Top 50 Running Back Rankings & Tiers

Ranked 27th but may need to fall behind Jordan Mason depending on Minnesota Vikings practice reports coming out of the bye week; Mason could become the starting running back if he's cleared as 100% healthy.

Saw 10 carries and 4-6 targets in week six; receiving role has been incredible, averaging 6 targets per game (tied with Kyren Williams); however, does not look healthy. Even with Raiders offense being better than expected, not getting consistent RB1 level production due to horrific efficiency; not breaking off big plays; ankle may be busted.

Ranked S-tier in post-week-six rankings but has underperformed relative to Jahmyr Gibbs and Kenneth Walker this season. Still has bye week remaining, creating scheduling disadvantage compared to Gibbs and Walker who have already completed theirs.

Riser in rankings with expanded role over the past two weeks; saw significant usage in week six against Arizona Cardinals, taking carries away from Kyren Williams. Averaging increased snaps and touches suggesting a shift in backfield distribution. Unless incredibly desperate, not a starter outside of a Kyren Williams injury scenario, but if that injury occurs, Corum becomes a league winner.

Being moved down in rankings after this past week under the assumption that Breece Hall, who has missed 3 weeks, has a good chance of returning this week based on the initial timetable from the Jets. Hall's return would significantly reduce Allen's role and value.

Week-to-week injury; has missed three straight weeks. Potential return week seven vs. Miami Dolphins would be an absolute massive add to the New York Jets offense and a phenomenal matchup for his return.

Delivered massive game vs. Houston Texans with multiple receiving touchdowns, his first time cracking 20 fantasy points this season. Speaker recommends moving him up in rankings due to encouraging usage trend: Laviska Shenault no longer a receiving role threat, so overall receiving usage trending in the right direction.

Premium handcuff running back similar to Keaontay Ingram and Emmit Johnson. Ranked lower than those because Bijan Robinson has less injury history compared to Christian McCaffrey and Kenneth Walker.

Ranked 17th in post-week-six rankings. Irving's role has been better than expected coming into the season. Flock Fantasy is excited about the Tampa Bay offense once Baker Mayfield returns to elevate it; Irving had a massive performance two weeks ago vs. Dallas Cowboys, though not every defense will be Dallas-level. Performance is dependent on offensive improvement with Mayfield's return.

Ranked 24th, which seems way too high. Now in a running back by committee with Tyron Tracy for the Giants; the D-tier and E-tier running backs all have massive red flags and could be straight-up unusable.

Ranked 11th overall; just went through bye week, providing scheduling advantage—will play one extra game compared to Jeanty, Javonte Williams, and Kyren Williams. Averaging 5.6 targets and 14.2 carries per game, closing in on 20 opportunities per game in a very good Bengals offense. Concern: has yet to score 20 fantasy points in a single game this season and had a horrible week five against Miami when Samaje Perine dominated.

Ranked A-tier in post-week-six rankings. Usage is not the same as in years past, which is why he's no longer S-tier level, but he still has the receiving role that provides a floor.

Ranked 12th in post-week-six rankings but Flock Fantasy is upgrading him ahead of Ashton Jeanty to RB10 rest of season. Hubbard has already completed his bye week, providing a scheduling advantage. He is seeing every single touch out of the backfield with continued success of the Carolina Panthers offense. Flock Fantasy notes he can be moved even higher than 12th in rankings.

Ranked 13th in C tier; conditional tier assignment based on Kyle Monangai's injury status. If Monangai were out for the season or extended period, Swift could be B tier. Primary concern is uncertainty about role impact when Monangai returns to the Eagles offense.

Not excited about his prospects; realistically not going to be startable this season. Was great in the past but doesn't have the juice anymore. Faces a running back by committee situation in a pass-first offense.

Getting close to a point where he could be ranked ahead of Jonathan Taylor. Had a horrific week six due to poor team offense, but with Lamar Jackson returning, Derrick Henry will go back to being an exciting play. Touchdown-dependent running back who struggles when team only scores one touchdown.

Uncertain if he has shown enough talent to assume he'll be startable once Zach Charbonnet and Kendre Miller return from injury; limited upside in a crowded Seahawks backfield.

Handcuff with league-winner upside if Kenneth Walker gets injured; similar setup to Caleb Black as a premium backup. Speaker doesn't own him but views the injury-contingent value as compelling.

The receiving back in the three-man running back by committee with Justice Hill and Melvin Gordon; positioned as the pass-catching option in the backfield.

Ranked S-tier in post-week-six rankings alongside Kenneth Walker and Bijan Robinson. Has performed much better than Bijan Robinson this season and already through bye week, providing scheduling advantage over Robinson who still has bye remaining.

Averaging over 100 rushing yards per game but Ty Johnson is getting the receiving usage. Josh Allen vultures James Cook for rushing touchdowns at the goal line frequently. Younger running back with less injury decline risk than Derrick Henry, but more likely to get goal line touchdown stolen by his quarterback; does not catch the ball like Jonathan Taylor.

Ranked in B-tier; Dallas Cowboys looked really bad against Green Bay Packers, which is concerning given the Packers defense isn't incredible. Still in what should be a pretty good offense while getting literally every single touch out of the backfield, providing volume security despite offensive concerns.

