Getting at least two productive running backs continues to be a winning strategy in fantasy football, but the volatile nature of the position can see players rise tremendously or bust completely.
1. Christian McCaffrey, SF
1139 rushing yards, 741 receiving yards, 13 TDs, 313.8 points.
In his 11 games after being traded to the Niners, he averaged 110 total yards per game and scored 10 TDs.
2. Austin Ekeler, LAC
915 rushing yards, 722 receiving yards, 18 TDs, 325.2 points.
Has scored 38 TDs in his past 33 games and ranked fifth in the league with 107 receptions.
3. Bijan Robinson, ATL
2023 rookie.
The eighth-overall pick should get every chance to thrive in the Falcons’ run-heavy offence.
4. Nick Chubb, CLE
1525 rushing yards, 239 receiving yards, 13 TDs, 269.9 points.
One of the league’s best pure rushers, Chubb is incredibly effective in fantasy despite little work in the passing game.
5. Tony Pollard, DAL
1007 rushing yards, 371 receiving yards, 12 TDs, 229.3 points.
Despite playing just 52% of snaps and ranking 26th in RB touches last year, Pollard finished as RB9.
6. Saquon Barkley, NYG
1312 rushing yards, 338 receiving yards, 10 TDs, 255.5 points.
Isn’t happy about playing on a one-year deal, but ranked fifth among RBs at 15.9 points per game last year.
7. Derrick Henry, TEN
1538 rushing yards, 398 receiving yards, 13 TDs, 292.2 points.
Believe it or not, but Henry actually ranked ninth among RBs in receiving yards in 2022.
8. Josh Jacobs, LV
1653 rushing yards, 400 receiving yards, 12 TDs, 303.8 points.
Set career highs across the board last year but failed to score a long-term deal with the Raiders.
9. Joe Mixon, CIN
814 rushing yards, 441 receiving yards, 9 TDs, 209.5 points.
Unlikely to face punishment for off-field troubles and remains a workhorse RB on a great offence.
10. Aaron Jones, GB
1121 rushing yards, 395 receiving yards, 7 TDs, 225.1 points.
Still the lead back in the Packers’ tandem and has averaged a great 5.1 YPC over his six-year career.
11. Travis Etienne Jr., JAX
1125 rushing yards, 316 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 193.6 points.
After missing his rookie season, Etienne finished a respectable RB15 and will look to build on that.
12. Kenneth Walker III, SEA
1050 rushing yards, 165 receiving yards, 9 TDs, 189 points.
Seattle adding Zach Charbonnet in this year’s draft puts a big damper on Walker after a good rookie season.
13. Rhamondre Stevenson, NE
1040 rushing yards, 421 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 216.6 points.
Became the first-ever Patriots running back to have 200 carries and 50 receptions in the same season.
14. Najee Harris, PIT
1034 rushing yards, 229 receiving yards, 10 TDs, 206.9 points.
Has yet to finish a season with a YPC better than 3.9 and had just one rush of 20+ yards last year.
15. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET
2023 rookie.
First-rounder should plug right in to D’Andre Swift’s old role – so don’t expect goal-line work.
16. Dameon Pierce, HOU
939 rushing yards, 165 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 155.4 points.
A sleeper candidate that panned out last year, Pierce figures to once again take a featured role in Houston’s offence.
17. Breece Hall, NYJ
463 rushing yards, 218 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 107.6 points.
Could be ready for Week 1, but may be brought along slowly after last year’s ACL tear and the signing of Dalvin Cook.
18. Cam Akers, LAR
786 rushing yards, 117 receiving yards, 7 TDs, 138.8 points.
After a horrific start last season, Akers turned it on in the final six weeks, ranking as RB5 in that span.
19. J.K. Dobbins, BAL
520 rushing yards, 42 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 77.7 points.
After a major knee injury in 2021, Dobbins was working his way back in 2022 and now figures to be featured in the Ravens offence.
20. Miles Sanders, CAR
1269 rushing yards, 78 receiving yards, 11 TDs, 210.7 points.
The former Eagle should be ready for Week 1 after suffering a groin injury early in training camp.
21. Alexander Mattison, MIN
283 rushing yards, 91 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 80.9 points.
The long-time handcuff finally gets his shot at a lead role with Dalvin Cook gone.
22. James Conner, ARI
782 rushing yards, 300 receiving yards, 8 TDs, 179.2 points.
Has missed at least two games in each of his six seasons but remains a solid option for your RB2 spot.
23. David Montgomery, DET
801 rushing yards, 316 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 164.7 points.
Should be set to handle the dirty work for the Lions, including lucrative goal-line touches.
24. Isiah Pacheco, KC
830 rushing yards, 130 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 132.5 points.
The seventh-round rookie was a big part of K.C.’s Super Bowl run and remains its likely starter.
25. Alvin Kamara, NO
897 rushing yards, 490 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 191.2 points.
Suspended for the three games and is no longer the TD-scoring machine of several seasons ago.
26. Jonathan Taylor, IND
861 rushing yards, 143 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 138.4 points.
2021’s top RB was derailed by injuries in 2022 and now is being stashed on the PUP list after trade talks fell through. If, when and where he plays is a mystery, but he could be worth it.
27. James Cook, BUF
507 rushing yards, 180 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 97.2 points.
