RBs to start in Week 16
Bears’ David Montgomery (vs. Jaguars): Has there been a player that’s been hotter than David Montgomery in the past four weeks? The second-year RB of the Chicago Bears has recorded 24+ fantasy points in four consecutive games, with him performing well at a perfect time for people in their fantasy football playoffs. Montgomery is the second highest-scoring RB in fantasy football in the past four weeks, only behind Derrick Henry. There’s no reason to believe that Montgomery won’t have another stellar outing in Week 16 against the Jaguars, who are allowing 146.5 rushing yards per game (third-most in the NFL) and 34.15 fantasy points per week in the past four weeks to RBs (most in the NFL in that span).
Eagles’ Miles Sanders (vs. Cowboys): There isn’t a RB that’s benefited more from a QB change than Miles Sanders. In the two weeks that Hurts has started at QB for the Eagles, Sanders has combined for 39.6 fantasy points. Even though he scrounged up only 10 fantasy points against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15, he’s poised to have a productive game in Week 16. The Cowboys boast the 27th ranked DVOA run defense and 30.83 fantasy points per game over the past four weeks, which is the third-most in the NFL in that span.
Rams’ Darrell Henderson (vs. Seahawks): Cam Akers is set to miss the upcoming matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks. As a result, Darrell Henderson is slated to draw the start for the Rams. While Henderson isn’t the most enticing option, any RB due for an expanded workload in Sean McVay’s offense is worth considering.
Other RBs to consider in Week 16: Bengals’ Giovani Bernard (if Joe Mixon remains out vs. Texans), Broncos’ Melvin Gordon (vs. Chargers), Dolphins’ Salvon Ahmed (if Myles Gaskin remains out vs. Raiders), Chiefs’ Le’Veon Bell (vs. Falcons), Buccaneers’ Leonard Fournette (if Ronald Jones remains out vs. Lions)
RBs to sit in Week 16
Any Steelers RB (vs. Colts): During the three-game losing skid for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s apparent that they are incapable of running the ball. In their past three contests, the Steelers have averaged a putrid 2.85 yards per carry. Regardless of whether James Conner or Benny Snell starts in Week 16, neither are worth trusting in fantasy football. It doesn’t help that Pittsburgh faces the Indianapolis Colts, who give up the the third-fewest yards per carry (3.8) this season.
Lions’ D’Andre Swift (vs. Buccaneers): When playing RBs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, you’re basically banking on them to contribute in the passing game. Tampa Bay’s run defense has held opposing teams to a league-best 3.4 yards per attempt, which lowers the ceiling for RBs against them. While D’Andre Swift may be a RB you force into your lineup in Week 16, there’s a chance he burns you with a disappointing performance against the stout run defense of the Buccaneers.
