It’s that time of year. If you’re reading this, you have your fantasy football roster pulled up and, even if you don’t want to admit it, you’re wondering, “How am I going to mess up this beautiful roster that I put together?”
We’ve all been there. Don’t worry, I’m a professional.
Well, at the very least, I try hard. Really hard. And with that, I present to you my Week 1 fantasy rankings that have far too much data supporting them to possibly be wrong.
Top 50 Fantasy Running Back Rankings
1) Bijan Robinson | Atlanta Falcons (vs. PIT)
2) Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers (vs. NYJ)
3) Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis Colts (vs. HOU)
4) Breece Hall | New York Jets (at SF)
5) Saquon Barkley | Philadelphia Eagles (vs. GB)
6) Jahmyr Gibbs | Detroit Lions (vs. LAR)
7) Travis Etienne Jr. | Jacksonville Jaguars (at MIA)
8) Derrick Henry | Baltimore Ravens (at KC)
9) De’Von Achane | Miami Dolphins (vs. JAX)
10) Kenneth Walker III | Seattle Seahawks (vs. DEN)
11) Isiah Pacheco | Kansas City Chiefs (vs. BAL)
12) Kyren Williams | Los Angeles Rams (at DET)
13) James Conner | Arizona Cardinals (at BUF)
14) Josh Jacobs | Green Bay Packers (at PHI)
15) Rachaad White | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. WAS)
16) James Cook | Buffalo Bills (vs. ARI)
17) Joe Mixon | Houston Texans (at IND)
18) Alvin Kamara | New Orleans Saints (vs. CAR)
19) Javonte Williams | Denver Broncos (at SEA)
20) Aaron Jones | Minnesota Vikings (at NYG)
21) David Montgomery | Detroit Lions (vs. LAR)
22) Raheem Mostert | Miami Dolphins (vs. JAX)
23) D’Andre Swift | Chicago Bears (vs. TEN)
24) Zamir White | Las Vegas Raiders (at LAC)
25) Rhamondre Stevenson | New England Patriots (at CIN)
26) Najee Harris | Pittsburgh Steelers (at ATL)
27) Brian Robinson Jr. | Washington Commanders (at TB)
28) Devin Singletary | New York Giants (vs. MIN)
29) Jerome Ford | Cleveland Browns (vs. DAL)
30) Chuba Hubbard | Carolina Panthers (at NO)
31) Tyjae Spears | Tennessee Titans (at CHI)
32) Jaylen Warren | Pittsburgh Steelers (at ATL)
33) Zack Moss | Cincinnati Bengals (vs. NE)
34) Ezekiel Elliott | Dallas Cowboys (at CLE)
35) Tony Pollard | Tennessee Titans (at CHI)
36) Gus Edwards | Los Angeles Chargers (vs. LV)
37) Chase Brown | Cincinnati Bengals (vs. NE)
38) Rico Dowdle | Dallas Cowboys (at CLE)
39) Ty Chandler | Minnesota Vikings (at NYG)
40) J.K. Dobbins | Los Angeles Chargers (vs. LV)
41) Austin Ekeler | Washington Commanders (at TB)
42) Blake Corum | Los Angeles Rams (at DET)
43) Tyler Allgeier | Atlanta Falcons (vs. PIT)
44) Samaje Perine | Kansas City Chiefs (vs. BAL)
45) Zach Charbonnet | Seattle Seahawks (vs. DEN)
46) MarShawn Lloyd | Green Bay Packers (at PHI)
47) Jaleel McLaughlin | Denver Broncos (at SEA)
48) Ray Davis | Buffalo Bills (vs. ARI)
49) Kimani Vidal | Los Angeles Chargers (vs. LV)
50) Trey Benson | Arizona Cardinals (at BUF)
The Top Running Backs To Start in Week 1
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
It appears that Williams is well removed from the “he is on the roster bubble” nonsense from earlier this month and is in line to lead this backfield in a significant way. I’ve been higher than the industry on Williams all offseason, using the logic that he deserves some leniency for his underwhelming 2023 season after the ACL tear. I think we could see a vintage performance to open this year.
Let’s give this Javonte Williams fella 70% of the snaps and see what happens!pic.twitter.com/pQJKEuU5mh
— Joe Orrico (@NoExpertFF) September 3, 2024
Last year, the Seahawks allowed the fourth-most running back carries of 15+ yards (22), and we know Williams can hit the home run. Just as encouraging as that is Nix’s profile. This preseason, he showcased nice athleticism, and while it was called back, he did find Williams for a touchdown this preseason against the Packers.
Even last year, which most considered a lost season, there were only three running backs in the NFL with more 10+ carry, 2+ catch games than Williams. I’m happy to be early to the party for a versatile 24-year-old in an offense that might have a higher ceiling than most assume.
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Some players are gifted enough to rise above an offensive environment that offers support, but most fall victim to such situations and Stevenson seems to be falling into that bucket.
Last season, just 6.4% of his carries produced 10+ yards (31st of 35 qualified RBs). I don’t think he is most to blame for that. It’s tough when 60.9% of your carries come with 7+ defenders in the box, but the situation projects no different this year than last, and that has him sitting outside of my top-20 at the position, a spot in the ranks I expect him to occupy all season long.
If you drafted him as something of a Zero-RB build, he’s fine. He’ll get his fair share of touches, and the Bengals were the second worst first down rush defense of the past decade last season by EPA. It’s not likely to be an exciting day at the office, though his role does carry enough of a floor if you hammered the other positions early.
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