Rating Working Backs for Your Fantasy League

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How Our Rankings Work

Up subsequent are the working again rankings for the upcoming fantasy season. These rankings go by a standard 12-team, PPR (factors per reception) league setting. As described within the quarterback rankings article, these rankings will make use of a ground and ceiling prediction together with a standard numerical rating. This may reveal which gamers are extra dangerous and that are safer with the next ground. This gives some additional info to find out who to pick out while you’re on the clock. For extra info on how the ground and ceiling predictions work, head over to our quarterback rankings within the fantasy class of our website.

There may be asterisks subsequent to sure gamers’ names that imply there are components which can affect their manufacturing, particularly damage and suspension. When these asterisks seem on this rating and future rankings, I’ll clarify why they’re there. They could affect the place the participant falls within the rating.

How Working Again Rankings Differ From Different Positions

Not like the quarterback rankings, not all of the working backs on this checklist can be firmly on the high of their staff’s depth chart. Many can be in a committee, or just be a backup to a clear-cut starter. It’s due to this that much more info than ground and ceiling predictions is critical. This rating will make use of a brand new image subsequent to a participant’s identify, a carrot “^”. The carrot implies that the participant has potential upside if one other working again on the depth chart have been to go down with an damage.

Working backs incur essentially the most accidents amongst any place in soccer, so this denomination is critical to know why the backs fall the place they do. Gamers can get a number of carrots relying on how a lot upside they’ve if working backs above them go down. As a common rule, you possibly can attribute one carrot to being a couple of rise in 12 working again spots for each the ground and the ceiling of a specific participant. For instance, A.J. Dillon has a ceiling of mid RB2 and a ground of excessive RB3 with one carrot. If Aaron Jones have been to go down, I might anticipate Dillon to vault right into a territory with round a mid RB1 ceiling and a excessive RB2 ground.

It is usually essential to notice that upside from accidents going down to the opposite working backs doesn’t issue into the ground and ceiling predictions. These predictions come solely from how I anticipate gamers to carry out with all working backs wholesome on their depth charts. Now, we’re on to the rankings.

Working Again Rankings

1. Jonathan Taylor | Ceiling: HRB1 | Ground: HRB1
2. Christian McCaffrey | Ceiling: HRB1 | Ground: HRB1
3. Austin Ekeler | Ceiling: HRB1 | Ground: MRB1
4. Derrick Henry | Ceiling: HRB1 | Ground: MRB1
5. Najee Harris | Ceiling: HRB1 | Ground: MRB1
6. Dalvin Cook dinner | Ceiling: HRB1 | Ground: MRB1
7. Joe Mixon | Ceiling: HRB1 | Ground: LRB1
8. D’Andre Swift | Ceiling: HRB1 | Ground: LRB1
9. Leonard Fournette | Ceiling: HRB1 | Ground: HRB2
10. Aaron Jones | Ceiling: HRB1 | Ground: HRB2
11. Saquon Barkley | Ceiling: HRB1 | Ground: HRB2
12. James Conner | Ceiling: HRB1 | Ground: HRB2
13. Ezekiel Elliott | Ceiling: MRB1 | Ground: HRB2
14. Nick Chubb | Ceiling: MRB1 | Ground: MRB2
15. Alvin Kamara* | Ceiling: HRB1 | Ground: LRB1
16. Javonte Williams | Ceiling: LRB1 | Ground: MRB2^
17. Breece Corridor | Ceiling: HRB1 | Ground: LRB2
18. David Montgomery | Ceiling: LRB1 | Ground: MRB2
19. Travis Etienne | Ceiling: MRB1 | Ground: LRB2
20. Josh Jacobs | Ceiling: LRB1 | Ground: MRB2
21. Cam Akers | Ceiling: LRB1 | Ground: LRB2
22. Miles Sanders | Ceiling: LRB1 | Ground: HRB3
23. Elijah Mitchell | Ceiling: LRB1 | Ground: HRB3
24. J.Ok. Dobbins | Ceiling: LRB1 | Ground: HRB3
25. Antonio Gibson | Ceiling: LRB1 | Ground: HRB3
26. A.J. Dillon | Ceiling: MRB2 | Ground: HRB3^
27. Tony Pollard | Ceiling: MRB2 | Ground: HRB3^
28. Kareem Hunt | Ceiling: MRB2 | Ground: MRB3^
29. Rashaad Penny | Ceiling: HRB2 | Ground: LRB3
30. Chase Edmonds | Ceiling: HRB2 | Ground: LRB3
31. Melvin Gordon | Ceiling: LRB2 | Ground: MRB3^
32. Cordarrelle Patterson | Ceiling: MRB2 | Ground: LRB3
33. Clyde Edwards-Helaire | Ceiling: MRB2 | Ground: HRB4^
34. James Cook dinner | Ceiling: LRB2 | Ground: LRB3^
35. Damien Harris | Ceiling: MRB2 | Ground: LRB3
36. Devin Singletary | Ceiling: MRB2 | Ground: LRB3
37. Rhamondre Stevenson | Ceiling: LRB2 | Ground: HRB4
38. Kenneth Walker III | Ceiling: HRB3 | Ground: LRB4^
39. Ronald Jones | Ceiling: HRB3 | Ground: LRB4^
40. Tyler Allgeier | Ceiling: HRB3 | Ground: HRB4^
41. Dameon Pierce | Ceiling: MRB3 | Ground: LRB4^
42. Alexander Mattison | Ceiling: LRB3 | Ground: MRB5^^^
43. Darrell Henderson | Ceiling: HRB3 | Ground: HRB5^^
44. Gus Edwards* | Ceiling: HRB3 | Ground: MRB4^
45. Jamaal Williams | Ceiling: MRB3 | Ground: HRB4^
46. Michael Carter | Ceiling: HRB3 | Ground: LRB4^
47. Isaiah Spiller | Ceiling: LRB3 | Ground: LRB4^^
48. Nyheim Hines | Ceiling: HRB3 | Ground: LRB4
49. J.D. McKissic | Ceiling: MRB3 | Ground: MRB4
50. James Robinson* | Ceiling: HRB3 | Ground: LRB4^
51. Kenyan Drake | Ceiling: LRB3 | Ground: LRB4^
52. Chuba Hubbard | Ceiling: MRB4 | Ground: LRB5^^
53. Kenneth Gainwell | Ceiling: MRB3 | Ground: HRB5
54. Mark Ingram* | Ceiling: HRB4 | Ground: LRB5^
55. Rachaad White | Ceiling: HRB4 | Ground: MRB5^
56. Khalil Herbert | Ceiling: HRB4 | Ground: LRB5^
57. Marlon Mack | Ceiling: HRB4 | Ground: MRB5^
58. Sony Michel | Ceiling: LRB3 | Ground: LRB5^
59. Raheem Mostert | Ceiling: LRB3 | Ground: LRB5^
60. Chris Evans | Ceiling: HRB4 | Ground: LRB5^

The High Backs

Jonathan Taylor and Christian McCaffrey are simply my 1 and a couple of picks total. Each could have elite per sport manufacturing assuming they will keep wholesome, as evidenced by their previous fantasy success. The  subsequent 4 working backs (Ekeler, Henry, Harris, Cook dinner) are additionally elite choices. Any considered one of these backs might be ranked above one another for my part. These 4 have slight query marks about their workloads, however all indicators level to them nonetheless producing excessive weekly level totals. I might love to choose up Mixon or Swift late in spherical 1. Each have the potential to be actually elite working backs, with secure RB1 flooring. Mixon was superb final yr and Swift was as properly earlier than his damage. They may each simply push their approach into the elite RB1 dialog once more this season.

Any of my 9-12 backs have a shot to be an elite RB1 on the season, and I significantly like Barkley and Conner amongst that group because of their excessive ceilings with somewhat low costs connected to them. Should you can seize both late within the second or early within the third, that might be nice worth.

Different Excessive-Finish Choices

Ezekiel Elliott is a superb center floor should you miss out on the highest 12 and he falls into the third spherical. He has been an elite fantasy producer since he entered the league, having ranked as a high 10 RB each single yr in addition to 2017, when he solely performed in ten video games and completed because the RB13. Although I like Tony Pollard as properly, don’t be mistaken into considering Zeke isn’t the clear high again on this depth chart. He has one of many most secure flooring yow will discover in a working again and is nice worth right here.

Kamara is the primary RB with an asterisk as a result of he’s doubtless getting a six sport suspension for a February arrest. He’s an elite RB1 when wholesome, nevertheless, so should you really feel like you may get by six video games with out him and compete, he’s definitely worth the pickup. That doubtless mustn’t occur earlier than spherical three. In any other case, considered one of your elite picks goes to be out for an honest early stretch of the yr. Ideally, I might set myself up with RB-WR combo earlier than taking Kamara, but when that occurs he could be a nice decide.

Breece Corridor is one other working again I actually like going into the yr. Rookie working backs have an especially good observe document, and with him being the one clear-cut starter among the many backs chosen within the newest NFL Draft, I’m greater than prepared to take the danger on him producing. I feel he has elite potential in his rookie season.

The RB2 Tier

Working backs 18-25 in my rankings all have issues of some kind, however are additionally all confirmed fantasy producers. It is a vary that I’m not an enormous fan of, however these are the final of the clear-cut starters within the league, so it is a crucial vary to seek out worth in. Montgomery and Sanders are my favourite picks from this part, however any considered one of these backs may pan out properly. Though, Mitchell, Dobbins, Jacobs, and Gibson significantly concern me. Whereas all have had success previously, they’ve vital committee issues, however need to be drafted as if they’re the starters.

Dillon, Pollard, and Hunt are all FLEX worthy backups with a great deal of upside if their starters go down. That’s nice RB3 worth, even when they’re second on a depth chart. Penny and Edmonds are the presumed starters on their groups, and each provide good upside. Nevertheless, they arrive with fairly hefty threat as a result of they may lose their beginning jobs at any level all year long.

