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Rankings analysis for running backs in Tiers 4 and lower in 2023 fantasy football best ball drafts. Phil Clark breaks down the best values relative to ADP for best ball leagues.
Many of you have been assembling rosters in best ball leagues since the initial weeks of the offseason, and participation in this format has intensified as we have progressed throughout the summer. You are also dedicating your efforts toward draft preparation and roster construction as we rapidly approach the regular season.
Enthusiasm for the best ball format remains enormous as it provides the opportunity to instantly complete all forms of roster management at the conclusion of each draft. However, that aspect of the best ball draft process should be integrated into your decision-making process during each selection. The absence of a waiver wire elevates the importance of constructing rosters that are designed to minimize the impact of injuries and other challenges that emerge during the season.
The team at RotoBaller has just updated our tiered rankings in the best ball format, which will help you prepare for your upcoming drafts. We are also delivering a detailed analysis of these rankings, and this article will examine running backs that are contained in Tiers 4-9. We will continue to update our rankings throughout the offseason and you can find a full breakdown of tiers 1-3 here.
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Running Back Best Ball Rankings
Tier 4
Travis Etienne Jr., Najee Harris, Aaron Jones, Kenneth Walker III, Joe Mixon, Jahmyr Gibbs, Alexander Mattison
Travis Etienne is primed to operate as Jacksonville’s lead back, even though it may be difficult for him to replicate last year’s touch totals in the Jaguars’ reconstructed backfield. Etienne catapulted James Robinson to seize the role of Jacksonville’s primary back in 2022. The decline in Robinson’s involvement transpired when he was relegated to healthy scratch status in Week 7 before being dispatched to the Jets in late October.
This fueled a significant rise in Etienne’s usage and output. He attained a 70.2% snap share from Weeks 7-16 while finishing fourth in rushing yardage (699/77.7 per game), seventh in attempts (150/16.7 per game), and third in broken tackles (30).
Doug Pederson should be inclined to distribute touches to Tank Bigsby, who the Jaguars selected in Round 3 of April’s NFL Draft (88th overall). However, Etienne retains the ability to capitalize on his opportunities, and will still function as the team’s RB1. That makes him a viable option at his current ADP (41/RB16).
Fantasy managers who invested a first-round selection on Najee Harris during 2022 drafts (ADP 10/RB6) were forced to adjust their expectations when he was 16th in attempts (108/13.5 per game), but just 29th with 361 yards (45.1 per game) from Weeks 1-9.
He also averaged just 2.2 yards after contact per attempt during those contests. However, Harris soared to third with an average of 14.2 points per game from Weeks 10-18. He also finished third in both rushing yards (673/74.8 per game) and rushing attempts (164/18.2 per game) from Weeks 10-18.
| Weeks 10-18 | Yards | Yards/Gm | Attempts | Att/Gm | YAC |
| Josh Jacobs | 910 | 101.1 | 202 | 22.4 | 621 |
| Nick Chubb | 684 | 76 | 153 | 17 | 471 |
| Najee Harris | 673 | 74.8 | 164 | 18.2 | 427 |
| Derrick Henry | 668 | 83.5 | 166 | 20.8 | 471 |
| Isiah Pacheco | 633 | 70.3 | 126 | 14 | 341 |
| Cam Akers | 632 | 70.2 | 132 | 14.7 | 329 |
| D'Onta Foreman | 618 | 77.3 | 143 | 18.3 | 385 |
| Christian McCaffrey | 614 | 68.2 | 133 | 14.8 | 360 |
| Miles Sanders | 613 | 68.1 | 128 | 14.2 | 329 |
Harris was also third in broken tackles (28) and fourth in yards after contact (427) while tying for fourth in rushing touchdowns (six). Harris will commandeer another mammoth workload, even though touches will also be dispersed to Jaylen Warren, He should also benefit from the Steelers’ offseason efforts to bolster their offensive line. That supplies the rationale for targeting Harris near his current ADP (32/RB12).
Aaron Jones’ snap shares have ranged from 58% to 62% since 2019, which has paced the Packers’ backfield during each of those four seasons. He has also eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards three times while accumulating 4,108 yards (66.3 per game) -- which is the sixth-highest total during that span.
