NFL Fantasy 2025 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Running backs for Week 15

These days, when you look up underappreciated, expect to see a picture of Travis Etienne. Since Jacksonville's Week 9 bye, Etienne has averaged 16.4 fantasy points per game, topping 15 in five of six. The Jags have been routing opponents lately, so he has not been heavily featured in the passing game, but we know that is in his bag. On top of that, this is a fantastic matchup against the Jets. Since Week 10, the Jets have allowed the most rushing TDs and third-most yards to RBs. They have given up explosive runs at an above-average rate. On the year, they have allowed the third-most fantasy PPG to RBs. Etienne is a must-play in the opening round of the fantasy playoffs.

The arrow is pointing straight up for Harvey. It's why the rookie finds himself as a "start" for a third straight week. Since J.K. Dobbins' season-ending injury, Harvey has played 60 percent of the snaps, receiving two-thirds of the RB carries while leading the backfield in all receiving categories. He has topped 21 fantasy points in both games since Denver's bye. Now, he draws the Packers, who were extremely tough on the run early on but have loosened up as of late. They have allowed the sixth-most rushing yards to RBs since Week 6. Harvey may have a tough remaining schedule, but he's the clear lead back in a Sean Payton offense that targets RBs at a high rate. He could deliver on all that preseason LEAGUE WINNER hype after all. 

Despite getting a good matchup on paper, Judkins had more of a floor game last week against the Titans. There were positives, though: The rookie saw three targets for a second straight game and had a 58-yard catch-and-run, giving him a season high in receiving yards. The negative: Dylan Sampson is still playing obvious passing downs over Judkins. Chicago has allowed 1.5 yards before contact per carry to RBs, the second-most in the NFL, meaning Judkins should have room to run in this one. The Bears also give up 4.9 yards per carry to running backs and have allowed explosive runs at an above-average rate. Between the matchup, how much volume this rookie sees and his goal-line usage, Judkins remains in play as an RB2 this week.

Hello again, you two. Those who read this series weekly know New England's backs have been heavily featured in this space. The last game was extremely frustrating, as Stevenson played ahead of Henderson despite every stat pointing to the rookie being the superior option. On the season, Henderson leads the team in rushing yards, touchdowns, rush yards over expectation, yards per carry, success rate, missed tackles forced rate, yards before and after contact, explosive run rate and EPA. He also just looks better on the eye test. The hope is that New England leans more on the first-year pro following the bye, in the biggest Patriots game in years. It is a great matchup, as the Bills have allowed the most rushing TDs, sixth-most rushing yards and seventh-most fantasy PPG to RBs. They've given up explosive runs at the third-highest rate and have struggled against backs in the passing game. I prefer Henderson, but with usage concerns, both are RB2/flex options with upside.

Hall is an RB2 with weekly RB1 upside ... and an RB3 floor. He has scored single-digit fantasy points six times already this season. Last Sunday, he was held to just 43 rushing yards in a great matchup against the Dolphins. And what really concerns me is that he was targeted just one time in that game. On top of that, this is a terrible matchup against the Jaguars, who have allowed the fewest rushing yards to RBs this season. They are better than league average in yards allowed before and after contact and explosive runs. Early in the season, the Jags struggled against pass-catching backs, but they have allowed just 21 receiving yards per game to RBs over their last five. I get it if you do not have another option you trust, but if you do, I would look to get away from Hall in this one. Especially if Brady Cook starts for the Jets.

When it comes to David Montgomery, you have to cover up the name and look at the usage. He has averaged eight opportunities (carries + targets) per game over the last month, posting just 9.6 fantasy PPG in that span. It's hard to argue with why the Lions are reducing his touches, as Jahmyr Gibbs just might be the most dangerous weapon in the NFL. Still, it has lowered Monty's floor to single-digit fantasy points, basically forcing him to hit paydirt in order to reach double digits. I wouldn't bank on that against the Rams, who have allowed four touchdowns to backs all season. In total, they've yielded the fourth-fewest fantasy PPG to RBs. Plus, if the Lions are chasing points, that likely means less opportunities for Montgomery.

I am just over this game with Walker and the Seahawks' backfield. While he has been playing the lead role over the last couple of weeks, he is still sharing enough of the workload that it makes the floor tough to trust in fantasy. Plus, he has had some highly ineffective running games. He has been held to single-digit fantasy points in six of his last nine, with one game over 14. While there should be more upside here, there just hasn't been. The Colts have been tough against the run as of late, ranking well above average in yards before and after contact, explosive runs and yards per carry allowed since Week 9. The one area they've struggled is keeping backs out of the end zone, but you can't bank on that with Walker. If you have another option you trust, take it.

Look through Mason's game logs, and they are all the same since Week 4. He rushes for somewhere around 35-55 yards with low usage as a receiver. That means he sits around four to five fantasy points in many weeks. Every so often, he scores a touchdown to crack double digits, like he did last week against the Commanders. And even in that contest, with a game script that could not have been better for him, he finished with just 11.2 fantasy points. This week, he gets the Cowboys, who were once a favorable matchup for RBs -- and may still be green on your fantasy app -- but Dallas has allowed the fewest fantasy PPG to RBs over the last month.