Just like that, the 2023 NFL regular season is over. While the playoffs are underway, that doesn’t matter to dynasty fantasy football players. We want something to do here and now related to fantasy football. Thankfully, there isn’t much of an offseason for those who play in dynasty leagues. There are always trades to make and rankings to update. That’s what makes dynasty fantasy football so fun.
As expected, the head coaching cycle, NFL free agency, and the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft will force me to alter these rankings several times before the start of summer. However, here are my current top 24 non-rookie dynasty running backs.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Top 12 RB Rankings
1) Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Robinson had extremely high expectations entering the 2023 season. Unfortunately, Arthur Smith’s obsession with using Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson turned the rookie running back into a bust. Kind of. Thankfully, Smith is no longer allowed within 500 feet of Robinson or the Falcons’ team facility. The former Longhorn was a once-in-a-decade prospect for a reason. Ultimately, he should have multiple top-three finishes over the next several years of his career.
2) Breece Hall, New York Jets
The only concern with Hall is his injury history. However, the superstar running back showed he was healthy this season after tearing his ACL in 2022. Despite playing on an awful Jets offense, Hall was the RB4 this year, averaging 14.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game and 4.5 yards per rushing attempt. If New York can improve their offensive line by even 10% over the next few years, Hall will be a superstar for years to come.
3) Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Some won’t like this ranking because of Taylor’s slightly older age and injury history. However, these really aren’t massive concerns for me. Taylor is a superstar and a top-three running back in the NFL. The former Wisconsin star ended the season on a high note, totaling 188 rushing yards, 6.3 yards per attempt, and 26.6 half-point PPR fantasy points in Week 18. Additionally, the Colts offense should only get better once Anthony Richardson is healthy.
4) Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Many laughed at the Lions when they used the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Gibbs. However, the rookie running back played a massive role in the team’s success and fantasy players’ success this year. He finished as the RB10, averaging 14.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, only 0.5 lower than Breece Hall. Furthermore, David Montgomery’s role started to decline in the second half of this past season. That trend should continue heading into 2024 and beyond.
5) Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
While he turns 28 years old before the start of next season, McCaffrey has been the clear-cut top running back in fantasy football since joining the 49ers. Raheem Mostert had 21 offensive touchdowns and was the RB2 in half-point PPR scoring. Yet, he averaged over five fewer fantasy points per game than McCaffrey (22.4 vs. 17). The only thing that will stop the superstar from being the RB1 again next year is an injury.
6) Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars had more of the most frustrating offenses in the NFL this season. However, Etienne had a top-three finish despite averaging only 3.8 yards per rushing attempt. Furthermore, he had only one receiving touchdown, the lowest total of any running back inside the top seven of half-point PPR scoring. Jacksonville should continue to improve their offensive line while limiting Etienne’s competition for touches.
7) Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks
Some will argue Walker shouldn’t be a top-10 dynasty running back after the Seahawks used a second-round NFL Draft pick on Zach Charbonnet. However, Walker was the featured running back, totaling 107 more touches than the rookie this season. Furthermore, 41.8% of Charbonnet’s touches came when Walker missed time. By comparison, he averaged only 6.3 touches per game when the former Michigan State star was healthy.
8) Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Williams was the surprise running back of the 2023 season. Despite missing four games because of an ankle injury and sitting out the Week 18 matchup, the second-year player was the RB6 for the year, averaging 19.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. I am still skeptical about his long-term outlook and wouldn’t trade a ton for him today. However, Williams could be a top-three running back next season if the Rams don’t add any meaningful competition in the offseason.
9) Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While Kyren Williams was a massive second-year breakout running back, White also had an outstanding 2023 season. In his first year as the full-time starter, the former Arizona State star was the RB7, averaging 13.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He came 10 yards short of his first 1,000 rushing yard season. Unless the Buccaneers add someone of consequence in the offseason, White should have another top-10 finish in 2024.
10) Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Unfortunately, a high ankle sprain ended Stevenson’s season right as he got going. The third-year player had scored 11.7 or more half-point PPR fantasy points in three consecutive games before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 13. Furthermore, he was the RB23 before getting hurt despite playing on a disaster offense. Hopefully, the Patriots improve the offense around him this offseason because Stevenson has superstar potential.
