Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings (Tiers 1-3) - Best Ball Leagues

Some of you have been building rosters in best-ball leagues since the initial weeks of the offseason, and participation in this format has intensified as we have progressed through the summer. Enthusiasm for these leagues remains enormous for multiple reasons, including the ability to complete all forms of roster management after each draft.

However, this also ensures the likelihood of being impacted by injuries and other production-inhibiting developments that can’t be offset by roster moves during the season. That aspect of the best-ball format should be integrated into your decision-making process during each draft. It should also incentivize you to develop a flexible plan that addresses any nuances that exist in each league while adapting a fluid approach toward determining each selection.

The team @RotoBaller continues to deliver an enormous collection of resources that are designed to help you construct your rosters in this format, including our non-stop news updates, in-depth articles, and analysis of our tiered rankings. This article will focus on running backs that are contained in the top three tiers of our updated rankings. We will continually update our rankings in every format throughout the offseason and you can also find the latest fantasy football rankings here.

Running Back Best-Ball Rankings

Tier 1 - Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

Jonathan Taylor, Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler,  Najee Harris 

Taylor surged to the league lead in multiple rushing categories during 2021, while generating 44 more points than any other back (half-PPR). He has become entrenched as the first overall selection in the majority of drafts following his exceptional season, after averaging 21.2 attempts, and 120.2 yards per game from Weeks 4-17, and leading all backs in both categories during that sequence (275 carries/1,563 yards).

He also generated all 10 of his 100-yard performances during those matchups, while Taylor’s numbers propelled him to the league lead in carries (332/19.5 per game), yardage (1,811/106.5 per game), and touchdowns (18) from Weeks 1-18.

The most rushing touchdowns by a player, in his 1st 3 seasons in #NFL history, is held by the great Earl Campbell: 45.

This record has stood for 40+ years.#Colts RB: Jonathan Taylor needs 16 TD's (29 his 1st 2 seasons) this season to tie that. pic.twitter.com/wLXdkPscFO

— Lawrence Owen (@Colts_Law) July 9, 2022

Taylor also paced his position in both yards before contact (870). and yards after contact (941), and easily generated the most rushes for first downs (107).

Taylor also led the league in red zone attempts (85), carries inside the 10 (25), and rushing touchdowns (18). His role as the centerpiece of the Colts’ attack remains unchallenged, and he should assemble outstanding results once again.

Henry had ascended into the league lead in attempts (219/27.4 per game), rushing yardage (937/117.1 per game), and rushing touchdowns (10) from Weeks 1-8 last season, which positioned him to pace the NFL in each category for a third consecutive year.

Unfortunately, a protracted foot injury sidelined him throughout Tennessee’s remaining regular season matchups. That absence has also compelled fantasy managers to select five other backs in best-ball drafts before Henry is secured at his current ADP (10/RB6).

Henry is 28, and the cumulative effect of his usage has escalated concerns that he can sustain his proficiency with another massive workload. However, Henry is primed to regain his role as the foundation of Tennessee’s attack and is fully capable of reclaiming the league lead in multiple categories.

He should stockpile carries for a Titan attack that has ranked among the top three in run play percentage during each of the last four seasons. That should provide your motivation for securing him in Round 1 of your drafts.

That people are certain Christian McCaffrey won't play 10+ games is unbelievable.

No one should have that much certainty about almost anything.

— Matthew Freedman (@MattFtheOracle) July 14, 2022

McCaffrey is no longer cemented as the first overall pick in the majority of drafts, as a consequence of his 23 missed games during the past two seasons. However, his ability to stockpile fantasy points when he is on the field remains irrefutable. McCaffrey averaged 18.2 fantasy points, 14.1 attempts, and 63.1 rushing yards during his seven matchups in 2021 and would have accumulated 240 attempts/1,073 yards if those averages had been sustained for 17 games.

He also led all backs in receiving yards per game (49.0) and yards per route run (3.01) during his seven games in 2021, while tying for third in targets per game (5.9). McCaffrey remains one of just three players who have accrued 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season and is also the first back to collect 100 receptions in two different seasons.

He is still an elite resource for fantasy managers when he is in Carolina’s lineup and should be one of the first four backs to be selected during your drafts.

Ekeler’s first season with Joe Lombardi serving as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator, was also his most prolific. He finished at RB2 while tying with Taylor for the league lead in total touchdowns (20). 12 of those scores were generated on the ground, which placed Ekeler fifth among all backs. Every score occurred in the red zone, as he also finished second with 46 attempts inside the 20 – which eviscerated his previous career-high (18).

AUSTIN EKELER WITH THE FIRST TOUCHDOWN OF NFL SUNDAY ? pic.twitter.com/fUIzK3RBiO

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) September 12, 2021

He also led all backs with eight receiving touchdowns, which tied his previous season-high. He also tied with Najee Harris for the lead in targets (94/5.9 per game), paced all backs in receiving yardage (647/40.4 per game), and finished second with 70 receptions 4.4 per game).

Rookie Isaiah Spiller should operate as the Chargers’ RB2, but his presence will not impede Ekeler from commandeering a sizable workload. Touchdown regression will also be lurking for Ekeler, but that should not prevent him from retaining his place among the top five backs.

Harris joined Taylor as the only two backs to accumulate at least 300 carries during 2021 (307/18.1 per game), which included eight games of 20+. Harris also finished fourth overall in rushing yardage (1,200/70.6 per game), was eighth in yards before contact (525), third in yards after contact (675), and also finished third overall in first downs (62). He also led all backs in receptions (74/4.4 per game) and tied with Ekeler for the lead among backs in targets (94/5.5 per game).

Harris was also fifth overall in red zone targets (14) while his involvement as a rusher and receiver also propelled him to RB3 in PPR scoring. Pittsburgh’s offense has experienced an offseason transformation through the additions of Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, George Pickens, and Calvin Austin.

However, Harris enters his second season with only Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland below him on the depth chart. This creates a clear path to RB1 production for fantasy managers.

Tier 2 - Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

Dalvin Cook, Joe Mixon, Aaron Jones, D'Andre Swift, Nick Chubb 

Cook averaged 22.5 points per game in 2019-2020 while finishing second in that category during both seasons. He dropped to 11th last season (15.9 per game), but also finished fifth in both attempts (249/19.2 per game) and rushing yardage (1,159/89.2 per game) – even though he was sidelined during four matchups (shoulder/COVID 19).

Dalvin Cook is on the short list of the most explosive players in the @NFL @dalvincook | @Vikings pic.twitter.com/1DGcH3oeE5

— NFL on CBS ? (@NFLonCBS) July 12, 2022

The 25 missed games that Cook has accumulated since 2017 cannot be dismissed, as he has been unavailable in at least two contests each year. However, 17 of those missed games transpired during his first two seasons.

What Cook delivers when he is on the field can also offset hesitation toward targeting him for your roster, as he has averaged 1,284 yards (93.9 per game) since 2019. He has also generated 3.851 yards during that sequence, which is second among all backs according to StatMuse.

New head coach Kevin O’Connell will transform Minnesota’s offense, although Cook will retain his role as the Vikings’ primary back. The reshaped attack could also expand Cook’s involvement as a pass-catcher, which makes him a viable option at his current ADP (9/RB5).

Mixon’s disappointing 2020 regular season included a 10-game absence (foot), career-lows in attempts (119), rushing yardage (428), and rushing touchdowns (3). This incentivized fantasy managers to delay his selection until late in Round 2 during best-ball drafts (ADP 21/RB 13). However, he is now being seized near the periphery of Round 1 (ADP 14/RB8) after establishing career highs in multiple categories last season.

Joe Mixon with the 21-yard touchdown run to extend the #RuleTheJungle lead! #CINvsBAL #NFL #NFLTwitterpic.twitter.com/18GfHVBJqt

— Football Outsiders (@fboutsiders) October 24, 2021

Mixon soared to RB4 in scoring, which was the first time in his career that he completed a season inside the top 10. He also vaulted to third overall in attempts (292/18.3 per game), rushing yardage (1,205/75.3 per game), and yards before contact (662), while finishing fourth in both yards after contact (543) and rushing touchdowns (13).

Mixon remains unchallenged in his role as Cincinnati’s feature back and will be operating behind a vastly improved offensive line. This has positioned him to approach last year’s finish as a top-five back while commandeering his place among the mid-range RB1s.

