2017 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
Jul 22, 2017 · 6 min read
We’ll jump right into the rankings, but a few quick notes — rankings for all positions assume 12-team, PPR-scoring, 1 QB leagues. ADP figures sourced from https://fantasyfootballcalculator.com as of 7/19/17 and also based on 12-team PPR format.
- Le’Veon Bell (Age: 25/ADP: 1.02) — I’m ever-so-slightly leaning Bell over Johnson. I give Bell the edge due to the offense around him, and the extra catch and a half more he averaged over David Johnson in 2016. Love either pick, but I’m taking Bell in every draft I get the pleasure of picking first.
- David Johnson (Age: 25/ADP: 1.01) — I like that Johnson has less mileage on him despite being the same age as Bell, but I prefer to lean towards the better offense and I trust Big Ben over Carson Palmer to maximize points out of these running backs.
- Ezekiel Elliot (Age: 22/ADP: 1.04) — This ranking is assuming no punishment comes down from the commissioner’s office and forcing him to miss a game. If I’m getting a full season out of Elliot, I would be happy to take him third overall ahead of Antonio Brown, OBJ, etc. Love that Dunbar is out of Dallas and the opportunities that Zeke should get in the passing game.
- Devonta Freeman (Age: 25/ADP: 1.11) — We’re into another tier, but Freeman is still being disrespected with his current ADP. Tevin Coleman and natural regression of the Falcons offense is scaring owners away, but Freeman is still a no-doubt first round pick. With only two full seasons under his belt, I prefer Freeman in the Atlanta offense over the aging McCoy and Murray.
- LeSean McCoy (Age: 29/ADP: 1.07) — I’m very intrigued by this Buffalo offense in 2017. I’m high on Tyrod Taylor and think his improvement will aid a big season from LeSean McCoy both on the ground and receiving. Health becoming a small concern with me for McCoy as he starts his 8th season as a starting running back.
- DeMarco Murray (Age: 29/ADP: 2.03) — Because of their offense and Derrick Henry’s presence, the upside for Murray appears to be a repeat of his 2016–1,300 rushing yards, 10 TDs and 50 receptions. I’ll happily take that as my RB1, if I can pair him with a Round 1 WR.
- Jordan Howard (Age: 22/ADP: 2.04) — Loved the consistency out of Howard from Week 7 onward last year. Langford, Carey, and new addition Benny Cunningham limit his involvement in the passing game, but Howard is the guy and should get a full workload. I think he’s properly valued as an early Round 2 pick.
- Jay Ajayi (Age: 24/ADP: 2.02) — A polarizing player, whose 2016 numbers were heavily influenced by three 200+ rushing yard games. Outside of those games, Ajayi only had one other game over 100 yards. He doesn’t contribute much in the passing game. I think he’s going a little high in PPR leagues given that he isn’t a sure-thing and still has something to prove.
- Melvin Gordon (Age: 24/ADP: 1.09) — I’m torn on Gordon, but currently pessimistic on his 2017 projection. Love his 3+ catches per game and his ability to find the end zone, but hate his 3.9 yards per attempt and some health concerns. I’m only going to end up with Gordon if he falls to me in the mid-2nd round.
- Todd Gurley (Age: 23/ADP: 2.08) — Gurley looks to be turning into a nice little gamble in the end of the second round. He’s active in the passing game so his floor is higher in PPR formats, and he showed too much ability in his rookie year to let a sophomore slump completely ruin his stock. I’m buying him at the end of the second round.
- Lamar Miller (Age: 26/ADP: 3.03) — I fell for all the love around Lamar Miller last year and hated owning him. If I’m in a spot to take him as an RB2, I’m okay with it but he’s still valued a little too high at 3.03.
- Isaiah Crowell (Age: 24/ADP: 3.05) — Criminally underrated in PPR formats. Crowell is going to be my RB2 in a ton of leagues. I’m even comfortable going WR-WR in my first two picks if I have a Top 4 pick, with the hopes of landing Crowell in Round 3 as my RB1.
- Marshawn Lynch (Age: 31/ADP: 2.09) — The year off should keep Lynch fresher than any other 31 year old running back. He’ll be the work horse in Oakland, and part of an explosive offense.
- Leonard Fournette (Age: 22/ADP: 2.11) — His talent will give him all the opportunity in Jacksonville despite the presence of T.J. Yelodn and Chris Ivory. I have no concerns over drafting Fournette starting in Round 3.
- Christian McCaffrey (Age: 21/ADP: 3.12) — A lot of exciting weapons on Carolina’s offense, but I’m curious to see it all come together after Newton’s down 2016. I like a lot of guys going a round or two later than McCaffrey so I don’t know that I’ll have him anywhere. He does represent a nice check-point of where I need to have my RB1 before McCaffrey goes off the board. Once he’s the top RB on the board, it’s too late to get an RB1.
- Ty Montgomery (Age: 24/ADP: 4.03) — A gamechanger in most fantasy leagues last year as Montgomery pick-ups fueled many post-season runs. The role is his, but Green Bay will be a pass-happy offense which limits his upside. He is involved in the passing game with 3 catches per game last year.
- Bilal Powell (Age: 28/ADP: 6.02) — I’m higher on Powell because I think the Jets will not rely on Forte at all in the ground game. I think Powell is the clear-cut starting running back Week 1. The bonus is that Powell is a capable of receiver and can be used on third downs. 3.6 catches per game last year, and 4.3 in 2015.
- Joe Mixon (Age: 21/ADP: 4.01) — Off-field issues aside, Mixon is generating a ton of buzz as a rookie RB in Cincinnati. He’s quick and capable of taking all the backfield reps. We’ve seen rookie RBs succeed right away and Mixon has the skills to be another one. 4th round could look like a discount very quickly for Mixon.
- Carlos Hyde (Age: 26/ADP: 4.07) — There’s a lot of upside to Hyde this year. New coach Kyle Shanahan comes with his excellent track record in Atlanta, and his 4.6 rush yards per attempt indicates he can succeed despite a lackluster offense around him. Shanahan did draft rookie RB Joe Williams so he’s the obvious handcuff, but I think Hyde in a contract year gets a chance to prove himself in the new system.
- Mark Ingram (Age: 27/ADP: 7.01) — Similar to Montgomery, he’s the lead back in a pass-happy offense so his upside is so limited. Ingram also has some health concerns over the years, which scare me away from investing in him as an RB2.
- Dalvin Cook (Age: 22/ADP: 6.04)
- Matt Forte (Age: 31/ADP: 9.07)
- Tevin Coleman (Age: 24/ADP: 6.05)
- Spencer Ware (Age: 25/ADP: 4.11)
- Theo Riddick (Age: 26/ADP: 7.10)
- Frank Gore (Age: 34/ADP: 7.10)
- Eddie Lacy (Age: 26/ADP: 7.04)
- C.J. Anderson (Age: 26/ADP: 5.10)
- Doug Martin (Age: 28/ADP: 5.02)
- C.J. Prosise (Age: 23/ADP: 8.10)
- Giovani Bernard (Age: 25/ADP: 14.01)
- Adrian Peterson (Age: 32/ADP: 5.04)
- Ameer Abdullah (Age: 24/ADP: 5.07)
- Darren Sproles (Age: 34/ADP: 12.12)
- Mike Gillislee (Age: 26/ADP: 6.01)
- Duke Johnson (Age: 23/ADP: 10.09)
- Paul Perkins (Age: 22/ADP: 6.11)
- Danny Woodhead (Age: 32/ADP: 5.10)
- Derrick Henry (Age: 23/ADP: 7.09)
- Samaje Perine (Age: 22/ADP: 8.02)
- Kareem Hunt (Age: 22/ADP: 8.06)
- Jamaal Charles (Age: 30/ADP: 9.01)
- Latavius Murray (Age: 27/ADP: 9.02)
- Kenneth Dixon (Age: 23/ADP: 9.04)
- Jonathan Stewart (Age: 30/ADP: 9.08)
- Rob Kelley (Age: 24/ADP: 9.11)
- James White (Age: 25/ADP: 9.12)
- Jamaal Williams (Age: 22/ADP: 11.06)
Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@APFantasySports) for more advice or to reach out for further questions. Or email me at APFantasySports@gmail.com.

