Week 1 is upon us and I'm here to help you with your running back decisions. Hopefully the players you drafted are healthy and ready to rock. If they're not ready to rock, I'm looking at you Le'Veon Bell, here are your next best options. These rankings are half point PPR rankings. I do it this way because not everyone is in a PPR league and not everyone is in a TD only league. By using a half point rankings system I feel like I take care of everyone in one swoop. Hit me up on twitter if you're really questioning some tough decisions.
Recommended: WR Rankings, QB Rankings, Tight End Rankings, DST Rankings, Kicker Rankings, and IDP Rankings.
Notes:
- Peterson could be a big bust and rush for less than 40 yards. Why on earth would you even start him vs AZ? If he's on my team he's riding the pine this week and must prove himself.
- Bell is pretty much out this week but I still have him in my rankings just in case he shows up. He's currently ranked beneath his backup, James Conner.
- Burkhead owners are in for a treat this week because it looks like Sony is going to be limited to a flex roll. And that's how I'd use him until New England shows how he will be utilized.
- I have Marshawn Lynch ranked well above Doug Martin, but my gut tells me Martin will surprise us.
Legend:
- FP: Projected fantasy points
- Line: vegas plus or minus
- OU: vegas projected score over/under
- Implied: the implied points for your players team
- DRnk: The lower the number (1) the better your odds for a big day
- BP: number of big plays allowed last season
| Vegas Lines | DRnk | Def Allowed Rushing | ||||||||||
| name | Pos | team | vs | FP | Line | OU | Implied | DRnk | BP | TD | AVG | YPG |
| Alvin Kamara | RB | NO | TB | 21.7 | -9.5 | 49.5 | 29.5 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 4.3 | 118 |
| David Johnson | RB | ARI | WSH | 21.3 | -1 | 44 | 22.5 | 5 | 15 | 13 | 4.5 | 134 |
| Todd Gurley | RB | LAR | OAK | 21 | 4 | 49.5 | 26.8 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 4 | 109 |
| Melvin Gordon | RB | LAC | KC | 18.5 | -3.5 | 48 | 25.75 | 16 | 6 | 15 | 4.3 | 118 |
| Saquon Barkley | RB | NYG | JAC | 16.7 | 3 | 43.5 | 20.25 | 18 | 8 | 9 | 4.3 | 116 |
| Christian McCaffrey | RB | CAR | DAL | 16.3 | -3 | 42.5 | 22.75 | 30 | 8 | 7 | 4.1 | 104 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | RB | DAL | CAR | 15.7 | 3 | 42.5 | 19.8 | 21 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 88.1 |
| Kareem Hunt | RB | KC | LAC | 15.1 | 3.5 | 48 | 22.2 | 6 | 24 | 11 | 4.9 | 131 |
| Dalvin Cook | RB | MIN | SF | 14.9 | -6.5 | 46 | 26.25 | 1 | 11 | 13 | 3.8 | 116 |
| Joe Mixon | RB | CIN | IND | 14.1 | 2.5 | 48.5 | 23 | 8 | 14 | 15 | 3.9 | 120 |
| Jordan Howard | RB | CHI | GB | 13.5 | 7.5 | 47 | 19.8 | 20 | 11 | 10 | 3.9 | 112 |
| Leonard Fournette | RB | JAC | NYG | 12.9 | 3 | 43.5 | 23.2 | 27 | 14 | 10 | 4.2 | 121 |
| Rex Burkhead | RB | NE | HOU | 12.5 | -6 | 50.5 | 28.25 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 4 | 109 |
| LeSean McCoy | RB | BUF | BAL | 12.3 | 7.5 | 40.5 | 16.5 | 25 | 15 | 12 | 4.1 | 111 |
| James Conner | RB | PIT | CLE | 11.9 | 4 | 44 | 24 | 2 | 10 | 14 | 3.4 | 97.9 |
| Jamaal Williams | RB | GB | CHI | 11.8 | -7.5 | 47 | 27.25 | 23 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 108 |
| Devonta Freeman | RB | ATL | PHI | 11.8 | 1.5 | 44.5 | 21.5 | 22 | 12 | 7 | 3.8 | 79.2 |
| Alex Collins | RB | BAL | BUF | 11.5 | -7.5 | 40.5 | 24 | 7 | 17 | 22 | 4.3 | 125 |
| Lamar Miller | RB | HOU | NE | 11.3 | 6 | 50.5 | 22.2 | 28 | 13 | 6 | 4.7 | 115 |
| Kenyan Drake | RB | MIA | TEN | 10.7 | 1 | 45 | 22 | 31 | 3 | 5 | 3.6 | 88.8 |
| Jay Ajayi | RB | PHI | ATL | 9.97 | -1.5 | 44.5 | 23 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 4.1 | 104 |
| Derrick Henry | RB | TEN | MIA | 9.9 | 1 | 45 | 23 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 4.1 | 111 |
| Carlos Hyde | RB | CLE | PIT | 9.53 | 4 | 44 | 20 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 4.4 | 106 |
| name | Pos | team | vs | FP | Line | OU | Implied | DRnk | BP | TD | AVG | YPG |
| Duke Johnson | RB | CLE | PIT | 9.43 | 4 | 44 | 20 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 4.4 | 106 |
| Marshawn Lynch | RB | OAK | LAR | 9.35 | 4 | 49.5 | 22.75 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 4.7 | 122 |
| Chris Carson | RB | SEA | DEN | 9 | 3 | 42.5 | 19.8 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 3.3 | 89.4 |
| Le'Veon Bell | RB | PIT | CLE | 8.89 | 4 | 44 | 24 | 2 | 10 | 14 | 3.4 | 97.9 |
| Ty Montgomery | RB | GB | CHI | 8.76 | -7.5 | 47 | 27.25 | 23 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 108 |
| Royce Freeman | RB | DEN | SEA | 8.35 | -3 | 42.5 | 22.75 | 29 | 12 | 14 | 4 | 114 |
| Isaiah Crowell | RB | NYJ | DET | 8.21 | 6.5 | 45 | 19.2 | 24 | 11 | 18 | 4.2 | 113 |
| Dion Lewis | RB | TEN | MIA | 8.2 | 1 | 45 | 23 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 4.1 | 111 |
| Chris Thompson | RB | WSH | ARI | 8.1 | 1 | 44 | 21.5 | 32 | 9 | 12 | 3.5 | 89.6 |
| Mike Gillislee | RB | NO | TB | 8 | -9.5 | 49.5 | 29.5 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 4.3 | 118 |
| Giovani Bernard | RB | CIN | IND | 7.97 | 2.5 | 48.5 | 23 | 8 | 14 | 15 | 3.9 | 120 |
| James White | RB | NE | HOU | 7.87 | -6 | 50.5 | 28.25 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 4 | 109 |
| Peyton Barber | RB | TB | NO | 7.79 | 9.5 | 49.5 | 20 | 3 | 15 | 11 | 4.4 | 112 |
| Sony Michel | RB | NE | HOU | 7.35 | -6 | 50.5 | 28.25 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 4 | 109 |
| Theo Riddick | RB | DET | NYJ | 7.24 | -6.5 | 45 | 25.75 | 14 | 19 | 13 | 4 | 118 |
| Tevin Coleman | RB | ATL | PHI | 7.12 | 1.5 | 44.5 | 21.5 | 22 | 12 | 7 | 3.8 | 79.2 |
| Matt Breida | RB | SF | MIN | 7.02 | 6.5 | 46 | 19.8 | 26 | 8 | 10 | 3.7 | 83.6 |
| Jordan Wilkins | RB | IND | CIN | 7.02 | -2.5 | 48.5 | 25.5 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 4.2 | 128 |
| Bilal Powell | RB | NYJ | DET | 6.55 | 6.5 | 45 | 19.2 | 24 | 11 | 18 | 4.2 | 113 |
| name | Pos | team | vs | FP | Line | OU | Implied | DRnk | BP | TD | AVG | YPG |
| Austin Ekeler | RB | LAC | KC | 6.41 | -3.5 | 48 | 25.75 | 16 | 6 | 15 | 4.3 | 118 |
| Alfred Morris | RB | SF | MIN | 6.37 | 6.5 | 46 | 19.8 | 26 | 8 | 10 | 3.7 | 83.6 |
| Tarik Cohen | RB | CHI | GB | 6.24 | 7.5 | 47 | 19.8 | 20 | 11 | 10 | 3.9 | 112 |
| Kerryon Johnson | RB | DET | NYJ | 6.2 | -6.5 | 45 | 25.75 | 14 | 19 | 13 | 4 | 118 |
| Devontae Booker | RB | DEN | SEA | 6.06 | -3 | 42.5 | 22.75 | 29 | 12 | 14 | 4 | 114 |
| Frank Gore | RB | MIA | TEN | 6.03 | 1 | 45 | 22 | 31 | 3 | 5 | 3.6 | 88.8 |
| Adrian Peterson | RB | WSH | ARI | 6 | 1 | 44 | 21.5 | 32 | 9 | 12 | 3.5 | 89.6 |
| Nick Chubb | RB | CLE | PIT | 5.92 | 4 | 44 | 20 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 4.4 | 106 |
| Latavius Murray | RB | MIN | SF | 5.77 | -6.5 | 46 | 26.25 | 1 | 11 | 13 | 3.8 | 116 |
| Corey Clement | RB | PHI | ATL | 5.63 | -1.5 | 44.5 | 23 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 4.1 | 104 |
| Chase Edmonds | RB | ARI | WSH | 5.6 | -1 | 44 | 22.5 | 5 | 15 | 13 | 4.5 | 134 |
| Doug Martin | RB | OAK | LAR | 5.44 | 4 | 49.5 | 22.75 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 4.7 | 122 |
| Nyheim Hines | RB | IND | CIN | 5.42 | -2.5 | 48.5 | 25.5 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 4.2 | 128 |
| C.J. Anderson | RB | CAR | DAL | 5.39 | -3 | 42.5 | 22.75 | 30 | 8 | 7 | 4.1 | 104 |
| LeGarrette Blount | RB | DET | NYJ | 5.25 | -6.5 | 45 | 25.75 | 14 | 19 | 13 | 4 | 118 |
| T.J. Yeldon | RB | JAC | NYG | 5.2 | 3 | 43.5 | 23.2 | 27 | 14 | 10 | 4.2 | 121 |
| Javorius Allen | RB | BAL | BUF | 5.16 | -7.5 | 40.5 | 24 | 7 | 17 | 22 | 4.3 | 125 |
| Kenneth Dixon | RB | BAL | BUF | 5.03 | -7.5 | 40.5 | 24 | 7 | 17 | 22 | 4.3 | 125 |
| name | Pos | team | vs | FP | Line | OU | Implied | DRnk | BP | TD | AVG | YPG |
| Spencer Ware | RB | KC | LAC | 4.99 | 3.5 | 48 | 22.2 | 6 | 24 | 11 | 4.9 | 131 |
| Darren Sproles | RB | PHI | ATL | 4.95 | -1.5 | 44.5 | 23 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 4.1 | 104 |
| Marlon Mack | RB | IND | CIN | 4.94 | -2.5 | 48.5 | 25.5 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 4.2 | 128 |
| Ronald Jones | RB | TB | NO | 4.89 | 9.5 | 49.5 | 20 | 3 | 15 | 11 | 4.4 | 112 |
| Chris Ivory | RB | BUF | BAL | 4.85 | 7.5 | 40.5 | 16.5 | 25 | 15 | 12 | 4.1 | 111 |
| Jonathan Stewart | RB | NYG | JAC | 4.84 | 3 | 43.5 | 20.25 | 18 | 8 | 9 | 4.3 | 116 |
| Rob Kelley | RB | WSH | ARI | 4.49 | 1 | 44 | 21.5 | 32 | 9 | 12 | 3.5 | 89.6 |
| Alfred Blue | RB | HOU | NE | 4.15 | 6 | 50.5 | 22.2 | 28 | 13 | 6 | 4.7 | 115 |
| Rashaad Penny | RB | SEA | DEN | 3.81 | 3 | 42.5 | 19.8 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 3.3 | 89.4 |
| Corey Grant | RB | JAC | NYG | 3.62 | 3 | 43.5 | 23.2 | 27 | 14 | 10 | 4.2 | 121 |
| Christine Michael | RB | IND | CIN | 3.44 | -2.5 | 48.5 | 25.5 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 4.2 | 128 |
| Jeremy Hill | RB | NE | HOU | 3.4 | -6 | 50.5 | 28.25 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 4 | 109 |
| Rod Smith | RB | DAL | CAR | 3.02 | 3 | 42.5 | 19.8 | 21 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 88.1 |
| Ameer Abdullah | RB | DET | NYJ | 2.91 | -6.5 | 45 | 25.75 | 14 | 19 | 13 | 4 | 118 |
| Kalen Ballage | RB | MIA | TEN | 2.82 | 1 | 45 | 22 | 31 | 3 | 5 | 3.6 | 88.8 |
| Wayne Gallman | RB | NYG | JAC | 2.74 | 3 | 43.5 | 20.25 | 18 | 8 | 9 | 4.3 | 116 |
| Samaje Perine | RB | WSH | ARI | 2.6 | 1 | 44 | 21.5 | 32 | 9 | 12 | 3.5 | 89.6 |
| Cameron Artis-Payne | RB | CAR | DAL | 2.5 | -3 | 42.5 | 22.75 | 30 | 8 | 7 | 4.1 | 104 |
| DeAndre Washington | RB | OAK | LAR | 2.37 | 4 | 49.5 | 22.75 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 4.7 | 122 |
| Jalen Richard | RB | OAK | LAR | 2.35 | 4 | 49.5 | 22.75 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 4.7 | 122 |
