Ahead of NFL Week 12, we list five running backs who should be considered for your fantasy football starting lineup, including three standout rookies
15:42 ET, 19 Nov 2025Updated 15:42 ET, 19 Nov 2025
New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson rushes with the ball
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TreVeyon Henderson has 264 rushing yards, 66 receiving yards, and five touchdowns in his last three games(Image: Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Aside from Christian McCaffrey, who went off for three total touchdowns and 35.1 fantasy points in the San Francisco 49ers’ blowout win over the Arizona Cardinals, the top-scoring fantasy running backs in Week 11 included some surprising names.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup Sean Tucker (34 FPTS), New England Patriots rookie TreVeyon Henderson (32.3), and Pittsburgh Steelers backup Kenneth Gainwell (29.5) each finished among the top-five scorers.
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As is every week, finding a diamond in the rough is difficult, but not impossible. Here, we single out five running backs that should be in your fantasy football starting lineup for Week 12.
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TreVeyon Henderson (at Cincinnati Bengals)
Week 12 presents a matchup between the NFL’s worst rushing defense and the league’s best rushing defense.
Luckily for the fantasy owners of Henderson, the rookie is going up against a Bengals unit that has struggled to stop most opposing rushers this season.
After serving as New England’s backup for most of the season, Henderson has erupted for 60.3 PPR fantasy points and five total touchdowns across his last two games, and should be viewed as a must start in Week 12.
Alvin Kamara (vs Atlanta Falcons)
After starting the year looking like one of the NFL’s best defenses, the Falcons have spiralled in the last month and are currently on a five game losing streak.
In Week 12, Saints running back Alvin Kamara can do damage against an Atlanta defense that has allowed seven different running backs to score double-digit fantasy points during its five-game skid.
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara rushes against the Panthers
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Alvin Kamara ranks fifth in NFL history for receptions by a running back (604)(Image: Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
Woody Marks (vs. Buffalo Bills)
Another first-year back with a favorable Week 12 matchup, Marks will feature in a Davis Mills-led offense on Thursday Night Football against the Bills.
Marks has surpassed fellow RB Nick Chubb on the Texans’ depth chart in the last few weeks. Despite an underwhelming 6.1 FPTS against the Titans last Sunday, the USC product can take advantage of a Buffalo defense that allows the second-most fantasy points per week to opposing RBs.
Quinshon Judkins (at Las Vegas Raiders)
With Dillon Gabriel (concussion) out, Shedeur Sanders is slated to start at quarterback for the Browns in Week 12.
After completing just four of 16 pass attempts in his NFL debut against the Ravens, Sanders likely won’t be trusted to throw much unless Cleveland falls behind in this game.
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Expect Judkins, who has established himself as a bell cow, to get plenty of touches on Sunday.
Bam Knight (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)
Knight’s Week 12 ceiling is dependent on the status of fellow Cardinals running back Trey Benson, who could feature in this game after being activated off injured reserve.
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If Benson doesn’t play, Knight should see the majority of the backfield action against Jacksonville. The fourth-year rusher is coming off a season-high 14.5 PPR fantasy points in Week 11.