Jones will return for a sixth season with the Packers while operating in a rotation with A.J. Dillon. Jones led the tandem in snap share last season despite the expanded role that was commandeered by Dillon (58.4%/42.7%). He also paced the Packers in attempts (11.4) and yards per game (53.3), and also accrued 60+ targets for a third consecutive season (65/4.3 per game).

Fantasy managers’ interest in securing Jones has intensified following the departure of Davante Adams. This has released 169 targets for reallocation, and Jones is primed to confiscate a favorable sizable percentage of those opportunities. The prospects of a rising target share have ignited a surge in Jones’ ADP (17/RB9), which had been stationary in Round 4 during the early weeks of 2022 (38/RB17).

IT'S SHOWTYME!@Showtyme_33 with the 75-yard catch!#SFvsGB | #GoPackGo

? FOX pic.twitter.com/qtOgb5aSQc

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 23, 2022

His usage and output as a pass-catcher should easily surpass last year’s numbers, and his integral role in Green Bay’s transformed attack has elevated him among this year’s low-end RB1s – even if his impending timeshare with Dillon will impact his rushing numbers.

Swift collected 6+ targets during six of his first seven matchups last season while vaulting to the league lead in targets among all backs entering Week 12 (67/6.7 per game). He also paced his position in receptions (53/5.3 per game) and was second in receiving yardage (420/42 per game), before a shoulder issue limited him to just 68 snaps from Weeks 13-18.

Only three backs completed the year with more targets (78/6.0 per game), and receptions (62/4.8 per game) despite his four-game absence, while his 452 receiving yards (34.8 per game) placed him fifth overall. He was also seventh in total routes run (324) and was targeted on 24.1% of those routes.

Swift was also 12th in attempts (137/13.7 per game), and 14th in rushing yardage (555/55.5 per game) before his protracted injury. He was also operating in a rotation with Jamaal Williams, who remains directly below Swift on Detroit’s depth chart. If Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson increase Swift’s workload as a rusher, then it would cement his status as an unquestioned RB1. 

favorite nick chubb run period #browns pic.twitter.com/eAsPI26meG

— ikigai. (@j_by_default) July 11, 2022

Chubb enters his fifth season with an expansive list of numbers that underscore his ability to accrue yardage as a runner. He has finished among the top three in rushing yards per game during each of his last three seasons (93.4/88.9/89.9) while averaging 17.0 attempts per game during that span (16.3/15.8/18.6).

Chubb also finished second overall in rushing yardage during both 2019 (1,494), and 2021 (1,259), even though he was sidelined during three matchups last season (calf/COVID 19). He also finished fourth in Football Outsiders’ DYAR (Defense-Adjusted  Yards Above Replacement) in 2021.

However, the passion for selecting him as an RB1 has diminished due to his modest involvement as a receiver (2.1 targets/1.6 receptions/12.9 yards per game). The continued presence of Kareem Hunt also provides a deterrent that precludes Chubb from being selected until Round 3 in current drafts (ADP25/RB13).

Chubb’s outlook has improved in the aftermath of Deshaun Watson‘s suspension, as Cleveland’s reliance on the run should rise while Jacoby Brissett is under center.

Tier 3 - Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

Leonard Fournette, Alvin Kamara, Saquon Barkley, Javonte Williams, James Conner, David Montgomery,  Cam Akers,  Ezekiel Elliott, Breece Hall

Fournette finished inside the top 10 in scoring during 2017 and 2019, but his 18.3 points per game average established a new career high in 2021. He had also ascended to RB3 entering Week 15, was ninth in rushing yardage entering (778/59.8 per game), and was seventh in touchdowns (8).

Leonard Fournette is living in the end zone today ?

That's THREE touchdowns.pic.twitter.com/eLIBXRouva

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 28, 2021

Fournette was also pacing all backs in targets (84/6.0 per game), and receptions (69/4.9 per game) and was third in receiving yardage (454/32.4 per game), before a hamstring injury abruptly concluded his season.

Fournette’s performance also elevated him to second in Football Outsiders’ DYAR (Defense-Adjusted Yards Above Replacement). Fourmette signed a three-year contract with the Buccaneers in March and will resume his responsibilities as the team’s primary back in Week 1. 

Tampa Bay also invested a third-round selection on Rachaad White during April’s NFL Draft, but the newcomer’s arrival will not prevent Fournette from operating with a sizable workload. This provides your rationale for securing him near the conclusion of Round 2 during your drafts.

"Alvin Kamara is a BAD MAN!" ?

AK makes it look so smooth into the endzone for the #Saints TD!#WFTvsNO | ?: FOX pic.twitter.com/AtiqVhnZUF

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 10, 2021

Kamara’s offseason outlook has been engulfed by uncertainty, as a myriad of questions regarding his role in a redesigned New Orleans offense has been compounded by potential ramifications from his February arrest (suspicion of conspiracy to commit battery/battery resulting in substantial bodily harm).

A problematic knee sidelined Kamara during four matchups last season, although he did establish a career-high in yards per game (69.1). He also secured a career-best average of 18.5 attempts per game after averaging 11.3 from 2017-2020.

Kamara also averaged a career-low 3.7 yards per attempt and was limited to just four rushing touchdowns. His per-game averages as a receiver (5.2 targets/3.6 receptions/33.8 yards), also dropped well below his career averages (6.8 targets/5.4 receptions/47.1 yards). That relegated Kamara to the lowest season-long numbers of his career in each category (67 targets/47 receptions/439 yards).

He remains the Saints’ most critical weapon. However, the potential shortcomings of a restructured offense have blended with concerns surrounding a possible suspension to push Kamara's ADP into Round 3 of current best-ball drafts (27/RB14).

Barkley has reemerged as an RB1 with fantasy managers, as his ADP has now risen to the middle of Round 2 (18/RB10). His draft position had been stationed in Round 3 during February (26/RB14), due to a combination of his 21 missed games since 2019 (ACL/ankle), and his uninspiring production last season (593 yards/45.6 per game).

Barkley also averaged just 3.7 yards per attempt and scored just twice during 2021. His disappointing season also left him even further removed from the numbers that he delivered as a rookie in 2018 (RB1/2,028 total yards/1,307 rushing yards/15 touchdowns).

Asked #Giants coach Brian Daboll how Saquon Barkley has looked physically this spring.

“It’s all looked good,” he said of Barkley’s quickness, ability to get in and out of breaks and his long speed. pic.twitter.com/rfDlmIl8jv

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) June 8, 2022

However, optimism has surged surrounding the prospects of a significant rise in Barkley’s production, in the aftermath of New York’s transition from last year’s uninspiring offensive decision-makers to Brian Daboll, and his newly-assembled staff. The Giants have also overhauled their offensive line, and Daboll is capable of designing a multi-faceted approach that will deploy Barkley with far greater creativity than his predecessors. This should incentivize you to target Barkley during Round 2 of your drafts.

Williams finished third among all rookies with 203 attempts (11.9 per game), and 903 rushing yards (53.1 per game) in 2021. However, Williams’ opportunity to capitalize on his enticing blend of power and explosiveness was restricted by Denver’s use of a rotation that also involved seven-year veteran Melvin Gordon – who also accumulated 203 carries (12.7 per game), and generated 918 yards (57.4 per game).

Williams’ ADP (14/RB8) had placed him firmly among the RB1s when it appeared that Gordon would not resurface with the Broncos. However, Denver’s decision to re-sign the 29-year-old in late April has fueled a decline in Williams’ draft position (21/RB12).

This reaction to Gordon’s return has been excessive, as the renewal of last year’s rotation does not automatically equate to another even split in touches. Gordon will siphon opportunities but Williams should commandeer a higher percentage of touches than he was allotted during 2021. This supplies your motivation to seize Williams at his current draft position.

Conner was projected to operate in a rotation with Chase Edmonds in 2021. However, he played in a career-high 15 games, which propelled him to his most prolific season since 2018. Conner finished at RB5 which was the second top-10 finish since entering the NFL in 2017. He also established a career-high in rushing touchdowns (15), which also tied him for second overall. Conner was also 15th in yards after contact (421) and rose to eighth with a career-best 41 red zone carries.

