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Ellis' fantasy football running back rankings #16-30 for 2023. Use his fantasy football RB rankings and RB analysis to draft winning fantasy football teams.
Who would you start, bench, and cut out of this list: Rachaad White, Dameon Pierce, and Javonte Williams? There are so many factors around all of those backs, that for me, that's a really tough question. Obviously, you will see my response in this article, but feel free to reach out on Twitter with your response.
We have reached the RB-two and three portions of my rankings, where runningback depth is arguably more important than any other position. These are the names that many will be debating between for bye-week fillers and injury replacements so they are crucial for season-long success.
For our purposes, this is a portion of runningbacks that can make or break our fantasy season. These players can win championships if navigated correctly. For more of my fantasy content, check out my video player profiles on TikTok @FiresideFantasy_FF.
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30. Antonio Gibson (RB, WAS)
After fumbling away his role in the offense last season, the Gibson hype train has begun to gain steam. It's no surprise that Gibson is an electric athlete with great hands and explosive ability. Plus, this team does not have J.D. McKissic to take away passing work.
However, since the emergence of Brian Robinson Jr., Gibson will need to really on his efficiency to produce for fantasy. It's a mystery what this offense will look like with either Jacoby Brissett or Sam Howell under center, but all signs point to Gibson having a prominent role as a receiving weapon.
Although he might not be as safe as some of the backs I have ranked after him, I like the upside he possesses if he can receive consistent weekly touches.
29. Dalvin Cook (RB, NYJ)
We have finally seen Cook sign with the New York Jets. It's clear that this team is going all in for the next season and does not want to risk any setbacks with Breece Hall's injury.
Despite having a fairly loaded depth chart of Izzy Abanikanda, Michael Carter, and Zonovan "Bam" Knight, they still brought in the explosive veteran. I think the days of Cook being an RB-one are over, and although he could sneak into the top 24 if he can be this team's red zone grinder.
28. Rachaad White (RB, TB)
The more I look into White, the less optimistic I am for 2023. The team has talked him up all off-season and could be amongst the top of the league in RB touches. However, last season splitting time with Leonard Fournette, he only had three games over 40 rushing yards.
He did surprise as a pass catcher, but that usage may decrease with Tom Brady retiring. Plus, all videos out of the camp of Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask have been alarming, and not in a good way. This team might be amongst the worst in the league, and unless White can become more efficient, he might be a low-ceiling volume play every week.
27. J.K. Dobbins (RB, BAL)
Despite only playing 22 full games in his three seasons in the league, Dobbins still has support from the fantasy community. He's a tough back to the project as the team is expected to be more reliant on the passing game, and Dobbins only has 25 career receptions.
Plus, Dobbins has distanced himself from the team with his contract disputes. Even their Head Coach admitted to having no idea what was happening with the Dobbins situation.
Even without his passing work, he is the lead back on a dynamic team. Despite Lamar Jackson potentially stealing goalline opportunities, and Gus Edwards always finding touches, he should see enough opportunity on a good team to be a steady RB-three for fantasy.
26. Alvin Kamara (RB, NOS)
We finally know that Kamara is missing the first three weeks of the season. Despite this suspension, he has consistently regressed in his efficiency making his RB-one days potentially numbered.
We saw Derek Carr last year rely on Josh Jacobs out of the backfield, giving some optimism for Kamara's receiving work. However, he will now share the work with rookie Kendre Miller and Jamaal Williams.
Based on the opportunity that Miller and Williams will see to start the season, it's hard to see both back completely forfeiting their roles once Kamara returns, making him more of a PPR specialist.
25. D'Andre Swift (RB, PHI)
I'm higher than most on Swift and I'll accept that. Although the Eagles are not a team that likes to pass to their running backs, Swift goes from one top-tier O-line to another this offseason.
He is also only competing with change of pace back Kenneth Gainwell and Rashaad Penny who they signed to a minimum deal. He may not have the top-five upside some hoped for last season, however, we just saw Miles Sanders split touches and finish as the RB13 in 2022.
With Swift's talent and ability, he could be an RB-one on this offense. However, the risk of his usage and injury pushes him down to low-end RB-two territory.
24. Javonte Williams (RB, DEN)
Drafting an RB coming off of a major knee injury is never a fun time, however, there aren't many backs that were creeping their way into the top five at the position to do so. It was surprising to see that Williams was not placed on the PUP to start training camp, providing optimism that he might be good to go for the start of the season.
The worry here is that the history of backs returning from this kind of injury is not great. Look at J.K. Dobbins last season. He was not the same to start the year and it was only after a cleanup procedure that he began to look like himself.
