Ekeler, Hall among fantasy football running backs to avoid in Week 13

MIAMI, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Austin Ekeler is among my fantasy football running backs to avoid in lineups in Week 13.

If you need more options for your roster, check out my top add/drops article. My Week 13 rankings for quarterbacks and wide receivers are also available and will be updated throughout the week.

Christian McCaffrey, Raheem Mostert, Alvin Kamara, Bijan Robinson and Kyren Williams lead my Top 30 rankings, which are listed below. Rachaad White, Rhamondre Stevenson, Derrick Henry, Isiah Pacheco and Travis Etienne round out my Top 10 plays.

All of my running backs to avoid rank outside the Top 12 of my rankings. You should only bench my players to avoid if you roster a higher-ranked option. Players from Thursday's Dallas Cowboys-Seattle Seahawks game were removed from my rankings.

Running backs from the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders should be benched, as those teams have Week 13 byes.

Running back Austin Ekeler and the Los Angeles Chargers will face the New England Patriots on Sunday in Foxborough, Mass. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI

Austin Ekeler

Ekeler was likely an early first-round pick in your fantasy draft, but injuries and poor performances continue to result in lackluster showings from the running back.

The Los Angeles Chargers veteran hasn't eclipsed 67 rushing yards in a game since Week 1. He also failed to break 70 yards from scrimmage in five of his last seven appearances. This week, the Chargers will travel for a matchup with the New England Patriots.

The Patriots allowed the ninth-fewest rushing yards per game to running backs through 12 weeks. I expect the Patriots to attempt to win the time of possession battle in this home game, limiting the Chargers' offensive opportunities.

Ekeler, my No. 15 play, can still be plugged in as a low-end RB2, but I wouldn't expect elite level production. Look for a player with a better matchup and more recent track record of success.

Running back Breece Hall (R) and the New York Jets will host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI

Breece Hall

Hall was among my favorite preseason draft targets, but an injury to starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers, paired with the New York Jets' overall offensive struggles, makes it hard to justify keeping him in your lineup.

The Jets scored a league-low 12 times on offense through 12 weeks. They also logged the third-fewest amount of plays from scrimmage and second-fewest rushing attempts and points so far this season.

Hall still possesses explosive playmaking ability, but the Jets' inability to maintain sustained drives limits his upside.

The Jets also will face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13. The Falcons allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs and are the only team in the NFL that did not allow a rushing touchdown to the position through 12 weeks.

Hall hasn't scored a rushing touchdown since Week 6. He also failed to exceed 56 rushing yards in nine of his 11 appearances. He salvaged some fantasy value as a receiving threat in recent weeks, but I don't like his upside in what I expect to be a low-scoring matchup.

Hall is my No. 17 play.

Running back Jerome Ford and the Cleveland Browns will face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in Inglewood, Calif. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI

Jerome Ford

Ford is my No. 23 running back for Week 13. The Cleveland Browns ball carrier ranks outside the Top 25 in fantasy points per game among running backs over the last four weeks. He also scored just twice over the last nine weeks.

The Browns will travel for a game against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13. The Rams allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs so far in 2023, but that isn't my only concern. They also surrendered a league-low 19.2 receiving yards per game to the position.

Ford's lack of recent success, paired with the Rams defense's ability to defend pass catching running backs and the Browns' split backfield strategy could result in a subpar day for the ball carrier. Ford should only be counted on for low-end RB2/flex production in leagues with at least 14 teams.

Running back Christian McCaffrey (L) and the San Francisco 49ers will face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in Philadelphia. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI

Week 13 fantasy football running back rankings

1. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers at PHI

2. Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins at WAS

3. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints vs. DET

4. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons at NYJ

5. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams vs. CLE

6. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. CAR

7. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots vs. LAC

8. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans vs. IND

9. Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs at GB

10. Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. CIN

11. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions at NO

12. D'Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles vs. SF

13. Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders vs. MIA

14. Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts at TEN

15. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers at NE

16. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. ARI

17. Breece Hall, New York Jets vs. ATL

18. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals at JAX

19. David Montgomery, Detroit Lions at NO

20. Devin Singletary, Houston Texans vs. DEN

21. A.J. Dillon, Green Bay Packers vs. KC

22. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals at PIT

23. Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns at LAR

24. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos at HOU

25. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. ARI

26. Ezekiel Elliott, New England Patriots vs. LAC

27. Samaje Perine, Denver Broncos at HOU

28. Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders vs. MIA

29. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers at TB

30. Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns at LAR