Most people will be enamored with the rookies now that the 2023 NFL Draft is over. However, savvy dynasty fantasy football players will take advantage of the veterans who survived the draft unscathed by incoming rookies.
Only 18 running backs were drafted this year. That’s the second lowest and only the second time less than 20 running backs have been drafted since 2010. In a draft that saw so few running backs drafted, many veteran running backs evaded incoming rookies. Let’s dive in tho the Top-10 Running Backs Who Survived the NFL Draft!
Stalwart running backs like Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, and Saquon Barkley all escaped the draft without any competition being added. However, they won’t be featured here as their fantasy football value hasn’t been impacted. We will be looking at the top-ten veteran running backs who gained value (or at least maintained value) after the draft. Please note the list is meant to combine impact to their value (some names are/were highly valued) and their potential now that the situation is just a bit clearer.
10) Najee Harris – Pittsburgh Steelers
Although he finished RB14 last season, many people were disappointed in his second year after bursting on the scene as a rookie (finished as the RB3). The frustration has grown to the point that people have started talking up backup Jaylen Warren as a potential replacement or a rookie coming in.
In the end, the Steelers decided to skip the running back position completely in the draft and Warren has a ways to go to beat out Harris. For now, Harris should be at least as good as last year and hopefully, the Kenny Pickett-led Steelers take a step forward in 2023.
9) Javonte Williams – Denver Broncos
Fueled by Williams’ season-ending ACL and LCL tears, many pundits expected the Broncos to add to their RB room. While there is still concern over the length of recovery for Williams’ knee, he has already overcome the draft. Denver passed on rushers in the draft and to date has yet to sign a UDFA RB. Samaje Perine was signed in free agency but the two-year $7.5M deal implies a backup role. If Williams can return to full health he could close out the season with a very strong campaign.
8) JK Dobbins – Baltimore Ravens
Similar to Javonte Williams, Dobbins’ season ended after tearing his ACL and LCL. Likewise, dynasty managers should gain confidence that the Ravens passed on runningbacks until signing Keaton Mitchell as an undrafted free agent. Head Coach John Harbaugh has a penchant for using multiple backs but a healthy Dobbins should easily lead this backfield. This could be the year that Dobbins finally cracks the top 20 fantasy rushers.
7) Isiah Pacheco/Clyde Edwards-Helaire – Kansas City Chiefs
Pacheco was on just about every “Dynasty Sells” list for the month leading up to the NFL draft. Almost everyone anticipated the Chiefs to pick up a running back somewhere this off-season. However, they didn’t draft nor have they signed a runningback pre or post-draft. The most difficult part of this backfield will be developing the confidence to start either back any given week. Pacheco’s violent rushing style should ensure his goal line and short yardage work but some improvement in the passing game will be needed to move up to the next tier.
6) Dameon Pierce/Devin Singletary – Houston Texans
Much like Pacheco Dameon Pierce was a sell candidate leading up to the draft. Singletary is a serviceable back that could poach touches from Pierce. While Singletary does negatively impact Pierce’s value, you can read the Texans passing on the running back position completely in the draft as reassuring to Pierce’s role in this offense. One of these backs could finish the season in the top 15-25 range with Pierce being the expected option.
5) James Cook/Damien Harris – Buffalo Bills
Let’s face it, everyone on the Bills’ offense will get drafted for fantasy. James Cook truthers were excited to see the aforementioned Singletary depart Western New York but were tempered by the news that former New England Patriot Damien Harris would be joining the club. To the chagrin of wishful mock drafters, the Bills did not draft Bijan Robinson. In fact, they passed on the position entirely.
Overall, this could be huge for second-year man Cook if he can establish early down work that is currently projected for Harris. His ceiling could be as high as Tony Pollard’s 2022 explosive year if he garners enough work. While Harris lacks that upside he could develop a safe floor if he becomes the early down and (split with Josh Allen) goal line back.
4) Cam Akers – Los Angeles Rams
Akers has been the fantasy football equivalent of being in the dentist’s chair for a root canal – you just keep hoping the time and pain you spent are relieved in the end. Well, Akers provided some relief at the end of last season finishing with 10+ points in five of the last six games of the season. You can draft or trade for Akers “comfortably” in the upcoming season as the Rams waited till the compensatory picks in the 6th round before selecting a running back.
3) Rachaad White – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
White could easily be top of this list depending on how strongly youth is valued in your leagues. The second-year back now sits atop a depth chart consisting of Chase Edmonds on a one-year deal and Ke’Shawn Vaughn who has produced mostly hype over his three years. The only change to the running back room comes from two UDFAs Sean Tucker and Ronnie Brown. While I do like taking a lotto ticket change on Tucker, this should be undeniably White’s job. The only question he needs to answer is can he shoulder a full workload?
2) Miles Sanders – Carolina Panthers
Admittedly, I’ve been a fan of Miles Sanders since I scouted him in preparation for the 2019 season. He has been a good, but not a great fantasy football option. Last season was his second-best season in which he played 17 games and finished as the RB15 on the Jalen Hurts-led offensive powerhouse Phillidelpia Eagles. Now, he finds himself in a much different biome after being traded to the Carolina Panthers.
The offense will be completely different with first pick overall Bryce Young presumably getting the start. However, he will be the best back by far on the roster over backups like Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear. Cementing his role as the top dog, the Panthers passed on running backs with their five picks. Finally, Sanders should at least finish the season as well as he did in Philly with the potential to do more as a true bell-cow back.
1) Rhamondre Stevenson – New England Patriots
The Patriots drafted Stevenson in the 4th round of the 2021 NFL Draft. They followed that up by drafting Pierre Strong in the 4th round and Kevin Harris in the 6th round the next year sowing seeds of doubt that Stevenson and the backfieldmate Damien Harris weren’t living up to the task. Stevenson then closed out the season as the RB7. This year the Patriots didn’t draft a rusher nor have they picked up a UDFA yet. Stevenson is in line for a full-blown 1990’s style “work-horse” role.
Honorable Mention – Austin Ekeler – Los Angeles Chargers
Ekeler should be in the batch of stalwarts mentioned in the opening but with contact issues swirling this off-season rumors of a trade or hold-out have gained traction. Despite this, the Chargers elected to pass on rushers in the draft (they did sign two undrafted free-agent RBs post-draft) leaving the Ekeler as the lone producer on a depth chart otherwise filled with dynasty mediocrity.
Let me know who you think should have been on the list!
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