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The Shot Caller's Report - Wk 17 Running Backs



By Colby Cavaliere | 12/28/23 |
Bye Weeks: N/A
QBs | RBs | WRs

Grab a Helmet

D’Andre Swift vs ARI

Swift and the Philly run game should have no trouble racking up fantasy points against the worst defense at the position. Arizona has given up at least 95 yards rushing to a starting back in five of the last six games. Despite what many thought would be a committee backfield, Swift has clearly been the RB1, and has seen a strong 38 attempts the last two weeks. Volume, matchup, and talent make Swift a potent start.

Ezekiel Elliott

Ezekiel Elliott @ BUF

While not flashy or efficient, Elliott has been an absolute workhorse for the Pats since Stevenson went down. In his last four games, Elliott has touched the ball an insane 87 times, including 24 receptions. Consistent volume and PPR value is what kept Stevenson in lineups, and this formula has worked for Elliott, so keep rolling him out as a reliable FLEX.

Jonathan Taylor vs LV

Taylor’s performance didn’t pop off the page in his return from a thumb injury last week (18-43-1), but the whole Colt offense struggled to get anything going against the Falcons. With another week to heal, Taylor should again dominate touches against a Vegas defense giving up the 11th most rushing yards in the NFL. It’s been a long year for Taylor owners, but the payoff could be worth it.

Grab Some Pine

Joe Mixon @ KC

With the Bengals making a concerted effort to get rookie Chase Brown more involved, Mixon’s once unsinkable volume share has taken on water. His 22 rushes the last two weeks represent the lowest two-game total in several years, and only some goal-line scores have salvaged his fantasy day. A stable, but uninspiring RB2 season is suddenly very shaky in fantasy’s most important week.

Editor's Note: Chris Rodriquez has been placed on IR and will not play. Antonio Gibson would be in a lead back role if Brian Robinson (hamstring) doesn't play.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. vs SF

Two scores last week in a near comeback win against the Jets might have you thinking of rolling with the rookie this week, but I’d only do so in dire circumstances. In eight appearances this season Rodriguez has only two targets, and the potential return of Brian Robinson Jr. also complicates matters. San Francisco has yielded the third fewest rushing yards on the season, and negative game script won’t favor the rookie assuming he’s cleared from his ankle injury.

Bears RBs vs ATL

This backfield has been a three-man headache for most of the season. After being nearly invisible for a month, Khalil Herbert busted out for a season high 112 yards and a touchdown on 20 rushes. Was that only because D’Onta Foreman missed the game due to personal reasons? Will he return to carry the ball 15 times? Will rookie Roschon Johnson continue to play 2nd fiddle to both of those vets? This entire backfield is a risk in a week you really don’t want one.

Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers