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

 

5 Dynasty Running Backs to Target Post NFL Draft

Mike Kashuba

Dynasty running backs are some of the most volatile assets to target in trades. Now that the dust has settled from the 2026 NFL Draft, here are the top options to target in your dynasty leagues.

05/06/26 Read More
 

Dynasty Running Back Rankings and Tiers

Dave Kluge

2026 dynasty running back rankings and tiers. Full RB breakdown by archetype, with strategy tips for contenders and rebuilders in dynasty fantasy football.

05/06/26 Read More
 

10 IDP Rookie Sleepers to Target

Kyle Bellefeuil

Kyle Bellefeuil highlights 10 IDP rookie sleepers to target in the later rounds of rookie drafts.

05/05/26 Read More
 

Dynasty Trade Value Chart: May

Dan Hindery

Long-term player values for dynasty leagues.

05/04/26 Read More
 

Rookie Big Board by Bloom, IDP Leagues

Sigmund Bloom

Sigmund Bloom lays out his Rookie Big Board for leagues that include individual defensive players.

05/04/26 Read More
 

We Saw the Signs; Year 2 Breakouts Are Coming: 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. 

05/03/26 Read More