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🏆 RB Tiers to Win This Year
ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO • 7 MIN READ

🏆 RB Tiers to Win This Year

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06/24/26

Howdy Reader,​

Welcome in.

Some call this the slow season in the NFL calendar. We see it differently. This is the time for the sharks to separate from the posers. The stretch where tuned-in managers quietly outwork the ones daydreaming about Week 1.

You’re here. And getting further ahead. And that’s why we love this community.

Today, we’ve got a full lineup to keep you dialed in:

We’re kicking things off with Team Vibes: Giants Edition. Then it’s on to the Dynasty Commissioner’s Handbook. It's a must-read if you're building leagues that last.

​IDP folks, we’ve got you covered, as always. Then we've got the Sleepers at RB and WR you need. Names flying under the radar with real upside.

And we wrap with Dave Kluge’s deep dive into RB tiers and rankings. It's essential reading before your league mates even open their draft app.

You’re putting in the work early. And we’re right here with you.

Plus Dave Kluge has the News and Notes you need.

Let’s get to it,

J​​

What's New At Footballguys

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Running Back Rankings and Tiers: One Staffer's Opinion

By Dave Kluge - Exclusive to Footballguys

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Elite RB1s

This tier requires little explanation. These players are all worthy of early first-round picks. And a firm conviction in any of them could warrant the use of the first overall pick. These are all elite talents on good offenses who catch passes, score touchdowns, and have little touch competition.

Could Be This Year's RB1

All of these players have a modicum of risk. Has the NFL figured out the Dolphins' offense? Will Jeanty's skills translate to the NFL? Can McCaffrey shake the injury bug? Will Henry continue defying Father Time? While these questions all warrant some concern, these players have "finishing as this year's overall RB1" well within their ranges of outcomes, making them all worthy of first- or second-round picks.

High-Volume RB1s

When healthy, these running backs are all workhorses. There are mild concerns here that keep them from the elite tier. Jacobs didn't get the same target volume he was afforded in Las Vegas. Taylor has struggled to coexist alongside Anthony Richardson Sr. Williams' inefficiencies, while obvious to analysts, don't appear to matter to Sean McVay. These guys probably won't finish as the overall RB1, but being a top-five running back is easily attainable.

  • RB8 - Josh Jacobs (+2) - After a slow start to the season with his new team, Jacobs took over as the Packers' bellcow and was fantasy's RB3 after their bye.
  • RB9 - Jonathan Taylor​
  • RB10 - Kyren Williams (+1)

CONTINUED...

1. IND: Anthony Richardson confident in shoulder

Source: SI.com - Zach Goodall

Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson (shoulder) recently told Zach Goodall of 24-7 Sports that he is 'all good' for training camp next month.'I'm all good ... not really even a bump in the road. I feel like I tripped, I fell. Just got back up and hit the ground running again,' Richardson said.

Our view: After going fourth overall in the 2023 Draft, expectations for Richardson were high. And while we've seen the occasional flash, struggles as a processor and frequent injuries have made it difficult to assess his play. The Colts gave Daniel Jones a hefty $14M deal this offseason, and Richardson's absence has opened the door for him to take a lead in the quarterback battle. Richardson's rushing would make him more fun in fantasy. But Jones could elevate his teammates, something we've yet to see from Richardson.

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2. NYG: Russell Wilson reveals why he chose NY Giants

Source: NFL.com - Nick Shook

New York Giants WR Malik Nabers was the primary reason that Russell Wilson decided to sign with the team this offseason.'I came here because of (Nabers). I really wanted to play with someone who is special like him,' Wilson told Empire Sports Media's Anthony Rivardo.

Our view: As a rookie, Nabers led the NFL in target share. He can make contested catches, get behind defenses, and create after the catch. He's a do-it-all receiver whom the Giants will hope to build around for the next decade. Whether it's Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, or Jaxson Dart under center, it probably can't get much worse than what Nabers dealt with (and found success in) last year.

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3. JAX: Tank Bigsby's role uncertain

Source: JaguarsWire - Paul Bretl

Jacksonville Jaguars RB Tank Bigsby's role and playing time probably will be decided during training camp, in the opinion of JaguarsWire's Paul Bretl.

Our view: No one knows how the workload will be split up between Bigsby, Travis Etienne, and rookie Bhayshul Tuten. New HC Liam Coen took a hot-hand approach last year in Tampa Bay, providing touches for Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker. While it works on the field, it's frustrating for fantasy managers. We'll hope for a clearer picture as we get deeper into camp.

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4. CLE: Kenny Pickett in lead for QB job?

Source: BrownsWire - Cory Kinnan

Cleveland Browns WR Diontae Johnson said he believes that QB Kenny Pickett is the leading candidate for the starting quarterback job this season.

Our view: It's hard to draw too much from a comment coming from a wide receiver who just joined the team this offseason. But given Joe Flacco's age and the lack of investment in the two rookies, Pickett leading the battle makes some sense. Pickett's biggest fault so far through his NFL career has been playing too safe. If he wins the job, expectations for the pass catchers will all be tempered.

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That’s a wrap for today, Folks.

Thanks for being here. For showing up, doing the work, and being part of a community that doesn’t just play fantasy football… we live it, year-round.

This part of the calendar may be quiet to some, but not to us — and not to you. That’s what makes this special.

We’ll be back tomorrow with more insights, tools, and that Footballguys edge you count on.

Peace, Love, and Fantasy Football,

J

Joe Bryant

Guide
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Written By Joe Bryant. News by Sigmund Bloom, Bob Harris, and Cecil Lammey

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We Help You Win More At Fantasy Football

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Past Issues:

June 23rd • Vol. 28, #79 • 🏆 Real Sleepers, Not The Same Recycled Names
June 22nd • Vol. 28, #78 • 🏆 The Cheapest RB1 On The Board Right Now
June 21st • Vol. 28, #77 • 🏆 Gary's Got Four Names Your League Will Draft Too High
June 20th • Vol. 28, #76 • 🏆 Happy Father's Day - Maybe You Call First?
June 19th • Vol. 28, #75 • 🏆 Gary Davenport's 2026 Breakout Bets
June 18th • Vol. 28, #74 • 🏆 This Top Rookie Is A Trap At His ADP
June 17th • Vol. 28, #73 • 🏆 Where Dave Breaks From The Footballguys Dynasty Board
June 16th • Vol. 28, #72 • 🏆 You're Not Drafting Brock Bowers High Enough
June 15th • Vol. 28, #71 • 🏆 The TE Gary Thinks Could Jump To The Top
June 14th • Vol. 28, #70 • 🏆 Our Bounce Back WR
June 13th • Vol. 28, #69 • 🏆 News And Notes From Around The League
June 12th • Vol. 28, #68 • 🏆 These WRs Need A Landing Spot. Where?
June 11th • Vol. 28, #67 • 🏆 Bob Harris' Believe It Or Nots
June 10th • Vol. 28, #66 • 🏆 Believe it or Not? Talk Of Limiting This Star RB...
June 9th • Vol. 28, #65 • 🏆 Saquon Barkley: Do You Still Believe?
June 8th • Vol. 28, #64 • 🏆 Jahmyr Gibbs - Believe It or Not?
June 7th • Vol. 28, #63 • 🏆 Are These Young QBs Being Drafted Too Early?
June 6th • Vol. 28, #62 • 🏆 Cecil Has You Covered This Weekend
June 5th • