The 2023 NFL season is looming on the horizon! As training camps begin to gear up and position battles begin to play out, the fantasy world waits with breathless anticipation for guidance and answers to help guide them to fake football glory! It has been a long six months without football, and much has changed around the league. There are familiar faces on new teams, some unemployed former superstars seeking one last shot at stardom, and fresh hope around the league.
For now, we are going to take this opportunity before camps really get going to do our 2023 Running Back Power Rankings. There are some familiar faces, some relative unknowns, and maybe a surprise or two along the way. Kick back, relax, and soak in the anticipation of a new season while we share our rankings. Whether you’re a casual NFL fan or a hardcore fantasy football player, we’ve got you covered.
Now, with the 2023 Hall of Fame Game right around the corner, let’s break down the running back position. More specifically, the 12 best running backs heading into camp. As always, bear in mind that injuries and free-agent signings can affect these rankings, but for now, here are the top 12 in the NFL.
1. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey leads the pack for 2023, as most would expect. After dealing with injuries in 2020 and 2021, McCaffrey finally strung together a healthy season between Carolina and San Francisco. The 27-year-old dual threat extraordinaire posted an impressive 244-1139-8 stat line on the ground and 85-741-5 as a receiver.
San Francisco recently received word that Brock Purdy will be starting camp with no restrictions, and that surely means more good things for McCaffrey. Purdy doesn’t exactly drive the ball down the field, so McCaffrey could be in for a receiving line similar to his biggest years in Carolina. He may not catch 116 as he did in 2019, but 325 or more total touches will land him squarely as the top running back in the league.
2. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
The temptation to go with Nick Chubb here was strong, but something tells me Austin Ekeler is going to go ham in 2023. In 2022, Ekeler was a touchdown machine, scoring 18 total touchdowns. While his rushing numbers weren’t anything special, 204-915, his receiving work, and his absolute refusal to be kept out of the end zone were undeniable.
Furthermore, Ekeler is 28 and is sniffing the dreaded 30-year-old wall for backs. However, I wouldn’t be concerned with that just yet. He is slated to make just over 6 million in this last year of his contract, and as evidenced by the infamous Zoom call he organized with other disgruntled star running backs is out to prove a point this season. The Chargers allegedly are going to loosen up the downfield game this year, but you can take Ekeler without hesitation and watch him challenge McCaffrey for number one running back overall.
3. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Nick Chubb had the quietest 1,500-yard season, maybe in league history. The Browns star back played all 17 games and lugged the rock a career-high 302 times. Though his receiving work will never play a huge role, he still managed 27 receptions and a touchdown. Additionally, Chubb turns 28 in December, and considering most of his guaranteed money is off the books after 2023. Potentially, this could be his last year in Cleveland.
So, what can we expect? It depends, really. Before Deshaun Watson returned Chubb was the RB4 overall. However, after Watson, he dropped to the RB23. Certainly, quarterback play won’t be as bad, so somewhere in between is a good bet. Since Chubb will likely be playing for a contract elsewhere, the extra motivation should lend itself to another massive year.
4. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Saquon Barkley lands at four after the recent news of his contract settlement. Check out the entire details of his one-year contract, here. While putting together a healthy 2023, Barkley posted a career-high in carries en route to a very nice 295-1312-10 stat line on the ground. The Giants were absolutely decimated with injuries. Essentially, Barkley was a one-man show. While he showed signs at times of wearing down he played through nagging injuries and had his best season since 2018.
Furthermore, Barkley beat the franchise tag and got a modest raise on a one-year deal. Now, with no franchise tag looming next year will likely be playing for a contract somewhere else. It’s unlikely the Giants will be willing to give Barkley a long-term contract, so with the player in audition mode and the team likely set to move on, expect Brian Daboll to run Barkely into the ground, rewarding fantasy managers in the process.
5. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
Does this seem too high for Derrick Henry? Probably, but it shouldn’t. Henry handled another absurd workload on the way to 349-1538-13, and even though the wheels have to fall off eventually, it isn’t going to be this year. Since we aren’t talking dynasty here, you don’t have to worry about 2024.
