Salary Cap Leagues, Should You Target Elite RBs?

Footballguys Staff's Salary Cap Leagues, Should You Target Elite RBs? Footballguys Staff Published 08/02/2023

The running back position is being devalued in the NFL, but there are still a handful of elite workhorse backs available to salary cap drafters.

We asked our staff how to handle these increasingly rare running backs.

Note: All answers assume the following criteria:

  • Start 1 QB, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE
  • 4-point passing TDs
  • $200 cap
  • 12 teams

How important do you consider running back in your salary cap build? Will you attack the top-tier running backs (Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler, Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley)?

Ben Cummins: I will attack the top-tier wide receivers first but leave open the possibility of going after this tier as well, depending on how the order of nominations shakes out.

Flip Side: See Should You Target Committee RBs? here >>>

Jason Wood: No, as history has been unkind to tailback productivity from year to year. The injury risk creates volatility, and you don't want to overpay for that kind of instability.

Already a subscriber?

Continue reading this content with a ELITE subscription.

An ELITE subscription is required to access content for Salary Cap leagues. If this league is not a Salary Cap league, you can edit your leagues here.

Photos provided by Imagn Images
Share This Article

More by Footballguys Staff

 

Ashton Jeanty Will Be A League Winner

Tipp Major

Tipp Major spotlights why Ashton Jeanty should exceed his already lofty late first-round ADP.

06/08/26 Read More
 

Bucky Irving: The RB1 Redemption Tour

Adam Hutchison

Adam Hutchinson spotlights Bucky Irving and asks whether we should expect a return to his rookie greatness or a repeat of last year's struggles.

06/08/26 Read More
 

Gibbs Set to Dominate Detroit's Offense: Believe It or Not?

Bob Harris

Sorting out the chaos with a big-picture look at fantasy-specific news, notes, and analysis from around the NFL.

06/08/26 Read More
 

Caleb Williams: The Arrow Is Pointing Up

Dave Kluge

Dave Kluge spotlights Caleb Williams and why last year's breakout is only the just the beginning.

06/07/26 Read More
 

Drafting Jaxson Dart at ADP Is Missing the Bullseye

Jason Wood

Jason Wood spotlights Jaxson Dart and explains why his ADP is among the most inexplicable at any position this season.

06/07/26 Read More
 

Tight Ends from Mortal Locks to Wild Fliers: The Fantasy Notebook

Bob Harris

Sorting out the chaos with a big-picture look at fantasy-specific news, notes, and analysis from around the NFL. 

06/07/26 Read More