The fantasy football season is about to begin with the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night, which means it’s time to release Week 1 rankings for the running back position.
With a handful of committee backfields entering the year as a complete unknown, how do the RB rankings shake out to start the 2024 NFL season?
Top 50 Fantasy RB Rankings
1) Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers (vs. NYJ)
2) Kyren Williams | Los Angeles Rams (at DET)
3) Bijan Robinson | Atlanta Falcons (vs. PIT)
4) Breece Hall | New York Jets (at SF)
5) Jahmyr Gibbs | Detroit Lions (vs. LAR)
6) De’Von Achane | Miami Dolphins (vs. JAX)
7) Rachaad White | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. WAS)
8) Travis Etienne Jr. | Jacksonville Jaguars (at MIA)
9) Saquon Barkley | Philadelphia Eagles (vs. GB)
10) Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis Colts (vs. HOU)
11) Alvin Kamara | New Orleans Saints (vs. CAR)
12) Isiah Pacheco | Kansas City Chiefs (vs. BAL)
13) Derrick Henry | Baltimore Ravens (at KC)
14) James Cook | Buffalo Bills (vs. ARI)
15) Josh Jacobs | Green Bay Packers (at PHI)
16) Joe Mixon | Houston Texans (at IND)
17) James Conner | Arizona Cardinals (at BUF)
18) Kenneth Walker III | Seattle Seahawks (vs. DEN)
19) Aaron Jones | Minnesota Vikings (at NYG)
20) Raheem Mostert | Miami Dolphins (vs. JAX)
21) Zack Moss | Cincinnati Bengals (vs. NE)
22) Rhamondre Stevenson | New England Patriots (at CIN)
23) David Montgomery | Detroit Lions (vs. LAR)
24) Najee Harris | Pittsburgh Steelers (at ATL)
25) Jerome Ford | Cleveland Browns (vs. DAL)
26) Zamir White | Las Vegas Raiders (at LAC)
27) D’Andre Swift | Chicago Bears (vs. TEN)
28) Javonte Williams | Denver Broncos (at SEA)
29) Devin Singletary | New York Giants (vs. MIN)
30) Tony Pollard | Tennessee Titans (at CHI)
31) Brian Robinson Jr. | Washington Commanders (at TB)
32) Gus Edwards | Los Angeles Chargers (vs. LV)
33) Jaylen Warren | Pittsburgh Steelers (at ATL)
34) Chase Brown | Cincinnati Bengals (vs. NE)
35) Chuba Hubbard | Carolina Panthers (at NO)
36) Ezekiel Elliott | Dallas Cowboys (at CLE)
37) Tyjae Spears | Tennessee Titans (at CHI)
38) Austin Ekeler | Washington Commanders (at TB)
39) Jaleel McLaughlin | Denver Broncos (at SEA)
40) Trey Benson | Arizona Cardinals (at BUF)
41) Rico Dowdle | Dallas Cowboys (at CLE)
42) J.K. Dobbins | Los Angeles Chargers (vs. LV)
43) Antonio Gibson | New England Patriots (at CIN)
44) Zach Charbonnet | Seattle Seahawks (vs. DEN)
45) Blake Corum | Los Angeles Rams (at DET)
46) Tyler Allgeier | Atlanta Falcons (vs. PIT)
47) Ty Chandler | Minnesota Vikings (at NYG)
48) Ray Davis | Buffalo Bills (vs. ARI)
49) Tyrone Tracy Jr. | New York Giants (vs. MIN)
50) Khalil Herbert | Chicago Bears (vs. TEN)
The Top RBs To Start in Week 1
De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins’ backfield was an incredibly productive group from a fantasy perspective last season, with the combination of De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert.
Some fantasy managers may be nervous about the addition of explosive rookie running back Jaylen Wright complicating the usage of this backfield, but I’m here to tell you not to overthink this for Week 1.
Achane’s historic efficiency last year at 7.7 yards per carry makes him an elite option entering the 2024 campaign fully healthy. Last season, we all learned that Achane does not require 20+ touches to be a fantasy stud.
In other words, if Achane is healthy… I’m starting him when the matchup is remotely favorable.
The Jacksonville Jaguars defense allowed the most receptions (114) and second-most receiving yards (795) to opposing running backs last year, which is a great thing for an explosive player like Achane, who produced 197 yards and three receiving TDs his rookie season as a pass catcher.
Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
The fact Kendre Miller is starting the year on the PUP list convinces me that Alvin Kamara is going to be heavily utilized in the opener against a retooled Carolina Panthers squad.
The Panthers traded star edge defender Brian Burns this offseason and lost Frankie Luvu to free agency. It leaves a Charlotte unit that allowed an average of 23.7 fantasy points per game to opposing RBs even less equipped to slow down a New Orleans Saints rushing attack that added offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga this offseason.
Much has been made about Kamara’s drop in per-touch efficiency, but he is still well-positioned to lead this backfield in a favorable matchup that could deliver a beneficial game script for the veteran RB in Week 1.
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