On top of the injury issues, no one knows how this team will bounce back from last season. Thankfully, Head Coach Sean Peyton has always relied heavily on his running backs. You can play a game of 21 questions with Williams this season. I'm taking the conservative approach and have him coming in at 24 for this season.
https://twitter.com/christomasson/status/1684288075994738690?s=20
23. Dameon Pierce (RB, HOU)
Despite having 66% of the RB rushing attempts from the Texans, Pierce only finished as the RB-27 last season. This year the team brought in veteran RB Devin Singletary to take over the change of pace role and potentially take some work away from the fourth-round 2021 draft pick.
As a result, his lack of pass-catching paired with a rookie QB under center and I am skeptical that he can finish any higher.
https://twitter.com/PopesFFH/status/1684190464662966273?s=20
22. Kenneth Walker III (RB, SEA)
From dynasty darling to dynasty danger, Walker's offseason has been a rollercoaster. This is almost solely a result of the team drafting big-bodied, pass-catching back Zach Charbonnet in the second round. After ending last season with three straight 20+ carry games and 100+ rushing yard games, his workload is expected to take a hit.
Thankfully, Charbonnet compliments his skillset well, and the two can definitely co-exist. Unfortunately, where Charbionnet thrives is pass-catching and goal-line work, which are the two most important parts of fantasy football. It's tough to see Walker be an RB-one if Charbonnet gets consistent weekly touches.
21. James Conner (RB, ARI)
From Week nine on, Conner was the RB-five for fantasy. Yes, you read that correctly. After returning from injury, Conner was the clear lead back for this Cardinals team.
Over this span, he averaged 15 carries and four receptions, along with 0.9 touchdowns per game. Considering part of this was after Murray's injury, fantasy managers should have optimism for the 2023 season even if Murray misses some time.
Additionally, if Conner can remain healthy, he is in line to receive a ridiculous amount of volume in both the rushing and receiving games. Whether he is efficient with that volume may not matter, as I predict he'll stumble his way into the top 24 at the position.
20. Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, DET)
It's hard to find many rookies with as much upside as Jahmyr Gibbs. After shocking the world with his 12th overall selection, he steps onto a team with one of the best offensive lines in the game.
So why is he a mid- to low-end RB-two for me? Well, to be honest, it's solely because I'm predicting David Montgomery to have a consistent role in this offense.
This team can easily support two backs, however, they went and paid Montgomery despite being in love with Gibbs. Montgomery is best suited for the early down and goal-line work, meaning he could find his way to double-digit TDs further muddying Gibbs' path to be a RB-one for fantasy.
19. David Montgomery (RB, DET)
Over the last three years, Montgomery has been in the top half of the league in broken tackles. Most notably he was third in 2020 and eighth in 2022 in that statistic.
To me, that screams Dan Campbell and what he looks for. I think this will be more of a split than most Jahmyr Gibbs truthers want to believe. As a result, he could easily sneak into the top 20 at the position, while being drafted outside of the top 25.
18. Cam Akers (RB, LAR)
One of the biggest mysteries from last season was why Cam Akers was on track to be released by the team and still managed to finish as the team's lead back.
No one knows exactly what caused those reports, however, it seems clear that Akers is their lead guy for this year. This off-season the team brought in Zach Evans in the sixth round and will have Kyren Williams returning from injury.
Although still unproven, it's important to not forget that 2022 fifth-round draft pick Williams, was speculated to have a large role last season. However, if Akers' only competition is a fifth and sixth-round pick, he should dominate touches. I'm skeptical of the team's ability to move the offense consistently, pushing him down my rankings.
17. Travis Etienne (RB, JAX)
Etienne has seemingly flown under the radar this offseason. Despite the only threat being third-round bruiser Tank Bigsby. However, the team seems ecstatic about Bigsby and his ability to gain tough yards and protect Trevor Lawrence.
Every year you hear about a new player stepping into the "Alvin Kamara role", but few have the juice to succeed. Etienne is one of those players who can thrive on efficient touches and electric big-play ability.
The only issue is that he has lacked the pass-catching volume to really come through for fantasy football. In fact, there is a quote from when he was at Clemson, where he admits to being "spooked" to catch passes. Although he will still lead the backfield, I don't think he'll see consistent touches each week.
16. Rhamondre Stevenson (RB, NE)
I'll be honest, I'm still terrified of New England RBs and the signing of Ezekiel Elliott doesn't help. However, I am not sure how much more juice Zeke has left in the tank.
Based on last season, Stevenson made a great case for why fearing Patriot's backs is in the past. After averaging 67% of snaps last season, Stevenson took over this backfield.
This may not be an exciting offense, but one thing we know for sure is that they are committed to running the ball. I think Stevenson is a lower-ceiling, volume RB for this season. I'd buy into any draft dip that results from Zeke's signing.
Thank you for reading. I'll be back with my running backs #1-15 shortly.
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