Running Back Fantasy Rankings - Spring Edition

Last week, we started our rankings for the upcoming NFL season with the Quarterbacks. Go back and check that out if you haven’t done so yet. Today, we’re going to start looking at the most important position in fantasy, the Running Back.

Now, I’ll say the same thing I said last week: it’s May, if you hold me to these rankings during the season, you’re probably kind of a dick. So don’t be that guy. Just enjoy this little write-up and enjoy all the fantasy content I can give you. And as always follow me on Twitter and stay tuned to the guys at Blitzed.

​Some of these running backs will have brief blurbs with them. As we get closer to the season, I’ll add more to each player. Let me help you with your fantasy. 

With no Ingram to take away carries, expect Kamara to wear out his knees by week 6.

1. Alvin Kamara, NO
Super Kamario (shout out FF Ballers) finished last year as the RB4 and I expect him to take another leap forward this year. I know that not a whole lot of people have him at 1, but with his skillset and with Mark Ingram’s departure, Kamara deserves consideration for the 1st pick.

2. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL
Zeke added a new element to his game last year, hauling in a career high 77 passes. If he had actually got in the endzone more, he would’ve finished higher than RB5. Expect the Cowboys to continue to ride this horse for as long as they can.
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3. Saquon Barkley, NYG
I think everyone and their brother has this beast at 1. But, I just can’t do it and it’s not his fault. He can solely blame his dumb dumb faced quarterback for that. He’s still a horse but I can’t get him to one.

McCaffrey's had MVP caliber stats last season, but they were overshadowed by Cam Newton's sex strike.

4. Christian McCaffrey, CAR
This guy has to be Bill Belichick’s wet dream, right? I mean come on. He can do it all. Great runner, great receiver, great intangibles and white. What more can you ask for if you’re Bill? All joking aside, run CMC is one of the best two way threats in the game and should go Top 5.

5. David Johnson, ARI 
If you owned DJ last year, you were probably rightfully frustrated by him. But against all odds (playing with Josh Rosen and opposite of genius play caller Mike McCoy), Johnson finished at RB10. Playing with a more offensive progressive coach in Kliff Kingsbury is only going to help.
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6. Melvin Gordon, LAC
Despite only playing 12 games last year, Commissioner Gordon finished as the RB7. The dude is a touchdown machine and plays in a high scoring offense. Don’t overthink this guy.

Gurley got outplayed by a bowling ball in last season's playoffs. Will he rebound?

7. Todd Gurley, LAR
If I knew Gurley’s knee was healthy, he’d be #1. But everything that we’ve heard this offseason and the Rams’ actions are saying otherwise. If he’s good to go, Gurley is the RB you’d want to take at 1. But there’s a ton of risk.

8. James Conner, PIT
No, I don’t consider this a homer call. And no, I’m not afraid of Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels cutting too much into his workload. The Steelers will want to run the ball more this season and have a great offensive line.
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9. Joe Mixon, CIN
This is the exact spot where Mixon finished in leagues last year and hopefully with a new head coach in Cincy, we’ll get to see some 21st century playcalling as opposed to whatever the hell Marvin Lewis and the rest of his staff did last year.

10. Dalvin Cook, MIN
After John DeFillipo was fired last year, the Vikings transitioned into a much more run heavy team. Obviously, that’s significant for the 3rd year back from Florida State. There doesn’t appear to be too many cooks in the kitchen in the Vikes’ backfield (see what I did there). It’s his and he should take it and run with it.

11. Nick Chubb, CLE
If they hadn’t signed Kareem Hunt, I’d have a full on rager for the 2nd year back from Georgia. He’s uber talented and the Browns are on their way up.
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12. Leonard Fournette, JAC
This is a huge year for Halloween Leonard. If he doesn’t have a solid season both on and off the  field, angry Grandpa Tom Coughlin could look to move on.

No one has seen Bell in pads near the Jets facility yet, so we had to use this photo.

13. Le’Veon Bell, NYJ
Considering his coach didn’t want him, I’m not super optimistic about Bell’s outlook. We’ll see what happens. New York is going to be entertaining as always.

14. Damien Williams, KC
Talk about right place, right time. The new DWill should produce in this juggernaut offense.

15. Marlon Mack, IND
When the  Colts got the return of the  Mack last year, they went 10-3 down the stretch. He’s a solid back behind a good Oline and a QB who sounds like a horse.

16. Kerryon Johsnon, DET
Kerryon my friends

17. Chris Carson, SEA
Bringing back TRL with Chris Carson Daly

18. Devonta Freeman, ATL
Morgan’s grandson needs to stay healthy

19. Aaron Jones, GB

20. Josh Jacobs, OAK
Gruden’s new favorite player

21. Sony Michel, NE
I always prefer Sony over other devices in that backfield

22. Derrick Henry, TEN
Frankenstein in a RB’s body

23. Mark Ingram, BAL

24. Philip Lindsay, DEN

25. Kenyan Drake, MIA

26. Lamar Miller, HOU

27. Tarik Cohen, CHI

28. James White, NE

29. David Montgomery, CHI
I’m salivating.

30. Derrius Guice, WAS

31. Tevin Coleman, SF

32. Jerick McKinnon, SF

33. Matt Breida, SF
The last 3 are what we call a punt. I have no fuckin’ clue who’s leading that backfield.

34. Miles Sanders, PHI

35. Latavius Murray, NO

36. Ronald Jones, TB

37. Carlos Hyde, KC

38. Rashad Penny, SEA

39. Jordan Howard, PHI
Somehow he finished RB20 last year

40. Royce Freeman, DEN

41. Peyton Barber, TB

42. Adrian Peterson, WAS

43. Kareem Hunt, CLE
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44. LeSean McCoy, BUF
Deserves to be cut for ruining Endgame for so many people. Dick.