NFL Week 16: Running Backs To Start
START Jonathan Taylor: Some fantasy players might be questioning whether to start Taylor, because major quarterback issues are affecting the Colts’ offense. In Week 15, Indianapolis scored only 16 points in a loss to the Seahawks. Taylor averaged 3.5 yards per carry and did not register a rushing touchdown for the third time in four games.
Still, the Colts’ star carried the ball 25 times and totaled 99 yards from scrimmage. Taylor will continue to see a heavy volume, which should at least give him a respectable statistical floor. Expect another conservative offensive approach this week against the 49ers that heavily features Taylor. The workload will mark him as a decent RB2 play, and he does have the talent and abilities to deliver a bigger play at any time.
Reserving Taylor for a less reliable RB could be the type of move that may backfire in a very important fantasy week. Not every player in your lineup needs to provide significant upside. Some must be capable of supplying adequate production, and that is what Taylor will provide.
START Omarion Hampton: The Chargers’ rookie carried the ball 15 times last week, tying his second-highest rushing attempts total for the season. He will be playing in his third game since returning from an ankle injury, and Los Angeles will likely want to rely on its running game to control the clock against Dallas.
The Cowboys rank 24th in Fantasy Points Per Game Allowed to RBs over the past four weeks. Hampton is sharing some work with Kimani Vidal, but he has shown flashes of promise in his last two games. The Chargers rank 13th in the NFL in run plays per game (27.5) and might aim to win the time of possession battle rather than getting involved in a full shootout.
START Tony Pollard: The Tennessee offense is showing signs of life recently, scoring 24-plus points in three of its last four games. Pollard has seen more running room open up, as he has rushed for 365 yards and three TDs in his last two games. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry in Week 14 and 7.4 yards per carry in Week 15.
Per PlayerProfiler.com, Pollard is third in the NFL in carries against stacked defensive fronts, but Cam Ward is starting to progress more as a passer, which helps the Tennessee running game. Kansas City’s offense won’t be as fearsome without Patrick Mahomes this week, and the Chiefs defense may spend more time on the field. Pollard can be started as a quality low-end RB2/flex option.
START Aaron Jones: The Minnesota veteran is a viable flex play because of a favorable matchup. The Giants have allowed the most rushing yards to RBs among NFC teams this season. Jones is sharing carries, yet he remains versatile, as he caught 20 passes in four games recently (Weeks 11 to 13). He can provide double-figure PPR production this week. .