Melvin Gordon is considered one of my favourite sleeper picks for the time being. Gordon performed in 16 video games whereas Javonte Williams performed in 17. Minus the one sport he missed, Gordon outscored Javonte Williams in fantasy factors. Whereas I do anticipate Williams to take a bit of a bigger workload this yr, the offense has improved and Gordon ought to nonetheless simply provide FLEX numbers, so he is a superb RB3 decide. Plus, if Williams have been to go down, Gordon would instantly vault into borderline RB1 territory in a potent Broncos offense.

The RB3 Tier

I’m additionally not an enormous fan of the 32-43 vary. There isn’t a lot worth available with many of those working backs. They’re excessive threat with solely reasonable reward, barring damage to a starter. Nonetheless, there’s worth available and it’s possible you’ll really feel the necessity to take a working again on this tier.

The backs I might go for are Cook dinner, Singletary, Stevenson, and Allgeier. Cook dinner will doubtless be the pass-catching again to Singletary being the downhill runner. I feel each can be fantasy related. Stevenson ought to take a sophomore leap, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he overtakes Damien Harris sooner or later this yr. Allgeier is extra of an upside decide. He’ll present worth if he overtakes Cordarrelle Patterson as the first again in Atlanta, which is completely doable. Patterson was a horrible runner down the stretch, averaging simply 2.7 yards per carry over the ultimate 5 weeks of the season on 47 carries. He had a profession yr in his age 31 season, and his manufacturing ought to solely decline from right here.

The RB4 Tier

I really like working backs 44-51. These are principally backups who’ve the potential to provide stable RB3 worth with potential for much more if their starters have been damage. You may’t go too incorrect on this zone, however Jamaal Williams and Gus Edwards are positively my favourite picks.

The Lions haven’t employed Williams as a backup, however somewhat in a tandem with D’Andre Swift. Within the video games he performed final yr, Williams averaged a wholesome 9.1 factors per sport. That locations him on borderline RB3 territory for the value of a boarderline RB4, with larger potential if Swift will get injured.

Gus Edwards remains to be working himself again from an ACL damage that he sustained earlier than the season final yr. He’s presently questionable for week 1, however that doesn’t matter a lot anyhow. You may simply decide him up as an RB4, so hopefully you wouldn’t need to play him for the primary few weeks of the season. Dobbins was the Ravens’ high working again ranging from their week 7 bye in 2020. Edwards produced very properly over that point, scoring 8+ factors in 8 out of 10 video games throughout that span. He averaged 10 factors per sport and was the RB20 over that point interval. It’s cheap to anticipate he has that very same function upon his return, and may put up borderline RB3 numbers at minimal. He could also be my favourite late-round RB, and his ADP would possibly fall even additional because of his damage.

The RB5 Tier

James Robinson can be essential to the touch on due to his damage standing. He sustained a torn achilles final season and remains to be working his approach again. It is a notoriously detrimental damage for working backs and the identical one Cam Akers is working again from. Nevertheless, information just lately got here out that Robinson was not positioned on the PUP checklist, which is a really constructive signal for his week 1 standing. If he’s lively, he may put up RB3 numbers in a tandem with Travis Etienne.

Mark Ingram additionally has an asterisk as a consequence of Kamara’s doubtless suspension. It’s doable that Ingram gives FLEX worth with Kamara out, although I feel RB3 worth is more likely. It is usually doable the Saints signal or commerce for one more working again to meet the highest RB spot whereas Kamara is out, making Ingram a meaningless fantasy pickup. Regardless, he ought to solely be related whereas Kamara is out, so he’s a wonderful upside decide for the time Kamara is suspended.

The remainder of the working again rankings are mainly dart throws. Michel or Mostert may carve out a task with out an damage in Miami’s offense, however it’s troublesome to foretell which they’ll favor. My greatest wager is Michel since he has efficiently dealt with a big workload previously. I see Edmonds because the pass-catching again on this offense and considered one of these two placing up borderline RB3 numbers. Chuba Hubbard is a wonderful pickup as a result of he’s McCaffrey’s backup and can be nice if McCaffrey goes down. Whereas each are enjoying although, Hubbard can be irrelevant so he’s nothing greater than a handcuff. The opposite working backs from 53-on are backups with restricted potential even when a starter goes down.

Ultimate Word

Working again is the hardest place to kind out in fantasy. There are few high quality ones which you could plug in as weekly starters. And on high of that, accidents hit at each level within the season. The technique I might make use of is first, get two working backs you’re feeling assured in, hopefully earlier than the FLEX tier. Then get one secure producer, doubtless within the 44-51 vary, and two upside picks at another factors within the draft. This offers you sufficient safety to get you thru a bust or accidents, and sufficient threat that hopefully you get a working again that may begin if considered one of your high two go down.

Hopefully these working again rankings provide you with feeling concerning the fantasy offseason. This doubtless received’t be my ultimate rating earlier than the season as information comes out about these offenses and accidents happen. Anticipate one other rating to come back out nearer to the season as coaching camps wrap up. When you have any questions or would love extra info on any rankings, be at liberty to go away a touch upon the Inhale Fantasy Soccer Instagram account and we are going to get again quickly after.

For extra fantasy soccer articles and positional rankings, head to the “fantasy” class on our website right here.

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