There have been some amazing transitions throughout the evolution of fantasy football, and it likely isn’t going to stop now. First, there were standard season-long leagues. Eventually, PPR leagues developed, but most leagues continued to be only for one season. The dynasty league was the next development, but it was more of a limited dynasty league, as many leagues had a maximum number of keepers. The dynasty league is shifting to allow as many keepers as the teams would like, while only having a rookie draft.

Generally, dynasty leagues allow as many keepers as each team pleases, while having a draft that is filled with rookies and free agents. It’s impossible to know what free agents will be available in everyone’s leagues, so these rankings are only for rookies. If you want to see where I have ranked other players ranked, be sure to check out my Dynasty League Rankings.

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Tier 1 – Rookie Running Back Rankings

1. Ezekiel Elliott
2. Derrick Henry

This may surprise some people. Elliott is the obvious pick between these two, but I don’t think Henry should be placed in the second tier. Elliott has all the talent in the world and he has been placed in an elite position for fantasy production. He’s the best rookie of anyone, and this ranking doesn’t change that.

With that being said, Henry has elite upside, as well. He’s an extremely talented runner and he is a better receiver than people give him credit for. He isn’t put in an ideal position like Elliott, which is why he fell, but once he is given the chance to be a workhorse running back, Henry will also thrive. He’s another elite option at running back in the rookie class.

 

Tier 2 – Rookie Running Back Rankings

1. Kenneth Dixon
2. DeAndre Washington
3. C.J. Prosise
4. Paul Perkins
5. Kenyan Drake
6. Jordan Howard
7. Devontae Booker

Quite frankly, the first tier is significantly better than the second tier. Most of these running backs can catch the ball out of the backfield, which is why they are ranked so high. Prosise sticks out in the group, as he was formerly a wide receiver at Notre Dame before being forced to become a running back.

Howard is the outlier in this group, as he rarely caught the ball in college, and he hasn’t displayed great receiving abilities before the draft. He was an extremely productive runner in college, though, and he should immediately be used in goal line situations. This is a tier filled with running backs who could have the chance to produce this season, but may not become major fantasy players for a couple years.

 

Tier 3 – Rookie Running Back Rankings

1. Jonathan Williams
2. Wendell Smallwood
3. Alex Collins
4. Keith Marshall

This is a tier filled with talented running backs that could potentially have a chance to play this season. None of these backs were drafted particularly high, which means their teams aren’t going to feel a need to get them on the field. Every running back does have a path to minutes, though, and sometimes the smallest opportunities can blossom into great fantasy running backs.

If they don’t play this season, that doesn’t mean they won’t get a chance in their career. For example, Marshall, Smallwood, and Williams are all sitting behind injury prone players. Collins is playing behind a running back coming off a major surgery, while there are talks that the Raiders flat out don’t love Murray, who is currently the starter ahead of Washington.

Essentially, these running backs are the guys that have great upside in their careers, but have been falling a bit in their drafts because of the running backs sitting ahead of them on the depth chart.

 

Tier 4 – Rookie Running Back Rankings

1. Tyler Ervin
2. Josh Ferguson
3. Kelvin Taylor
4. Darius Jackson
5. Daniel Lasco
6. Brandon Wilds
7. Dwayne Washington

This is an interesting tier. These running backs have all displayed great talent in college, but they will have a tough time finding playing time, unlike the running backs in Tier 3. Oh the group, Ferguson stands out the most. He’s playing behind Frank Gore, who will likely retire after this season, but Ferguson was an undrafted free agent, which means the Colt will likely bring in competition instead of handing him the job.

Ervin is the biggest name of the group, as he was selected fairly early in the NFL Draft. He could play out of the slot for the Texans, but it’s difficult to assume he will see playing time behind Miller, Blue, and the plethora of young receivers on the Texans. These are players that have an outside chance of finding playing time early in their career, but are still worth holds in dynasty leagues.

 

Tier 5 – Rookie Running Back Rankings

1. Devon Johnson
2. DJ Foster
3. Zac Brooks
4. Peyton Barber
5. Jhurell Pressley

This tier is essentially throwing darts. These backs could produce if given the opportunity, which makes them worth a pick, but they likely will never receive that opportunity.

 

Tiered Rookie Running Back Rankings

1	Ezekiel Elliott	RB
7	Derrick Henry	RB
8	Kenneth Dixon	RB
10	DeAndre Washington	RB
11	C.J. Prosise	RB
13	Paul Perkins	RB
15	Kenyan Drake	RB
16	Jordan Howard	RB
18	Devontae Booker	RB
23	Jonathan Williams	RB
24	Wendell Smallwood	RB
25	Alex Collins	RB
29	Keith Marshall	RB
32	Tyler Ervin	RB
37	Josh Ferguson	RB
44	Kelvin Taylor	RB
45	Darius Jackson	RB
62	Daniel Lasco	RB
65	Brandon Wilds	RB
70	Dwayne Washington	RB
77	Devon Johnson	RB
82	DJ Foster	RB
83	Zac Brooks	RB
94	Peyton Barter	RB
97	Jhurell Pressley	RB

 
 

Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.