MIAMI, Sept. 6 (UPI) — If you’re looking for fantasy football running backs to avoid in Week 1, be wary of Najee Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dameon Pierce of the Houston Texans.
Jamaal Williams of the New Orleans Saints and James Conner of the Arizona Cardinals also fall into this category, unless you don’t have any other higher-ranked options on your roster.
For your Week 1 fantasy football preparations, check out my updated rankings for quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends. These rankings have been adjusted after Thursday’s game and will continue to reflect any developments, including injuries.
Here are my Top 30 running back rankings for Week 1:
Dameon Pierce
Pierce was often drafted in the fourth round of fantasy drafts, but that doesn’t mean you have to start him in Week 1. As the No. 24 running back in my rankings, he is a borderline RB2.
The Houston Texans will start the season with an away game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens boasted the third-best run defense in the NFL last season and allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards and the sixth-fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2022.
With the Ravens offense filled with firepower, and the Texans relying on young playmakers, including a rookie starting quarterback making his NFL debut, I expect the Ravens to take an early lead and win comfortably. This could limit Pierce’s workload if the Texans face a significant deficit.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris should be benched if you have better fantasy football options at the position. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI
Najee Harris
Harris is ranked as my No. 25 running back for Week 1. The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to face the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers had the best run defense in the NFL last season, allowing the fewest yards. They also allowed the fewest rushing yards and fantasy points to running backs.
Harris struggled to find consistency last year and is unlikely to have a strong start to the 2023 season. It would be wise to look for production elsewhere in your RB2 or flex spot.
Jamaal Williams
Williams might find success in the first half of the season with the New Orleans Saints, but I don’t expect him to have much room to run in Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans allowed the fewest rushing yards in the NFL last season, including the second-fewest rushing yards and third-fewest touchdowns to running backs. They also allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to the position.
Williams led the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns last season and is expected to be utilized in the red zone frequently this year. However, I don’t anticipate the Saints getting many opportunities in the red zone in Week 1. Williams is a touchdown-dependent RB2.
Arizona Cardinals veteran James Conner is not among my recommended options in Week 1. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI
James Conner
Conner is ranked as my No. 30 running back for Week 1. While he holds greater value in points-per-reception formats, I still have reservations about his opening matchup against the Washington Commanders.
The Commanders had the fifth-fewest fantasy points allowed to running backs and the third-fewest yards overall last season. The Arizona Cardinals will be without starting quarterback Kyler Murray as he recovers from knee surgery, which further downgrades their offensive performance.
I anticipate the Cardinals offense struggling under backup quarterbacks Joshua Dobbs and Clayton Tune, which directly impacts the value of all running and pass-catching options in fantasy football. Conner should be benched in favor of any other running backs within my Top 30 rankings.
Dallas Cowboys star Tony Pollard tops my Week 1 fantasy football running back rankings. File Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI
Week 1 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings
- Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys at NYG
- Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers at PIT
- Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans at NO
- Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers vs. MIA
- Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons vs. CAR
- Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars at IND
- Saquon Barkley, New York Giants vs. DAL
- J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens vs. HOU
- Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders at DEN
- Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers at CHI
- Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns vs. CIN
- Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals at CLE
- Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers at ATL
- Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks vs. LAR
- Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MIN
- Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings vs
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