This compelled the Cardinals to secure Conner with a three-year extension in March. Arizona also signed 27-year-old Darrel Williams during the offseason, while also selecting Keaontay Ingram in Round 6 of the NFL Draft (201st overall).

Williams tied for fifth among all backs in receiving yards (452/30.1 per game)), and ninth in receptions (47/3.1 per game). and could pilfer a percentage of targets from Conner during the season. However, his arrival should not discourage you from selecting Conner near his current ADP (29/RB15).

Montgomery was fourth in carries (69/17.3 per game) and fifth in rushing yardage (309/77.3 per game) from Weeks 1-4, before a knee injury sidelined him until Week 9. He recaptured Chicago’s lead back responsibilities upon his return and finished the year with a 74.3% snap share.

He would have also accrued 294 attempts and 1,110 yards if his per-game averages had been sustained during 17 contests. He still finished ninth overall in attempts (225/17.3 per game), and 17th in yardage (849/65.3 per game) from Weeks 1-18, while also tying for seventh in first downs (55) and generating seven touchdowns.

YESSIRSKI ?@MontgomerDavid | #DETvsCHI pic.twitter.com/9ZZNs8T4tu

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 3, 2021

Chicago will be transitioning to a new offense under first-time head coach Matt Eberflus, who will entrust the playcalling to first-year offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. However, Montgomery should retain his lead-back role in the Bears’ redesigned attack. That provides the incentive to prioritize him as an RB2 as your drafts enter Round 4.

18 backs are being selected before Akers in current drafts, as his ADP places him in Round 4 (41). This is a byproduct of his inefficiency last January, following his return from what appeared to be a season-ending injury (torn Achilles).

Akers averaged just 0.60 yards per attempt in Week 18, and 2.57 per attempt during the Rams' four postseason matchups. However, the reaction to his performance underrates Akers’ accomplishment in resurfacing on the field just five months after suffering a devastating health issue.

It is uncertain whether Akers can immediately recapture the proficiency that he delivered from Weeks 12-15 in 2020 when he finished at RB8 while ascending to third in attempts (74/18.5 per game), and fifth in rushing yardage 390/97.5 per game/5.3 per attempt).

However, the additional recovery time should be beneficial when he enters Week 1 as the Rams’ unquestioned RB1. His efficiency should also rise significantly when contrasted with last season’s performances.

Elliott completed the year at RB7, while also finishing seventh overall in attempts (237) and rushing yardage (1,002) and sixth in rushing touchdowns (10). However, Elliott only reached 100 yards in two contests, while his averages in both attempts per game (13.9), and yards per game (58.9) were easily the lowest average of his career. He also registered career lows in first downs (55), yards after contact (409), yards after contact per attempt (1.7), and also with his average of 16.9 yards per game as a receiver.

Elliott did contend with a partially torn PCL, but that did not prevent his ADP from plunging to Round 4 during May. His draft position has now risen to Round 3 (34/RB17), but there is risk in selecting him at that point in your draft.

Elliott is entering his seventh season, and he has already accumulated 1,938 career touches. The ongoing potential for Tony Pollard to confiscate a higher percentage of touches will also loom every week.

Anticipation for Hall’s arrival has surged throughout the fantasy community, and his status was cemented when he became the first back to be selected during April’s NFL Draft. Hall accumulated 3,941 rushing yards (109.5 per game) and 50 touchdowns during three seasons at Iowa State while leading all backs with 1,572 yards (131 per game) in 2020 and finishing eighth in 2021 (1,472/122.7 per game). He also collected 82 receptions and produced 734 receiving yards for the Cyclones.

Watch every Breece Hall touchdown for Iowa State in 2021. pic.twitter.com/OQt2HoqCjj

— James Simpson (@JS_Football) March 1, 2022

Optimism surrounding Hall’s ability to become an immediate resource for fantasy managers accelerated following his performance at the NFL Combine when he completed the 40-yard dash in 4.39 and registered a 40.0-inch vertical jump.

Hall should ascend atop New York’s depth chart while garnering the majority of touches in a rotation with Michael Carter. The Jets will contend with unfavorable game scripts during the season, which could destine Hall to RB2 output. However, that should not deter you from prioritizing him at the onset of Round 4 in your drafts.

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