Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings (Tiers 4-9) - Best Ball Leagues

Some of you have been building rosters in the 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 fantasy football rankings. We also provide breakdowns of our rankings after each update, and this article will focus on running backs in tiers 4-9. You can also find a full breakdown of tiers 1-3 here.

Running Back Best-Ball Rankings

Tier 4 - Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

Antonio Gibson, Elijah Mitchell, Travis Etienne, J.K. Dobbins

ANTONIO GIBSON OH MY GOODNESS
pic.twitter.com/0D5XmWb5O9

— PFF (@PFF) September 26, 2021

Gibson's 2022 outlook has emerged as one of the most polarizing topics during the offseason, as his accomplishments during 2021 have become offset by concerns regarding his impending competition for touches in Washington's backfield. Gibson finished fourth among all backs in attempts (258/16.1 per game) and was sixth in rushing yardage (1,037/64.8 per game). He also finished second in first downs (61), seventh in yards before contact (534), and sixth in yards after contact (503).

He also finished sixth in red zone carries (43), fourth in red zone rush percentage (58.1%), and garnered one fewer target (53/52) and reception (43/42) than J.D. McKissic.

However, his ability to match last season’s results will be impacted by several offseason developments. McKissic was re-signed, and his return indicates Washington's intent to entrust him with a sizable pass-catching role. Brian Robinson was also selected in Round 3 during April’s NFL Draft, and the newcomer appears destined to siphon carries.

Gibson has recovered from his lingering hamstring issue, but that may not impede Robinson from quickly securing an ongoing role. This has contributed to the plunge in Gibson’s ADP since February (24/RB13) - (60/RB23) and also enhances the risk involved with selecting him at his current draft position.

San Francisco selected Mitchell in Round 6 of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he vaulted atop a 49er depth chart that was overflowing with competition for touches. Mitchell ultimately led the 49ers in attempts (207/18.8 per game) and rushing yards (963/87.5 yards per game). Those numbers propelled him to eighth among all backs in yardage, and fifth in yards after contact (515). He also finished second among rookies in attempts and yardage, while leading all first-year backs in yards per game.

The rook Elijah Mitchell had 100+ total yards for the 4th time this season on Sunday ?

32 touches
168 total yards
1 touchdown pic.twitter.com/dQQZawBaTV

— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2021

Mitchell achieved those results while contending with an assortment of health issues that sidelined him for six contests (shoulder/finger/knee). He will enter his second season with a fresh cluster of competition, as rookie Tyrion Davis-Price will join a healthy Jeff Wilson and Trey Sermon on a 49ers’ depth chart that could be modified on impulse by Kyle Shanahan. However, the same attributes that incentivized Shanahan to entrust Mitchell with his 2021 workload should keep Mitchell highly involved in San Francisco’s attack.

Etienne eclipsed 1,600 rushing yards twice during his career at Clemson, while accumulating nearly 5,000 yards (4,952/90 per game), 1,155 receiving yards (21 per game), and 78 touchdowns during his four seasons with the Tigers.

An NCAA record 42nd game with a touchdown for Travis Etienne AND first career passing touchdown for D.J. Uiagalelei!@ClemsonFB | #ACCFootball pic.twitter.com/AuWO0YVaoG

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) October 31, 2020

This fueled the surging anticipation that surrounded Etienne’s arrival in the NFL following his first-round selection during the 2021 NFL Draft (25th overall). Unfortunately, he encountered a season-ending Lisfranc injury last August, which prematurely ended his season. However, Etienne’s explosiveness and home-run capabilities should finally be unveiled as Etienne is primed to commandeer a significant role in Jacksonville’s reconstructed attack.

Whether that will entail a rotation with James Robinson is currently uncertain, after Robinson surprisingly avoided placement on the active/PUP list entering training camp. Even if Robinson’s return to Jacksonville’s lineup exceeds the expectations of his original timeline, it would be reasonable to expect that his recovery from a torn Achilles would preclude him from matching the 15.9 touches per game average that he attained from Weeks 1-15 last season. Rookie Snoop Conner has also been injected into the depth chart, but Etienne's big-play capabilities should propel him to a sizable workload in Jaguars’ backfield, which should include responsibilities as the team’s receiving back.

Travis Etienne has an ACC record 56 career rushing touchdowns.

Etienne has 62 career touchdowns (56 rushing, 6 receiving), which also ranks first in league history. #ACCFootball pic.twitter.com/59nkLIT5Q4

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) March 23, 2020

Game scripts and an unexceptional group of wide receivers should compel Doug Pederson to utilize Etienne’s pass-catching capabilities with frequency during the season. That supplies the potential for Etienne to deliver RB2 output to managers.

.@Jkdobbins22 sets a franchise record for the most TDs by a Ravens rookie!

Tune in on CBS! pic.twitter.com/YMI3RTg0iq

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 3, 2021

Dobbins averaged 12.1 attempts per game during the final nine games of his 2020 rookie season, while also finishing eighth among all backs in rushing yards (651/72.3 per game/6.0 per attempt), and sixth in touchdowns (7). He also tied for second with six runs of 20+, while vaulting to RB9 in scoring during that sequence. Those enticing numbers incentivized fantasy managers to select him in Round 3 of 2021 drafts.

His opportunity to build upon the promising results of his first season was circumvented when he suffered a torn ACL during Baltimore’s final preseason matchup of 2021. However, he was recently activated from the active/PUP list and appears primed to regain a significant role within the Ravens’ backfield rotation. It is also unlikely that Gus Edwards will reemerge from his knee injury (ACL) by Week 1, which will leave seven-year veteran Mike Davis and rookie Tyler Badie to compete for carries with Dobbins as the season launches. Baltimore’s steadfast dedication to the run will provide Dobbins with enough opportunities to justify a selection during Round 5 of your drafts.

Tier 5 - Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

Damien Harris, Miles Sanders Rashaad Penny, Josh Jacobs  Kenneth Walker III, Chase Edmonds, Kareem Hunt, AJ Dillon

Harris secured a career-best 42% snap share during 2021, while also establishing a career-high in attempts (202/13.5 per game) He operated in a rotation with Rhamondre Stevenson during much of the 2021 regular season, as Stevenson attained a 34% snap share, and eclipsed 11 attempts per game (11.1). The shared workload did not preclude Harris from finishing 10th overall in rushing yardage (929/61.9 per game), while Harris also finished seventh in first downs (55), 11th in yards before contact (469), and ninth in yards after contact (460).

Harris also accumulated 44 red zone attempts which vaulted him to fifth overall. He also scored on 13 of those carries. which propelled him into a tie for second with 15 touchdowns on the ground.

Damien Harris is GONE. 64-yard touchdown! #ForeverNE

?: #NEvsBUF on ESPN
?: https://t.co/wsVL8IokGf pic.twitter.com/IzeJz7ucf2

— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2021

Rookies Pierre Strong Jr. (Round 4/127th overall), and Kevin Harris  (Round 6/183rd overall) were both selected during April's NFL Draft. However, Stevenson is the primary candidate to usurp carries from Harris, while retaining an ongoing role in the Patriots' attack. That presents a risk in targeting Harris before Round 8 of your upcoming drafts.

Sanders has exceeded 11 attempts per game during each of his three NFL seasons (11.2/13.7/11.4). He also paced Philadelphia’s backfield in carries (137) and rushing yardage (754/62.8 per game), while operating in an attack that led the NFL in rushing yardage during 2021 (2,715/159.7 per game). The Eagles also paced the league in rushing touchdowns (25), but none of those scores were generated by Sanders. His 137 carries were also the most among all backs that failed to produce a touchdown last season.

He was sidelined during six contests (ankle/hand), which transpired after Nick Sirianni’s mid-season transformation to a ground-oriented approach. That elevated Boston Scott (23.8% snap share) and Jordan Howard (33.3% share) into expanded roles, while rookie Kenny Gainwell also attained a 26.8% share.

Sanders also registered career-lows in targets (34/2.8 per game), receptions (26/2.2 per game), and receiving yards (159/13.2 per game) and Gainwell could easily confiscate a larger percentage of targets. This adds to the list of factors that should compel you to avoid selecting Sanders at his Round 7 ADP.

RASHAAD PENNY TO THE HOUSE!!

Touchdown Seahawks!

(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/mQAoPgz8kL

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 10, 2022

Penny entered 2021 with career averages of 6.0 carries/30.5 yards per game and had only generated 100 yards twice during the first 32 games of his career. He also registered a microscopic 15.6 yards per game average from Weeks 1-13 while being sidelined during seven contests (calf/hamstring) in 2021.

However, the former first-round pick suddenly erupted for massive numbers from Weeks 14-18, and his unexpected rise to relevance launched him into the league lead in rushing yardage (671), yards per attempt (7.3) yards after contact (407), touchdowns (6), and rushes of 20+ (11). His 134.2 per game average was 18.4 more than any other back, while he also eclipsed 100 yards in four of his five matchups during that sequence.

Penny’s track record of health issues has sidelined him for 28 games during his career. However, Chris Carson’s retirement has opened a path for Penny and rookie Kenneth Walker to operate in a rotation. Last season’s statistical surge should also convince  Pete Carroll to present Penny with an opportunity to build upon those numbers.

Jacobs has operated as the lead back for the Raiders since his 2019 rookie season. He has also paced Las Vegas in attempts (732/17.0 per game) rushing yards (3,087/71.8 per game), and 28 touchdowns during each of his three seasons. However, offseason developments have provided indications that Jacobs will be encumbered by the restrictions of a committee approach this season.

Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler have no previous history with Jacobs and did not exercise the fifth-year option of his contract. McDaniels and Ziegler also traded up to seize Zamir White during the NFL Draft, while also adding veterans Brandon Bolden, Ameer Abdullah, seventh-round selection Brittain Brown, and UDFA Sincere McCormick during the offseason.

White’s arrival is destined to reduce Jacobs’ workload as a rusher as the season progresses. The influx of pass-catching specialists will also combine with the re-emergence of a healthy Kenyan Drake to prevent Jacobs from sustaining his 3.2 targets per game average. His diminished workload will prevent him from matching his previous output, and you should avoid drafting him at his Round 5 ADP (57/RB21).

Walker operated in a backfield rotation at Wake Forest during his first two collegiate seasons, while functioning in the Demon Deacons’ slow mesh RPO offense. This was beneficial for their quarterbacks but did not maximize Walker’s decisiveness, or his one-cut capabilities. He transferred to Michigan Stats in 2021 where his expanded workload fueled a breakout season. Walker soared to eighth overall in attempts (263/21.9 per game), second in rushing yardage (1,636/136.3 per game), and eighth in touchdowns (18).

KENNETH WALKER. FOUR TOUCHDOWNS. UNREAL.

(via @CFBONFOX)pic.twitter.com/YLFtLdOuLl

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 30, 2021

The Seahawks seized Walker in Round 2 of April’s NFL Draft following his statistical eruption. His blend of vision, and explosiveness should deliver a return on that investment, as he should seize a sizable workload in an offense that maintains an unwavering dedication to their rushing attack. Carson’s absence will elevate Walker into an integral role, as he will shares touches with Penny – who is unsigned beyond 2022. That makes the newcomer worthy of consideration at his ADP (101/RB36).

Chase Edmonds a monster value. Need him to have a quiet preseason?

— Frank J. Dyevoich, Esq. (@Fantasy_Giant) July 20, 2022

Edmonds was sidelined during five matchups last season (ankle/rib) but still established new career highs in attempts (116/9.7 per game), and rushing yardage (592/49.3 per game). He was also ninth in targets (37/4.6 per game), and eighth in receptions (30/3.8 per game) from Weeks 1-8, before a high ankle sprain curtailed his involvement in Arizona’s backfield rotation.

He has resurfaced in Miami, after signing a two-year contract with the Dolphins. This will infuse Edmonds’ pass-catching capabilities into a reshaped attack that also added Raheem Mostert and Sony Michel during the off-season. However, the Dolphins’ investment in Edmonds exceeded the one-year deals that were secured with Mostert and Michel.

This will not keep Edmonds from operating in an ongoing rotation under new head coach Mike McDaniel, However, Edmonds’ pass-catching acumen should propel him to an integral role in  McDaniel’s offense. It also justifies his selection in Round 8 of your drafts.

Just a reminder that Kareem Hunt will be healthy for the #Browns in 2022.pic.twitter.com/WFae16wUUc

— Tyler Johnson (@T_johnson_TJ) July 21, 2022

Hunt's role in a rotation with Nick Chubb has already placed limitations on the numbers he could attain unless Chubb becomes unavailable for any reason. Now, his situation has become more nebulous after his failed attempt to secure a new contract or a trade. The Browns were not incentivized to grant either request, partially due to the emergence of D’Ernest Johnson and the promise of rookie Jerome Ford.

Hunt has averaged 13.8 points per game during his two full seasons with the Browns. He also averaged 9.8 attempts/48 rushing yards/2.8 receptions per game last season while being absent during nine games (calf/ankle).

Chubb joined Hunt on the sideline during two of those contests (calf/COVID19), which elevated Johnson into an expanded workload. Johnson delivered impressive results while accumulating 146 rushing yards on 22 attempts (6.6 yards per attempt) in Week 7, and stockpiling 157 total yards (99 rushing/58 receiving) on 26 touches in Week 10. Hunt remains capable of functioning as Cleveland’s RB2, but Johnson has demonstrated a consistent ability to explode for sizable numbers when he accumulates touches. Johnson’s potential for seizing an expanded role should not be overlooked, which has increased the risk in targeting Hunt at his Round 7 ADP.

Jonathan Taylor and A.J. Dillon balled out this season pic.twitter.com/AzzfglmRbr

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) February 11, 2022

Dillon was limited to a 14.9% snap share and 46 rushing attempts as a rookie in 2020. However, his involvement rose during 2021, as he attained a 43% share, and was entrusted with 187 carries (11 per game). That vaulted him to 20th among all backs in carries, and his usage fueled a rise to 20th in rushing yardage (803/47.2 per game). He also finished 12th overall in both categories from Weeks 4-18 (172 attempts/12.3 per game), (748 yards/53.4 per game), while also finishing eighth in yards after contact (495).

Dillon also tied for fifth with 39 red zone carries in his final 14 matchups and finished at RB16 during that span. Dillon will share carries with Aaron Jones but will retain a significant role within a transformed Green Bay offense. He would also confiscate a massive workload if Jones would become unavailable during the season. That scenario would also launch Dillon into RB1 consideration during those contests.

Tier 6 - Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

Devin Singletary, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Melvin Gordon III, Ronald Jones, Michael Carter, Marlon Mack

Reach for it, @motorsingletary!

?: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/F4VpeXwpEX

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 10, 2022

Singletary averaged 8.3 attempts/41.5 rushing yards per game from Weeks 1-11 last season before he seized an expanded workload during Buffalo’s final seven matchups. Singletary also averaged 15 attempts per game during that sequence while finishing eighth in carries (105), seventh in yardage (455/65 per game), and third in touchdowns (5).

Singletary’s late-season momentum launched his ADP into Round 6 (64/RB24) before the NFL Draft when it appeared that he could operate without formidable competition for touches. However, his outlook was altered by Buffalo’s second-round selection of James Cook, whose eventual role should prevent Singletary from sustaining the encouraging numbers that he assembled last season. There are divergent options surrounding Cook’s impact on Singletary’s output, but that prospective scenario has fueled a plunge in Singletary’s ADP (86/RB30). Cook’s arrival and the potential for Zack Moss to pilfer touches should motivate you to bypass  Singletary at his current draft position.

Kansas City’s selection of Edwards-Helaire during Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft ignited significant interest from fantasy managers while launching his ADP to 5 entering his rookie season. Unfortunately, expectations that Edwards-Helaire would assemble sizable numbers in the Chiefs’ potent attack remain unfulfilled, which is underscored by his availability until Round 7 of current drafts (75/RB27). Injuries have affixed Edwards-Helaire to the sideline during 10 matchups, while last season’s per game averages in rushing attempts (13.9/11.9), rushing yardage (61.8/51.7), targets (4.2/2.3), and receptions (2.8/1.9) also declined when contrasted with 2020.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire was called for taunting on this ?pic.twitter.com/Drv0HVU9o5

— PFF (@PFF) November 21, 2021

Darrel Williams’ departure for Arizona will not shield Edwards-Helaire from continued involvement in a crowded backfield, as the Chiefs signed Ronald Jones and Jerick McKinnon to one-year contracts and selected Isiah Pacheco during the NFL Draft. Edwards-Helaire’s output will not exceed the expectations of his current draft position, as his workload will be negatively impacted by touches being dispensed to multiple backs.