Sophomore is in line for the lead back role after averaging 5.7 YPC on 89 carries last year.
28. Khalil Herbert, CHI
731 rushing yards, 57 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 113.3 points.
With David Montgomery gone, Herbert now gets his chance to be the Bears lead running back.
29. Rachaad White, TB
481 rushing yards, 290 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 120.1 points.
Failed to impress when given the chance as a rookie and reportedly is splitting first-team duties in camp.
30. Dalvin Cook, NYJ
1173 rushing yards, 295 receiving yards, 10 TDs, 226.3 points.
Former Vikings all-pro could start the season strong while Hall works towards 100%.
31. Javonte Williams, DEN
204 rushing yards, 76 receiving yards, 36 points.
Working his way back from an ACL tear and won’t be getting a full workload until he’s ready for it.
32. D’Andre Swift, PHI
542 rushing yards, 389 receiving yards, 8 TDs, 167.1 points.
His receiving and playmaking ability make him the top RB to draft out of the Eagles crowded backfield.
33. Brian Robinson Jr., WAS
797 rushing yards, 60 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 108.2 points.
After recovering for a gunshot wound, Robinson because Washington’s early down back but offers little in the passing game.
34. AJ Dillon, GB
770 rushing yards, 206 receiving yards, 7 TDs, 153.6 points.
Has consistently been overshadowed by Jones and saw his efficiency numbers take another dip.
35. Samaje Perine, DEN
394 rushing yards, 287 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 123.1 points.
Figures to get a lot of work on passing downs and in a potential feature role while Williams works his way back to 100%.
36. Antonio Gibson, WAS
546 rushing yards, 353 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 142.9 points.
Mainly was used in the passing game when Robinson came back but new OC Eric Bienemy could boost his stock.
37. Rashaad Penny, PHI
346 rushing yards, 16 receiving yards, 2 TDs, 50.2 points.
Has played just 28 of a possible 66 games in his career, but has shown star potential when on the field.
38. Zach Charbonnet, SEA
2023 rookie
Second-rounder figures to work in a tandem with sophomore Walker, limiting fantasy potential.
39. Jamaal Williams, NO
1066 rushing yards, 73 receiving yards, 17 TDs, 223.9 points.
Was a goal-line dynamo in Detroit last year, scoring 10 one-yard touchdowns and leading the league with 17 total.
40. Raheem Mostert, MIA
891 rushing yards, 202 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 154.8 points.
Between him and fellow ex-49er Wilson, the two RBs were in a pretty dead-even split until Wilson was placed on IR.
41. Tyler Allgeier, ATL
1035 rushing yards, 139 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 151.4 points.
Was looking like a potential fantasy star until the Falcons drafted Robinson.
42. Jaylen Warren, PIT
379 rushing yards, 214 receiving yards, 1 TD, 79.3 points.
Has looked great in the pre-season and has a shot at stealing carries from Harris.
43. Elijah Mitchell, SF
279 rushing yards, 7 receiving yards, 2 TDs, 42.1 points.
While he’s basically made of glass, Mitchell also put up efficient numbers when in rotation with McCaffrey.
44. Ezekiel Elliott, NE
876 rushing yards, 92 receiving yards, 12 TDs, 177.3 points.
Ex-Cowboys star Joined the Patriots late in training camp but could have a decent role.
45. Damien Harris, BUF
462 rushing yards, 97 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 82.4 points.
Hamstring issues have hindered him the past two season while with the Patriots.
46. Jerick McKinnon, KC
291 rushing yards, 512 receiving yards, 10 TDs, 170.3 points.
Proved to be a threat in the passing game, finishing with the ninth most receptions and targets among RBs.
47. Kenneth Gainwell, PHI
240 rushing yards, 169 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 76.4 points.
Had his chance to move up the depth chart dashed by the Eagles’ off-season additions at RB.
48. Tank Bigsby, JAX
2023 rookie.
Third-rounder has seemingly solidified his role as Etienne’s backup and top handcuff.
49. Zack Moss, IND
456 rushing yards, 39 receiving yards, 1 TD, 61 points.
Looks to be on track to play in Week 1 and be Indy’s feature back until Taylor returns – if he does.
50. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC
302 rushing yards, 151 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 89.8 points.
The former first rounder now finds himself on the low end of the Chiefs’ RB totem pole.
51. Deon Jackson, IND
236 rushing yards, 209 receiving yards, 2 TDs, 71.5 points.
Should Moss go down, then Jackson is the next man up and in a featured role.
52. Kendre Miller, NO
2023 rookie.
Drafted as a potential successor to Kamara, the rookie should open in a tandem with Williams.
53. Jerome Ford, CLE
12 rushing yards, 1.2 points.
Has potential to be a high-end handcuff to Chubb, but is already dealing with a hamstring injury.
54. Kareem Hunt, FA
468 rushing yards, 210 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 109.3 points.
Reportedly could be signing with the Colts and could be their top RB almost immediately.
THE NEXT FIVE
De’Von Achane, MIA
2023 rookie.
Devin Singletary, HOU
819 rushing yards, 280 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 164.9 points.
D’Onta Foreman, CHI
914 rushing yards, 26 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 128.5 points.
Roschon Johnson, CHI
2023 rookie
Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL
695 rushing yards, 122 receiving yards, 8 TDs, 146.2 points.