Top 150 Dynasty RB Pre-Free Agency

ELITE RB1

1. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL - Just getting started and situation looks ideal long-term
2. David Johnson, ARI - Everything Cardinals and FF wanted, offensive rebuild coming, could take a small hit
3. Le’Veon Bell, PIT - Actually younger than Johnson, but can’t put a healthy year together

ELITE TALENT, GUTTER SITUATION

4. Todd Gurley, LAR - Still on upslope of career at 22. Chance of competence in offensive coaching

STRONG/solid RB1 (25 and under)

5. Devonta Freeman, ATL - Only presence of Coleman keeps him from elite
6. Melvin Gordon, LAC - Risk of Woodhead return short-term, but arrival seems legit
7. Jordan Howard, CHI - Hard to argue with outstanding results in poor situation
8. Jay Ajayi, MIA - Draft knee worries in rear view, owns MIA backfield now, needs more pass involement
9. Carlos Hyde, SF - Some durability questions, but none about his talent as runner. Shanahan can’t hurt.

THE EXCITEMENT OF AN UNKNOWN PAYOFF

10. Derrick Henry, TEN - Phenomenal moments in 2016, might require a wait to contribute, but situation perfect

STRONG RB1 (28 and older)

11. LeSean McCoy, BUF - 2016 arguably career-best year as runner, how much left?

BOOM/BUST RB2 (+ CEILING)

12. Tevin Coleman, ATL - Major improvement as receiver, not sold on him as runner. Risk Freeman re-signs in ATL

LOW CEILING RB2

13. Lamar Miller, HOU - Frustrating 2016, didn’t have Miami burst, will it get better? Might be time to sell.

BOOM/BUST RB2 (BEST TO COME?)

14. Isaiah Crowell, CLE - Looked like a beast, but stuck in the zoo. Only 24, FA in 2018. Time to buy?

STRONG RB1 (CLOCK TICKING)

15. Demarco Murray, TEN - Will begin 2017 as start, but what about finish? Win now target, rebuilding teams must deal this offseason

BOOM/BUST RB2 (CLOCK TICKING)

16. Mark Ingram, NO - Finished strong + good situation, but needed benching to hit stride. More than two useful years left?

SOLID RB2 (FREE AGENT UNCERTAINTY)

17. Eddie Lacy, FA - Did anyone else notice Lacy had his career best yards per carry before injury? Free agent market might be harsh, but ability there, only 26.

RBBC BACKS ( + UPSIDE)

18. Ameer Abdullah, DET - Riddick showed value of DET RB roles, but how big will Abdullah’s be?

19. CJ Prosise, SEA - Shined at times in small sample, but durability questions

SOLID RB2 (FREE AGENT UNCERTAINTY)

20. Latavius Murray, OAK - Didn’t make huge leap from 2015, offense did. Competent, but situation-dependent.

RBBC BACKS ( + UPSIDE)

21. Duke Johnson Jr, CLE - Efficient on limited touches, but overshadowed by Crowell

22. Giovani Bernard, CIN - ACL tear a bummer and team didn’t increase usage

TRYING TO GET THEIR GROOVE BACK

23. Thomas Rawls, SEA - Durability, OL quality & 2016 performance concern, but only 23 and had success already.

RBBC BACKS ( + UPSIDE)

24. Kenneth Dixon, BAL - Injury slowed career start and Ravens could draft RB, but set to grow

TRYING TO GET THEIR GROOVE BACK

25. Adrian Peterson, FA - Hard to bet against talent, but team/role unknown

26. Dion Lewis, NE - Flashes of 2015 in playoffs, but White splitting role

LOW RB2 (+ UNCERTAINTY)

27. Rob Kelley, WAS - Should be considered incumbent, but backs like

28. Spencer Ware, KC - Levelled off as a steady but inspiring producer, Charles likely gone, but Chiefs could add competition

TRYING TO GET THEIR GROOVE BACK

29. CJ Anderson, DEN - It’s always something, but still clearly the best on the Broncos roster

30. Jeremy Hill, CIN - Offensive line and Hill’s play pointing in wrong direction, but still only 24

31. Charles Sims, TB - Took a big step back in 2016, but situation could open up

33. Jonathan Stewart, CAR - Still in Carolina plans, but will they draft Fournette?

34. Doug Martin, TB - Release is likely and will have to earn whatever he gets with next team

ONE MORE YEAR?

