4 Must Start RBs in Fantasy Football Week 13 (2024)
Looking for a running back to insert into your fantasy football lineup or to build depth ahead of Week 13 of your fantasy football season? We’ve identified 4 players who are primed for big performances. Whether it’s a big opportunity for volume out of the backfield or a favorable matchup, these must start running backs for fantasy football Week 13 will give your roster the advantage over your league mates. Don’t miss out on these key pieces for Week 13 and beyond.
Must Start Running Backs in Fantasy Football Week 13
Each week there are running backs that emerge as difference makers for your fantasy football team, whether in your starting lineup or as valuable depth. Choosing the correct players both in your lineup and as bench stashes on a weekly basis is a necessary skill on the path to a fantasy football championship. These running backs highlighted below have a combination of positive matchups and game scripts, opportunities for carries and targets, and the skill to help you win your Week 13 matchup. Continue reading to check out my 4 running backs to target for this week.
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rookie running back Bucky Irving is coming off the best game of his career and an RB3 overall finish in Week 12. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie set career highs in rushing yards and total yards in the Buccaneers win over the Giants. Perhaps even more importantly, Irving out-snapped fellow running back Rachaad White for the first time all season and ran a route on nearly 60% of the team’s passes.
Next up for the impressive rookie out of Oregon is a matchup with the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, over 28 points per game per our free consistency tool. The Buccaneers are currently six-point favorites, according to DraftKings, and should be able to lean on the running game in this matchup.
Irving will look to carry his positive momentum and increased role into this positive game script. Fire up the rookie as a must-start running back in this week 13 matchup. Irving profiles as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 this week.
Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans offense has shown some life over the past three weeks since the return of quarterback Will Levis. With that success, we’ve seen Tony Pollard play well despite difficult matchups against the Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, and Houston Texans. The veteran running back is the RB16 overall during that span and has seen four or more targets in each of the three weeks.
The former Dallas Cowboys RB takes on the Washington Commanders this week, a middle-of-the-road team when it comes to allowing fantasy points to the running back position. This is an improvement for Pollard’s outlook as the last three weeks have been against teams in the bottom six of fantasy points allowed to the position.
Fire up Pollard with fellow running back Tyjae Spears working his way back from a concussion, the improved play from Levis, and a solid matchup. I have Pollard as a high-end RB2 and he’s in the must-start category for me in this Week 13 matchup.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson is coming off a tough performance against the Miami Dolphins, finishing outside the top 40 at the position. The veteran had been coming off four consecutive games of 15 or more touches and had four touchdowns over that four week span. With the New England Patriots down 24-0 at the half, the team went away from Stevenson and didn’t get a chance to establish the running game.
The University of Oklahoma product looks to bounce back this week against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts allow fantasy points to running backs at a top-10 rate and are the fourth worst in the league against running backs when schedule adjusted, per our D-PAC Score.
I have Stevenson as a top 20 RB play this week, ahead of his current consensus ranking on FantasyPros. Fire up the Patriots running back as a must-start player as he looks to come back from his down performance last week.
Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
With quarterback Trevor Lawrence looking like he could make his return ahead of this week’s game, I like the Jaguars offense and Tank Bigsby to show some life. Bigsby is off the injury report after missing time with an ankle injury, the young running back had averaged over 70 rushing yards per game in the six games prior to getting hurt. With the team looking to protect Lawrence, look for them to lean on the running back out of Auburn and this running game.
Bigsby will take on the Houston Texans, who are fresh off allowing 119 yards and a touchdown to Tony Pollard. The Texans are generally solid against running backs in fantasy points allowed. However, they are in the middle of the pack when the schedule adjusted.
Look for Bigsby to smash his current consensus rank of RB38 on FantasyPros.The young running back is a mid-range RB3 for me this week and a solid start for those looking for injury replacements or flex help. Get Bigsby into your lineups as a must-start running back for Week 13.
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