Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Running Backs to Start
Alvin Kamara NO
Alvin Kamara returned as the centerpiece of the Saints’ offense, showing strong involvement across both phases despite some efficiency concerns and getting phased out before the trade deadline. In Week 10, he logged more than 25 touches and over 60% of the offensive snaps while handling every red-zone carry. Even though his explosive run rate and yards-after-contact metrics sit near the bottom of the league, his ability to force missed tackles still gives him a stable baseline. Volume has never been in question, and his workload has remained consistent even in games where the offense hasn’t fully clicked. With his touch count trending upward for the first time this season and the Saints in a neutral gam script, Kamara has a strong outlook for the first time in weeks.
This week’s matchup positions Kamara as a strong start, given that Atlanta has quietly become one of the most generous defenses to opposing running backs. No team has allowed more fantasy points to the position since Week 7, and several rushers have posted RB1-level production in that stretch. Their struggles in yards before contact, explosive runs allowed, and overall tackling inefficiency create a perfect setup for a high-volume back like Kamara to take advantage. The lack of touchdowns in recent weeks shouldn’t deter managers, as his role inside the red zone remains secure. With the trends of both usage and matchup aligning, Kamara belongs in starting lineups across all formats this week.
Kenneth Walker SEA
Kenneth Walker’s role showed signs of stabilizing last week as the Seahawks leaned on him more heavily than they have in recent games. His snap share led the backfield, and he handled the most carries while also running more routes than Zach Charbonnet. Explosive-run metrics continue to reflect his big-play potential, and his ability to force missed tackles places him among the best in the league on a per-touch basis. While questions remain about the distribution of red-zone work, his overall involvement has risen since Week 9, including improved usage in the passing game. Seattle’s coaching staff has also publicly noted his growing importance, hinting that his opportunities may continue trending upward.
This matchup gives Walker a viable path to being a strong start in fantasy football, even if the Titans’ recent defensive improvement adds some risk. Tennessee has allowed meaningful production to several running backs throughout the season, ranking high in touchdowns allowed and fantasy points surrendered to the position. Although their run defense looked stronger with key defenders returning, Seattle’s expected positive game script should still provide Walker enough chances to produce. His efficiency, paired with potential for goal-line work, creates a profile worth trusting despite volatility. Everything points toward Walker being a worthwhile start in Week 12 for fantasy football managers seeking upside.
David Montgomery DET
David Montgomery enters the week with a relatively modest production stretch, but his role in the Lions’ offense remains clear and dependable. His touches have fluctuated, yet he still handles a significant portion of early-down work and maintains a steady presence near the goal line. While his explosive-play metrics and yards-after-contact numbers sit in the middle of the league, his physical style and fit within Detroit’s run game keep him consistently involved. The Lions continue to use him situationally in favorable scripts, and his touches tend to climb in games where Detroit controls possession. Even during recent quieter outings, Montgomery has retained a workload that offers a stable foundation.
In fantasy football, Montgomery profiles as a solid start this week thanks to a matchup against a Giants defense that has been one of the league’s weakest units against the run. New York ranks bottom two in rushing yards allowed since Week 7 and continues to give up chunk plays at an alarming rate, offering Montgomery an ideal rebound opportunity. With Detroit heavily favored, the expected game script leans toward increased early-down volume. His red-zone presence further boosts his value, especially against a defense that has surrendered multiple rushing touchdowns in recent weeks. I don’t always buy into it, but Dan Campbell mentioned that he NEEDS to get Montgomery the ball more. Montgomery carries RB2 appeal in Week 12, making him a strong start in fantasy football lineups.
Running Backs to Sit
Aaron Jones MIN
Aaron Jones has stepped into a commanding role in Minnesota’s backfield, operating with nearly 70% of the snaps over the past two games. His involvement has been steady, with more than 15 touches per contest and a clear lead over the other Vikings’ running backs. While his efficiency numbers haven’t been exceptional, the team continues to feed him consistently as part of their early-down and passing plans. Jones’ recent streak of double-digit fantasy performances highlights how volume alone has carried him. Even with modest per-touch metrics, his workload remains secure enough to offer a stable floor.
However, this week presents a much tougher landscape, placing Jones firmly in sit consideration for fantasy football. Green Bay has tightened significantly against the run since Week 7, limiting explosive plays and tackling efficiently at every level. This matchup strips Jones of his usual volume-based advantage, as the Packers have allowed very few successful rushing outings during that stretch. Their recent performances, including strong showings against multiple lead backs, suggest that this will be an uphill battle for Minnesota’s run game. While Jones offers some revenge-game narrative appeal, the defensive matchup makes him a risky play, positioning him as a sit in Week 12.
Zonovan “Bam” Knight ARI
Zonovan Knight enters Week 12 coming off a modest performance, highlighted by limited rushing opportunities and a small share of the backfield snaps. His usage last week dipped due to game script, as the Cardinals leaned on Michael Carter in passing situations while Knight handled sporadic early-down work. With Trey Benson’s practice window opening, Knight may only have one more productive week left in him. His efficiency metrics, including yards after contact and missed-tackle rate, sit near the lower end of the league, making him highly dependent on game flow. While he has produced usable fantasy outputs in spots this year, his profile remains volatile.
This week shapes up poorly for Knight, making him a clear sit. Jacksonville’s run defense has been one of the league’s strongest since Week 7, ranking near the top in limiting rushing yards, explosive plays, and tackle-breaking opportunities. Their consistency in shutting down early-down runners creates a significant obstacle for a player who relies on volume to deliver fantasy value. Knight’s path to meaningful production is slim, especially with touchdown chances limited by the Jaguars’ disciplined red-zone defense. Given both matchup concerns and uncertain usage, Knight should remain on fantasy benches in Week 12.
Ashton Jeanty LV
Ashton Jeanty heads into this week with significant concerns after recording one of his least effective rushing performances of the season. Despite staying involved as a pass-catcher, his six carries for seven yards underscore how inconsistent his workload has become. The Raiders’ offensive line injuries have created major issues, reducing Jeanty’s ability to find running lanes and forcing the coaching staff into predictable passing scripts. His season-long inefficiency, reflected in multiple games under four yards per carry, highlights deeper structural problems in the offense rather than Jeanty’s struggles. Even with strong target volume, Jeanty’s floor has clearly lowered over the past month.
Given the matchup, Jeanty becomes a recommended sit in fantasy football this week as he faces a Browns defense that has smothered opposing running backs all season. Cleveland ranks near the top of the league in limiting rushing production, explosive plays, and fantasy points allowed, making this a nightmarish environment for early-down backs. Their ability to control the line of scrimmage will likely force Las Vegas into passing game scripts, further limiting Jeanty’s rushing involvement. While he may still catch passes, the odds of an efficient or high-scoring outing are slim. With both the matchup and offensive environment stacked against him, Jeanty is a strong sit candidate for Week 12.
