Running back is arguably the most important position in fantasy football. Even in superflex/2 QB formats, elite RB's still have a case to be made for being drafted ahead of elite QB's. Having an elite RB to anchor your team is one of the biggest advantages you can have. This is a fun year for the RB position, as we are getting some of fantasy football's biggest names back on the field. We also have some RB's who are trying to cement themselves within the 'elite RB' conversation for years to come.
In this article I will be going through my top 24 RB's, providing insight for the top 12. Please note that these rankings are based off of season long projections for 0.5 PPR scoring formats.
RB 1's:
RB 1 | Dalvin Cook
Starting off hot, huh? Dalvin Cook has sat atop my RB rankings all offseason. Cook has played in 14 games in the last two seasons, proving that he can hold up to the workload required of him. Now I'm not saying that Cook's injury history is simply not an issue, the RB position is one of the most physical in all of football and injuries are bound to happen. It's worth noting that
RB 2 | Christian McCaffery
The fall of CMC stops here, don't worry. McCaffery is returning from an injury riddled 2020 where he only played 3 games. His 3 games were great, however I take issue with the fact that in most cases a 3 game sample size is inadequate, but for CMC, it's plenty to crown him as the forever RB 1. CMC's 2019 was historic. I fear that 2019 has become the expectation, but the fact is 400+ touches for a guy who's official weight is listed at 205 lbs. is simply not something that we would project to happen again. In PPR leagues, the case for CMC > Cook can certainly be made. I am not faulting anyone for drafting CMC over Cook. I am simply trying to say that the gap between CMC and Dalvin Cook is not as large as it is portrayed to be.
RB 3 | Alvin Kamara
Everyone's favorite offseason fade finds himself poised to make another run at the RB 1 overall. Kamara is poised to benefit from the absence of teammate, Michael Thomas, as he recovers from ankle surgery that he should have had months ago. With Jameis Winston officially named the starting QB, Winston's lack of mobility (opposed to Taysom Hill) should benefit Kamara to the tune of mucho targets. Kamara's career has been a highlight reel of it's own. Combine his amazing receiving ability with legit 15+ TD upside year after year, Kamara absolutely belongs in the top 3.
RB 4 | Austin Ekeler
Austin Ekeler has been my 'Dark Horse' to finish as the RB 1 overall since April, when I discussed him in an episode of the A-Z Fantasy Football Podcast. Despite an injury riddled 2020, Ekeler still managed to land in the top 8 in multiple receiving categories amongst running backs while playing just 10 games. Now returning healthy with a beefed up OL and lackluster backfield competition, Ekeler should be in line for a huge opportunity share as the RB 1 and WR 2 for the LA Chargers.
RB 5 | Ezekiel Elliot
Say what you want about Zeke. The man has never not finished as a fantasy football RB 1... Ever. Last year's 'Zeke is washed' crowd must have reached the Elliot household, because Zeke returned to camp this year in the best shape of his life ready to prove all of the doubters wrong. Throughout his career, Zeke has proven to be durable, missing just 3 games in which he was eligible to play. Zeke has also proven that he can handle a pass catching role increasing both his floor and ceiling in fantasy football.
RB 6 | Derrick Henry
King Henry returns to defend his crown after a historic 2,027 yard rushing season. Derrick Henry ranks higher for most other analysts than me. The reason he is down here as my RB 6 is strictly due to his lack of involvement in the receiving game. Derrick Henry has never posted a season with 20 receptions. That being said, Henry's guaranteed rushing volume provides a very safe floor, but his upside is capped compared to those I have ranked above him.
RB 7 | Aaron Jones
In a somewhat shocking move this offseason, Aaron Jones signed a contract extension to stay in Green Bay. Jones has finished as the RB 2 and the RB 5 in the past two season, respectively. Jones is a true 'do it all' back with a violent running style and a nose for the end zone, scoring 30 total TD's over the past two seasons. With the departure of Jamaal Williams and another offseason where the Packers (yet again) failed to add a big time playmaker, Jones's role in the offense remains locked in. At the back of the 1st round, he's a great value.
RB 8 | Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley is arguably the best running back in the NFL. A truly generational talent that is also returning from a torn ACL he suffered early in the 2020 season. Saquon is expected to suit up week 1, but his early season usage is still in question even if Saquon is active. Combine he questions surrounding his availability with the fact that the Giants appear to be one of the NFL's most dysfunctional franchises at present, I have my own questions about Saquon's ability to return high-end RB 1 numbers, but it's not for a lack of talent. This is one of those rankings that could blow up in my face later on, but I do believe he would move up this list, not down.
