The running back position is one of the most important positions in fantasy football. There are a handful of guys who can score you 20+ a game, but there is a steep drop-off after the top 10-15 backs. Playing the matchup game is always important, especially if you stacked receivers early.

Most of the top dogs headline this list, but there are some potential matchup-winners the deeper you look. Today, I’m going to rank the top 20 running backs for Week 11 and give you my thoughts on their matchup.

Running backs on bye in Week 11

• Jonathan Taylor
• Alvin Kamara

Before we hop into the rankings, here are some other running backs who just missed out on the top 20.

• Kimani Vidal vs Jacksonville Jaguars
• JK Dobbins vs Kansas City Chiefs
• TreVeyon Henderson/Rhamondre Stevenson vs New York Jets
• Kareem Hunt vs Denver Broncos
• Emari Demercado vs San Francisco 49ers
• Kenneth Walker vs Los Angeles Rams

Note: Projections based on full-point PPR scoring.

20. Aaron Jones

Matchup: Chicago Bears

Aaron Jones has scored 11+ in each of his last two games. He’s fully back from injury and has emerged as a viable fantasy football option. He’s only seen nine carries in each of those two games, though, as Jordan Mason digs into his snap count. He’s still clearly the RB1 in Minnesota, but his production is limited by his snap count.

Projection: 12.0 points

19. Travis Etienne

Matchup: Los Angeles Chargers

Travis Etienne has bounced back after a run of poor form with back-to-back 15+ point games, but I hate his matchup this week. The Los Angeles Chargers have a really good defense, and even though they just looked good against a very good defense, I don’t trust Jacksonville’s offense that much. I could be wrong, but I have Etienne at No. 20.

Projection: 12.4 points

18. Rico Dowdle

Matchup: Atlanta Falcons

Rico Dowdle won a bunch of matchups in Weeks 5 and 6 with back-to-back 33-point efforts. Since then, he’s overtaken Chuba Hubbard as the lead back in Carolina, but he’s been somewhat inconsistent since. I don’t trust Carolina’s offense, and Atlanta’s defense has been pretty decent recently (Jonathan Taylor just tore them up, but that’s JT). Still should be a decent start, but be prepared for a potential stinker if Bryce Young can’t get going.

Projection: 12.8 points

17. Kyren Williams

Matchup: Seattle Seahawks

Kyren Williams is one of the most consistent running backs in fantasy football, but I don’t love his matchup this week. I think this game is going to come down to these two quarterbacks, which means there will be a lot of pass attempts. I still think Williams is a factor, but not as big as some weeks.

Projection: 13.0 points

16. Derrick Henry

Matchup: Cleveland Browns

Derrick Henry has really found his form recently, scoring double-digit points in each of his last five games. He’s been playing pretty well since Lamar Jackson’s return, but he hasn’t really had a massive game. Now he has to play one of the best run defenses in the league. He should have a solid day, but his ceiling isn’t that high in my opinion.

Projection: 13.1 points

15. Chase Brown

Matchup: Pittsburgh Steelers

After a slow start to the season, Chase Brown has exploded for back-to-back 20-point outings in his last two games and has scored 12+ in three of his four games with Joe Flacco under center. Pittsburgh’s run defense has been pretty good, but he should be heavily involved in the pass game (14 targets a week ago).

Projection: 13.5 points

14. D’Andre Swift

Matchup: Minnesota Vikings

After Kyle Monangai’s big game last week, many thought it would be his backfield to lose, but D’Andre Swift returned from injury and not only out-touched the rookie but out-performed him, too. Swift averaged 6.2 yards per carry to Monangai’s 4.0 while running for 80 yards and catching five passes. He’s Chicago’s RB1, and I don’t think his matchup is all that bad next week.

Projection: 13.9 points

13. Saquon Barkley

Matchup: Detroit Lions

Saquon Barkley is finally finding his footing in 2025. He’s scored 11+ in three of his last four, which includes a 33-point performance last time out. The Detroit Lions have a very good defense this year, but I expect there to be a good amount of points scored in this game. Barkley should see a heavy workload, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he finds the end zone.

Projection: 13.9 points

12. Quinshon Judkins

Matchup: Baltimore Ravens

Quinshon Judkins is a good running back stuck in a horrible offense. Despite that, he’s been a pretty good fantasy running back, and the amount of work he receives alone makes him a top-15 running back most weeks. This week, he faces a Baltimore defense that has been very bad against the run, and just allowed Minnesota to rush for 6.7 yards per carry. I expect Judkins to get a lot of work and find some success against the Ravens.