11) James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Cook was a popular second-year breakout candidate during the 2023 preseason. While he had a rough patch during the middle of the year, the former Georgia running back ended the season as the RB11, averaging 12.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Josh Allen will always be a pain in the neck for Cook’s fantasy players at the goal line. Yet, the talented running back showed he can produce despite the lack of rushing touchdowns.
12) De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
The 2023 NFL Draft class has produced three top-12 running backs after one season. While Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs are clear-cut dynasty RB1s, Achane is a more polarizing player. He was the RB24, averaging 16.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite missing six contests and splitting the backfield with Raheem Mostert. Can Achane be a top-five running back in a featured role, or will he fall apart under a heavy workload?
Dynasty Fantasy Football Top 24 RB Rankings
13) Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Eight of my top 12 running backs were either rookies or second-year players in 2023, as Jonathan Taylor and Christian McCaffrey are the only two not playing on a rookie contract next season. We kick off the RB2s with a guy looking for a payday. Jacobs has been productive on the field the past two years, averaging 15.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, his injury history and immediate future cast some doubt over his long-term fantasy value.
14) Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Barkley is in the same boat as Josh Jacobs. Both running backs are coming off a year on the franchise tag and have an injury history. However, Barkley’s injury history is more severe than Jacobs. All things considered, he is also a year older, putting him just behind the Las Vegas star in my rankings.
15) David Montgomery, Detroit Lions
While many thought Jahmyr Gibbs would limit Montgomery’s fantasy upside, that wasn’t the case. The veteran running back was the RB13 for the year, averaging 14.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, only 0.2 fewer than the rookie. Furthermore, he was an RB1 on a points-per-game basis despite splitting time. While he turns 27 in July, Montgomery has plenty left in the tank on a good Detroit offense.
16) Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh’s backfield was nearly an even split this season, with Harris seeing 4.4 touches per game more than Jaylen Warren. He also averaged 0.8 more half-point PPR fantasy points per game than the second-year running back. Unless the Steelers miraculously become a high-powered passing attack, both running backs should have fantasy success moving forward.
17) Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
The Broncos backfield would be much more friendly to fantasy players without Sean Payton. While Williams had 55.7% of the backfield workload, the team is expected to get Jaleel McLaughlin more involved in 2024. Williams is also entering the final year of his rookie contract. Finally, he might be heading into his last season with Denver.
18) Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
Usually, seventh-round running backs rarely turn into fantasy stars. However, Pacheco has been the exception to the rule. After a solid end to his rookie season, the former Rutgers star was the RB16 in 2023, averaging 13.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite missing three contests. Pacheco showed enough this year to keep the starting job next year.
19) Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
Unfortunately, Pollard was a massive bust during his first year as the starter. Yet, the former Memphis star was still a top-15 running back, averaging 11.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. After playing the 2023 season on the franchise tag, Pollard likely won’t have a featured role next year. The only question is, will he be part of a committee in Dallas or somewhere else behind an awful offensive line?
20) Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite sharing the backfield with Najee Harris, Warren was a low-end RB2 for fantasy players this season. He averaged 5.3 yards per rushing attempt, a higher average than Jahmyr Gibbs and Kyren Williams, despite playing behind an inconsistent offensive line. While Harris limits his upside, Warren has the big-play ability to produce despite being a part-time player.
21) D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles
Injuries have limited Swift’s fantasy upside over the first three years of his career. The star running back had his first career 1,000 rushing-yard season and would have had double-digit touchdowns if not for Jalen Hurts. Hopefully, Swift will return to Philadelphia in 2024.
22) Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders
The Commanders will have a new quarterback under center next season. Hopefully, they also improve their defense because Robinson was productive when given an opportunity. He averaged 17.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in 2023 when seeing at least 16 rushing attempts.
23) Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry said goodbye to Titan fans in Week 18. Everyone believes he won’t return in 2024, meaning Spears should be the starting running back for Tennessee. Despite sharing the backfield with Henry, the rookie averaged 7.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game this season.
24) Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders
Let’s finish up the top 24 with a wild card pick. White had no fantasy value with Josh Jacobs healthy, but the second-year running back was outstanding to close out the 2023 season. He was the RB8 during the fantasy playoffs, averaging 14.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Jacobs likely won’t be back with the Raiders, giving White a chance at a featured role.
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