34. LeGarrette Blount, NE - Ridiculous touchdown totals, but efficiency falling off

35. Jamaal Charles, FA - Could have resurgence as PPR specialist, but decline is on

GROWTH POTENTIAL

36. Ty Montgomery, GB - True slash player who looked good running out of shotgun

37. Paul Perkins, NYG - Giants starter for now, limited ceiling

38. DeAndre Washington, OAK - Murray will test market, finished with best game in Week 16

39. T.J. Yeldon, JAX - Still only 23 and had 50 receptions in 2016

40. Jalen Richard, OAK - Outshined Washington at times, more touches coming

LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITY

41. Bilal Powell, NYJ - Seems to pull away from Forte, but will be RBBC again

42. Jerick McKinnon, MIN - Last man standing at RB for Vikings, but will get company

43. Theo Riddick, DET - Big role due to injuries, but couldn’t hold up under increased load

44. Devontae Booker, DEN - Did we see his best already? Was banged up, but debut not promising

45. Rex Burkhead, CIN - Finished as best RB on Bengals roster, FA presents a big unknown

46. Zach Zenner, DET - Impressed in December, but Lions still a messy RBBC

47. James White, NE - Finished on high note, but still likely a limited ceiling specialist

48. Danny Woodhead, FA - Still has PPR juice at 32

HOLD and HOPE

50. Karlos Williams, PIT - Top talent, but career cratered in 2016

52. Wendell Smallwood, PHI - Had his moments, but Eagles likely to restock at RB

51. Andre Ellington, FA - Flashed early in career, could get receiving back role in FA

52. Matt Jones, WAS - Was producing before fumbles cost him job

53. Peyton Barber, TB - Room to grow and RB job likely vacant

54. Terrance West, BAL - Solid back, but likely below line of FF relevance

55. Jonathan Williams, BUF - Team held after DUI, projects as three-down back

56. Dwayne Washington, DET - Size/speed combo fizzled, but rookie year exceeded expectations

YEAR TO YEAR

57. Frank Gore, IND - 3.5 million is reasonable, but Colts will bring in help

58. Chris Ivory, JAX - Had flashes, but dinged up and terrible running game

59. Matt Forte, NYJ - Faded by season end, role shrinking

60. Jacquizz Rodgers, FA - Proved some worth, could have value if Tampa brings him back

61. Ryan Mathews, PHI - Release coming? Turning 30 this year

BENCH PPR DEPTH

62. Chris Thompson, WAS - Role static, could help in a pinch

HOLD AND PRAY

63. Alex Collins, SEA - Played better in December, injury prone players ahead of him

64. Cameron Artis-Payne, CAR - Stewart sticking around, hasn’t distinguished himself

65. Kenyan Drake, MIA - Left in dust by Ajayi

66. Tyler Ervin, HOU - Didn’t make impression or overtake Akeem Hunt on depth chart

YOU NEVER KNOW

67. Corey Grant, JAX - Jaguars running game a mess, but had a huge Week 17

68. Daniel Lasco, NO - Sparq freak could be Ingram’s backup with room to grow

69. Tyler Gaffney, NE - Outside shot at Blount role this year

70. Mike Gillislee, BUF - RFA, has always looked good in limited work

71. Kapri Bibbs, DEN - Was on verge of more opportunity before injury

72. Keith Marshall, WAS - Injuries derailed rookie year, once vaunted prospect

73. Josh Ferguson, IND - Could get a shot if Colts don’t make strong addition at RB

74. Branden Oliver, LAC - Dual threat back could play Woodhead lite role

75. Damien Williams, MIA - Versatile, could be Ajayi primary backup again

76. Kerwynn Williams, ARI - Looked good in December, Johnson’s backup as of now

77. Lance Dunbar, FA - Receiving ability, burst was impressive pre-injury

78. Mike Davis, SF - Can Shanahan get something out of him, still hanging around

79. Malcolm Brown, LAR - Hard-nosed inside runner, Gurley’s backup with Cunningham FA?

80. Darius Jackson, CLE - Sparq freak slipped away from Dallas, speculative long-term hold

BENCH DEPTH?