Projection: 14.2 points

11. Jaylen Warren

Matchup: Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have by far the worst run defense in the NFL. They give up about six more points per game to opposing running backs than any other team, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have a clear RB1 in Jaylen Warren. He does split carries a bit, but he’s the main back and has receiving upside.

Projection: 14.7 points

10. Bucky Irving

Matchup: Buffalo Bills

Bucky Irving should be back this week, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are really going to need him. I know Buffalo didn’t look great last week, but they’re still going to pose a massive challenge for the Bucs. If they want to keep up with Josh Allen and Co., they’re going to need their star RB to come back strong. We just saw De’Von Achane tear up the Bills’ defense, so Irving should have similar success (maybe not three touchdowns, though).

Projection: 15.0 points

9. Breece Hall

Matchup: New England Patriots

Despite the New York Jets’ fire sale, they were very competitive against one of the best defenses in the league last week. They scored 27 against the Cleveland Browns, and Breece Hall scored 19.50 fantasy points. New England has a pretty stout run defense, but Hall should see a ton of work and could end up catching a few passes, so he cracks the top 10.

Projection: 15.2 points

8. Javonte Williams

Matchup: Las Vegas Raiders

Javonte Williams has been hit or miss in recent weeks, but there’s no reason he shouldn’t hit this week. The Las Vegas Raiders have one of the worst defenses in football, and Williams is clearly the lead back in Dallas. He didn’t score a touchdown last week, but has eight scores in nine games. I think he could easily rush for 75+ and a touchdown this week.

Projection: 15.9 points

7. Ashton Jeanty

Matchup: Dallas Cowboys

Ashton Jeanty hasn’t averaged more than four yards per carry in any of his last four games, but that should change this week against a really bad Dallas defense that allows 26.93 points to opposing running backs this year. Jeanty should see a heavy workload and rack up a ton of yards, but his receiving ability – which has really surprised me this year – helps make him a top 10 back. I think he and Williams are neck-and-neck, but I’ll give Jeanty the nod.

Projection: 16.0 points

6. Bijan Robinson

Matchup: Carolina Panthers

Bijan Robinson’s fantasy production has dipped a bit with Atlanta’s recent struggles, but they have a great chance to turn things around next week against the Carolina Panthers, who are 5-5, but are much worse than their record says. I expect the Falcons to have some success offensively, and Robinson will be a massive part of that. Plus, he hasn’t scored in each of his last three games. He feels due.

Projection: 16.8 points

5. Jahmyr Gibbs

Matchup: Philadelphia Eagles

After a down week in Week 9, Jahmyr Gibbs bounced back with a big performance on Sunday. Detroit noticed how much their offense suffered when Gibbs was limited, so they made sure to get him involved early and often. I expect them to do the same this week in their massive matchup against Philly. I know the Eagles have a good defense, but Gibbs is such a dynamic player.

Projection: 17.7 points

4. James Cook

Matchup: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

James Cook has such a high ceiling every single week, but the Bills’ offense has randomly struggled at times this year. However, I don’t expect that to be the case this week. They usually rise to the level of their opponent, and they know their offense is much better when Cook is rolling, so I expect them to go to him early and often. Tampa’s defense has also struggled stopping the run, so Cook should feast.

Projection: 18.5 points

3. Josh Jacobs

Matchup: New York Giants

No matter how bad the Green Bay Packers play, Josh Jacobs seems to be fantasy-proof. He’s yet to score less than 12.4 points in a game this year, and now he faces one of the worst defenses in football in the New York Giants. There’s absolutely no reason Jacobs should have a bad game unless the fantasy gods want to give me the middle finger.

Projection: 19.8 points

2. Christian McCaffrey

Matchup: Arizona Cardinals

Christian McCaffrey has RB1 upside each and every single week. He scored 20+ in each of his first seven games, and while San Fran’s offense has struggled a bit recently, he’s still getting loads of touches every game. Add the fact that Brock Purdy could be back, and I expect this offense to take the next step. Also, I’m not afraid of Arizona’s defense, so McCaffrey should have a big game.

Projection: 20.1 points

1. De’Von Achane

Matchup: Washington Commanders

De’Von Achane just keeps having big games. He’s scored 14+ in every game this season and is coming off a massive 40-point effort in their win over the Bills. Now he gets to play a Washington defense that has really struggled this year. Add on the fact that he gets 6+ targets a game, and he could very well end up as RB1 at the end of the week.

Projection: 21.0 points