Hubbard, Robinson among 4 must-start Week 15 fantasy football running backs

MIAMI, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Chuba Hubbard and Brian Robinson Jr. are among my four must-start fantasy football running backs for Week 15.

Derrick Henry leads my weekly running back rankings. Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Joe Mixon and Jahmyr Gibbs are my other Top-5 options. Bijan Robinson, Rico Dowdle, Zach Charbonnet, Chase Brown and Hubbard also should be considered Top-10 plays for Week 15.

Dowdle and Charbonnet join Hubbard and Robinson as my must-start plays. My rankings were compiled based on several factors, including likely workload, strength of opponent, previous matchup history, expected red zone opportunities and predicted game script.

Those with stock in Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III, Isaac Guerendo and Bucky Irving and other injured running backs should continue to monitor their status leading into their respective kickoffs. My rankings should help with difficult lineup decisions, especially since no teams are on bye in Week 15

My Week 15 wide receiver rankings are available here. All positional rankings will be updated throughout the week, based on injuries and other factors.

Rico Dowdle

Dowdle also was among my must-start options in Week 14, when he rewarded his stock holders with 141 yards from scrimmage. That marked his second-consecutive performance with at least 120 yards from scrimmage.

Look for that streak to continue this week, when Dowdle and the Dallas Cowboys face a Carolina Panthers defense that allowed the most rushing yards (138.6), rushing touchdowns (1.2) and fantasy points per game to running backs through 14 weeks.

The Panthers, who surrendered 124 yards to Saquon Barkley in Week 14, allowed at least 100 rushing yards to a running back in four of their last five games. That stretch included 152- and 155-yard performances from Bucky Irving and Alvin Kamara, respectively.

I don't expect Dowdle to eclipse 150 rushing yards, but he is a near lock to reach 100 yards from scrimmage. He also has a great chance to find the end zone. He is my No. 7 option and can be plugged in as an RB1.

Zach Charbonnet

Charbonnet led all running backs in fantasy points in Week 14, when he was unleashed for 193 yards from scrimmage and two scores in a Seattle Seahawks win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Seahawks starter Kenneth Walker III missed that contest because of ankle and calf injuries, clearing a path for Charbonnet to dominate the workload, with a career-high 29 touches. That trend could continue if Walker misses another week. Charbonnet stock holders should continue to monitor Walker's status. If he sits out, Charbonnet is again locked in as an RB1.

The Seahawks are set to face a Green Bay Packers defense that has been decent at limiting rushing yards, but allowed a lot of receiving yards to running backs. Look for Charbonnet to eclipse 100 yards from scrimmage if he earns another start.

Chuba Hubbard

Hubbard provided fringe RB1 value, on a points per game basis, through the first 14 weeks of the season. He provided the ninth-most points among running backs in Week 14, when he totaled 107 yards from scrimmage and a score in a Panthers loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

This week, Hubbard and the Panthers will face a Cowboys defense that allowed the fourth-most fantasy points and tied for allowing the second-most rushing touchdowns (1.1) per game to opposing running backs so far this season.

They also just surrendered 123 yards from scrimmage and a score to Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown in Week 14. The Cowboys allowed seven running backs to total at least 80 yards from scrimmage over their last eight games. Hubbard should easily reach that total. He is my No. 10 option.

Brian Robinson Jr.

Robinson, my No. 16 play, can be used as a fantasy football RB2 or flex play in Week 15. The Washington Commanders running back provided fringe RB2 value on a points per game basis over the last four weeks.

He ran for 103 yards and a score in Week 13 before sitting out because of a Week 14 bye. Now he will battle a New Orleans Saints defense that allowed the sixth-most fantasy points, ninth-most rushing yards (107.5) and tied for allowing the second-most rushing touchdowns (1.1) per game to running backs through 14 weeks.

That stretch included allowing at least 80 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown to a running back eight times over their last 11 games. Robinson already found the end zone eight times through his first 10 games. He eclipsed 70 yards from scrimmage seven times during that span.

I expect the Commanders running back to achieve each of those feats Sunday in New Orleans.

Week 15 fantasy football running back rankings

1. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens at NYG

2. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles vs. PIT

3. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers at SEA

4. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans vs. MIA

5. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions vs. BUF

6. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons at LV

7. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys at CAR

8. Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks vs. GB

9. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals at TEN

10. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers vs. DAL

11. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams at SF

12. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins at HOU

13. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals vs. NE

14. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints vs. WAS

15. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings vs. CHI

16. Brian Robinson Jr. Washington Commanders at NO

17. David Montgomery, Detroit Lions vs. BUF

18. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at LAC

19. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans vs. CIN

20. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts at DEN

21. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants vs. BAL

22. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots at ARI

23. Patrick Taylor, San Francisco 49ers vs. LAR

24. James Cook, Buffalo Bills at DET

25. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears at MIN

26. Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs at CLE

27. Braelon Allen, New York Jets at JAX

28. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers at PHI

29. Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos vs. IND

30. Sincere McCormick, Las Vegas Raiders vs. ATL