That includes the career-high 1,121 rushing yards that Jones assembled last season (65.9 per game), which placed him ninth overall. He was also ninth in yards before contact (645), eighth in yards after contact (476), and also finished fourth in Football Outsiders’ DVOA (Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average).
Jones is also eighth in both rushing attempts (821/13.2 per game) and rushing touchdowns (31) since 2019 while finishing fifth in targets (268/4.3 per game), receptions (207/3.3 per game), and receiving yards (1,615/26 per game).
Green Bay has restructured Jones’ contract, which has positioned him to function as the Packers’ lead back once again. A.J. Dillon will also remain involved in the team’s backfield rotation. However, Dillon’s presence will not impede Jones from operating as an RB2, which elevates him among your most enticing options in Round 4 of upcoming drafts.
Kenneth Walker III appeared perfectly placed to operate as Seattle’s unquestioned workhorse back earlier in the offseason after Rashaad Penny signed a one-year contract with Philadelphia. However, the Seahawks were compelled to secure Zach Charbonnet in Round 2 of April’s NFL draft, which is not a favorable development for Walker.
The second-year back had commandeered RB1 duties in Week 5 last season. He also rose to fourth among all backs in rushing yards through Week 18 (992/82.7 per game) and tied for the league lead with nine rushes of 20+ yards. Walker also vaulted to second in games of 100+ yards (five) and ninth in yards after contact (515).
Walker’s accomplishments during 2022 and his favorable blend of vision, patience, and burst should keep him atop Seattle’s depth chart. However, Charbonnet possesses three-down capabilities, including his prowess as a receiver and pass-blocker. The likelihood that both backs will share opportunities prevents Walker from operating with the massive workload that appeared imminent prior to the selection of Charbonnet. That should preclude you from selecting Walker before Round 4 of your upcoming drafts.
It appeared that Joe Mixon’s tenure with Cincinnati was approaching a conclusion after he was charged with aggravated menace in February. Uncertainty surrounding Mixon’s future surged again when the charge was re-filed in April. However, the unsettled situation has been resolved after Mixon signed a restructured contract, which included a reduction in pay.
Mixon finished eighth with an average of 16.0 points per game during 2022, while establishing career highs in targets (60/4.3 per game), receptions (75/5.4 per game), and receiving yards (441/31.5). He finished among the top seven at his position in each category. Mixon was also 10th among all backs in routes run (277) and ninth in targets per route run (27.1%). His numbers as a rusher were more problematic, as his 58.1 yards per game average was the lowest since his 2017 rookie season.
Chase Brown, Trayveon Williams, and Chris Evans are the only other backs on Cincinnati’s depth chart. That positions Mixon to operate with a substantial workload and generate low-end RB1 output in the Bengals’ potent attack.
Prior to the NFL Draft, Jahmyr Gibbs was already an intriguing prospect whose versatility and explosiveness could launch him into a sizable workload, provided that he landed in a favorable environment.
Enthusiasm for Gibbs surged even further after Detroit selected him with the 12th overall pick during the aforementioned draft, which presented him with a navigable path toward securing an integral role in the Lions’ backfield. The timeline for that to occur also accelerated significantly when Detroit traded D'Andre Swift to Philadelphia.
Gibbs demonstrated his capabilities as both a rusher and a receiving weapon while generating 1,974 total yards during two seasons at Georgia Tech (2020-2021). He transferred to Alabama for his final season and paced the Crimson Tide in rushing attempts (151), rushing yards (926), and rushing touchdowns (seven).
Gibbs also collected 56 targets and finished fifth among all backs with 44 receptions in 2022, while eclipsing 440 receiving yards for a second consecutive season. The convergence of Gibbs’ attributes and the likelihood that he will seize a massive role in Ben Johnson’s attack should propel him to RB2 output this season.
