NFL Fantasy 2025 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Running backs for Week 14

Remember early in the season when Chase Brown was written off as a bust? He has scored double-digits in six straight with 15-plus in each of his last five games. He sees an RB1 workload on the ground each week, but what makes him so great for fantasy is his involvement in the passing game. That continued last week, as he saw seven targets in Joe Burrow's return to the lineup. Brown is back to must-start status -- especially against the Bills, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to RBs, including the most rushing TDs. Expect the Bengals to run early and often in this one. And if they are in catch-up mode, Brown will rack up receptions.

Even in a game against the 49ers that got out of hand for the Browns, they kept feeding Judkins. The rookie has now seen 19-plus opportunities (carries + targets) in all but three games since Week 3 -- and he had 16 opportunities in one of those three outliers. What really stands out is the three targets last week. Perhaps it was a one-week thing, but if he were to see pass-game volume like that weekly, it would make his RB1 upside less touchdown-dependent. Speaking of which, he has the goal-line work on lock, and this new Wildcat formation in Cleveland helps boost his value. He is a strong start this week against the Titans, as game script is less likely to be a concern. Plus, Tennessee has allowed the second-most rushing TDs in the NFL this season.

In the two games since J.K. Dobbins landed on IR, Harvey has played 55 percent of the snaps while receiving 65 percent of the RB carries. He’s also led the backfield in routes and targets during that span. Last week, both goal-line looks went his way. That may not quite be bell-cow status, but it's close. It is certainly enough to have the explosive Harvey in play for fantasy, especially considering how much Sean Payton features his RBs in the passing game and near the goal line. The Raiders have actually defended the run well, but with game script always against them, they’ve ended up allowing the third-most rushing yards to RBs since Week 9. They’ve allowed the third-most rushing TDs to the position this season. 

Bears RBs have the second-best success rate in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats. Two-back systems like this may not be ideal for fantasy, and we have already seen it lowers the floors, but if anyone can make it work, it is Ben Johnson. Monangai has averaged 14.4 fantasy PPG over the last five weeks, with Swift at 12.3 in his last five games (and that number is dragged down by one real bad outing). Both finished as top-eight RBs last week. For much of the season, Green Bay has been a defense to avoid with fantasy backs. However, since Week 9, the Packers have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards to RBs. They’ve yielded five rushing TDs to backs in that span, while allowing 1.5 yards before contact per carry (fifth-highest). They’ve also given up explosive runs at an above-average rate during this period. I prefer Swift this week, as he can be utilized in the passing game if the Bears find themselves in catch-up mode, but Monangai remains a flex option. 

Marks has taken over Houston's backfield, but it has not translated to much fantasy success. The rookie has scored fewer than eight fantasy points in three straight games and four of the last five. What I do not like is that he is not being involved in the passing game, with just one target in three straight games. That was a big part of his game and fantasy appeal entering the NFL. On top of that, he has a tough matchup against the Chiefs, who are in the bottom six in rushing yards allowed to RBs on the year and since Week 9. They’re in the bottom 10 in fantasy PPG allowed to RBs. If you can, I would look to get away in this one.

Pacheco returned to the lineup last week, but he played just 27 percent of the snaps with five total opportunities (carries + targets). That means he is not usable for fantasy purposes. But his involvement -- which could climb this week -- also eats into Hunt’s workload. That is a problem because Hunt is extremely volume- and touchdown-dependent. This week, the Chiefs face the Texans, who have allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards to RBs this season. They're pretty stout when it comes to yards before and after contact allowed, as well as explosive runs yielded. Without a touchdown, you are looking at single-digit fantasy points.

Will this be the week Benson returns to the lineup for the first time since suffering a knee injury in September? Honestly, regardless of whether he returns or we get another Knight-led week, I'd get away from Arizona's backfield. First off, the Cardinals' RB usage has not been the most reliable this year. Even if Benson's active, we could still see Knight or Michael Carter remain more involved than Benson managers would like. On top of that, the Cards face the Rams, who have been extremely tough on RBs, allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy PPG to the position. They’ve allowed four TDs to backs all year. Fade this backfield in this matchup. 

Even with four teams on bye, I would look to get away from Pollard in Week 14. First, since Tyjae Spears returned from injury, the volume has dried up. Pollard has not logged 12-plus carries in a game since Week 5. He has two targets in four of his last seven games. You cannot trust a back with that little weekly volume on a team with such infrequent scoring chances. Especially against the Browns, who have been shutting down backs all season. They’ve allowed just 3.7 yards per carry to RBs -- the third-best figure in the NFL -- while yielding five total rushing touchdowns.