Who Should I Start? Brian Robinson Jr. or Zach Charbonnet

Monday, December 15, 10:20 PM

Across 14 games this season, San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. has recorded 349 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 81 carries. The 26-year-old has spent the entirety of the 2025 season in a backup role behind star 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. Robinson Jr. has yet to record double-digit carries in a game in 2025 and has just seven receptions on the season, so his standalone fantasy value is limited. However, if McCaffrey were to suffer an injury, Robinson Jr. would immediately become a viable starting fantasy running back. He's proven he can succeed in a lead-back role in the past, racking up 799 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 187 carries across 14 games with the Washington Commanders in 2024. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Robinson Jr. is worth rostering just in case McCaffrey goes down.

Friday, December 19, 1:15 AM

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet had nine carries for 32 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown during Thursday's Week 16 win over the Los Angeles Rams in overtime. He also caught all four of his targets for an additional 22 receiving yards. Charbonnet was outperformed by Kenneth Walker III in terms of touches, yards, and fantasy points, but he did still lead the backfield with his 56% snap share on Thursday night. Managers should expect the two backs to continue splitting work roughly 50/50 in this backfield from now on. That lowers the floor for both players, but if Seattle's offense plays well over the final two weeks, Charbonnet and Walker could each carve out standalone fantasy value as low-end RB2 or high-end RB3/flex options. Charbonnet should be a top-36 fantasy running back in Week 17, when he takes on a well-rounded Carolina Panthers squad.