Mark's top 10 fantasy running back rankings.
I noticed my running back rankings did not closely align with the expert consensus ranking or "ECR". So I decided to post my own top 10 rankings to give a different perspective than what you're most likely seeing copied and pasted everywhere else. The rankings are based on a .5 PPR scoring format.
10. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
ECR: RB7
This is a back that I won't find on many, if any, of my teams this season. I was even hesitant to put him in my top 10 at all. Guys like James Cook and Joe Mixon were both knocking on the door. What it comes down to is I don't believe in the talent or the durability of Kyren. However, it's impossible to ignore the upside we saw last year.
9. Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars
ECR: RB9
Etienne is another back who I'm often hesitant to pull the trigger on where he's going in drafts. Despite being aligned with rankings and ADP on him, I usually opt for a wide receiver or a different running back when he's on the board.
8. Isiah Pacheco Kansas City Chiefs
ECR: RB11
The fantasy community is finally catching up on me with Pacheco. I've had him ranked in the top eight since the winter. It's not too long ago people were drafting him closer to the RB20 than the RB10. Those were better times for me, but I'm also happy he's finally getting his due. He's set to be a three-down workhorse back in an offense led by Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Unfortunately, the world is also figuring that out.
7. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
ECR: RB6
The only thing holding Barkley back is the fear of Jalen Hurts stealing a ton of TDs inside the five-yard line. Otherwise, it's impossible to ignore how huge of an upgrade going from the New York Giants to the Eagles is for one of the most talented rushers in the league. He has been held back by a terrible offensive line and non-existent passing attack for years. Let's just hope the coaches are smart enough to not overuse guys like Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott as they so often have in the past. That was before they had a superstar at the position though.
6. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
ECR: RB4
Gibbs is the only guy in the top 10 who is in anything close to a split backfield. That makes it a little bit scary putting him this high. Nevertheless, he'll be running behind the best offensive line in the league and playing in an elite offense. David Montgomery isn't going away, but Gibbs is still good enough to hold on to the six spot despite that. If Montgomery misses any time, Gibbs could put up RB1 overall numbers.
5. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
ECR: RB8
King Henry is another back who is seeing a spike in his ranking and ADP as of late. I never quite understood the hesitancy about drafting Henry this year. He landed in the dream scenario that we've all been waiting for for years. His age doesn't scare me off at all. Henry is a physical freak who goes from an anemic offense with a terrible offensive line to one of the best situations in the league for a running back in Baltimore. There is no world where he stays healthy and doesn't score more than 20 TDs this season. Gus Edwards in a three-man committee scored 13 TDs last year for the Ravens. People are making a massive mistake in letting him drop in drafts.
4. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
ECR: RB5
The rushing ability of Anthony Richardson should open everything up for Taylor, who will see 20-plus carries a game this season. He's in the four-slot because he doesn't have the weakness of the three backs right behind him. You get Saquon's volume and talent, but more TD upside. You get Gibbs's upside but with more volume. And you get King Henry carries and TDs but with a lot more pass-catching upside. This is a guy who is only two years removed from being the consensus first-overall pick in fantasy drafts and he's going to remind everyone why in 2024.
3. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
ECR: RB1
CMC has the most upside in fantasy football regardless of position. However, there is also a lot of data that suggests that a 28-year-old running back coming off a 300-plus touch season with over 1,800 career touches will struggle to hold up physically -especially a back who has a pretty extensive injury history. As good as CMC is, he's not a physical freak like Henry and the combination of his usage and injury history scares me just enough to drop him to the RB3 spot.
2. Breece Hall, New York Jets
ECR RB3
Hall was one of very few bright spots in the Jets' offense last season. Even though I don't believe in Aaron Rodgers or some sort of offensive renaissance in New York, Rodgers will still be much better than Zach Wilson and the other dunces they ran out there under center in 2023. It's likely that Hall's volume in the passing attack will drop, however, his rushing efficiency and TD upside should more than make up for his dip in PPR value.
1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
ECR: RB2
My RB1 is Robinson. I'm betting on the talent of a young back who could very well be the most talented in the league at the position. With competent quarterback play and a coach who actually wants to use him, the sky is the limit for Bijan. There is nothing he can't do and no flaw in his game. He's essentially Hall but everything is just a little bit better. The talent, the offense and the coaching staff all give him an edge to be the RB1 overall this season.
#2024-fantasy-football
