Fantasy Football 2018: Best new running backs of Week 13

The running back position has seen incredible turnover lately, with multiple teams changing up their number ones. Who are the best new running backs for week 13 of the Fantasy Football 2018 season? Read on.

Between injuries, returns from injury, and suspensions, the running back crop for Week 13 of the 2018 Fantasy Football season is surprisingly volatile, especially this late in the year. It feels odd that so many starting running backs are being shifted around with just a few games remaining in the year. Yet this is the reality, so who can you trust?

Todd Salem lays down the options, changes, and multiple sides to each new running back worth considering in week 13. Then both brothers make their picks for the best fantasy football option. The playoffs are on the line, so don’t mess up.

Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, debate Fantasy Football 2018 in today’s NFL Sports Debate.

Todd Salem:

In New England, Rex Burkhead returns from IR this week. He isn’t necessarily going to lead the team in touches, but he certainly will cut into the workload of both Sony Michel and James White.

In Jacksonville, Carlos Hyde is finally set to see a boost after the one-game suspension of Leonard Fournette was upheld. Of course, T.J. Yeldon may still be the better play.

Austin Ekeler is set to emerge from his handcuff to start the rest of the regular season for the injured Melvin Gordon. Unless you’re a huge Justin Jackson fan, this is major news.

Baltimore and Philadelphia don’t have immediate changes, but we have seen two brand new backs emerge from out of nowhere to be lead ball-carriers. Gus Edwards has grabbed the top job for the Ravens thanks in part to Alex Collins‘ injury, but also to his own ability. He has back-to-back 100-yard games running alongside Lamar Jackson.

And Josh Adams is the man in Philadelphia, seemingly through the failures of everyone ahead of him. Coach Doug Pederson even indicated that Adams should be the main man moving forward.

Then there are the pending potential injuries. Marlon Mack may be out again thanks to a concussion, which would open the door for the ho-hum pairing of Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins. This backfield is probably a stay-away if Mack is out. And if Kenyan Drake can’t go this week for Miami, where does that leave Frank Gore on the RB hierarchy? The Dolphins have a good matchup for fantasy RBs, albeit against a tough overall defense.

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Which of these RB turnovers is the best play for Week 13?

New England’s White had been the best back of this entire bunch, but Burkhead could steal carries and catches from him. The Patriots play a top five defense against opposing backs as well. I don’t see how any of the Pats, including White, can be trusted as anything more than a third RB.

Ekeler seems like a great option, but he fizzled when given the starting job earlier in the season. I doubt LA feels comfortable riding him for a prototypical starting workload. While Adams has a sneaky tough matchup that could limit his ceiling, Edwards is the opposite. His Ravens are facing one of the worst defenses in the sport, but what if a Collins return eats into his productivity? He is not an asset in the passing game.

There is no obvious answer here. I’d give Edwards my top spot in the hopes that he has proven enough to generate another 15-20 caries at minimum. For those less willing to gamble, White is a safer pick, especially in PPR leagues, even with Burkhead back in the fold.

Dan Salem:

Sony Michel was the favored running back of the Patriots last week, with White being dominant in weeks prior, so I see little chance that Burkhead garners enough looks to warrant a start in your fantasy football 2018 lineup. Unless New England wants to give Michel and White a rest, therefore handing the ball to Burkhead as a change of pace to ensure all are ready for the playoffs, I’m not convinced of Burkhead’s viability. Stay away unless desperate.

Edwards is the opposite, because Alex Collins is a long shot to play this week. He did not practice on Wednesday, meaning that he will be limited on Sunday, if he plays at all. Edwards has dominated in his role as the number one back, for a team that loves to run the football. He is a great play this week and my top pick among these newly emerging running back options.

I’m a big fan of Ekeler, but he scares me as the number one option in a major matchup against the Steelers. Pittsburgh has solid run defense and bad pass defense, meaning the Chargers will throw a lot. This could favor Ekeler, but I’m skeptical. The same is true of Gore with Miami, because his team is so inconsistent. Adams would be a nice option, if not for Washington’s strong run defense and Philadelphia’s own inconsistency.

I would like to throw honorable mention to Doug Martin of the Oakland Raiders, who has a nice matchup against the Chiefs defense who gives up quite a bit of offense on a consistent basis. Martin has quietly garnered 10+ touches for several weeks in a row, scoring last week for the first time this season. Even bad teams put up numbers, and I like Martin this week in a game with little defense.