Week 16 is the championship round for many fantasy owners, and there are some RBs who are widely available that could serve as either streaming options or emergency fill-ins.
Patrick Laird, Miami Dolphins (34 percent owned)
Laird has seen an expanded role recently, averaging 16 touches per game over his last three games. Laird draws a strong matchup against the Bengals in Week 16. Cincinnati has allowed the fourth most yards per carry and has allowed the seventh most DraftKings fantasy points per game to opposing RBs. Laird has seen five targets in the passing game in three consecutive games, also giving him a boost in PPR leagues. Myles Gaskin (1 percent owned) is also an option after seeing 11 touches in Week 15.
Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles (3 percent owned)
Scott had his second consecutive impressive performance in Week 15, averaging five yards per touch and finishing with 13.50 DraftKings fantasy points. Scott saw 13 touches, including seven catches on seven targets, and has now had two games in a row with at least six catches, giving him extra appeal in PPR leagues. If Jordan Howard (shoulder) remains out again in Week 16, Scott looks primed to continue an expanded role.
Wes Hills, Detroit Lions (0 percent owned)
Bo Scarbrough (ribs) did not play in Week 15, which resulted in Hills being called up from the practice squad to replace Scarbrough on the active roster. Hills ended up leading Lions RBs in touches with 12, and more notably saw the goal line carries, resulting in two rushing TDs. If Scarbrough is out again in Week 16, Hills is available in almost all fantasy leagues and could be an emergency fill-in option. If Scarbrough is healthy enough to return in Week 16, he is also generally available (41 percent owned) and was averaging a solid 18 touches per game prior to his injury.
Peyton Barber, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (37 percent owned)
Barber has seen consistent touches in recent weeks, seeing no less than 11 touches over his last four games. While his rushing efficiency stats are foul, Barber has a plus matchup in Week 16 against the Texans, who have allowed the sixth most DraftKings fantasy points per game to RB and have allowed more yards per carry than average.
Minnesota Vikings RBs
Vikings star RB Dalvin Cook was unable to return to Week 15’s game due to a shoulder injury, which may open up a significantly expanded role in Week 16 for other members of the Minnesota backfield. Candidates to benefit include Alexander Mattison (30 percent owned), Mike Boone (0.1 percent owned) and Ameer Abdullah (0.5 percent owned). Mattison was inactive in Week 15 due to an ankle injury, so Boone saw most of the touches after Cook’s injury and ended up scoring two TDs. This is a situation worth monitoring during the week with both Cook and Mattison banged up. Vikings RBs draw a good matchup in Week 16 against a Packers team that has allowed elevated fantasy points to RBs.