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The running back position remains challenging in Week 12, especially with six teams on bye.
Many managers are forced to rely on players in tough matchups or those with limited roles. However, some backs still offer enough upside to justify starting.
Let's dive into three running backs: J.K. Dobbins, Tony Pollard, and Austin Ekeler. Here's how they stack up for Week 12.
Should I Start J.K. Dobbins for Fantasy Football?
J.K. Dobbins delivered a productive Week 11 performance, scoring twice while rushing 11 times for 56 yards and adding a three-yard reception. He played 73% of the snaps, cementing himself as the lead back for the Los Angeles Chargers.
J.K. Dobbins TD#BoltUp pic.twitter.com/2cjf0MkE85
— Chargers Central (@BoltCentral) November 18, 2024
While Gus Edwards remains a minor threat to vulture touches, Dobbins' role and recent production make him a valuable asset.
This week, however, the Ohio State product faces the Baltimore Ravens, his former team, who surrender the eighth-fewest fantasy points to running backs. The Ravens are far more vulnerable to wide receivers, so Dobbins' ceiling is limited.
Despite the tough matchup, the running back's recent touchdown streak and steady workload make him a viable RB2 or flex selection, especially with the bye-week crunch.
Should I Start Tony Pollard for Fantasy Football?
Tony Pollard has struggled to meet expectations in the Tennessee Titans offense, and Week 11 was no different. The Memphis alum managed just 15 rushing yards on nine carries and added two receptions for 14 yards in a 23-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
It's been 5️⃣‼️ weeks since Tony Pollard hit the endzone. The #TitanUp RB had been seeing true work 🐴 volume, but with Spears return his workload decreased.
If Spears misses week 1️⃣2️⃣ with a concussion, are we 🛫 wheels up for Pollard again⁉️pic.twitter.com/mSDkTz9biU
— PlayerProfiler NFL (@Profiler_NFL) November 19, 2024
This week's matchup against the Houston Texans is less than ideal, as the Texans give up the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs.
The Titans' tendency to play from behind limits Pollard's rushing opportunities, but his involvement in the passing game offers a slight boost. While the 27-year-old is unlikely to post a breakout performance, managers may need to start him due to bye-week constraints -- approach with tempered expectations.
He is a mid-tier RB2 this week. If running back Tyjae Spears cannot go due to a concussion, Pollard's fantasy value will increase.
Should I Start Austin Ekeler for Fantasy Football?
A bright spot in Washington's offense, particularly in the passing game, has been Austin Ekeler. In Week 11, he led the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, grabbing eight passes for 89 yards in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Is Austin Ekeler back?!! pic.twitter.com/vdqi6d16hp
— Brady Hamilton (@BradyH_216) November 15, 2024
Though the veteran back only rushed twice for seven yards, his involvement as a receiver keeps his floor high, especially in PPR formats.
This week, he takes on the Dallas Cowboys, a unit conceding the third-most fantasy points per game to running backs. With Brian Robinson Jr. handling the ground game, Ekeler's role as the Commanders' primary pass-catching back positions him for another productive outing. Feel confident starting the 29-year-old in all formats, with even greater value in PPR leagues. Slot him into your RB2 or flex spot with ease.
Popular Week 12 Searches - Start/Sit Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 12 searches and comparisons from our Who To Start tool for J.K. Dobbins, Tony Pollard, Austin Ekeler compared to others. You can also use the free Who Should I Start tool to run your own start/sit comparisons, up to four players at once:
Aaron Jones or Jk Dobbins
Austin Ekeler or Tony Pollard
Rachaad White or Austin Ekeler
Austin Ekeler or Bucky Irving
Jakobi Meyers or Austin Ekeler
Bucky Irving or Jk Dobbins
Tony Pollard or Chuba Hubbard
Rhamondre Stevenson or Jk Dobbins
Tony Pollard or Rachaad White
Tony Pollard or Tyrone Tracyjr
Austin Ekeler or Rico Dowdle
Javonte Williams or Tony Pollard
Rachaad White or Jk Dobbins
Rachaad White or Tony Pollard
Tyrone Tracyjr or Jk Dobbins
Tyrone Tracyjr or Tony Pollard
Austin Ekeler or Javonte Williams
Austin Ekeler or Jaylen Warren
Jk Dobbins or Austin Ekeler
Austin Ekeler or DeAndre Hopkins
Austin Ekeler or Jameson Williams
Tony Pollard or Jakobi Meyers
Tony Pollard or Najee Harris
Austin Ekeler or Tank Dell
