Week 12 fantasy football RB rankings: Best starts at running back

Fantasy football managers are certainly celebrating the Indianapolis Colts' triumphant return from Europe in Week 10 and bye in Week 11. Especially in the case of superstar Jonathan Taylor.

Taylor leads all running backs with an average of 27.4 fantasy points per game, thanks to his 286-total yard, three-TD performance in an overtime win over the Falcons in Berlin last time out.

For fantasy teams looking to make a push for the playoffs, his absence last week was painful to endure. But he's back this week to kick off a pretty challenging stretch run against the Kansas City Chiefs.

WEEK 12 BYES: Denver, L.A. Chargers, Miami, Washington

(Rankings by Elisha Twerski, whose complete Week 12 rankings for every position will be updated up until kickoff on Sunday.)

QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: 247.34 fantasy points (24.73 per game)

QB Drake Maye, New England Patriots: 223.14 fantasy points (20.29 per game)

QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: 219.8 fantasy points (21.98 per game)

QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: 206.14 fantasy points (18.74 per game)

QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams: 201.38 fantasy points (20.14 per game)

RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers: 283.9 fantasy points (25.81 per game)

RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts: 273.9 fantasy points (27.39 per game)

RB De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins: 235 fantasy points (21.36 per game)

RB Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons: 209.9 fantasy points (20.99 per game)

RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions: 203.6 fantasy points (20.36 per game)

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks: 217.9 fantasy points (21.79 per game)

WR Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals: 193.7 fantasy points (19.37 per game)

WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams: 193.3 fantasy points (21.48 per game)

WR George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys: 190.8 fantasy points (19.08 per game)

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions: 188.4 fantasy points (18.84 per game)

TE Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals: 184.8 fantasy points (18.48 per game)

TE Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys: 140 fantasy points (14 per game)

TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: 131.9 fantasy points (13.91 per game)

TE Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts: 136.3 fantasy points (13.63 per game)

TE Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers: 117.2 fantasy points (14.65 per game)

K Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks: 106 fantasy points (10.6 per game)

K Cameron Dicker, Los Angeles Chargers: 104 fantasy points (9.45 per game)

K Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys: 98 fantasy points (9.8 per game)

K Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers: 96 fantasy points (9.6 per game)

K Chase McLaughlin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 96 fantasy points (9.6 per game)

Seattle Seahawks D/ST: 94 fantasy points (9.4 per game)

Houston Texans D/ST: 91 fantasy points (9.1 per game)

Denver Broncos D/ST: 87 fantasy points (7.91 per game)

New England Patriots D/ST: 84 fantasy points (7.64 per game)

Los Angeles Rams D/ST: 84 fantasy points (8.4 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: 247.34 fantasy points (24.73 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: 247.34 fantasy points (24.73 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

QB Drake Maye, New England Patriots: 223.14 fantasy points (20.29 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: 219.8 fantasy points (21.98 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: 206.14 fantasy points (18.74 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams: 201.38 fantasy points (20.14 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers: 283.9 fantasy points (25.81 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts: 273.9 fantasy points (27.39 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

RB De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins: 235 fantasy points (21.36 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

RB Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons: 209.9 fantasy points (20.99 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions: 203.6 fantasy points (20.36 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks: 217.9 fantasy points (21.79 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

WR Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals: 193.7 fantasy points (19.37 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams: 193.3 fantasy points (21.48 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

WR George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys: 190.8 fantasy points (19.08 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions: 188.4 fantasy points (18.84 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

TE Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals: 184.8 fantasy points (18.48 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

TE Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys: 140 fantasy points (14 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: 131.9 fantasy points (13.91 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

TE Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts: 136.3 fantasy points (13.63 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

TE Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers: 117.2 fantasy points (14.65 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

K Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks: 106 fantasy points (10.6 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

K Cameron Dicker, Los Angeles Chargers: 104 fantasy points (9.45 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

K Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys: 98 fantasy points (9.8 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

K Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers: 96 fantasy points (9.6 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

K Chase McLaughlin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 96 fantasy points (9.6 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

Seattle Seahawks D/ST: 94 fantasy points (9.4 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

Houston Texans D/ST: 91 fantasy points (9.1 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

Denver Broncos D/ST: 87 fantasy points (7.91 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

New England Patriots D/ST: 84 fantasy points (7.64 per game)

The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats

Los Angeles Rams D/ST: 84 fantasy points (8.4 per game)

Week 12 fantasy football running back rankings

*-double-check status before kickoff

1. Bijan Robinson (ATL) at NO

2. Jonathan Taylor (IND) at KC

3. Christian McCaffrey (SF) vs. CAR

4. Jahmyr Gibbs (DET) vs. NYG

5. Saquon Barkley (PHI) at DAL

6. Derrick Henry (BAL) vs. NYJ

7. Kyren Williams (LAR) vs. TB

8. TreVeyon Henderson (NE) at CIN

9. Travis Etienne Jr. (JAC) at ARI

10. Chase Brown (CIN) vs. NE

11. Rico Dowdle (CAR) at SF

12. James Cook III (BUF) at HOU

13. Javonte Williams (DAL) vs. PHI

14. Ashton Jeanty (LV) vs. CLE

15. Kenneth Walker III (SEA) at TEN

16. *Jaylen Warren (PIT) at CHI

17. Emanuel Wilson (GB) vs. MIN

18. Breece Hall (NYJ) at BAL

19. D'Andre Swift (CHI) vs. PIT

20. Quinshon Judkins (CLE) at LV

21. Woody Marks (HOU) vs. BUF

22. Kareem Hunt (KC) vs. IND

23. Sean Tucker (TB) at LAR

24. David Montgomery (DET) vs. NYG

25. Aaron Jones Sr. (MIN) at GB

26. Zonovan Knight (ARI) vs. JAC

27. Tyrone Tracy Jr. (NYG) at DET

28. Alvin Kamara (NO) vs. ATL

29. Tyjae Spears (TEN) vs. SEA

30. Rachaad White (TB) at LAR

31. Zach Charbonnet (SEA) at TEN

32. Tony Pollard (TEN) vs. SEA

33. Devin Singletary (NYG) at DET

34. Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) at CHI

35. Kyle Monangai (CHI) vs. PIT

36. Tyler Allgeier (ATL) at NO

37. Blake Corum (LAR) vs. TB

38. Chuba Hubbard (CAR) at SF

39. Jordan Mason (MIN) at GB

40. Michael Carter (ARI) vs. JAC

41. Nick Chubb (HOU) vs. BUF

42. Keaton Mitchell (BAL) vs. NYJ

43. Brian Robinson Jr. (SF) vs. CAR

44. Chris Brooks (GB) vs. MIN

45. LeQuint Allen Jr. (JAC) at ARI

46. Isaiah Davis (NYJ) at BAL

47. Ty Johnson (BUF) at HOU

48. Brashard Smith (KC) vs. IND

49. Dylan Sampson (CLE) at LV

50. Jerome Ford (CLE) at LV

51. Tank Bigsby (PHI) at DAL

52. Raheem Mostert (LV) vs. CLE

53. Terrell Jennings (NE) at CIN

54. *Justice Hill (BAL) vs. NYJ

55. Devin Neal (NO) vs. ATL

56. Kaleb Johnson (PIT) at CHI

57. Ray Davis (BUF) at HOU

58. D'Ernest Johnson (NE) at CIN

59. Jaydon Blue (DAL) vs. PHI

60. Zavier Scott (MIN) at GB

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Week 12 RB rankings (2025)