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Who would you start, bench, and cut from this list: James Cook, Khalil Herbert, and Zach Charbonnet? It's gross, but these are the decisions that will need to be made on draft day. Obviously, you will see my response in this article, but feel free to reach out on Twitter with your response.
We have reached the RB-three and four portions of my rankings, where running back depth is arguably more important than any other position. These are the names that many will be debating between for bye-week fillers and injury replacements so they are crucial for season-long success.
For our purposes, this is a portion of running backs that can make or break getting into the playoffs come the end of the season. These players can win championships if navigated correctly. For more of my fantasy content, check out my video player profiles on TikTok @FiresideFantasy_FF.
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50. Leonard Fournette (RB, FA)
It's really hard to get excited about Leonard Fournette. He was a pure volume player over the last few years and now could land on almost any team.
This is sort of a placeholder ranking, as he is the least fantasy-friendly option out of Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott. However, even in what might be the "best" situation to land in, I don't think he'll crack my top-40 backs.
49. Kendre Miller (RB, NO)
Kendre Miller is a fascinating prospect and will get the first three weeks of the season to showcase what he can do. Drafted by the Saints in the third round, his bruising run style will fit perfectly as a complement to Alvin Kamara when he returns to the field in week four.
It's tough to predict how much upside Miller provides this year. However, to start the season he is only competing with Jamaal Williams, and could win the coaching staff over. He is more of an upside pick than anything, but I think he is definitely worth the shot.
48. Joshua Kelley (RB, LAC)
It's been no secret that this team is desperate to find a complement to Austin Ekeler. Unfortunately, they seem to always miss their draft picks. Last year, Joshua Kelley proved to be the clear second option for this team.
Since the arrival of Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator, there is a world in this team that uses Kelley and Ekeler as an Ezekiel Elliott/Tony Pollard combination. Plus, if Ekeler gets injured, Kelley is the main beneficiary. It's a bit of a long shot for fantasy, but sometimes the best picks are the ones no one sees coming.
47. Kyren Williams (RB, LAR)
Kyren Williams had a horrible start to his career. Last year's fifth-round pick by the Rams garnered a lot of praise from their coaches early in his training camp. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury that forced him to miss most of the season. Now, he seemingly is the clear number two option behind Cam Akers.
Relatively, Akers is a great back to be behind. Not only was he almost cut from the team mid-season last year, but he also has an injury history. We're at the point in the rankings where we are banking on the stars aligning for these players. In Williams' case, the variable gives a clear path to potentially consistent usage on this offense.
46. Jaylen Warren (RB, PIT)
Jaylen Warren seemingly came out of nowhere last season and has been a huge beneficiary of off-season hype. The team has spoken glowingly about the sophomore back, most notably saying they have to find a way to get him more touches.
On a team that traditionally uses only one back, this is quite the compliment. I am not confident that Kenny Pickett will make this offense strong enough to have two relevant RBs, but Warren should have a few boom weeks with the added upside if Najee Harris misses time.
45. Jerome Ford (RB, CLE)
2022's fifth-round pick out of Cincinnati has received consistent praise all off-season from the Browns' coaching staff. The positive buzz, paired with the lack of RB talent behind him makes it appear that he is the one stepping into the role vacated by Kareem Hunt as the passing back and primary backup.
The fantasy community has lofty expectations for Nick Chubb. Although justified, it is important to remember that Hunt was a viable fantasy starter in the committee. As a result, Ford might become a flex play fill-in in 2023.
44. Gus Edwards (RB, BAL)
In Gus Edwards' nine games last season, he had double-digit carries in five of them. As much as J.K. Dobbins truthers complain, there is no doubt this is a firm committee between Edwards and Dobbins.
Plus, we have to account for Lamar Jackson's rushing. The silver lining is Jackson does not score many rushing touchdowns. I think Edwards will be more of a thorn in Dobbins' side than relevant for fantasy for 2023.
43. Devin Singletary (RB, HOU)
Devin Singletary was always disrespected on the Bills. Although he doesn't have the electric ability to step out of Josh Allen's rushing shadow, he was consistently solid. He now joins the Texans who are well on their way to securing the first overall pick in 2024.
This team loves their sophomore Dameon Pierce but they also have a terrible defense. If you didn't know, Pierce was second on the team in RB receptions and only had 10 more catches than Dare Ogunbowale. Since this team should be playing from behind frequently, Singeltary could find his way into PPR fantasy relevance.
42. Elijah Mitchell (RB, SF)
I know it's not a great statistic, but in Elijah Mitchell's 16 games, he only has three games below four yards per carry. Mitchell has been great whenever he has touched the ball, with his biggest issue being availability.
Now he backs up another injury-riddled back who happens to be the best RB in the league. With Christian McCaffrey, Mitchell averaged 6.9 yards per carry in relief duties and has set himself up to be a brilliant change of pace back with wicked Best Ball upside.
41. Raheem Mostert (RB, MIA)
It's weird having the Dolphins' first RB this far down in my ranks. Well, that's because three different backs seemingly have an equal chance to lead this team.
At the end of the day, I am fairly confident this is a firm committee approach between Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., and Devon Achane, and none of them may be consistent fantasy producers.
As a result, I have the coach's pet Raheem Mostert leading the way. I'm avoiding them all in Redraft, but any of them are worth a grab in Best Ball.
40. Damien Harris (RB, BUF)
Do you remember when Harris had 15 rushing touchdowns in 2021? Because I almost forgot. Now Harris finds himself as the clear red zone back on one of the league's most popular offenses.
Obviously, Josh Allen takes away some red zone upside, however, last season Devin Singletary had 33 rushing attempts inside the 20 to James Cook's 11. Harris has been a better pure rusher than Singletary over his career and could make the most of these opportunities in 2022.