The inevitable departure of Dalvin Cook has opened a cavernous path for Alexander Mattison to confiscate lead back duties in Minnesota’s reconstructed backfield. Mattison enters this season with career highs of 134 attempts (8.4 per game), 491 rushing yards (30.7 per game), 39 targets (2.4 per game), and 228 receiving yards (14.3 per game), although he should have an opportunity to eviscerate those numbers while operating in his expanded role.
The Vikings selected DeWayne McBride during Round 7 of April’s NFL Draft. The newcomer will compete with former fifth-round pick Ty Chandler (2022) and 2021 fourth-round selection Kene Nwangwu for touches as a complement to Mattison -- whose ADP has ascended from Round 11 (128/RB42) to Round 5 (57/RB20) since Cook's departure became imminent.
The prospect of Mattison functioning with an extensive workload supplies managers with a viable RB2 candidate, as he could easily outperform the current expectations of his draft position (62/RB21).
Tier 5
Dobbins’ status should be monitored following his placement on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. However, he will function as Baltimore’s primary back whenever he is available. Dobbins will also enter the final year of his contract with an opportunity to build upon the statistical surge that he delivered late in the 2022 regular season.
Dobbins made his season debut in Week 3 following a protracted recovery from the torn ACL that he suffered in August of 2021. However, he only averaged 3.5 yards per attempt, while being limited to 8.8 carries and 30.8 rushing yards per game from Weeks 3-6.
He was sidelined from Weeks 7-13 following surgery on the troublesome knee but erupted for a league-high 397 yards (99.3 per game) with his 57 attempts (14.3 per game) from Weeks 14-17. Dobbins also finished sixth with 212 yards after contact during that sequence while averaging 11.8 points per game.
| Weeks 3-6 | Yards | Yards/Gm | Attempts | Att/Gm | YAC |
| J.K. Dobbins | 123 | 30.8 | 35 | 8.8 | 77 |
| Weeks 14-17 | Yards | Yards/Gm | Attempts | Att/Gm | YAC |
| J.K. Dobbins | 397 | 99.3 | 57 | 14.3 | 212 |
Baltimore’s offense finished third in run play percentage during 2022 (50.2%) but is transitioning from Greg Roman’s run-oriented approach to a restructured attack under new coordinator Todd Monken. That should not prevent you from securing Dobbins near his current ADP (52/RB18), providing that details surrounding his placement on the PUP list remain encouraging.
Tier 6
Rachaad White, Dameon Pierce, Miles Sanders
Rachaad White’s ability to operate effectively on all three downs was on display during his rookie season, although his potential to fully capitalize on his versatility was restricted by his role in a rotation with Leonard Fournette. Last season’s production-inhibiting timeshare limited White to a 28.6% snap share from Weeks 1-9, while he was also targeted on 24% of his routes. He also averaged 4.8 carries, 14.6 rushing yards, 2.8 targets, and 16.9 receiving yards during that span.
Fournette was seventh among all backs with a 71.8% share during that sequence, while averaging 13.4 attempts/45 rushing yards and residing inside the top five in targets (49/5.4 per game), receptions (42/4.7 per game), and receiving yards (314/34.9 per game). However, White secured a higher snap share than Fournette from Weeks 10-17 (52.5%/50.4%), while averaging more rushing yards (49.9/43.8) and tying Fournette in targets (33) and receptions (30) during that sequence.
The release of Fournette ensured that White will not contend with significant competition for touches. That elevates him among your backs to prioritize in Round 6, as he is capable of operating as your RB2.
Dameon Pierce never exceeded 106 carries during his four collegiate seasons, which restricted him to a career-high of 574 rushing yards (44.2 per game). However, he outperformed the modest expectations of his draft position (Round 4/107th overall) by ascending atop Houston’s depth chart and finishing among the top five in rushing attempts (154/19.3 per game) and rushing yardage (739/92.4 per game) from Weeks 2-10.
