Many times late in the season, there are good fantasy lineups that have one weakness at running back. If they solve this issue via the waiver wire, suddenly, they become a league contender. Unfortunately, finding the hidden gem comes with competition in free agency, and these winning players aren’t easy to identify until a starting job emerges.
Start These Running Backs in Week 16
Audric Estime, New Orleans Saints
With Devin Neal already ruled out, Estime has the inside track for starting snaps for the Saints in Week 16. Last week, he had RB2 snaps (36%) in relief for New Orleans, leading to 50 combined yards with three catches on six touches. The fantasy market now must weigh whether Estime is worthy of an WR2 role in Week 16.
Over his final two seasons in college, the Saints’ power back (5’11” and 225 lbs.) had success running the ball (156/920/11 and 210/1,341/18) while offering a low ceiling in the passing game (26/277/1). Denver gave Estime 81 touches in his rookie season after getting drafted in the fifth round in 2024 out of Notre Dame. He gained 337 combined yards with two touchdowns and five catches.
New York ranks 30th defending running backs (400.80 fantasy points) in PPR formats, with back scoring 24 touchdowns. Offenses scored over 40.00 fantasy points by running backs in three consecutive matchups (ATL – 43.80, MIA – 41.90, and JAC – 43.40).
In the first run of my projections, Estime ranks 23rd at running back (12.64 fantasy points), giving help to some fantasy teams at RB2.
More Fantasy Football Advice: Must Add Pickups off the Waiver Wire in Fantasy Football for Week 16
Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
Trust has left the building on starting Judkins in the fantasy market, as he has averaged only 3.0 yards per carry over his last 113 carries. The endzone (2) hasn’t been his friend over his previous seven starts, while averaging 9.40 fantasy points per game. The Browns had him on the field for a season-high 67% of their snaps in Week 16, but he struggled to make plays (17 combined yards with three catches on 15 touches).
The Bills continue to rank poorly defending running backs (366.10 fantasy points – 26th). Backs have 18 touchdowns while gaining 5.2 yards per carry. Four offenses have scored over 40.00 fantasy points from the running back position (ATL – 46.60, MIA – 42.80, TB – 42.20, and NE – 40.80).
Judkins has a favorable matchup, but his success starts with better quarterback play. Last week, Cleveland rotated in Trayveon Williams with Jerome Ford out for the season and Dylan Sampson injured. The Browns should score a rushing touchdown, and Judkins is a heavy favorite to be that player. He still possesses big-play ability, but daylight at the second level of a defense has rarely happened over recent weeks. His matchup suggests a top 10 running back in Week 16.
Sit These Running Backs in Week 16
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Over the past two weeks, Pollard climbed off the fantasy mat to post two successful games (25/161/2 and 14/104/1 with one rush for eight yards). His uptick in fantasy points (28.10 and 18.20) lifted him to 23rd in running back scoring (157.60) for the season. On the downside, Pollard scored fewer than 10.00 fantasy points in eight of his 14 starts this year, with five coming from Week 9 to Week 13.
The Chiefs rank ninth vs. running backs (279.30 fantasy points), with backs gaining 4.1 yards per carry and scoring 12 touchdowns. Their worst two showings in fantasy points came in Week 3 (NYG – 30.80) and Week 4 (BAL – 36.50).
Pollard is playing at home and trending higher, but the Titans continue to give Tyjae Spears well over 40% of their running back snaps each week. I see tough sledding in Week 16 for Tennessee’s run game, highlighted by Pollard ranking 30th in fantasy points (11.29) in this matchup.
Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars
Over the past two games, Etienne scored five touchdowns and 52.70 fantasy points in PPR formats, lifting him to 10th in running back scoring (221.30 fantasy points). Unfortunately, he gained only 3.0 yards per carry over his last 44 rushing attempts while catching five passes, painting downside risk if Etienne doesn’t score.
Denver has the fourth-best defense against running backs (256.10 fantasy points). They allow only 3.8 yards per carry to backs, with 13 touchdowns. The Broncos will give up some big plays in the passing game to running backs (9.0 yards per catch). Eight offenses have scored fewer than 20.00 fantasy points against Denver.
The check points for Etienne are his recent improvement, an injury to Bhayshul Tuten, and the Jaguars are playing better offensively. I have him as borderline RB2/RB3 this week, suggesting that some fantasy teams may have a better option than Etienne in Week 16.
More Fantasy Football Advice: Must Add Pickups off the Waiver Wire in Fantasy Football for Week 16
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