Fantasy football owners got an immediate boost last with James Conner coming off the IR, and that should continue this week with the expected activations of De'Von Achane (knee) and Khalil Herbert (ankle). Even so, a surprisingly tough week for running back byes mixed with some tough matchups for "must-starts" makes our Week 11 fantasy RB rankings for standard leagues look relatively shallow.
Almost every team on bye this week has two viable starting RBs in deep leagues, but the good news is the injury list is getting shorter. That's almost unheard of this time of year, so enjoy it while you can.
Now that we know the backdrop for Week 11, let's break down the RB landscape.
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Which RBs are on bye in Week 11?
The Patriots, Colts, Saints, and Falcons are on bye, so fantasy owners will get a break from complaining about Arthur Smith's RB usage. Nonetheless, losing Bijan Robinson, Alvin Kamara, Jonathan Taylor, and Rhamondre Stevenson will be felt across all fantasy leagues. Even Tyler Allgeier, Ezekiel Elliott, and Zack Moss will be missed in deeper leagues, though the latter seems to be getting phased out of Indy's offense.
WEEK 11 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Losing the Colts' bottom-five RB defense is also a hit to fantasy owners, but avoiding unfavorable matchups against the Saints and Falcons, who both entered last week in the top six in fewest fantasy points per game (FPPG) allowed to RBs, is a small victory.
WEEK 11 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Who are the best fantasy RBs in Week 11?
Austin Ekeler (@ Packers in Week 11) owns the top spot in our rankings, and he's followed by Christian McCaffrey (vs. Buccaneers), Breece Hall (@ Bills), David Montgomery (vs. Bears), and Tony Pollard (@ Panthers). Some owners might cringe at seeing Pollard that high, but only the Broncos allow more FPPG to RBs than the Panthers, so you gotta hope Pollard can break out and find the end zone for the first time since Week 1.
Raheem Mostert (vs. Raiders), Travis Etienne (vs. Titans), James Conner (@ Texans), Saquon Barkley (@ Commanders), and Josh Jacobs (@ Dolphins) round out the top 10, largely because of guaranteed touches and proven production. Mostert might be the most interesting because of the expected return of De'Von Achane (vs. Raiders), but the Dolphins proved on multiple occasions earlier this year that both Mostert and Achane can be top-10 backs in the same week, especially in favorable matchups like this one against Vegas' bottom-five RB defense.
WEEK 11 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start-sit
Who are the best fantasy RB sleepers, waiver pickups in Week 11?
Brian Robinson Jr. (vs. Giants) and Alexander Mattison (ankle)/Ty Chandler (@ Broncos) aren't always must-starts in shallow leagues, but matchups against teams that entered last week in the top six in FPPG allowed to RBs, they should be started everywhere this week. The same goes for whoever starts between Dameon Pierce (ankle) or Devin Singletary (vs. Cardinals), as the Cardinals allow the third-most FPPG to RBs.
Kareem Hunt and Jerome Ford (vs. Steelers) seem to alternate good weeks, but you can play both against Pittsburgh's bottom-seven RB defense. The same goes for David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs (vs. Bears) against a Chicago defense that leads the league in RB receiving yards per game.
James Cook (vs. Jets), Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman (vs. Seahawks), Antonio Gibson (vs. Giants), and even AJ Dillon (vs. Chargers) can all be used in deeper leagues thanks to favorable matchups. None have particularly high ceilings, but their floors are higher this week.
We also think Jaylen Warren (@ Browns) and Keaton Mitchell (vs. Bengals) can continue their breakouts. Warren has a brutal matchup, but his speed and elusiveness can help him have a Mitchell-like game (66 total yards, TD) against Cleveland, only with more catches. Mitchell should get more touches and has the big-play potential to come through against a Bengals' defense that was just abused by Singletary.
WEEK 11 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Who are the biggest potential fantasy RB busts in Week 11?
Isiah Pacheco (vs. Eagles), Khalil Herbert and D'Onta Foreman (@ Lions), and Najee Harris (@ Browns) all have matchups against defenses that entered last week in the bottom five in FPPG allowed to RBs. Given the committee nature of these backfields, you can make strong cases for benching any of these backs in 12-team leagues, depending on your other options. We'd also be wary of Chuba Hubbard (vs. Cowboys).
