PigPen Weekly WK13 - Who's In, Who's Out (RB)
VP covers an EARTH-SHATTERING 64 RBs in the final edition of the PigPen Weekly RB rankings for the 2023 season.
Like a skilled farmer tends to his pigs, success is nurtured with patience and diligence.
— CFF Wiseman
We've reached the point in the season where I think most of the viable options in CFF have already been rostered, or at least previously discussed in my waiver wire articles. Instead, I figured I'd switch it up and provide a weekly ranking of the most important position: the RB position.
Below, you will find that I have segmented this article into three parts. The first is a ranking of RBs I like this week, with rationale provided for each. The second segment is a list of RBs that are generally very good, but I do not like this week, with rationale provided for each. The final segment is where I provide some thoughts on RBs that I am conflicted about this week.
There are 64 RB entries in this article with analysis. With this being a pivotal week, and the monthly sub rate being only $5, I think this is a pretty good deal for subscribers looking to win their leagues this weekend. These articles are a lot of work, and you can cancel a paid sub whenever, so it really only costs you $5 right now to get these rankings. You can even think of it as buying me a cup of coffee… I don’t know— just a suggestion! 😬
Who’s IN the PigPen This Week (37)
The two main variables I will be leveraging throughout the following analyses are the player's individual role in the offense and the team's matchup strength against the run. Other factors will be utilized when relevant. When I reference a team’s strength vs. the run, I’m referencing the number Fantrax provides when looking at the matchup of that player.
Rasheen Ali (vs. ARKST) — This might just be me wishing it into existence with Ali at #1 this week, but I could really use a massive performance from the Marshall playmaker to secure a win in Nate Marchese’s 24-team league, who — coincidently — is my opponent in the finals this weekend. Ali has been a stud at RB for most of the season, and I generally trust him (as long as he’s not playing a really tough defence). He had a tough outing last week (as we thought might be the case in last week’s PigPen Weekly), but this week’s matchup is sweet as pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. He’s a true alpha RB, I expect a big workload AND a big payout on Saturday. All aboard the Ali-Express! Choo Choo!
Marcus Carroll (vs. OD) — I know that OD’s rush defence stats are actually not too bad, but I just don’t buy it. If you want to know what an apex volume pig is: look no further than Carroll, who somehow still managed to clear 20 points last week vs. SEC foe LSU. My man has earned the benefit of the doubt. He’s #2 this week.
RJ Harvey (vs. Houston) — After torching another Texas team in Texas Tech last week, Harvey is returning on his Lone Star state crusade with a cream puff matchup vs. Houston. Harvey’s been scoring a lot of TDs lately, and it feels likely that that is going to continue this week. The expectation here at #3 is lofty, yes, but Harvey’s earned it lately.