With that in mind, what is to keep Henry from another season of almost 400 touches? It certainly isn’t competition, as the team only added Tyjae Spears in the third round, and while he may be the eventual replacement, for 2023, the offense is going to run through Henry.
6. Johnathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
2022 was a season to forget for the Colts and Johnathan Taylor. After being the consensus number-one back, Taylor succumbed to injury, was affected by terrible quarterback play, and the wheels generally fell off in Indianapolis last season. Off-season surgery has landed him on the PUP list, but he should be ready to roll for the season.
With the regime change in Indianapolis, especially the addition of Jim Bob Cooter as offensive coordinator, there’s renewed hope that Taylor can pick up his career as if 2022 never happened. Taylor may never have 372 touches again as he did in 2021, and new quarterback Anthony Richardson will certainly vulture some touchdowns, but the play calling and the talent should be enough to drive Taylor back to elite status as a fantasy asset.
7. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Perhaps the toughest player to put a finger on in the top 12, Bijan Robinson should easily return high-end numbers in his first season under Arthur Smith. Smith was able to coax a thousand-yard season out of Tyler Allgeier in 2022, and he isn’t in the same stratosphere talent-wise as Robinson.
However, therein lies the problem. If Robinson were a dead-solid lock for 250 carries, he would easily be a top-three back. Turns out Allgeier is a pretty good player, and he isn’t just going away. Even a 60/40 split will afford Robinson a top-12 ranking, but both players’ usage needs to be watched closely. If the split is any more defined in Robinson’s favor, bump him up the draft board.
8. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Once again, we have a disgruntled running back that isn’t getting paid what he thinks he is worth. Josh Jacobs has left Vegas and doesn’t plan to come back anytime soon, and while it’s unlikely he will miss time, the situation still bears watching.
Jacobs had an absurd 393 touches last season and didn’t miss a game. If the Raiders can get him back in camp and motivated, he has a shot to be a top 3 back. Until he reports and shows the willingness to play without a long-term extension, he must land on the lower end of the top 12.
9. Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
Tony Pollard is the one player on this list that could potentially end the season as the top-rated back, and few people would be shocked. The Cowboys placed a one-year, 10 million tender on Pollard and have yet to bring in any competition, so it should be assumed Jerry Jones will beat the brakes off the back and get his money’s worth.
The question is, will Pollard’s brakes hold up? He is just a bit undersized and has never been a workhorse back. However, if he gets 15-20 touches a game and stays healthy he has true RB1 upside.
10. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson enters camp as the undisputed bell-cow of what should be a run-heavy offense. The only thing behind him is Pierre Strong, and though the team likes his potential, Stevenson should have a death grip on the bulk of the carries and receptions.
The problem could be free-agent competition. The Pats are rumored to be looking at Dalvin Cook, which would be disastrous for Stevenson owners. While the situation bears watching, if Stevenson remains the sole back at the top of the depth chart, 350 touches and a top-10 finish could be in his future.
11. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris slogged his way to an extremely disappointing season in 2022, but it wasn’t entirely his fault. He suffered from a foot injury that required a special plate in his shoe for much of the season, and he also had Kenny Pickett at quarterback. Now fully healthy, if Pickett can take a step forward, Harris should benefit in a big way.
Early reports are Harris is looking more explosive, and if he can stay healthy and push 300 touches, he should reestablish himself as a premier back and make fantasy owners happy they took a leap of faith.
12. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones and the Packers agreed to a fat raise for 2023, and during a time when so many backs are getting short-changed, the Packers have doubled down on their talented, dual-threat back. The AJ Dillon experiment hasn’t gone quite as planned, and the team made sure their best player will be happy entering 2023.
Keeping Jones in the fold will be key for a young Packer team facing questions at quarterback with Jordan Love and mostly unknown receivers. Jones won’t have to push 300 touches like he did in his insane 2019 campaign to be fantasy gold. If Jones can stay healthy and Love is competent, 275 touches should be enough for Jones to deliver top 12 numbers.
Check out where these running backs stack up in our up-to-date 2023 fantasy football rankings.
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