Fantasy football running back rankings: Top 60 RBs in standard leagues for Week 13

If you’re reading this, it means you have officially survived Week 12’s bye-pocalypse! Congratulations. Hopefully, your fantasy football rosters remain in spiffy shape for a potential playoff run. If you’re still in the hunt and need some help setting your lineups, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s a look at our Week 13 running back rankings for standard-scoring fantasy leagues with two of our best RB flex plays and two deeper sleepers to consider with a full slate of games ahead.

Fantasy football managers shouldn’t need persistent nudging to get Irving into their lineups after his recent track record of success ... but just in case you do, this is your sign. The Buccaneers’ fifth-round rookie is a must-start in all league formats in Week 13.

Not only is Irving coming off his best fantasy day of the season (21.1 fantasy points, standard scoring leagues), but he’s also got a great matchup on tap against the Panthers, who lead the league in fantasy points allowed to RBs, including a league-high 14 touchdowns to the position (4.72 YPC) and the second-lowest stuff rate to opposing RBs all season (5.6%). Week 12 marked his highest offensive snap percentage (52%) in a single game with Rachaad White active with 18 total touches, 151 scrimmage yards and a score; fire him up in a suitable matchup against the Panthers.

Fantasy football managers may not be super excited to fire up Rhamondre Stevenson after a down performance. He totaled just 13 yards on 10 opportunities in Week 12 against the Miami Dolphins, and he hasn’t been particularly efficient as of late even when he does get an opportunity. Since being ruled out with a foot injury in Week 6, Stevenson has averaged just 2.85 yards per carry — 40.3 rush yards on 14.2 yards per carry for a brutal bout of inefficiency.

The good news is that the Colts have been a top-tier matchup for opposing RBs, ranked fifth in rushing yards per game allowed (116.6) while ranking third in broken tackles against running backs and bottom-12 in stuff rate (8.7%).

Rostership percentages in Yahoo! Fantasy leagues are indicated in parentheses.

Don’t look at last week’s stat line. Just don’t do it. Edwards isn’t as explosive or efficient as J.K. Dobbins, who went down with a knee injury in Week 12. However, he could be in line for a solid increase in workload should Dobbins miss time, and volume is king at the RB position in fantasy. The Chargers didn’t have an ideal game script to establish the run against the Baltimore Ravens, nor was it ever a spot we expected efficacy; Baltimore has been one of the best rushing defenses in the league this year.

This week is different, however. While the Falcons aren’t an “easy” rushing defense to manage, they’re a step up better than the Ravens, and Edwards will benefit from an entire week of being the focal point in the game plan. The Chargers are a team that ranks top-12 in rush attempts (13th in rushing yards, 8th in rush TD), which means the volume should be there if Dobbins is out.

Normally, Jaylen Warren would be a sleeper recommendation reserved for PPR or half-PPR scoring league formats. However, another week removed from a couple of injuries that have hampered him and coming off a solid Week 12, he bears consideration for any fantasy managers in need of a deep-league desperation play.

There’s not a ton to love about the matchup at face value; the Bengals rank 23rd in fantasy points allowed to opposing RBs in standard-scoring leagues. However, game script could work in Warren’s favor in this matchup given that the Bengals are on an offensive heater with Joe Burrown, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins & Co. Warren has historically dominated receiving work for this team during his tenure, and in Week 12, he ran the second-most routes (19) that he’s run all season long, turning four targets into three catches for 19 receiving yards. He also converted his first carry inside the 5-yard line for a score this past week.

Kate Magdziuk is an editor and contributor for Yahoo Fantasy and co-host of the Locked On Dynasty Football podcast. She is also the managing editor for Behind The Steel Curtain, SB Nation’s exclusive Pittsburgh Steelers blog. Her previous bylines include Pro Football Focus, NBC Sports Rotoworld and 4for4 Football, among others.