Sell-high candidate; still RB1 in Pittsburgh but expectations must be lowered dramatically. Once Rico Dowdle returns, touches will be siphoned away from Warren. Currently seeing 90%+ snap share and opportunities, but that will decline significantly upon Dowdle's return.

Ranked 19th in post-week-six rankings. Love tweaked his ankle after a massive breakout game against the San Francisco 49ers and sat out week six, missing essentially all practice the prior week. He may sit out week seven as well. If he gets healthy, the top-five draft pick can still improve and break out in the second half of the season.

Moved down slightly behind Christian McCaffrey in post-week-six rankings despite 21 fantasy points and 150 total yards in week six. The true RB1 overall production level from the beginning of last season is not going to be possible with the Indianapolis Colts offense being significantly worse than last season. Alec Pierce's return may help stretch the field and soften boxes, but that's not projected to happen soon.

Ranked 30th but very easily can become the starting running back for the Minnesota Vikings coming out of the bye week; if Wednesday practice reports confirm he's 100% healthy, he will be moved ahead of Aaron Jones in rankings.

Ranked 18th in post-week-six rankings. Major rest-of-season concern is unknown suspension risk—real possibility of 10-game suspension if damaging video surfaces. Near-term projection is incredibly strong: plays Detroit Lions this week with potential to crack top 12 RB rankings for the week due to weak Packers backfield competition; nobody in Green Bay can take touches from Jacobs and the entire Packers running back room is weak. Offsetting concern: Packers offensive line is poor.

Part of a three-man running back by committee with Melvin Gordon returning. Gus Edwards is the receiving back, while Dobbins and Gordon handle first and second down work.

Most likely to lead the Buccaneers backfield rest of season, though he does not have an incredible role. He was featured in a sell-high video coming into this week. With J.J. McCarthy under center instead of Jameis Winston, receiving usage may get a slight uptick, but it will remain a running back by committee under the current system.

Expected to return at some point; his return will likely limit the fantasy value of backup running backs in the Seahawks backfield.

Ranked S-tier in post-week-six rankings alongside Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson. Has performed much better than Bijan Robinson this season and already through bye week, providing scheduling advantage over Robinson who still has bye remaining.

Dropped from A-tier to B-tier due to concerning trends. Dipped to 73% of snaps against Buffalo Bills with Blake Corum playing some; week six saw a lot of Blake Corum usage against Arizona Cardinals, raising questions about Kyren's health. Still averaging 6.5 targets per game, which is among the highest for running backs discussed. If Kyren returns to his previous role, he will shoot back to A-tier.

Looks closer to returning from injury. Will be part of a three-man running back by committee with Justice Hill and Gus Edwards, handling first and second down work.

Ranked 28th but faces a major problem: he plays in the league's worst offense and averages only one target per game. He is a touchdown-or-bust running back in the Miami Dolphins offense with minimal receiving upside.

Ranked 21st in post-week-six rankings. Cephus is expected to return this week but is going back to a very bad Cleveland Browns offense. If D'Onta Foreman also returns, Cephus enters a running back by committee where Foreman draws target volume. The gap between C tier and D tier is massive; Cephus at 21 is far below Barkley at 20.

Speaker traded FAB to acquire him as a one-week start over Jacquory Cross Demercado. Likely to remain a handcuff with receiving role, but will be nothing if JCM stays healthy.

Must roster both Stevenson and Trevion Henderson; if one gets injured, the other becomes a must-start. If both are healthy, neither should be started. The Patriots offense is now pretty good, which provides some upside to the backfield.

Definitely stealing some carries from Jaylen Warren but would never be started unless Warren gets injured. In that injury scenario, Dowdle becomes a premium handcuff with league-winning upside.

A faller in rankings despite having a really good week; Jona Coleman may be getting ready to return, which will make it less likely Harvey sees 10-plus carries in a game; he is purely a receiving back.

Ranked 20th in post-week-six rankings. Barkley missed weeks five and six with hamstring injuries and may return in week seven. He faces a very tough offensive setup with a poor Eagles offensive line. At nearly 30 years old on an Eagles team with 0% playoff chances, there is hope the team trades him away rather than continue using him.

Not that good and doesn't draw a ton of target volume. Featured down running back for the Tennessee Titans, but being the featured back for Tennessee has historically meant nothing for fantasy purposes.

Etienne will miss one more week with injury, then the Saints have a bye in week nine. Most players still have to navigate their bye, so Etienne only loses one extra game compared to others. Once healthy, Kendre Miller has not shown enough to be the clear starter, suggesting Etienne should reclaim the lead role.

Must roster both Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson; if one gets injured, the other becomes a must-start. If both are healthy, neither should be started. The Patriots offense is now pretty good, which provides some upside to the backfield.

Not compelling as a handcuff back if he's going to split carries with Bam Knight; limited upside in a committee situation.

Not a good running back with fumbling concerns. Most likely outcome is a running back by committee with Cam Akers, though there is a chance he becomes the starting back for Giants going forward. Should be rostered despite speaker's skepticism.

Not excited about his prospects; realistically not going to be startable this season. In a running back by committee in a pass-first offense with two untalented running backs; maybe gets one week of value at best.

Was initially more exciting but outlook dimmed after learning Jadarian Price may return the first week he's eligible, which would not be great for Charbonnet's workload. Expected to return at some point; his return will likely limit the fantasy value of backup running backs in the Seahawks backfield.