NFL Week 17: Running Back Starters

Kenneth Walker III is out for Thursday night’s game at Chicago, and Charbonnet is expected to start. We have seen the upside of the second-year Seahawks RB as a starter this season. He finished as the No. 1 RB in fantasy football in Week 14, with 38.3 points. He also rushed for half of eight TDs in the three-game span from Weeks 13 to 15.

Charbonnet is the type of RB who will often thrive when getting into a rhythm on regular touches, and his versatility as a runner and receiver elevates the potential statistical ceiling. He is a top 12 fantasy RB for Week 17, ahead of other quality options such as Chuba Hubbard, Aaron Jones, Brian Robinson Jr., and Breece Hall. The Bears rank 29^th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs.

The Panthers have represented the best fantasy football matchup for RBs all season, allowing the most FFPG to RBs throughout the year. Both Tampa Bay RBs are startable this week. White and Bucky Irving operate in an effective timeshare situation. Irving is a must-start as a back-end fantasy RB1, while White is ranked as a mid-range fantasy RB2. He has nine TDs from scrimmage and caught seven passes on eight targets last week. The Buccaneers offense is a good fantasy resource, scoring 26-plus points in four of its past five games.

If you are looking for a flex option or RB streamer for fantasy football championship week, the Jacksonville RB is a recommended lineup option. He is a top 30 fantasy RB for Week 17, in a good matchup for rushing TD potential. Tennessee allowed an NFL-high seven rushing TDs to RBs over the past four weeks. Bigbsy is the preferred goal-line area runner for the Jaguars. He leads the team with six rushing TDs this season. The 5-foot-11, 215-pounder battles hard for his yardage.

This is a deeper lineup pick for those who must fill in at an RB spot or find a quality flex play. Abdullah has finished as a top 16 fantasy RB in three of his last five games. He caught 12 passes on 13 targets in the last two and rushed for a TD in Week 16. New Orleans ranks 27^th in FFPG allowed to RBs.