RB 9 | Antonio Gibson
Antonio Gibson was a 2020 'My Guy' for me. 'Mr. 77 career touches @ Memphis' has quickly become a fantasy football darling after an impressive rookie campaign. Gibson is entering 2021 checking all of the boxes you could possibly want. He's cleared of his turf toe injury, and the buzz out of camp suggests that Ron Rivera wants to deploy Gibson in a similar way that Christian McCaffery has been used in Carolina. Gibson is frequently falling into the 2nd round of fantasy drafts, making him one of the best values in drafts in 2021.
RB 10 | Najee Harris
I was one of the first to fade Najee Harris immediately after the draft. The Steelers had one of the worst OL's in football in 2020, then this offseason they basically decided to start from scratch with their OL personnel. After some reflection, the ole 'talent > situation' argument prevailed. Najee Harris was drafted to resurrect the Steeler's running game. Historically, PIT has preferred a dominant workhorse back dating back to the days of Jerome Bettis. Najee Harris steps into a situation with virtually no competition for meaningful touches, and he possesses the skillset that could lead to an insane snap share. Najee could see a Zeke-esque workload, but unlike Zeke early in his career, we already know Najee can catch passes with the best of them.
RB 11 | Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor possesses all of the traits of a top 5 back, and I do believe that is in his range of outcomes, however I simply like the names above JT better in 2021. In 2020, Taylor finished as the RB 6. Taylor also went nuclear in the last 5 weeks of the 2020 season where he faced a slew of some of the worst rushing defenses in the NFL. For a while there, JT was one of the biggest fades in fantasy. I am lower on him than consensus, but I can also still see a clear path to him outperforming his ADP. Despite being the most talented RB on his team by a country mile, the backfield is still crowded, and Nyhiem Hines earned himself a role in this offense. I guess I'm just meh on Taylor in 2021, and that's okay.
RB 12 | Nick Chubb
Nick Chubb is arguably the best pure runner in the NFL. Sadly, fantasy points aren't awarded on one's 'pure running' ability. Chubb's biggest downfall when it comes to fantasy football isn't even the fact that he has a limited pass catching role, Chubb hauled in 36 receptions in 2018. It's Kareem Hunt. From an NFL perspective, the Browns are very wise to keep Kareem Hunt on the team to help divvy up a massive rushing workload. From a fantasy football perspective, Nick Chubb could break fantasy football IF he was allotted more of his own opportunity share.
RB 2's:
RB 13 | D'Andre Swift - Swift has been as high as RB 7 and as low as RB 18 in my rankings throughout the offseason. There has been a steady drum beat around Swift all offseason, his pass catching prowess alone offers a safe floor, and if he can manage double digit TD's, top 8 is well within his range of outcomes
RB 14 | Joe Mixon
RB 15 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire
RB 16 | David Montgomery
RB 17 | Chris Carson
RB 18 | James Robinson
RB 19 | Myles Gaskin
RB 20 | Javonte Williams - Earning comparisons to Alvin Kamara, Nick Chubb, & Aaron Jones (my pro-comp), it is just a matter of time until Javonte Williams becomes a weekly contributor for fantasy football. When that time comes, look out.
RB 21 | Darrell Henderson
RB 22 | Josh Jacobs
RB 22 | Damien Harris
RB 24 | Miles Sanders
Sleepers:
Chris Evans
Chris Evans is a very capable back who was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals. I know #JoeMixonSzn is upon us, but Mixon does have an injury history, and the team has historically utilized a second RB, especially for 3rd down work. Evans has received praise from coaches for his pass catching ability, specifically. Evans is a guy who may not need an injury ahead of him to carve out a role.
Ty Johnson
Ty Johnson enters the season atop the Jets depth chart. Johnson is an explosive athlete who has some serious potential if he can fend off teammates Tevin Coleman and Michael Carter. The best part about him is he's virtually free in drafts, a guy you can scoop up with one of your very last picks.
Bold Predictions:
- Austin Ekeler finishes as a top 5 RB with 100+ receptions
- Javonte Williams finishes as a top15 RB
- Christian McCaffery does NOT finish as the RB 1
- Ezekiel Elliot returns to form and finishes as a top 5 RB
- Derrick Henry finishes the season as RB 8 or lower
- Najee Harris emerges as a consensus top 5 pick in 2021
- Saquon Barkley proves that modern science is great and posts 1,700+ yards from scrimmage