81. Darren Sproles, PHI - Fantasy relevant at 34?

82. Tim Hightower, FA - Will Saints bring him back to pair with Ingram again?

83. Darren McFadden, FA - Could be a solid backup somewhere in age 30 season

84. Shane Vereen, NYG - Third-down back if healthy

YOU NEVER KNOW. WELL MAYBE YOU DO

85. Jeremy Langford, CHI - Left in dust by Howard

86. Khiry Robinson, FA - Has some juice, but trouble avoiding injuries

87. DeAngelo Williams, FA - Could catch on as a backup somewhere, value up if PIT

88. Chris Johnson, FA - Could return as David Johnson’s backup, still has something left

89. Alfred Morris, DAL - A dud as Zeke’s backup, Cowboys should add a back

90. Christine Michael, GB - At least he’s landing on active rosters after release now

91. Rashad Jennings, FA - Likely just passing-down back at best, if that

92. Andre Williams, LAC - Signs of life? RFA might be retained

SPARE PARTS

93. Matt Asiata, FA - Ideal third back, could have value if injuries take out players above him

94. Charcandrick West, KC - Profiles as a third back after solid start to career in 2015

95. Alfred Blue, HOU - Has proven he can hold up under big in-game workload, that’s about it

96. Robert Turbin, FA - Best case scenario is return to Colts to be GL vulture/backup

97. Ka’Deem Carey, CHI - Left in dust by Howard

98. Javorius Allen, BAL - Big receiving back barely hung on roster

99. Lorenzo Taliaferro, BAL - Big sluggish back barely hung on roster

100. Terron Ward, ATL - Hanging around as #3 in Atlanta

LONG SHOTS FOR VERY DEEP LEAGUES

101. Brandon Wilds, NYJ - Might stick as #3 behind two older backs

102. Mack Brown, WAS - Kelley/Jones far from entrenched

103. Elijhaa Penny, ARI - Opportunity behind Johnson, big back with good hands, great preseason Wk 4

104. David Cobb, CHI - Solid all-around back having trouble sticking on a roster

105. DJ Foster, NE - WR/RB tweener, blocked by Lewis/White

106. Terrell Watson, PHI - Backfield wide open, got callup at end of 2016

107. Kenneth Farrow, LAC - Proved he belonged on NFL field in 2016

108. Troymaine Pope, SEA - Org seems to like him

109. Bishop Sankey, KC - Measureables keep him on roster, some give on depth chart

JUST HOW DEEP IS YOUR LEAGUE?

110. Shaun Draughn, SF
111. Akeem Hunt, HOU
112. Orleans Darkwa, NYG
113. Fitzgerald Toussaint, PIT
114. Benny Cunningham, FA
115. Darrin Reaves, KC
116. Russell Hansbrough, TB
117. CJ Spiller, KC
118. DuJuan Harris, FA
119. Stepfan Taylor, FA
120. Travaris Cadet, FA
121. Kenjon Barner, PHI
122. Byron Marshall, PHI
123. Jonathan Grimes, FA
124. Denard Robinson, FA
125. Bobby Rainey, FA
126. Cedric Peerman, FA
127. Juwan Thompson, DEN
128. Fozzy Whittaker, FA
129. Dexter McCluster, FA
130. James Starks, FA
131. Knile Davis, FA
132. Ronnie Hillman, FA
133. John Crockett, GB
134. George Atkinson, CLE
135. Taiwan Jones, OAK
136. Don Jackson, GB
137. Aaron Green, LA
138. David Fluellen, TEN
139. Brandon Burks, NYJ
140. Terrence Magee, SEA
141. Trey Williams, PIT
142. Dreamius Smith, PIT
143. Gus Johnson, PIT
144. Rajion Neal, CHI
145. Bronson Hill, JAX
146. Kelvin Taylor, SEA
147. Jalen Simmons, CAR
148. CJ Ham, MIN
149. Tre Carson, CIN
150. George Farmer, SEA