San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey holds the top spot on my list of fantasy football running back rankings for the 2023 season. Alongside him are Austin Ekeler and Tony Pollard, who have shown excellent performance and potential. Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb also secure spots in the top five. Other notable players in the top 10 include Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, Aaron Jones, Bijan Robinson, and Josh Jacobs.
While running backs are often the first picks in fantasy football drafts, their injury proneness makes their status unpredictable. If you’re considering avoiding running backs in the first round, I recommend researching a select few mid- to late-round options. Consider factors such as injury history, workload, schedule strength, and past performance to identify the best options for your team.
To simplify the rankings, I’ve divided the top 75 running backs into five tiers: Hall of Fame, All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Just Napping (early to mid-round targets), and Deep Sleepers (mid- to late-round sleepers). The full rankings are listed below:
Hall of Fame:
1. Christian McCaffrey
2. Austin Ekeler
3. Tony Pollard
4. Derrick Henry
Christian McCaffrey is widely regarded as the top pick in preseason fantasy football rankings. His versatility as a runner and receiver makes him a valuable asset. Despite struggling with injuries in 2020 and 2021, McCaffrey had a stellar season in 2022, accumulating 1,880 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns. Look for him to shine even more in his first full season with the 49ers, with projections of 100+ receptions, 15 touchdowns, and 2,000+ scrimmage yards.
Austin Ekeler is another dynamic running back who can make a significant impact on fantasy teams. In the previous season, he had multiple touchdown games and over 100 scrimmage yards in seven games. Additionally, Ekeler has played just one game since 2020, making him a reliable option in 2023. As for Tony Pollard, he enters the season as the Dallas Cowboys’ starting running back for the first time, which makes him an exciting player to target. Expect him to surpass 1,800 scrimmage yards and score 15 touchdowns in 2023.
All-Pro:
5. Nick Chubb
6. Saquon Barkley
7. Jonathan Taylor
Nick Chubb is a personal favorite of mine due to his consistent production over the last five seasons. While he may not win games singlehandedly, his reliability makes him a valuable addition to any lineup. Saquon Barkley, who struggled with injuries recently, bounced back in the previous season with 1,650 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns. Pending he remains healthy, Barkley has the potential to finish the season as a top-three fantasy points producer. Jonathan Taylor is another player to watch out for, being a key player in the Indianapolis Colts offense.
Pro Bowl:
8. Aaron Jones
Despite the loss of Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers offense still holds fantasy football relevance. Aaron Jones, currently being drafted in the fourth and fifth rounds of fantasy drafts, presents himself as an ideal target for those prioritizing wide receiver positions early. With a career-high 1,121 rushing yards and 59 catches in the last season, Jones offers great value and can perform as an RB1 in favorable matchups.
Just Napping:
11. Alexander Mattison
14. J.K. Dobbins
Alexander Mattison starts the season as a starting running back for the Minnesota Vikings due to Dalvin Cook’s departure. With flashes of RB1-level talent throughout his career, Mattison is expected to take advantage of this opportunity and make a significant impact with at least 1,000 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns. J.K. Dobbins, a player that excites me this off-season, finished the previous season strong, averaging 99.3 rushing yards per game in the final four contests. If Dobbins can avoid injury, he has the potential to outperform his current ADP and be a valuable asset in a running-back-by-committee approach.
Deep Sleepers:
33. Raheem Mostert
38. Jamaal Williams
The Miami Dolphins are among the teams planning to utilize a group running back strategy in 2023. Raheem Mostert, along with Jeff Wilson Jr. and rookie De’Von Achane, are top options for the Dolphins. With Mostert’s explosiveness, early workload, and improved receiving skills, he makes for an excellent RB2 option at the start of the season. Expect Mostert to accumulate over 1,200 scrimmage yards and surpass his five touchdowns from the previous season. Jamaal Williams, who led the league with 17 rushing touchdowns in 2022, has joined the New Orleans Saints. With Alvin Kamara serving a three-game suspension, Williams should provide moderate production during that time and could maintain his status even after Kamara’s return.
These rankings provide a comprehensive overview of the top 75 fantasy football running backs for the 2023 season. Choose wisely, considering each player’s strengths, performance history, and potential for the upcoming season.
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