Divisional Round Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings: Saquon Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs, Derrick Henry, Joe Mixon, James Cook and More

We’re on to the Divisional Round of the NFL postseason, and that means it’s time to start analyzing the top fantasy players.

Here, I’ll look at the top running backs, ranking them all while using PPR scoring.

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Divisional Round Matchups

In the first Divisional Round game, the Texans and Chiefs square off. It’s a tough fantasy matchup for all the backs in this contest, with the Texans’ backs having the tougher matchup of the two.

The Commanders and Lions face off in the second game on Saturday. The Washington backs have a tough matchup on paper, while the Detroit RBs have an above-average clash ahead.

On Sunday, the Rams and Eagles meet in one game. The Rams face one of the toughest matchups, while the Eagles have a pretty average test ahead.

In the final game of the week, the Ravens and Bills will battle. Baltimore’s backs have an above-average test, and the best matchup of the week, while the Buffalo backs have another very tough test ahead.

Running Back Rankings

1. Saquon Barkley

We’ll start things off with Barkley, of course. He was the No. 1 fantasy running back all season and was good in the Wild Card Round despite not finding the end zone. 

These teams squared off in week 12, and all Barkley did was rush for 255 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries, while adding 47 receiving yards on four catches and targets. 

I doubt he does that well this weekend, but it’s enough to easily have him ranked first again.

2. Derrick Henry

Henry was the top fantasy back in the first round of the playoffs. He’s been a top-end fantasy talent all season, and should be a workhorse as the Ravens try to win it all.

Back in week 4 against Buffalo, Henry had 199 rushing yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, while adding 10 yards and a score on three catches and targets.

Again, I don’t see a repeat performance coming, but you should expect Henry to finish among the top fantasy backs this week.

3. Jahmyr Gibbs

Gibbs is my No. 3 back despite the Lions getting healthier at the position.

He was the No. 2 PPR back on a per-game basis this regular season, and in a pretty favorable matchup, I like Gibbs to turn in a big game even if he’s splitting the workload.

The Lions and Commanders have not met this season. In the Wild Card Round, Washington allowed Bucky Irving and Rachaad White to combine for 78 rushing yards on 18 carries and 20 receiving yards and a touchdown on four catches and targets.

4. David Montgomery

Montgomery is the Detroit back I was hinting at in the first sentence of the Gibbs’ section.

He hasn’t played since week 15 because of a knee injury, but has practiced in full to start the week, meaning he should be good to go for this weekend.

It’s risky starting him coming off the injury, but in the favorable matchup and inside the Lions’ high-powered offense, I see Montgomery finding the end zone or racking up enough yards on his touches to be a top-end fantasy back this week.

5. James Cook

Cook was the No. 2 fantasy back last week, and he would have had even better numbers if the Bills hadn’t been winning by a bunch late.

Cook averaged 16.7 PPR points per game this season. He had just 39 yards on nine carries and a nine-yard catch in the regular season game against the Ravens.

The matchup isn’t great, but on volume alone, I think Cook could still score a decent amount of fantasy points. After Montgomery on my list, the rest are backs I wouldn’t love/like starting this week.

6. Joe Mixon

Mixon was pretty good in the Wild Card Round as well, but is now dealing with an ankle injury.

Mixon averaged 17.2 PPR fantasy points this season, but struggled against the Chiefs in the week 16 meeting. He had 57 rushing yards on 14 carries and a 14-yard catch across his two targets.

In a brutal matchup, and with Mixon dealing with an ailment, I totally understand not wanting to play him in the Divisional Round.

7. Kyren Williams

Williams is my No. 7 fantasy back this week.

He had 76 rushing yards on 16 carries and 16 receiving yards and a score on three catches and targets in the first round. Williams had 72 rushing yards and a score on 16 carries in the team’s regular season meeting - he didn’t receive a target in the passing game.

That’s not bad fantasy production, but I’m trusting the overall season numbers a bit more. It wouldn’t surprise me if Williams had a decent fantasy showing, but if he gets stifled, your fantasy week is likely going to be ruined.

8. Austin Ekeler

I’m giving Ekeler the top nod among the Washington running backs, even though he was second on the team in snaps and touches last week.

Ekeler still got 11 touches and went for 53 total yards last week. I think his pass-catching ability will help him deliver the team’s best RB fantasy score.

In a game where Washington might need to throw a bunch to keep pace with Detroit, that sets Ekeler up for some success.

9. Kareem Hunt

Here is where my first Kansas City running back goes, and I’m giving the nod to Hunt.

He’s been the most-utilized back late in the season, and will probably split the backfield at worst this weekend. In a tougher matchup, I don’t want any part of a split backfield if I can help it.

He’d be a value play in DFS, but if he explodes for a good fantasy score, it will be a shock to a lot of people.

10. Brian Robinson 

Robinson is the top Washington back in most people’s eyes, but I have him behind Ekeler this week, and not being a very good fantasy option.

He was bottled up in the run game last week, and could be again this week against the Lions. Robinson could make a difference as a pass catcher like Ekeler, but I’ll trust the season numbers and say Ekeler leads the team in that department.

11. Isiah Pacheco

If you had seen this list before the season, you’d have laughed at me. After an injury though, Pacheco hasn’t gotten back on track.

Maybe the Chiefs were saving him for the postseason and will unleash him this weekend, but I think it’s more likely he splits the workload with Hunt. Pacheco has one touchdown to Hunt’s seven scores, and that’s why I’m giving Hunt the edge this week.

12. Ty Johnson

Johnson scored a touchdown last week, but his 11 touches were more a product of the team being up big, I think.

I still think he’s got a little fantasy upside this week, but it’d probably take another big play to leave fantasy owners happy. He did score in the team’s first meeting, but it was also his only touch of the game.

I think Johnson is more involved this time, but won’t produce enough to be a very good fantasy player.

13. Justice Hill

Hill falls here for me.

He also scored last week, but again, I think his 10 touches were a product of the Ravens being up big, not something that Baltimore’s offense plans to do throughout the postseason.

Hill had 10 touches in the first clash with Buffalo, going for 94 yards and a score. I don’t see that happening again, unless Baltimore gets behind big early. Hill is more a lottery ticket fantasy play than someone to trust this week.

14. Kenneth Gainwell

Gainwell got just three touches in the Wild Card Round, although he had five touches for 22 yards and a score in the regular season clash against the Rams.

Gainwell won’t be heavily involved this week, unless Barkley gets injured or the Eagles are up big. He’s another lottery ticket play, but I’d look elsewhere if possible.

15. Ronnie Rivers

Rivers was the Rams’ backup RB in the first round with Blake Corum going on injured reserve before the game. He only got three touches, and that came in a lopsided game, so I don’t expect him to be even that involved this week.

Rivers would only be involved if Williams got injured, and even then, I think the Rams would rarely use him.