Fantasy Football Week 18 RB Preview: Projections, DFS plays, and more

At the running back position, we're used to seeing a handful of guys in the "who's out" section below. In Week 18, a bigger discussion is around "who won't play long". For now, Saquon Barkley and Leonard Fournette are firmly on that list, and I wouldn't be surprised if Barkely moves to the "out" list before we get to Sunday. But they aren't the only backs to be concerned about.

Dalvin Cook and Austin Ekeler are older backs with little to play for. They should rest some, if not all of this week. And with Christian Mccaffrey's injury history and the current state of the Arizona Cardinals active roster, we may not see much of him either. Latavius Murray and Cordarrelle Patterson are other veterans who could cede playing time to youngsters in Week 18. And this list will only grow.

Keep an eye on Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, and Sunday morning as there will be many surprise inactives in Week 18.

• Week 18 Previews: QB | RB | WR | TE

Now let's get to the rest of the Week 18 RB Preview:

Week 18 RB Preview

Who's Out

Numbers to Know

Matchups That Matter

Waiver Wire Targets

DFS Plays

Projections

RB Preview

Who's Out

The following players are not being projected to play in Week 18 at this time. Here's what it means:

James Conner RB

ARI Arizona • #6
Age: 28 • Experience: 8 yrs.

There will be a big role for Corey Clement or Keaontay Ingram if Conner is out.

Marlon Mack RB

ARI Arizona • #37
Age: 28 • Experience: 7 yrs.

Latavius Murray and Chase Edmonds will carry the full load for the Broncos.

RB Preview

Numbers to know

• 55 –- Carries for Tyler Allgeier since the Falcons' Week 14 bye. That's 24 more than Cordarralle Patterson and he's accumulated at least 95 scrimmage yards in each of those three games.
• 155.3 -- Derrick Henry has averaged 155.3 rushing yards per game in his last three contests versus the Jaguars. He's also scored six touchdowns in those games. 
• 241 -- Combined rushing yards for Cam Akers over the last two games. It's been a rollercoaster season for Akers, but he's restoring Fantasy faith for 2023. 
• 22 -- Zonovan Knight played just 22% of the Jets snaps in Week 17. 
• 49 -- Damien Harris played 49% of the Patriots snaps in his return from injury. Three of the five snaps came inside the 10-yard line while Rhamondre Stevenson saw 56% of the total snaps.
  

RB Preview

Matchups that matter

Matchups that Matter

Raheem Mostert RB

MIA Miami • #31
Age: 32 • Experience: 10 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

vs NYJ MIA -1.5 O/U 38.5

OPP VS RB 12th

PROJ PTS 9.7

RB RNK 40th

YTD Stats
RUYDS 820	REC 29	REYDS 212	TD 5	FPTS/G 10.7

Najee Harris RB

PIT Pittsburgh • #22
Age: 26 • Experience: 4 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

vs CLE PIT -2.5 O/U 40

OPP VS RB 27th

PROJ PTS 13.8

RB RNK 24th

YTD Stats
RUYDS 954	REC 40	REYDS 219	TD 9	FPTS/G 13.1

Cam Akers RB

MIN Minnesota • #31
Age: 24 • Experience: 3 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

@ SEA SEA -6.5 O/U 41.5

OPP VS RB 31st

PROJ PTS 11.7

RB RNK 15th

YTD Stats
RUYDS 682	REC 10	REYDS 93	TD 7	FPTS/G 9

Latavius Murray RB

BUF Buffalo • #28
Age: 34 • Experience: 11 year

Weekly Breakdown

vs LAC LAC -3.5 O/U 40.5

OPP VS RB 25th

PROJ PTS 10.3

RB RNK 38th

YTD Stats
RUYDS 657	REC 26	REYDS 117	TD 5	FPTS/G 11.3

RB Preview

Waiver Wire Targets

Week 18 Adds (RB Preview)

Ke'Shawn Vaughn RB

NE New England • #21
Age: 26 • Experience: 5 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

@ ATL ATL -3 O/U 40.5

OPP VS RB 17th

RB RNK NR

ROSTERED

YTD Stats
RUYDS 27	REC 1	REYDS 11	TD 0	FPTS/G 0.3

Tampa Bay has said they aren't resting their starters, but to me that just means they'll play a drive or two. A majority of this game I would expect Vaughn to be the lead back for the Buccaneers against a suspect Falcons defense.

Corey Clement RB

ARI Arizona • #23
Age: 29 • Experience: 7 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

@ SF SF -14 O/U 40

OPP VS RB 1st

RB RNK NR

ROSTERED

YTD Stats
RUYDS 32	REC 2	REYDS 29	TD 0	FPTS/G 1

Clement dominated touches and snaps after James Conner went down in Week 17. Assuming Conner is out, we'd expect Clement to lead the backfield, but it is a terrible matchup.

RB Preview

DFS Plays

Top DFS Play

Najee Harris RB

PIT Pittsburgh • #22
Age: 26 • Experience: 4 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

vs CLE PIT -2.5 O/U 40

OPP VS RB 27th

PROJ PTS 13.8

RB RNK 24th

YTD Stats
RUYDS 954	REC 40	REYDS 219	TD 9	FPTS/G 13.1

Harris has at least 22 touches in each of Pittsburgh's last three games and faces a Browns defense that has consistently been one of thew worst in football against running backs.

Contrarian DFS Play

Cam Akers RB

MIN Minnesota • #31
Age: 24 • Experience: 3 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

@ SEA SEA -6.5 O/U 41.5

OPP VS RB 31st

PROJ PTS 11.7

RB RNK 15th

YTD Stats
RUYDS 682	REC 10	REYDS 93	TD 7	FPTS/G 9

Expect a third consecutive game over 100 yards for Cam Akers in Week 18. He's working his way into the Round 3 conversation in 2023 if the Rams don't make a significant acquisition at running back.

RB Preview

Heath's Projections