| Weeks 2-10 | Attempts | Att/Gm | Yards | Yards/Gm | BT | YAC |
| Derrick Henry | 181 | 22.7 | 841 | 105.1 | 30 | 579 |
| Saquon Barkley | 180 | 22.5 | 767 | 95.9 | 30 | 470 |
| Dameon Pierce | 154 | 19.3 | 739 | 92.4 | 26 | 391 |
| Josh Jacobs | 149 | 18.7 | 764 | 95.5 | 42 | 484 |
| Nick Chubb | 138 | 17.3 | 763 | 95.4 | 29 | 512 |
| Jamaal Williams | 131 | 16.4 | 576 | 72 | 12 | 344 |
| Miles Sanders | 130 | 16.3 | 614 | 76.8 | 20 | 286 |
| Travis Etienne | 127 | 14.1 | 678 | 75.3 | 27 | 319 |
| Aaron Jones | 126 | 14 | 689 | 76.6 | 35 | 419 |
| Dalvin Cook | 125 | 15.6 | 637 | 79.6 | 23 | 322 |
Pierce also rose to third in runs of 20+ and seventh in both broken tackles (26) and yards after contact (391) during those matchups. He sustained an ankle injury in Week 14, which abruptly ended his rookie season. However, he still tied for second among all first-year backs in attempts (220/16.9 per game) and was also fourth in both rushing yardage (939/72.2 per game) and yards after contact (534) despite the truncated season.
The Texans signed Devin Singletary to a one-year contract but the former Bill should predominantly be deployed as a receiving weapon. Pierce will operate as Houston’s lead back, which should incentivize you to target him during Round 6 of your drafts.
Miles Sanders generated career-high numbers in multiple rushing categories during his final season with Philadelphia. He rose to fifth among all backs in rushing yards (1,269/74.6 per game), vaulted to second in yards before contact (837), finished fourth in red zone attempts (49), and seventh in rushing touchdowns (11).
The four-year contract that Sanders signed with Carolina has positioned him to operate as the Panthers' lead back. Chuba Hubbard will retain a role in the team's backfield rotation, which could restrict Sanders' numbers as a pass-catcher.
That could also relegate him to results that are similar to his numbers as a receiver in 2022 (26 targets (1.5 per game), 20 receptions (1.2 per game), and 78 receiving yards (4.6 per game). However, Sanders can take advantage of his sizable workload as a rusher to warrant consideration as a low-end RB2 during your drafts.
Tier 7
James Conner, Cam Akers, D'Andre Swift, Dalvin Cook, David Montgomery, James Cook
The list of reasons for you to be ambivalent about investing in members of Arizona’s depleted offense begins with a lack of clarity regarding a timeline for Kyler Murray’s recovery from a torn ACL. The Cardinals' decision to release DeAndre Hopkins decreased their shallow list of offensive playmakers even further. However, James Conner remains firmly intact as Arizona’s RB1 and is destined to function with an extensive workload -- albeit in an offense that will contend with imposing obstacles during the season.
Conner encountered multiple injuries during 2022 (ribs/ankle/shin), which forced his absence during four matchups. He was only 28th in attempts (183 and 30th in rushing yards (782), but his per-game averages in both categories (14.1 carries/60.2 yards) were the highest since 2018 -- as was his average of 2.4 yards before contact per attempt.
With only Keaontay Ingram below him on the depth chart, Conner will operate with sizable weekly touch totals. However, the Cardinals could struggle to sustain drives while operating with a dearth of talent. It is recommended that you avoid drafting Conner before his Round 6 ADP (68/RB25).
The unpredictable trajectory of Cam Akers' numbers throughout the season eventually led to an unexpected career resurrection for the three-year veteran. Akers operated with a 39.5% snap share from Weeks 2-5 while averaging 12 attempts/37.8 rushing yards per game. He only accumulated 21 snaps, 11 carries, and 25 yards on the ground from Weeks 6-10 before a statistical eruption during the Rams’ final six matchups.
Akers rose to fifth among all backs with a 73.4% snap share from Weeks 13-18, while soaring into the league lead in rushing yards (512/85.3 per game) and rushing touchdowns (six) and vaulting to fifth in point-per-game scoring (17.7). The Rams eschewed the opportunity to add formidable competition during free agency and did not select a running back until Round 6 of April’s NFL Draft (Zach Evans). This has cemented Akers’ position atop the depth chart, and he can be targeted as a low-end RB2 in Round 6 of your drafts.
