One week down in the fantasy football playoffs and the fields have narrowed down considerably. Congratulations are in order for anyone that is still in the hunt for the title. Things only get harder over the last couple of weeks but the right roster moves will help to make the season a success. If you have a roster spot to fill, be sure to check out the waiver wire picks. Otherwise, move right along to the running back rankings for week 15.
Injury Concerns:
Andre Ellington ARI Questionable, Karlos Williams BUF Questionable, Jonathan Stewart CAR Questionable, Spencer Ware KC Questionable
Week 15 Waiver Wire Picks: Quarterback And Tight End / Running Back / Wide Receiver
Elite Tier - Must Starts
1. Adrian Peterson MIN vs. CHI
2. LeSean McCoy BUF @WSH
3. Todd Gurley STL vs. TB
4. Doug Martin TB @STL
5. Devonta Freeman ATL @JAC
Adrian Peterson has shown that he can still manhandle less skilled defenses; Chicago is less skilled than most. McCoy has been on a roll since getting healthy and that will continue in week 15. Gurley got back on track last week and the Bucs should let him keep his momentum going. Martin is one of the best backs in the league this year and has to start even against the Rams D. Devonta Freeman should return to form in Jacksonville, but Atlanta’s offense looks dysfunctional right now.
Strong Plays - Reliable, But A Notch Below
6. Jonathan Stewart CAR @NYG Questionable
7. Charcandrick West KC @BAL
8. Lamar Miller MIA @SD
9. DeAngelo Williams PIT vs. DEN
10. Tim Hightower NO vs. DET
Jonathan Stewart is obviously a non-factor if his injury keeps him out. In such a scenario I would rank Cameron Artis-Payne around number 25. West is ranked this high based on his usage in the passing game and the Ravens inept pass defense. Miller looked good last week and San Diego should give him some room to run. Williams faces a tough test, but the Broncos may be preoccupied with stopping the Steelers’ passing attack. Hightower is preposterously high in my rankings based on the Lions run defense and the Saints playing at home (as well as the dwindling options at running back).
Risk/Reward - Potentially Shaky
11. Latavius Murray OAK vs. GB
12. David Johnson ARI @PHI
13. Denard Robinson JAC vs. ATL
14. Brandon Bolden NE vs. TEN
15. Matt Forte CHI @MIN
Murray should find some room against the Green Bay defensive front. David Johnson has looked decent in a starting role and should be fresh enough to rack up some yards in Philly. Denard Robinson should see a lot of carries this week with Yeldon and Gerhart injured. Bolden takes the place of Blount, who is done for the season. Forte may not have much left in the tank, but he has veteran instincts and a nose for the end zone.
Question Marks - RB2 Upside
16. Eddie Lacy GB @OAK
17. Chris Ivory NYJ @DAL
18. Frank Gore IND vs. HOU
19. Javorius Allen BAL vs. KC
20. Jeremy Hill CIN @SF
21. Danny Woodhead SD vs. MIA
22. Shaun Draughn SF vs. CIN
23. Bryce Brown SEA vs. CLE
Predicting whether Lacy or Starks will be playable is a weekly struggle, I’m going with Lacy for this week. Ivory faces a Dallas defense that has actually not been terrible, but he should find some lanes to run. Gore gets the Texans at home and he should be good for about 50 yards and a score. Allen has not excelled against top defenses, so this is a scary matchup for his owners. Jeremy Hill is ALWAYS scary for his owners, but the Niners have been putrid on defense lately. Woodhead has the ability to put up numbers, but the Chargers are struggling right now. Draughn faltered last week; I think that he should get back on track at home versus a Bengals team without their starting QB. Bryce Brown is a bit of an unknown, but the known here is that Cleveland cannot stop the run.
Flex Appeal - Usable In A Pinch
24. James Starks GB @OAK
25. Giovani Bernard CIN @SF
26. Darren McFadden DAL vs. NYJ
27. Chris Polk HOU @IND
28. James White NE vs. TEN
29. Matt Jones WAS vs. BUF
30. Jeremy Langford CHI @MIN
31. Darren Sproles PHI vs. ARI
James Starks will have some opportunities even if Lacy is featured in Oakland. Bernard could be the back to start against San Francisco, but Hill has the upside. McFadden is the only weapon in Dallas that is succeeding; potential RB2 even against the Jets. Polk should have the starting job for the Texans and the Colts are weak versus the run. James White will get some touches even if Bolden has more rushes. Matt Jones is always capable of breaking a big play; he is also capable of laying an egg so tread carefully. Langford is the more skilled back in Chicago right now but he will not be featured until next season. Sproles is the only Eagles back that I would consider starting and I would not feel good about it.
32. Ameer Abdullah DET @NO
33. Bilal Powell NYJ @DAL
34. Melvin Gordon SD vs. MIA
35. C.J. Anderson DEN @PIT
36. Andre Ellington ARI @PHI Questionable
37. Spencer Ware KC @BAL Questionable
38. C.J. Spiller NO vs. DET
39. DeMarco Murray PHI vs. ARI
40. Theo Riddick DET @NO
41. Fred Jackson SEA vs. CLE
42. Alfred Morris WAS vs. BUF
43. Ryan Mathews PHI vs. ARI
44. Charles Sims TB @STL
45. Duke Johnson Jr. CLE @SEA
46. Ronnie Hillman DEN @PIT
47. Jonathan Grimes HOU @IND
48. Shane Vereen NYG vs. CAR
49. Antonio Andrews TEN @NE
50. Robert Turbin DAL vs. NYJ
