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RB Rankings
2017 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings
Jason Bantle follow @jasonwbantle Last Updated: May 17, 2017.
- David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
- Johnson is the best pass catching running back plain and simple. Having Johnson was one of the keys to winning the Bantle Bowl in 2016 for one of the many Fantasy Leagues I'm in. Johnson is a safe bet to dominate once again when you consider the Cardinals have a great offensive line when he's healthy plus there is no depth behind Johnson so he will be a three down back that will see plenty of carries in 2017.
- Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Le'Veon Bell is the best running back in the NFL when healthy. Bell along with Pittsburgh's offensive line stayed healthy in 2016 which is why the Steelers returned to the AFC Championship. At the same time, Bell did get suspended. It's not that Bell is bad, he's elite too, it's just Johnson is a safer play in Fantasy which is why Bell came in at 2.
- Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys
- Elliott led the NFL in rushing yards as a rookie. He established himself as an elite back who can play all 3 downs. Elliott can pass catch and block at an elite level plus he arguably has the best offensive line in the NFL. It's not that Elliott isn't worthy of the top spot, it's just Johnson and Bell are on a whole different level as pass catchers. That matters in PPR leagues.
- LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffalo Bills
- Buffalo has a really strong offensive line for LeSean McCoy and with Dion Dawkins at right tackle to compliment Cordy Glenn now this unit will be better. McCoy could dominate once again in 2017 since he will get more carries with Mike Gillislee gone.
- Jay Ajayi RB, Miami Dolphins
- Jay Ajayi took the league by storm last year. Ajayi may not put together 200 rushing yards a game this season, but he can very easily finish in the top 5 in rushing yards this upcoming season.
- Lamar Miller, RB, Houston Texans
- Miller benefits from the Texans quarterback situation being in limbo. I think starting Watson would be the smartest thing the Texans can do, but again Miller benefits from this as a result.
- Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
- The Jaguars already have Fournette listed as the top running back on their depth chart. Every other rookie at running back is going to have to earn the starting job. Fournette could very easily be this years Ezekiel Elliott.
- Melvin Gordon, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
- Gordon had Adrian Peterson's running back coach on the Chargers last year which is why he took off. Now he has Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney the top 2 guards from the 2017 NFL Draft blocking for him.
- Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons
- Freeman has been a beast for Atlanta. He enters a contract year and the Falcons have a very good offensive line so I like him as a top 10 running back because he can be effective despite not having the pass catching Tevin Coleman brings.
- Jordan Howard, RB, Chicago Bears
- Howard stepped in and took Jeremy Langford's job after Langford showed promise during his rookie season. Howard wowed people though and that's why he's starting now. With the Bears having no identity in the passing game, look for Chicago to use their running game and interior offensive line the strengths of this offense to run the football. Howard is a good pass catcher too.
- Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams
- Todd Gurley would be good if the Rams had a better offensive line and an upgrade at quarterback over Jared Goff. Gurley had a strong rookie season, but struggled last year with most of the offense focusing on him. He may rebound, but he may not. It's too early to say what happens with Gurley, but this feels like a make or break year for him with the Rams having the option of using a fifth year tender on him in 2018.
- Ty Montgomery, RB, Green Bay Packers
- Montgomery is an interesting player who was either a WR or RB last season. That's why Montgomery has premium value in PPR leagues even though I doubt he can be the Packers long-term running back.
- DeMarco Murray, RB, Tennessee Titans
- DeMarco Murray is a guy that can take some pressure off of Marcus Mariota. He rebounded in Tennessee last year.
- Marshawn Lynch, RB, Oakland Raiders
- Marshawn Lynch has his best offensive line to run through since his Seattle days. Lynch is going to be an excellent addition for Oakland.
- Adrian Peterson, RB, New Orleans Saints
- Adrian Peterson led the NFL in rushing yards two years ago. Ingram isn't guaranteed to be running back 1. I think it will either be a committee or a running back position battle in training camp with Peterson winning that. Peterson is joining forces with the quarterback who defeated him in the 2010 NFC Championship game so he may have a huge season if he starts.
- LeGarrette Blount, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
- LeGarrette Blount is capable of taking the starting job from Ryan Matthews. This is an excellent signing by the Eagles.
- Jamaal Charles, RB, Denver Broncos
- Jamaal Charles is still an effective running back when healthy. He may beat out C.J. Anderson for the starting job.
- Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers
- Christian McCaffrey may not be the #1 running back on Carolina's depth chart. He's a better pass catcher than Stewart though and will probably be ahead of him on Carolina's depth chart by the end of this season.
- Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers
- Jonathan Stewart is a good running back when healthy and enters as the starter. The moment Stewart goes down, McCaffrey becomes the face of the backfield though.
- Latavius Murray, RB, Minnesota Vikings
- Latavis Murray is going to be Minnesota's starting running back. He can still have big games and contribute early in the season.
- Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings
- Dalvin Cook was a first round prospect that Minnesota traded up for. Cook could easily be the starter by the end of this sesaon. Cook is a way better pass catcher than Murray which is something Murray wasn't famous for in Oakland.
- Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
- Joe Mixon is capable of starting right away in Cincinnati's backfield. He may be the third stringer on the depth chart right now, but he will be the starter on Cincinnati before the end of his rookie season. Like McCaffrey once he gets the starting job he's not giving it back.
- Jeremy Hill, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
- Jeremy Hill enters the year as the top running back. Unless he comes up big like he did during his rookie season it's hard to see him on the Bengals after this season with Hill in a contract year.
- Tevin Coleman, RB, Atlanta Falcons
- Tevin Coleman is a better pass catcher than Devonta Freeman. He's not the starting running back, but he provides great value.
- Carlos Hyde, RB, San Francisco 49ers
- Carlos Hyde was great in 2015 with a mediocre offensive line until his injury. Now he has Zane Beales and Joshua Garnett at guard. He may do better, but he also has to stay healthy. Hyde will have to carry this offense once again with the 49ers refusing to upgrade at quarterback for the second year in a row.
- Frank Gore, RB, Indianapolis Colts
- Frank Gore is the Colts #1 running back once again. It feels like Gore is past his prime, but with a young interior offensive line, Gore could have a come back year. He's worth a flyer in Fantasy leagues at some point once again even though he's a short-term option.
- Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints
- Mark Ingram is no longer a top 10 running back. He will lose some touches and may lose the starting running back job to Adrian Peterson.
- Isaiah Crowell, RB, Cleveland Browns
- The Browns have uncertainty at quarterback. Isaiah Crowell is the one bright spot on this offense when Cleveland's offensive line is completely healthy.
- Spencer Ware, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
- Last year Ware stepped up. He may lose some carries to rookie Kareem Hunt. Ware is the top running back on Kansas City right now, but we'll see what happens.
- Danny Woodhead, RB, Baltimore Ravens
- Woodhead is a #1 running back in Baltimore. Remember Kenneth Dixon got suspended and Baltimore brought Woodhead in as a short-term running back who can take pressure off of Flacco.
