Running Back PPR Rankings for Fantasy Football Drafts

August 20, 2019

RotoBaller's updated PPR running back draft rankings, tiers and analysis for the 2019 fantasy football season. Scott Engel highlights key RBs to target in drafts.

If you have one of the top-three picks in a draft this season, consider yourself very fortunate. Those are enviable spots, where you get the unique opportunity to select one of the three very best superstar running backs.

Once those guys are off the board, you progressively start to deal with more and more question marks at the position. Holdouts are now a glaring issue at the top levels with Ezekiel Elliott and Melvin Gordon out with no firm timeline of a potential return. Injury concerns, time shares and committees then come into the mix. We also have older players, guys who have never proven themselves, and some who simply have no upside.

That’s why running backs fly off the board so fast and you have to get a high-quality option early if you can. No other position presents such a combination of high demand and uncertainty. Our experts here at RotoBaller submitted their latest rankings so we could come up with a very useful staff consensus for you. Check out all of our Fantasy Football staff rankings here.

Updated PPR Running Back Rankings - Redraft

Below are RotoBaller's consensus staff rankings for the 2019 fantasy football season. These rankings are compiled by Nick Mariano, Pierre Camus, Scott Engel, Bill Dubiel, Dominick Petrillo, Spencer Aguiar and Kev Mahserejian.

In case you missed it, our very own "Big Pick Nick" Mariano was the #11 overall most accurate industry expert ranker for the 2018 season, and #9 overall in 2017. Additionally, industry legend Scott Engel recently joined the RotoBaller team and provides his insights as well. Scott is an FSWA Hall Of Famer and award winner.

Tier One

Saquan Barkley is just ahead of Alvin Kamara as our No. 1 consensus pick overall. Three staffers, though, had him third or fourth. Kamara may be better suited for the third spot when you consider that Barkley and Christian McCaffrey are likely to outgain him in combined scrimmage yards as they did last year.  No one ranks McCaffrey lower than third, although two staffers have him first. Considering Barkley may face more defenders who key on him this year, McCaffrey does arguably hold a slight advantage there. Ezekiel Elliott is holding at sixth overall, but two staffers have him as low as 16th and 20^th. Four staffers who still have him in the Top 4 seem to be confident he will be playing when the regular season opens. But that is only guessing, as no one can truly predict how long a holdout can really last. David Johnson is fifth overall and appears set for a promising season in a possibly rejuvenated offense. One staffer had him as low as 19^th, though, a sign that there is some skepticism in a few fantasy corners about an offense led by a rookie QB and new NFL head coach.

Tier Two

James Conner (9 overall) has officially become the new standout RB for Pittsburgh and is maybe a bit underrated. He is versatile and a major focal point of his team’s offense and is ticketed for a very large role. Le’Veon Bell was wildly all over our rankings board, from 5 to 40 overall.  The elite talents remain, as does a major desire to re-prove himself as a top NFL RB. Joe Mixon (15^th overall) is ready for a heavy workload, but will be even more in the defensive crosshairs while A.J. Green is out.

Dalvin Cook (17) has enjoyed an offseason where he did not have to recover from a major injury and could finally be a ready for his best campaign yet. Todd Gurley (19 overall) has lost his RB1 status and is a risk to miss more time this season.

Tier Three

Nick Chubb (20) is ranked as high as 12th by one of our staffers, but as low as 32nd by two others. Aaron Jones (27) is drawing varying results as well, between 18^h and 32^nd overall. His success will hinge on durability and how much more the Packers will run the ball under the new regime.Damien Williams (28) is in the league’s best offense, but must prove he can handle a significant workload over an extensive period.

Leonard Fournette (29) ranges from 18 to 42 among our experts. He needs to avoid significant missed time in 2019 to keep his spot as a Top 20 player at the position. Kerryon Johnson (31) should be climbing up our rankings more  soon, likely higher in the third tier.

Tier Four

Devonta Freeman (35) gets anywhere from Top 20 treatment to 50th overall. He is a noted injury risk who doesn't have a firm grip on the top of the tier.  Marlon Mack (37) will be the finisher for one of the league’s best offenses if Andrew Luck can stay healthy. One of our staffers is holding out more hope on Melvin Gordon, ranking him eighth, but otherwise he has averaged out to 38^th. The concern level grows as we get closer to the regular season without resolution to his holdout. He could either be a draft-day bargain or a wasted pick. The same could be said for Elliott, and the wide gap between the two is only based on speculation.

Sony Michel (40) could be near RB1 territory if his health was not a concern. Derrick Henry (45) must show us he can be more than a late-season tease. Chris Carson (46) js also seeing his stock rise with talk of him getting more work in the passing game. Look for him to move up in our ranks as well. Josh Jacobs (49) has great all-around potential and can make a quick impact as a rookie.

Tier Five

David Montgomery (54) belongs in this tier because the Bears may employ a pure committee, but he is being rated near the Top 20 by some fantasy experts, including one of our own. Mark Ingram (56) may be undervalued as he finally gets a deserved chance to be a featured RB. Philip Lindsay (57) must battle to keep his place atop the Broncos depth chart, which seems unfair after the impressive rookie season he delivered. James White (65) played at a Top 10 RB level in PPR formats for a good chunk of last season and is a quality RB2 selection. Tevin Coleman (67) may not be capable of anything more than a part-time role.

Tier Six

Tarik Cohen (71) is inconsistent and should carry the ball less this season. Derrius Guice (81) appears to be a continuing injury risk, and the Redskins will have to handle him very carefully. Miles Sanders (82) is having a good preseason and could slide into Tier Five soon. Austin Ekeler (85) might end up in a time share with Justin Jackson if Gordon’s holdout extends into the regular season. Rashaad Penny (86) could let his potential loose if Carson misses any time because of injuries.

Tier Seven

Royce Freeman (97) is getting another chance to earn quality playing time, but appears headed to work in a timeshare at best. LeSean McCoy (112) has fallen to double-figure rounds in drafts. This tier is short, and only includes three RBs, including the seemingly very unwanted Jordan Howard at 102. His "appeal" will fall even further will more talk about Sanders' rise.

Tier Eight and Lower

Kalen Ballage (113) could be the most productive RB in Miami and is a good value play. Ronald Jones (116) still can win the starting job in Tampa Bay under a new regime. Matt Breida (122) runs hard, but already seems injury prone. Devin Singletary (132) could at least earn part of the work in Buffalo as a rookie. Adrian Peterson (135) may have financial motivation and the opportunity to keep producing. Justin Jackson (143) has some later-round appeal because of the Gordon holdout. Tony Pollard (149) is generating preseason buzz but could share time with Alfred Morris if Elliott misses any regular-season time. Darrell Henderson (157) has started to come on in the preseason but his stock is dropping as it becomes apparent he may not be a pure handcuff yet.  Damien Harris (172) is the essential handcuff to Michel.  Alexander Mattison (186) has the preseason look of a guy who can carry frequently if Cook misses any time. Malcolm Brown (200) could also be in the Rams RB picture if Gurley misses some time.

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