NFBC ADP has clearly shown a return to prioritizing running backs early in drafts. There’s nothing wrong with that, but remember the NFBC has remained ‘old school’ as it doesn’t offer the dual flex, AND still requires 3 starting wide receivers.
This means, in relation to RB’s, WR’s are slightly scarcer during the draft. Other contests make it a little easier, in that you only have to start two WR’s, and you have a wider pool of players to choose from in filling your 2nd flex spot, as opposed to being limited to a 3rd pass catcher. It’s something to keep in mind as you develop your draft strategies. You have to know your strengths.
Are you good at finding receivers late in drafts or on the wire? Then you can afford to shift your focus to backs early on, just don’t wait too long to roster some receivers. Without further adieu, here are my top running backs this season:
1 – Todd Gurley
2 – Le’Veon Bell
3 – David Johnson
4 – Alvin Kamara
5 – Ezekiel Elliot
6 – Kareem Hunt
7 – Saquon Barkley
8 – Melvin Gordon
9 – Leonard Fournette
10 – Devonta Freeman
11 – Joe Mixon
12 – Dalvin Cook
13 – Jordan Howard
14 – Jerick McKinnon
15 – Christian McCaffrey
16 – Mark Ingram
17 – Carlos Hyde
18 – Alex Collins
19 – Lamar Miller
20 – Kenyan Drake
21 – Royce Freeman
22 – Adrian Peterson
23 – LeSean McCoy
24 – Derrick Henry
25 – Marshawn Lynch
26 – Peyton Barber
27 – Marlon Mack
28 – Kerryon Johnson
29 – Duke Johnson
30 – Dion Lewis
31 – Tevin Coleman
32 – Isaiah Crowell
33 – Chris Thompson
34 – Chris Carson
35 – Jamaal Williams
36 – Jay Ajayi
37 – Matt Breida
38 – Rex Burkhead
39 – James Connor
40 – Chris Ivory
41 – Aaron Jones
42 – TJ Yeldon
43 – Giovani Bernard
44 – Alfred Morris
45 – Sony Michel
46 – Tarik Cohen
47 – Jeremy Hill
48 – Nick Chubb
49 – Latavius Murray
50 – Malcolm Brown
Some notes, in no particular order:
I’m concerned about Le’Veon Bell’s holdout amidst having a new offensive coordinator. It still makes sense drafting him #2 overall, but if I’m not sitting at #1, I’d rather be at #4. David Johnson is fine as a #3, but a new system and new QB make me want to slide down a couple slots for an earlier 2nd round pick. Saquon Barkley is difficult to rank. I love him, but have him ranked lower than most. I’m a ‘show me’ type of person when it comes to first round picks.
Until you’ve actually done it on an NFL field for a full season you won’t be on my roster with a first round price tag. I still feel the sting of the Trent Richardson effect. Ezekiel Elliot is probably the toughest first rounder to peg. The injuries on the Dallas Cowboys offensive line have me worried and I might just end up moving Kareem Hunt ahead of him. Leonard Fournette would be higher on this list if the Jaguars bell cow had more durability. A case could be made to have him a few spots higher as long as you make sure to handcuff him with TJ Yeldon. The Cincinnati Bengals made some O-Line upgrades, which has Joe Mixon moving up my rankings, but a banged up and fragile line in Carolina has me moving Christian McCaffrey down. Jerick McKinnon would be higher if 100% healthy, but the former Viking has missed most of the pre-season.
Carlos Hyde’s ranking is aggressive, but justified with Todd Haley running the offense in Cleveland. The stud from Ohio State is a little more fragile than the average back, so be sure to grab Nick Chubb if you want to protect that investment. Alex Collins is underrated in Baltimore. Philadelphia has become the ‘New England of the NFC’ in terms of who is the primary ball carrier. That is, there isn’t one. Owning a Philadelphia RB the last two seasons under Doug Pederson has essentially been a fantasy curse. I won’t spend an early draft pick on anyone in the Eagles stable this year.
Follow Greg @Liquidhippo.