39. Ezekiel Elliott (RB, NE)
Ezekiel Elliott has finally signed with the New England Patriots. Although this is the worst offense of his potential suitors, it may provide him with the biggest workload.
After seeing Rhamondre Stevenson start to slow down after receiving all of the work last year, it was only a matter of time until he had a backfield mate. Elliott should see solid weekly touches, with RB3 potential if he becomes the Patriots' primary goal line option.
38. A.J. Dillon (RB, GB)
There's no other way to put it, A.J. Dillon was disappointing in 2022. The exciting Quadzilla finished the season as the RB25 during a season that most Packers fans will want to forget. The positive is that Dillon had 10 rushing attempts inside the five-yard line to Aaron Jones' two.
If Love can pick this offense back up, we have a clear goal line back in Dillon, holding both standalone and backup value. However, I am worried about the offense and believe Jones is the clear leader of this backfield, pushing Dillon down my rankings.
37. Samaje Perine (RB, DEN)
Samaje Perine is the back that coaches will love more than fans. In Cincinnati he cemented himself as one of the best pass blockers and third down backs in 2022. Although his numbers from last season don't jump off the page, he was swiftly grabbed by the Broncos to be the bridge before Javonte Williams returns.
It's near impossible to predict what this team will be like. In Sean Peyton's last four years as the Saints Head Coach, he led the league in rushing touchdowns twice. I believe this is going to be more of a timeshare than Williams fans want. On weeks where there is one clear leader of the backfield, either will be able to produce RB-two numbers consistently.
36. Rashaad Penny (RB, PHI)
I know I'm higher than most on D'Andre Swift, but you can't deny how good Rashaad Penny has been when healthy. Although yards per carry is not the best statistic, it's wild to think that Penny has 5.7 yards per carry on 337 touches. He now is playing behind the best line in the league on a great offense.
My concern is that Hurts will eat all the goal line scores, forcing Penny to eat up yards to produce for fantasy. It's almost guaranteed that Swift and Kenneth Gainwell will be in charge of third down touches, so he'll need to eat between the 20s to come through for fantasy. He has a lot of potential and probably has the highest upside of any back in this range.
35. Brian Robinson Jr. (RB, WAS)
Let's stick with what we know. Brian Robinson Jr. is one of the most likable players in the league and will always get the yards blocked for him as well as falling forward. Head Coach Ron Rivera clearly loves his skill set and gave Robinson Jr. an average of 17 carries a game.
Although he does not have the receiving game prowess, that's enough of a workload to consistently be a weekly RB producer for fantasy. He'll lose work to the often-hyped Antonio Gibson, but he's one of the steadiest options currently drafted as the RB38.
34. Isiah Pacheco (RB, KC)
Pacheco is a tricky back to rank this season. This is partly due to his hand injury that has kept him from training camp, and also due to the amount of RBs currently on the team.
After exceeding all expectations of his seventh-round draft capital, he heads into this season projected to be this team's lead rusher. Despite this projection, the team still has former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire, rookie Deneric Prince, and brought back Jerick McKinnon.
Although he was able to produce last season with the two of them, he only had more than 15 rushing attempts once and surpassed 50% of snaps twice. Since the offense is so potent, he can produce for fantasy with limited playing time, but that's a lot of risk. It's not often that I want to avoid the RBs on one of the league's best offenses, but this might be one of those times.
33. Khalil Herbert (RB, CHI)
I'll be honest, I'm shocked that Herbert has quietly been falling down draft boards consistently all off-season. Despite winning many managers over with his electric play-making and obvious contrast to David Montgomery's hard-nosed playing style, he is currently going as the RB37 in drafts.
The three factors in his way are Justin Feilds, rookie Roschon Johnson, and D'Onta Foreman. Plus, this offense is projected to be in the bottom half of the league. Despite all of this, Herbert can make the most of limited touches.
32. Zach Charbonnet (RB, SEA)
This might be the year of over-qualified RB committees. With Charbonnet teaming up with Kenneth Walker III, they now join the likes of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Giibs, D'Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny, Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott, Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook, Christian McCaffery and Elijah Mitchell, all as powerful tandems.
Charbonnet is profiled to be an excellent RB and lands in what could be a fantastic situation. We aren't sure what the split will be between him and Walker, however, we know they will both see touches.
There is some excitement as Charbonnet thrives on the goal line and in the receiving game, which is crucial for fantasy production. Currently being drafted as the RB36, he holds both stand-alone value, as well as the backup potential to one of the league's most consistent ground games.
Additionally, both Walker (groin) and Charbonnet (shoulder) are dealing with training camp injuries. However, it sounds like Charbonnet's injury is less severe and could be in line to see a large role if Walker is not healthy for Week One. As a result, Charbonnet could be a huge value if he starts to slide down draft boards.
31. James Cook (RB, BUF)
There's a lot of love for James Cook, and rightfully so. In his rookie season, he averaged 5.7 yards per carry as well as flashing electric speed and agility. This offense has spoken out about trying to limit Allen's rushing usage, potentially opening up some more touchdown potential for the RBs.
The issue is that Damien Harris, who scored 15 rushing touchdowns in 2021, was brought in this offseason. Even after the devastating injury to Nyheim Hines, I question if Cook will get consistent usage. As a result, unless he is more efficient than Singletary in previous years, I struggle to see him significantly outproducing Singletary last year.
Having said that, Singletary was the RB24 last season only competing with Cook. If Cook can find 12 touches a game he should produce some spike weeks for fantasy.
Thank you for reading. Next will be my running backs #16-30!
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