Gordon will return for a third season with the Broncos, after signing a one-year contract in April. He is now 29 and has already accumulated 1,761 touches. He has also resurfaced in a backfield that will require him to compete for touches with Javonte Williams, who possesses a surplus of talent. Gordon will not match Williams in carries as he did during 2021 (203/12.7 per game). However, Gordon can still secure a workload that will be sufficient for him to function as a resource for fantasy managers.

Gordon was also 15th in red zone carries (37), tied for ninth in rushing touchdowns (8), and has now finished inside the top 10 in touchdowns during each of the last six seasons.

Longest active streak of consecutive seasons with 9+ Touchdowns

Melvin Gordon 6
Derrick Henry 4
Aaron Jones 4
11 players tied 2 pic.twitter.com/YLqFPc4f0h

— NFL on CBS ? (@NFLonCBS) February 22, 2022

Any sustained role inside the 20 would improve his ability to deliver fantasy points, and he remains worthy of consideration at his ADP (107/RB38).

Jones shares Edwards-Helaire’s unwanted history of disappointment following an early selection during the NFL Draft (Round 2/2018), and will now compete with his new teammate for touches. Jones failed to exceed six carries during seven of his eight matchups from Weeks 1-8 last season and surpassed 37 rushing yards once from Weeks 1-14.

He was also limited to 13 targets throughout the entire season, while only attaining relevance when Leonard Fournette’s hamstring issue sidelined him from Weeks 15-17. However, his migration to Kansas City presents an opportunity to capture a substantial role in Andy Reid’s attack. It will be incumbent upon Jones to perform capably during training camp, in order for him to garner carries within the Chiefs’ congested backfield.

Carter led the Jets in multiple categories during his 2021 rookie season, including rushing attempts (147/10.5 per game), rushing yards (639/45.6 per game), rushing touchdowns (4), and receptions (55/2.6 per game). He also tied for the lead among New York’s backs in targets (36/2.6 per game), while his overall total was second only to Najee Harris among all rookie backs.

Carter also attained the highest snap share (50%) in New York’s backfield. However, his promising inaugural season did not deter the Jets from securing Breece Hall with the 36th pick in April’s NFL Draft. Hall will commandeer lead back duties, which will place significant restrictions on Carter’s ceiling. It should also compel you to wait until Round 11 before adding Carter to your roster.

Suiting up for H-Town ?

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 11, 2022

Mack exceeded 900 rushing yards and finished 11th in point per game scoring during 2018. He also finished at RB20 in 2019, while rising to ninth in attempts (247/17.6 per game) and 10th in rushing yardage (1,091/78 per game). However, his 2020 season ended abruptly after just 11 snaps, when he suffered a torn Achilles. He was also limited to 59 snaps/28 carries/101 rushing yards last season, while remaining inactive from Weeks 8-18.

Mack has resurfaced in Houston, where he could begin the season with a sizable workload. Intriguing rookie Dameon Pierce will also contend for touches and could confiscate lead-back duties from Mack as the season progresses.

Tier 7 - Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

Tony Pollard, James Cook, Zamir White, Dameon Pierce, Rhamondre Stevenson, Darrell Henderson, Rachaad White, Alexander Mattison

Pollard could easily ascend to a lofty tier if he is entrusted with a larger workload during the season. He also joins Mattison and Henderson as enticing options who would launch into RB1 status if their teams’ lead backs would become unavailable for any reason. Stevenson is primed to secure an expanded role in his second season, while newcomers Cook, Pierce, (Zamir) White, and (Rachaad) White can also become contributors to your scoring as the season advances.

Tiers 8 and 9 - Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

Jamaal Williams, Sony Michel, Isaiah Spiller, Brian Robinson Jr., Tyler Allgeier, Kenneth Gainwell,  D'Onta Foreman, J.D. McKissic, Khalil Herbert, Tyrion Davis-Price, Darrel Williams, Raheem Mostert, Gus Edwards, James Robinson, Nyheim Hines, James White, Keaontay Ingram, Boston Scott, Kyren Williams, Snoop Conner, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Kenyan Drake, Chuba Hubbard, Samaje Perine

The backs that are contained in tiers 8 and 9 are located from RB46 to RB69 in our rankings, but their value could rise or descend due to various factors that emerge as the offseason progresses.

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