With training camp on the way it's time to rank all starting running backs for their fantasy value in the 2023.
No. 1 Christian McCaffrey
Clearly the most talented running back in the NFL who carried SF to a score when they ran out of quarterbacks during the NFC championship game. He has a very good pass-catching upside and will now have a full offseason to work on creative plays within Shanahan's Offense. Expect plenty of touches and catches from the former Panthers running back. Even with his rougher first week with SF he still was able to average 21.67 a game with San Francisco which was up from his 19.67 per game average that he had in Carolina.
2022 Total Fantasy: 356.4
No. 2 Austin Ekeler
One of the best possible PPR running backs in an offense that utilizes him for a large amount of his coaching abilities and working out into the flat. The only concern for Austin Ekeler will be the change in offensive coordinator for the upcoming season. The Chargers also drafted a brand-new weapon in Quentin Johnston and will want to use him plenty which may limit the games Ekeler has fed on in the past whenever Williams and Allen were banged up.
2022 Total Fantasy: 372.7
No. 3 Josh Jacobs
Proved to complement the addition of Davonte Adams nicely and overall performed well behind an O-line with a decent number of questions left to deal. Adding Garoppolo shouldn't change the offense much, so expect similar results to his 2022 season unless an injury occurs.
2022 Total Fantasy: 328.3
No. 4 Saquon Barkley
Still proved he has the ability to break games after dealing with injuries for a couple of years. When healthy is one of the best playmakers the league has. He is incredibly versatile in both the run and pass game. The only question is how he will fair with his contract dispute and 2nd year under Brian Daboll.
2022 Total Fantasy: 284
No. 5 Tony Pollard
Pollard flashed all the makings of a RB1 last year and that was while having to still split a lot of carries with Ezekiel Elliott throughout the season. First year without Zeke will now give Pollard the reigns to the backfield in Dallas. He is, in my opinion, more than ready to take over and is very poised for a big season.
2022 Total Fantasy: 248.8
No. 6 Breece Hall
One of the biggest what-ifs of last season. Breece was on his way to win offensive Rookie of the Year over his teammate Garrett Wilson if he could have avoided injury. The bounce-back will depend on how reliant they are on the passing game with Aaron Rodgers joining the Jets. The Star power is there regardless so draft high when drafting Breece Hall in fantasy this year.
2022 Total Fantasy: 115.1
Preinjury he was averaging 16.44 points per game, but he was also improving week to week.
No. 7 Nick Chubb
Had a great start to his 2022 season and was doing consistently good until Deshawn Watson rejoined the team. Following Deshawn's return the team and Chubb's production took a turn for the worst then went on a downhill spiral in 2022. He is still the best pure running back in the NFL but has little if no passing game upside which hurts if Deshawn is continuing to start in Cleveland. For Reference, Chubb averaged 18.92 before Watson arrived and then proceeded to average 12.22 following Watson's return cutting his production significantly.
2022 Total Fantasy: 281.4
No. 8 Travis Etienne
Showing his performance in college was not just a fluke following being injured for his rookie campaign Etienne exploded onto the scene with his college quarterback and helped lead Jacksonville to their first playoff victory since 2017. Expect another explosive season incoming without James Robinson in the way and an added offseason within Doug Peterson's system.
2022 Total Fantasy: 205.1
No. 9 Derrick Henry
Looking to continue to carry the Titans organization on his back. Derrick Henry will be surrounded by new faces as the former playoff-contending Titans seem to be falling from grace due to the QB position. The only question is how much longer Henry can keep up this rate of production. Age will start to become a factor, but don't be fooled he still will be getting plenty of touches whenever he's on the field.
2022 Total Fantasy: 302.8
No. 10 Bijan Robinson
It's rare that I would ever put a rookie near my top running back rankings for fantasy football. However, Bijan Robinson has definitely earned this spot. He looks like by far the best running back prospect I have seen in years since another guy on this list by the name of Saquon Barkley was coming out of Penn State. I expect big things from him his rookie season, but also proceed with caution due to a running back room that is somewhat loaded in Atlanta. Robinson may not get a ton of touches like we are all hoping.
2022 Total Fantasy: NA
If you were to somehow attempt to calculate a fantasy average per game in college football, he would've averaged 27.37 a game last year for the Texas Longhorns
Song of the day: Calling by Metro Boomin ft. Boogie wit da Hoodie, Swae Lee, and NAV
Felt like it might be fun to put song suggestions at the bottom of some of these articles just give people a chance to listen to something new. I often times get asked by some of my close friend for new song recommendations so I felt like this would be fun. For today's song I chose Calling by Metro Boomin in honor of the Spiderman Across the Spiderverse. Felt like the whole album and movie were great so check it out if you have the time.
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All statistical data is based on PPR format according to: Fantasy Football Rankings, 2023 Projections, Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheets | FantasyPros
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