 16, but usage remains streaky, goal-line risk with Charbonnet | Back-end RB2 | | Breece Hall | Pats’ run D falling apart; Hall still gets volume | RB2/Flex, but risk if game script turns ugly | | David Montgomery | Touches have vanished; maybe more run vs. MIN, but risky | Flex desperation only | | Audric Estime | Volume ok, role unclear, tough matchup vs. Titans | Desperation flex only |

Final Thoughts

• Most championship teams are rolling out the stars, with very few lucky dart throws making the finals at RB this year.
• Kenneth Gainwell is the one “hidden gem” who might be the difference in deep or PPR leagues.
• Monitor injuries (Vidal, Henderson, Colton Miller) closely for late moves.
• Don’t chase last week’s points blindly—look for roles, matchups, and trends instead.

For the full, evolving rankings, visit fantasypros.com/rankings.