Dandre Swift or Tony Pollard
DK Metcalf or Jk Dobbins
Javonte Williams or Austin Ekeler
Jonathan Taylor or Jk Dobbins
Najee Harris or Tony Pollard
Tony Pollard or Aaron Jones
Austin Ekeler or Jauan Jennings
Austin Ekeler or Rachaad White
Brian Robinsonjr or Jk Dobbins
Chuba Hubbard or Austin Ekeler
Chuba Hubbard or Jk Dobbins
James Conner or Jk Dobbins
Marvin Harrisonjr or Jk Dobbins
Rico Dowdle or Austin Ekeler
Tony Pollard or Bucky Irving
Tony Pollard or Kareem Hunt
Austin Ekeler or Josh Downs
Austin Ekeler or Kyren Williams
Austin Ekeler or Najee Harris
Chase Brown or Jk Dobbins
Chuba Hubbard or Tony Pollard
David Montgomery or Jk Dobbins
DeVonta Smith or Tony Pollard
Josh Downs or Tony Pollard
Kareem Hunt or Jk Dobbins
Najee Harris or Jk Dobbins
Tony Pollard or Austin Ekeler
Tony Pollard or Cedric Tillman
Tony Pollard or Deebo Samuelsr
Tony Pollard or Jaylen Warren
Aaron Jones or Austin Ekeler
Austin Ekeler or Cedric Tillman
Austin Ekeler or Jakobi Meyers
Austin Ekeler or Jaylen Waddle
Austin Ekeler or Jk Dobbins
Cedric Tillman or Tony Pollard
DJ Moore or Austin Ekeler
James Conner or Tony Pollard
Javonte Williams or Jk Dobbins
Jerry Jeudy or Tony Pollard
Jk Dobbins or Tony Pollard
Jonathan Taylor or Austin Ekeler
Josh Downs or Austin Ekeler
Kyren Williams or Jk Dobbins
Puka Nacua or Jk Dobbins
Rico Dowdle or Tony Pollard
Tj Hockenson or Austin Ekeler
Tj Hockenson or Jk Dobbins
Tony Pollard or Jauan Jennings
Tony Pollard or Jerry Jeudy
Tony Pollard or Josh Downs
Tony Pollard or Ladd McConkey
Tony Pollard or Quentin Johnston
Tyrone Tracyjr or Austin Ekeler
Zay Flowers or Jk Dobbins
Aj Brown or Tony Pollard
Austin Ekeler or Aaron Jones
Austin Ekeler or Audric Estime
Austin Ekeler or Chuba Hubbard
Austin Ekeler or Jerome Ford
Austin Ekeler or Kareem Hunt
Austin Ekeler or Kyler Murray
Austin Ekeler or Sam Darnold
Bucky Irving or Austin Ekeler
Bucky Irving or Tony Pollard
Cam Akers or Austin Ekeler
Cedric Tillman or Jk Dobbins
CeeDee Lamb or Austin Ekeler
Ceedee Lamb or Jk Dobbins
Dandre Swift or Jk Dobbins
Deandre Hopkins or Tony Pollard
Devonta Smith or Austin Ekeler
Jauan Jennings or Jk Dobbins
Jauan Jennings or Tony Pollard
Jaxon Smithnjigba or Austin Ekeler
Jaxon Smithnjigba or Tony Pollard
Kareem Hunt or Austin Ekeler
Mark Andrews or Austin Ekeler
Najee Harris or Austin Ekeler
Nick Chubb or Austin Ekeler
Nick Chubb or Tony Pollard
Quentin Johnston or Austin Ekeler
Rhamondre Stevenson or Austin Ekeler
Tank Dell or Austin Ekeler
Terry McLaurin or Jk Dobbins
Tony Pollard or Brian Robinsonjr
Tony Pollard or Deebo Samuel
Tony Pollard or Dj Moore
Tony Pollard or Isiah Pacheco
Tony Pollard or Jalen Tolbert
Tony Pollard or Jayden Reed
Tony Pollard or Jonathan Taylor
Tony Pollard or Rico Dowdle
Tony Pollard or Romeo Doubs
Tony Pollard or Tank Dell
Aaron Jones or Tony Pollard
Amari Cooper or Jk Dobbins
Austin Ekeler or Alexander Mattison
Austin Ekeler or Christian Watson
Austin Ekeler or Deebo Samuelsr
Austin Ekeler or Devon Achane
Austin Ekeler or Devonta Smith
Austin Ekeler or Dj Moore
Austin Ekeler or Jalen McMillan
Austin Ekeler or Jayden Reed
Austin Ekeler or Jerry Jeudy
Austin Ekeler or Ladd Mcconkey
Austin Ekeler or Mark Andrews
Austin Ekeler or Nico Collins
Austin Ekeler or Roschon Johnson
Austin Ekeler or Terry Mclaurin
Austin Ekeler or Travis Etiennejr
Austin Ekeler or Tyrone Tracyjr
Austin Ekeler or Xavier Worthy
Austin Ekeler or Zay Flowers
Brian Thomasjr or Austin Ekeler
Brian Thomasjr or Tony Pollard
Brock Bowers or Jk Dobbins
Cade Otton or Austin Ekeler
Calvin Ridley or Austin Ekeler
Calvin Ridley or Tony Pollard
Cam Akers or Tony Pollard
Cedric Tillman or Austin Ekeler
Christian Watson or Tony Pollard
Courtland Sutton or Tony Pollard
Deebo Samuelsr or Austin Ekeler
Deebo Samuelsr or Tony Pollard
Derrick Henry or Jk Dobbins
Devonta Smith or Jk Dobbins
Dj Moore or Jk Dobbins
Dk Metcalf or Tony Pollard
Garrett Wilson or Austin Ekeler
George Pickens or Jk Dobbins
George Pickens or Tony Pollard
Gus Edwards or Austin Ekeler
Isiah Pacheco or Austin Ekeler
Isiah Pacheco or Jk Dobbins
Jakobi Meyers or Jk Dobbins
Jakobi Meyers or Tony Pollard
Jalen Tolbert or Austin Ekeler
Jameis Winston or Tony Pollard
James Cook or Jk Dobbins
James Cook or Tony Pollard
Jameson Williams or Austin Ekeler
Jameson Williams or Jk Dobbins
Jauan Jennings or Austin Ekeler
Jayden Reed or Austin Ekeler
Jayden Reed or Jk Dobbins
Jayden Reed or Tony Pollard
Jaylen Warren or Austin Ekeler
Jaylen Warren or Tony Pollard
Joe Mixon or Tony Pollard
Jonathon Brooks or Jk Dobbins
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