Week 16 of the fantasy football season has arrived, and it’s more important than ever to know which players deserve a place in your starting lineup. Considering player talent, recent form, and matchups, we’ve put together our PFSN consensus Week 16 RB rankings.
These rankings were last updated at 7:00 AM ET on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Week 16 RB Fantasy Rankings
1) Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers (at IND)
2) Jahmyr Gibbs | Detroit Lions (vs. PIT)
3) Bijan Robinson | Atlanta Falcons (at ARI)
4) De’Von Achane | Miami Dolphins (vs. CIN)
5) James Cook | Buffalo Bills (at CLE)
6) Josh Jacobs | Green Bay Packers (at CHI)
7) Saquon Barkley | Philadelphia Eagles (at WAS)
8) Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis Colts (vs. SF)
9) Chase Brown | Cincinnati Bengals (at MIA)
10) Woody Marks | Houston Texans (vs. LV)
11) Travis Etienne Jr. | Jacksonville Jaguars (at DEN)
12) TreVeyon Henderson | New England Patriots (at BAL)
13) Bucky Irving | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at CAR)
14) Javonte Williams | Dallas Cowboys (vs. LAC)
15) RJ Harvey | Denver Broncos (vs. JAX)
16) Derrick Henry | Baltimore Ravens (vs. NE)
17) D’Andre Swift | Chicago Bears (vs. GB)
18) Kyren Williams | Los Angeles Rams (at SEA)
19) Aaron Jones Sr. | Minnesota Vikings (at NYG)
20) Quinshon Judkins | Cleveland Browns (vs. BUF)
21) Breece Hall | New York Jets (at NO)
22) Tyrone Tracy Jr. | New York Giants (vs. MIN)
23) Omarion Hampton | Los Angeles Chargers (at DAL)
24) Rico Dowdle | Carolina Panthers (vs. TB)
25) Jaylen Warren | Pittsburgh Steelers (at DET)
26) Tony Pollard | Tennessee Titans (vs. KC)
27) Michael Carter | Arizona Cardinals (vs. ATL)
28) Rhamondre Stevenson | New England Patriots (at BAL)
29) Kenneth Gainwell | Pittsburgh Steelers (at DET)
30) Ashton Jeanty | Las Vegas Raiders (at HOU)
31) Zach Charbonnet | Seattle Seahawks (vs. LAR)
32) Kenneth Walker III | Seattle Seahawks (vs. LAR)
33) Kimani Vidal | Los Angeles Chargers (at DAL)
34) David Montgomery | Detroit Lions (vs. PIT)
35) Chuba Hubbard | Carolina Panthers (vs. TB)
36) Kyle Monangai | Chicago Bears (vs. GB)
37) Kareem Hunt | Kansas City Chiefs (at TEN)
38) Blake Corum | Los Angeles Rams (at SEA)
39) Devin Singletary | New York Giants (vs. MIN)
40) Tyjae Spears | Tennessee Titans (vs. KC)
41) Jordan Mason | Minnesota Vikings (at NYG)
42) Audric Estimé | New Orleans Saints (vs. NYJ)
43) Evan Hull | New Orleans Saints (vs. NYJ)
44) Chris Rodriguez Jr. | Washington Commanders (vs. PHI)
45) Tyler Allgeier | Atlanta Falcons (at ARI)
46) Rachaad White | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at CAR)
47) Samaje Perine | Cincinnati Bengals (at MIA)
48) Isiah Pacheco | Kansas City Chiefs (at TEN)
49) Brian Robinson Jr. | San Francisco 49ers (at IND)
50) Jeremy McNichols | Washington Commanders (vs. PHI)
Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans (vs. LV)
I am trusting that the reporting on Woody Marks’ injury is accurate. Head coach DeMeco Ryans said after the game that Marks could have returned, but with the outcome never in doubt, they played it safe. If this is true, then it stands to reason Marks will be good to go this weekend.
Nick Chubb didn’t play last week with a rib injury, but that really doesn’t matter. Even if he returns, Marks’ role will remain unchanged. This is a true bellcow situation where Marks is playing as much as he possibly can. The backfield belongs to the rookie.
Prior to last week’s injury-shortened contest, Marks was averaging 18.6 carries per game over his previous five. The passing game usage is not where a player with his collegiate receiving profile should be, but the role is fantastic.
Marks won’t need receiving work to dominate a Raiders defense allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
The Texans should be able to do exactly what they want to this week: control the game with running and defense. A healthy Marks is in line for 20+ opportunities and a good bet to find the end zone. He is an RB1 as long as his ankle checks out okay. In the unlikely event Marks cannot go, Jawhar Jordan would firmly be on the RB2 radar.
Michael Carter, RB, Arizona Cardinals (vs. ATL)
The Arizona Cardinals can’t catch a break with their backfield. Bam Knight left the game in the first quarter with what is being described as a very bad ankle sprain. With just two weeks left in the fantasy season, it’s safe to say he won’t play again.
With Knight out, it was Michael Carter back in the RB1 role. He dominated snaps and touches ahead of Emari Demercado, handling 14 carries and four targets, which he turned into 94 scoreless yards.
We’ve already seen Carter post usable weeks before. If he can reach 13.4 fantasy points against the Texans’ elite defense, he will be just fine in a volume role against a decidedly average Atlanta Falcons run stopping unit.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders (at HOU)
It speaks volumes about the state of the Raiders’ offense that I have more confidence in Michael Carter than in Ashton Jeanty. Incredibly, I do not believe Jeanty is capable of even doing what Carter did against this Texans defense last week. That’s how bad the Raiders’ offense and offensive line are.
Regardless of whether it’s Geno Smith or Kenny Pickett at quarterback, whoever starts is going to get eaten alive. How are the Raiders going to get first downs?
Jeanty’s role is awesome. He’s seeing heavy volume and is involved in the passing game. He caught another four passes last week on six targets. He’s now seen at least four targets in seven consecutive games. The problem is that he can’t go anywhere once he gets the ball.
Jeanty has failed to hit double-digit fantasy points in three of his last five and failed to exceed 12.1 points in four of his last five. The Texans allow the 10th-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. Jeanty has virtually no hope of scoring this week. At best, he PPR scams his way to 12 points.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez, RBs, Washington Commanders (vs. PHI)
Chris Rodriguez was poised to have his best game of the season against a very beatable Giants defense last week. Then, a groin injury sidelined him, allowing Jacory Croskey-Merritt to post a very strong 18-96-1 line on the ground. His 15.6 fantasy points marked his second-highest total of the season.
This week, things will be much more difficult. The Commanders are unlikely to find themselves in a positive game script, which will lead to more Jeremy McNichols. Croskey-Merritt did not earn a single target last week. Rodriguez has two targets all season.
If Rodriguez plays, there’s no guarantee he even returns to the lead-back role. JCM very likely earned more work, making this a frustrating committee.
Even if Rodriguez is out again, though, do not chase the points with Bill. The setup was perfect in Week 15. It will not be the same against a far more imposing foe.
