Here is our list of the top 7 running backs to keep your eyes on this season for DFS football, and to draft if you can for your season long league.
Start Making the Right Running Back Picks
Todd Gurley
There’s almost no question about Gurley being the top RB going into the season. He is one of only three RBs in all of NFL history to have 2,000 yards, 10 rushing TDs, and 5 receiving TDs in a single season. That puts him in company with O.J. Simpson and Marshall Faulk—who did it twice. It doesn’t matter who the Los Angeles Rams play, Gurley will be a constant threat. Part of the reason for this is that they have a weak passing game, but in a fantasy setting, this is definitely something that you can use to your advantage. He’s going to be the number one draft pick in most leagues, and probably yours, too.
Le’Veon Bell
Bell had 9 rushing and 2 receiving TDs last year and a total of 1,291 rushing yards. That easily puts him at the top of most RB short lists, and he’s likely to be the second RB that’s drafted in most leagues this year, and in most leagues, will go within the top three draft choices. For DFS leagues, he’s probably going to be on at least 30 percent of the teams in your league, unless his price tag is extraordinarily high for that week. Even then, he will be a constant presence. Bell has the potential to have a great season. The Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger is relying on the running game more and more, and Bell is going to see his stats reflect this. When Bell stays healthy, he consistently produces at least 1,200 yards per season. His numbers were a bit lower last year thanks to missing a game, but he still was a top producer. Most projections have Bell churning out over 1,300 yards this coming season.
Ezekiel Elliott
This will be Elliott’s third season, and there’s still not a consensus on whether or not he is the real deal. Maybe that’s just hate thrown at the Dallas Cowboys, because Elliott’s numbers are pretty strong. He played in 10 games last year and put up almost 1,000 yards rushing. He also created 7 rushing TDs and 2 receiving TDs during those 10 games. If he plays 15 games this season, we should expect a 50 percent increase in those stats, putting him up above Bell in all categories. Elliott is young and maybe he hasn’t proven himself just yet, but he’s definitely shown us that he has the potential to put up strong numbers if he’s given the chance. He will likely be a consistent player to be drafted in DFS leagues when the Cowboys go up against weaker rush defenses.
Saquon Barkley
Speaking of young and unproven players, Barkley is my top ranked rookie RB this season. He was the all-time leader in rushing touchdowns at Penn State, and he looks like a much needed addition to the New York Giants roster. It’s hard to compare stats from college to the NFL, and Barkley is going to be up against defenses far better than anything he’s ever seen before this season. It’s not likely to be an easy transition, but Barkley has the natural speed and ability to have a surprisingly good season. He shouldn’t be a top pick for your RB this season, but if your league allows you to draft two running backs and he’s available, Barkley could be a great addition to your team, especially when he breaks out of his shell around the halfway point of the year.
David Johnson
No list would be complete without including Arizona’s Johnson. Sure, he only played in one game last season, but his 2016 season was remarkable. He had over 2,000 yards that season and 20 TDs, making him one of the most valuable RBs out there. His wrist injury was a devastating setback last season, especially to those of us that drafted him as the number one overall pick, but he looks healthy so far this preseason. Is he worthy of a number one pick on your team? Probably not. However, if he’s still available in the second round of your draft, someone is not paying attention and you need to grab him.
Alvin Kamara
The second year player from the New Orleans Saints had an amazing rookie year last year. In a year that no one gave the Saints much heed at the beginning of the season, Kamara helped pave the way for a strong season for the whole team. He had 8 rushing TDs and 5 receiving TDs, along with more than 1,500 overall yards. Kamara isn’t the greatest of RBs, but he’s shown us that he’s a very strong all-around player. As such, his stats will be much higher than other players and the Saints will continue to lean on him and use him for plays where other RBs might be ignored. He is just starting to tap into his potential as an athlete. I expect to see 2018 be even better for Kamara than 2017 was now that the Saints play callers are more aware of how great an athlete this guy is.
Leonard Fournette
Fournette might be a surprise on this list, so let me defend my choice here. He’s the fastest guy in the game. He had a mammoth TD run against Pittsburgh this past season, clocking in at over 22 miles per hour during a 90-yard run. With 10 overall TDs and over 1,300 yards total this past season, Fournette has a ton of untapped potential. Just like Johnson, he’s a guy that you’d be crazy not to pick in the second round if he’s still available.