Detroit’s Round 1 selection of Jahmyr Gibbs immediately fueled a descent in D'Andre Swift’s value. However, his stock was resuscitated two days later when the Lions traded Swift to Philadelphia. Now, he will re-emerge as a pass-catching weapon within the Eagles’ reshaped backfield.
Swift failed to match the expectations of fantasy managers who had selected him as an RB1 during the 2022 draft season (ADP14/RB8). He finished with a career-low 42% snap share, despite playing in a career-best 14 games. Swift also registered career lows in attempts per game (7.1), rushing yards per game (38.7), and yards after contact (173).
Swift’s per-game averages as a receiving weapon also dwelled below the career highs that he secured during 2021 in targets (6.0/5.0), receptions (4.8/3,4), and receiving yards (34.8/27.8). However, he should commandeer a weekly role as Philadelphia’s primary pass-catching presence from the backfield. That could propel Swift to low-end RB2 production, which makes him worthy of consideration at his Round 6 ADP (67/RB24).
Dalvin Cook's status has remained unresolved throughout the offseason, although he should resurface in a new environment during the upcoming weeks. He enters his seventh year following a 2022 regular season that contained a divergent blend of encouraging numbers that were blended with more troubling results.
Cook eluded health issues sufficiently to remain in the Vikings' lineup during a career-high 17 games while finishing sixth in rushing yards (1,173) and 11th in rushing touchdowns (eight). However, his average of 69 yards per game was the lowest since 2018, while his averages of 4.4 yards per attempt and 1.8 yards after contact per attempt established career lows.
Cook will turn 28 next month but remains capable of delivering RB2 output if he ultimately emerges in a desirable situation. However, his nebulous future builds risk into the selection of Cook at his current ADP (69/RB26).
David Montgomery has migrated to Detroit after pacing NFC North rival Chicago in rushing attempts and rushing yardage during each of his four seasons with the Bears. He also averaged 229 attempts (15.3 per game) and 902 yards (60.2 per game) during that span, although last season’s averages were the lowest of his career (12.6 carries/50.1 yards).
It is logical to envision Montgomery operating with a similar workload as former Lion Jamaal Williams, who soared to career-best numbers in multiple categories last season (262 carries/1,066 rushing yards/17 rushing touchdowns). However, it is also conceivable that exciting newcomer Jahmyr Gibbs will procure more touches on a weekly basis than D'Andre Swift garnered during 2022 (7.1 carries/5.0 targets/3.4 receptions per game). This should not discourage you from selecting Montgomery, although the arrival of Gibbs should limit Montgomery to RB3/flex production.
James Cook's Round 8 ADP underscores the prevailing optimism that his workload will expand during his second season, despite the looming likelihood that he will share touches with former Patriot Damien Harris. Buffalo signed Harris to a one-year contract during the offseason, and he should be entrusted with the majority of rushing attempts. However, Cook appears primed to function as the Bills' primary pass-catching weapon from the backfield.
The pathway for this to transpire emerged when Devin Singletary signed a one-year contract with Houston. Cook trailed Singletary in targets (52/32), receptions (38-21), and receiving yards (280/180) during 2022. However, Cook’s average of just 1.3 targets per game (3.9% share) from Weeks 1-11 improved significantly to 3.4 (10.5% share) from Weeks 12-17.
He was also averaging just 4.6 carries/25.9 rushing yards per game from Weeks 1-12 before those averages expanded to 8.6 attempts/49.6 yards per game from Weeks 13-18. Even though Cook and Harris will both remain involved in a rotation, Cook should garner enough opportunities to minimally provide fantasy managers with high-end RB3 production.
Tiers 8-9
Javonte Williams, Isiah Pacheco, Khalil Herbert, Alvin Kamara, Zach Charbonnet, A.J. Dillon, Brian Robinson Jr., Antonio Gibson, Rashaad Penny, Jamaal Williams, Damien Harris
The value for backs that are contained in Tiers 8 and 9 could easily be altered by various factors that might emerge during the remaining weeks of the draft season.
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