Most of the other unfavorable matchups go to backs that will be difficult to sit. Javonte Williams (vs. Vikings) has been playing better lately, and Rachaad White (vs. 49ers) does too much as a receiver to be an auto-sit. We also have a tough time telling anyone to bench Derrick Henry (@ Jaguars), Joe Mixon (@ Ravens), or Kenneth Walker III (@ Rams), regardless of matchup.
What are the biggest RB injuries in Week 11?
De'Von Achane (hamstring) is set to come off the IR, barring a setback in practice. He was fantasy's No. 3 RB before his injury despite receiving just one carry in Miami's first two games. He might not receive more than 10 touches this week, but he's still a must-start in a favorable matchup.
Khalil Herbert (ankle), who turned in three full practices last week but remained on the IR, is also expected to return for the Bears. Given D'Onta Foreman's success, it's unclear who will receive the bulk of the carries against the Lions, so be careful with both.
Dameon Pierce (ankle) has missed the past two games and is no sure thing to play in a highly favorable matchup against the Cardinals. Devin Singletary will continue to start in his place.
Alexander Mattison is in the concussion protocol, which usually means at least one game missed. If he's out, Ty Chandler will get a matchup against Denver's league-worst run defense.
We'll continue to update our standard RB rankings throughout the week, so check back for updates.
Fantasy RB Rankings Week 11: Who to start, sit at running back
Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring
Rank Player
1 Austin Ekeler, Chargers @ Packers
2 Christian McCaffrey, 49ers vs. Buccaneers
3 Breece Hall, Jets @ Bills
4 David Montgomery, Lions vs. Bears
5 Tony Pollard, Cowboys @ Panthers
6 Raheem Mostert, Dolphins vs. Raiders
7 Travis Etienne, Jaguars vs. Titans
8 James Conner, Cardinals @ Texans
9 Saquon Barkley, Giants @ Commanders
10 Josh Jacobs, Raiders @ Dolphins
11 Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders vs. Giants
12 Aaron Jones, Packers vs. Chargers
13 Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks @ Rams
14 Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions vs. Bears
15 De'Von Achane, Dolphins vs. Raiders
16 Devin Singletary, Texans vs. Cardinals
17 D'Andre Swift, Eagles @ Chiefs
18 Joe Mixon, Bengals @ Ravens
19 Jerome Ford, Browns vs. Steelers
20 Alexander Mattison, Vikings
21 Rachaad White, Buccaneers @ 49ers
22 Gus Edwards, Ravens vs. Bengals
23 Derrick Henry, Titans @ Jaguars
24 Javonte Williams, Broncos vs. Vikings
25 Kareem Hunt, Browns vs. Steelers
26 Jaylen Warren, Steelers @ Browns
27 Keaton Mitchell, Ravens vs. Bengals
28 James Cook, Bills vs. Jets
29 Darrell Henderson, Rams vs. Seahawks
30 Royce Freeman, Rams vs. Seahawks
31 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs vs. Eagles
32 Najee Harris, Steelers @ Browns
33 Chuba Hubbard, Panthers vs. Cowboys
34 Khalil Herbert, Bears @ Lions
35 AJ Dillon, Packers vs. Chargers
36 D'Onta Foreman, Bears @ Lions
37 Latavius Murray, Bills vs. Jets
38 Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks @ Rams
39 Joshua Kelley, Chargers @ Packers
40 Rico Dowdle, Cowboys @ Panthers
41 Ty Chandler, Vikings @ Broncos
42 Chris Rodriguez Jr., Commanders vs. Giants
43 Miles Sanders, Panthers vs. Cowboys
44 Tyjae Spears, Titans @ Jaguars
45 Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs vs. Eagles
46 Dalvin Cook, Jets @ Bills
47 Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles @ Chiefs
48 Keaontay Ingram, Cardinals @ Texans
49 Elijah Mitchell, 49ers vs. Buccaneers
50 Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos vs. Vikings
51 Justice Hill, Ravens vs. Bengals
52 Chase Edmonds, Buccaneers @ 49ers
53 Boston Scott, Eagles @ Chiefs
54 Tank Bigsby, Jaguars vs. Titans
55 Samaje Perine, Broncos vs. Vikings
56 Darrynton Evans, Bears @ Lions
57 Matt Breida, Giants @ Commanders
58 Jeff Wilson Jr., Dolphins vs. Raiders
Week 11 RB fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
Draft Sharks projections for the new week will update every Tuesday and be constantly adjusted throughout the week
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