Top 25 Running Back Rankings For The 2020 Fantasy Football Season
This is just a quick offseason listing of my top 25 running backs for 2020, focusing on PPR scoring. There might just be a rookie or two involved in this crowd. Here goes.
1. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
This offense runs through CMC. I do not see any situation where the Panthers cut back on McCaffrey’s overall touches which amounted to 25 on average per game in 2019.
2. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
Elliott is primed for another gigantic season working with last year’s top-producing offense. He does it all and is coming from a 1,777-yard, 14-touchdown year.
3. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
The Titans ranked third in overall rushing yards (2,223) in 2019 and Henry was responsible for 1,540 of them. He also tacked on 206 receiving yards and scored a total of 18 times. What is not to like for 2020?
4. Saquon Barkely, New York Giants
Look for Barkley to continue to be the central focus on his offense this year. He has averaged a swift 4.9 yards per carry and 120 total yards per game since his 2018 rookie year.
5. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Expect Kamara to keep producing RB1 fantasy points on a high-rolling Saints offense. Hopefully, we see an increase in his touchdowns in 2020 from his mysterious six from last year.
6. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Some are down on Chubb with Kareem Hunt in the mix. I for one am not after he finished second in rushing yards (1,494) last season with Hunt joining him in eight games. Chubb is still the top dog so draft him with confidence.
7. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals
With new rookie Joe Burrow headlining the Bengals, Mixon gets an upgrade in ranking. Look for him to top last year’s 1,424 total yards and find the end zone more than the eight times in 2019.
8. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
Health concerns keep me from being higher on Cook. But, the sky is the limit for Cook when he’s healthy and his 13 rushing touchdowns from 14 games in 2019 bode well for his 2020 outlook.
9. Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals
Once Drake signed with the Cardinals in mid-2019, he was fantasy gold. He had eight rushing touchdowns in eight games and 102 total yards per contest. Drake should be on a roll again in 2020.
10. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
Ekeler should continue to produce a ton of fantasy points in 2020, especially through the air. Only Christian McCaffrey tallied more than the 993 receiving yards Ekeler notched. Ekeler also led all running backs with eight receiving touchdowns last year.
11. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
I would love to give Jones a better grade, but he looks to split some carries with rookie running back, AJ Dillon this fall. Jones’ league-high 16 rushing touchdowns from 2019, keep him in positive standing, though.
12. Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos
Gordon has plenty of room to work his way up the ranks playing on a new team in 2020. He is excellent at the goal line and he should assume the bell cow role with Phillip Lindsay playing the sidekick.
13. Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons
Talk about a player who comes with a ton of upside in 2020 if he plays healthy. Quarterback Matt Ryan just got a new pass-catching gem and a weapon who led the league in running back fantasy points in both 2017-18.
14. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders offense is a bit dicey keeping Jacobs well out of the top-10. But the 101 total yards he averaged per game along with his 4.8 yards per carry averaged make him a solid fantasy asset. Jacobs could easily move up the food chain in 2020.
15. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs
We have a rookie siting! Edwards-Helaire landed with the perfect high-scoring fantasy offense to start his NFL career. Damien Williams is still around, but CEH is in the wings to take over. He last tallied 1,867 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2019 at LSU. Let’s go!
16. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
It is more of an issue trusting the Eagles to better involve Sanders than for Sanders to hold up his end of the deal in 2020. He received only 14 touches per game on average as a rookie in 2019. If the Eagles take his training wheels off, watch Sanders explode.
17. Mark Ingram, Baltimore Ravens
Ingram simply thrived in his Ravens’ debut last season. He was a later-round fantasy pick who far-exceeded expectations after he scored 15 combined touchdowns and averaged 84 total yards per contest. Rookie JK Dobbins looming in the backfield could be Ingram’s monkey wrench this year, though.
18. David Johnson, Houston Texans
Johnson is the biggest boom or bust player within this list. He either earned his owners in Arizona between 2015-19, a fantasy ‘A’ grade, or a fantasy ‘F’. Starting fresh with Houston, Johnson will be feeling the heat to prove his worth. Definitely do not reach for him.
19. Le’Veon Bell, New York Jets
What disappointment Bell was last season as a Jet. He ranked 21st in fantasy points and was slow running the ball at just 3.2 yards per carry after skipping his 2018 season. We can only hope the All-Pro talent is still within and Bell better performs this season.
20. Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars
Fournette’s lack of a 16-game season in his three-year career compels me to rank him this low. The positive thing is Fournette has the talent to be a true RB1. It is just difficult to bank on the Jaguars’ offense and its ability to stay on the field. If the Jags struggle, Fournette’s stock drops.
21 – 25 Prove me wrong fantasy football running backs who could oust their way into the top 20.
21. Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks
Health concerns and a crowded backfield downgrade Carson in my book.
22. Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills
The Bills used a third-round pick and drafted rookie Zack Moss out of Utah. I don’t like that Singletary has company.
23. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Umm.. Marlon Mack is still around and is not exactly a slouch.
24. Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers love to rain on your fantasy parade and switch up their backs like you change your underwear everyday (hopefully).
25. James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers
Injuries, injuries and injuries and a crowded backfield. I’m meh on Conner for this.
