RADIO
When choosing who to start in fantasy football, it's important to take a lot of things into account. The skill level of the player, the talent and run-blocking prowess of the offensive line, the effectiveness of the offense in general, and even how good the team's defense is all play a part in RB opportunities in scoring.
It helps to have a team that's committed to running the ball or using its backs heavily in the passing game. It also helps to have a positive game script so the team doesn't abandon the run due to something like allowing the other team to score a ton of points.
So, let's look at five popular running backs and break down why you should or shouldn't start them in Week 12!
Should I Start Jonathon Brooks for Fantasy Football?
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) will finally make his debut in Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs. It's not great that it will be against the best run defense in the NFL, but at least he won't be shut down for the season. Brooks will work in a committee with Panthers lead runner Chuba Hubbard.
@Panthers #NFL question: Will Chuba Hubbard (30) and Jonathon Brooks (24) combine for over or under 125 rushing yards versus @Chiefs on Sunday?… pic.twitter.com/v816EYiMSj
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) November 21, 2024
Here's some practice film because there's nothing on him in the NFL. Anyway, he may only see a few touches in his first NFL action and isn't worth starting (the author of this piece may or may not have lost so many players to injury in one league that he's starting Brooks anyway).
Hubbard will still be the guy and should get most of the rushing work. It may be a few weeks before we see Brooks get a respectable volume.
Should I Start Aaron Jones for Fantasy Football?
Yes. Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (ribs) had his worst game of the season in Week 11, scoring just 5.3 PPR fantasy points. Most of the time, he's a lot better than that, though. Credit the Tennessee Titans defense for shutting down Minnesota's run game -- it did an impressive job bottling him up.
The #Vikings have tried running the ball with Aaron Jones 8 times at the goal line so far this season.
Jones is -7 yards and only one TD.
(H/T): @MatthewColler via @Purple_Insider pic.twitter.com/Kw8uvqPFhq
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) November 21, 2024
The one consistent area of concern has been his performance at the goal line. As you can see from the above tweet, it hasn't been good. Still, with running backs, you want to chase volume, and Jones typically gets 15 or more carries in his games, meaning he should be started. He's still highly talented.
AARON JONES TAKES IT TO THE OUTSIDE AND WALKS IN UNTOUCHED 😱 pic.twitter.com/uFrvQREYfG
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) October 20, 2024
He's injury-prone but has great speed, acceleration, vision, and change-of-direction ability. He should have a better game in Week 12 if he's fully healthy.
Should I Start Cam Akers for Fantasy Football?
No. Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers is simply a handcuff to the lead back, Jones, and you should treat him that way for fantasy purposes. He had 13 carries in Week 10 and 10 in Week 11, but that was due to the injury to Jones. The RB1 missed time in the first of those games and was likely load-managed in the second.
Cam Akers got 7 touches in his first game back with offensive snaps as a member of the Vikings. He had only gotten special teams run in the previous two games. pic.twitter.com/aP8CvqUgHX
— Matt Fries (@FriesFootball) November 5, 2024
His volume wasn't enough to be fantasy-relevant in those contests aside from Week 11, when he caught a touchdown pass. You can't count on backup RBs scoring touchdowns consistently. Keep him on the bench if you have him.
Should I Start Roschon Johnson for Fantasy Football?
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson is another RB who benefited from an injury to the team's starting back. D'Andre Swift injured his groin in Week 11 and was playing far fewer snaps after picking up that ailment.
D'Andre Swift Out Wednesday
Bears RB D'Andre Swift (groin) did not practice on Wednesday. HC Matt Eberflus said Swift is dealing with "just a little bit of a groin strain" and said he's "hopeful" Swift will be able to play vs. the Vikings this weekend. It sounds like the... pic.twitter.com/kVqM1w9MkV
— Draft Sharks (@DraftSharks) November 21, 2024
Swift missed practice on Wednesday and was upgraded to a limited participant for Thursday. His status for Week 12 is still up in the air, so we could see some kind of committee with Johnson if Swift isn't at 100%. Either way, Johnson will likely not be relevant if he doesn't score a rushing touchdown.
He's needed them all season to put up decent fantasy points -- he simply doesn't get enough targets to rely on receiving yardage or PPR scam points. He should be benched.
Should I Start Trey Benson for Fantasy Football?
Surprisingly, Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson easily led the team in rushing yards in Week 10, logging 62 yards on 10 carries. The team's RB1, James Conner, was highly inefficient, rushing 12 times for 33 yards (under 2.8 yards per carry), but he scored a touchdown and caught five passes for 80 yards.
A Trey Benson Week 10 reel that is also a reminder to play RBs vs. the Jets defense (league-high missed tackle rate vs. RBs) pic.twitter.com/WiZbCQaTYa
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) November 12, 2024
Weird games happen sometimes, though. Like the previous RB on this list, the rookie Benson is a handcuff to his lead back. Conner is the workhorse, and it will likely stay that way. The freshman could cut into his workload slightly over time, but he has just five catches all year, so he doesn't have standalone value right now.
He should remain on the bench. Conner managers should be rostering him as a handcuff.
More Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
Who Should I Start for Fantasy Football Week 12? Michael Pittman Jr., Ricky Pearsall, Jordan Addison, Keenan Allen, Tee Higgins
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison, Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen, and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins are five wideouts who are on many fantasy football rosters this season. If you have any of these players in any of […]
Who Should I Start for Fantasy Football Week 12? Tua Tagovailoa, Bo Nix, Jared Goff
As we gear up for Week 12, every lineup decision counts more than ever. With six teams on bye and playoff races heating up, choosing the right quarterback can make or break your week. Fortunately, several signal-callers are in prime positions to deliver strong performances based on their recent form and matchups. This week, let's […]
Who Should I Start for Fantasy Football Week 12? Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Harrison Jr.
Fantasy managers face tough decisions at wide receiver every week, and Week 12 is no different. Some players have emerged as must-starts, while others continue to be matchup-dependent. Picking the right players can make all the difference. This week, let's break down three wide receivers: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Courtland Sutton, and Marvin Harrison Jr. Each has […]
Who Should I Start for Fantasy Football Week 12? Jonnu Smith, Will Dissly, Hunter Henry
Week 12 is here, and fantasy managers are making crucial lineup decisions. Tight end remains a tricky position to pin down. This week, three players are intriguing options: Jonnu Smith, Will Dissly, and Hunter Henry. Let's evaluate each player's performance, role in their offense, and Week 12 matchup to decide if they should be started […]
Who Should I Start for Fantasy Football Week 12? J.K. Dobbins, Tony Pollard, Austin Ekeler
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 […]
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
