Week 11 Fantasy Football Rankings: RB

Jahmyr Gibbs searches for more touchdowns vs. Chicago, Breece Hall eyes up more routes following Micael Carter’s release, and Javonte Williams preps for another 20-plus touch workload.

Other positions: Quarterback | Receiver | Tight End/Kickers/Defense

Updated 11/19 at 9:50 AM ET. Added Alexander Mattison. Moved Tony Pollard up.

Week 11 Running Backs

RB Notes: Week 10 was the first time all season Travis Etienne failed to reach 10 carries. His 11 overall touches were also a new season low. With Trevor Lawrence continuing to struggle, expect an immediate Etienne workload rebound against the Titans. … As expected, Raiders interim man Antonio Pierce has bet the farm on Josh Jacobs. “At Miami” is the first real test for the plan after playing struggling Giants and Jets squads. Will the Raiders stick with the run if they fall behind two scores early in the second quarter? Even if they don’t, expect Jacobs’ receptions to then ramp back up. … Breece Hall needs all the help he can get. Enter the Jets waiving pass-catching back Michael Carter. Although Carter wasn’t producing, he had continued to run routes. With most of them likely to filter Hall’s way, it further shores up the big-play sophomore’s floor. … Experiencing positive regression in the scoring department and continuing to catch passes, Joe Mixon profiles as a solid RB1 against an elite Ravens defense that is tough on the ground but far stingier through the air. Throw in Tee Higgins’ (hamstring) continued absence, and you have an almost guaranteed ground game commitment for the short-week road tripping Bengals.

It appears De’Von Achane (knee) will return after missing the minimum four contests. He will be doing so in a backfield that largely struggled during his absence. You don’t need me to tell you we’ve probably already seen Achane’s best football — I don’t think the young man will keep averaging 12.1 yards per carry — but there is simply no way to keep him out of the top 12 after his legendary Weeks 3-5 run. I’m most interested in the fact that this is a 5-foot-9, 188-pound pure speed back. He seems like someone who probably needs to be near 100 percent health to be truly effective. How often is any back near 100 percent health? … It’s obviously not as simple as “Jahmyr Gibbs cashed in two goal-line carries so he’s a goal-line back now.” David Montgomery, for one, waved Gibbs back onto the field for one of his scoring plunges. But the fact it is now a proven possibility shores up the floor and expands the ceiling for one of fantasy’s most exciting players. Week 11 foe Chicago is tougher on the ground than through the air. … Saquon Barkley’s well-being now comes down to game scripts. If the Giants can manage to keep it reasonable Sunday, the Commanders are ground vulnerable.

Game environment remains the talisman for Derrick Henry, as well. The bookmakers have established Tennessee as touchdown ‘dogs vs. the Jags’ solid run D. It’s not not a dicey setup with Will Levis cooling after his hot start. … Suddenly seeing 20-plus weekly touches — including goal-line carries and 3-4 receptions — Javonte Williams has vaulted into RB1 consideration in this run-based offense, one that looks like it would rather lose than cut Russell Wilson loose. The Vikings are run tough, but the Broncos’ Week 11 game script will not get out of hand. … Tony Pollard’s struggles have become seemingly never-ending. His team being 10.5-point favorites on the road creates yet another run-friendly game script, though Pollard has become strictly a floor option who still isn’t even hitting his floor. … D’Andre Swift has great workloads: Without goal-line carries. He’s found the end zone on the ground just one time in the past five weeks. There’s no “regression” coming amidst Jalen Hurts’ dominance. … Aaron Jones is averaging over 20 touches since being “cut loose” two weeks ago. The production has been minimal, but the Chargers always aim to please.

Dameon Pierce (ankle) still isn’t practicing, paving the way for another monster Devin Singletary workload. With the Texans operating as 4.5-point home favorites, he has strong touchdown odds. … Kenneth Walker returned to the land of 20 touches in Week 10 but caught just one pass for the third straight week. Zach Charbonnet is having a major effect on Walker’s margins. He nevertheless profiles for plenty of work with the Seahawks acting as modest road favorites vs. the fading Rams. … Raheem Mostert looked tired before the Dolphins’ Week 10 bye. De’Von Achane’s return provides the opportunity for a reset. Thankfully for Mostert managers, he is still the heavy favorite for traditional short-yardage work. … James Conner picked up where he left off before his injury. The problem is, that included catching zero passes. Conner has just eight grabs all year. Maybe it’s a fluke that will get itself corrected with Kyler Murray under center, but the lack of grabs affects Conner’s fantasy fortunes until proven otherwise. … Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt certainly aren’t getting less important to the Browns’ offense with Deshaun Watson (shoulder, ankle) now done for the season. The clear 1A since his return from an ankle injury, Ford is practically guaranteed 15-20 touches vs. the Steelers’ soft run D.

I’m not entirely sure what James Cook does here. I do know he almost single-handedly sparked the Bills’ Monday evening (failed) comeback and now gets a clean play-calling slate with new OC Joe Brady. Latavius Murray is hanging around and Leonard Fournette looms, but Cook has plus odds of reaching 15 carries against the Jets. … Jaylen Warren was named Steelers starter and was then … out-touched by Najee Harris and played to a snaps standstill? Warren nevertheless produced his first 100-yard game on the ground. The “starter” label doesn’t really matter here. Kenny Pickett is sinking through the earth’s crust and coach Mike Tomlin will continue to give his backs all the work they can handle. … With Alexander Mattison (concussion) doubtful, Ty Chandler figures to have the Vikings’ backfield largely to himself. The range of fantasy outcomes is wide, though Chandler can be safely counted on for a minimum of 10-12 touches, with over 20 feasible. … Expect Darrell Henderson to remain slightly ahead of Royce Freeman in the Rams’ unsatisfying committee. … A returning Khalil Herbert (ankle) would have trouble generating FLEX value of his own but would go a long way toward kneecapping D’Onta Foreman’s.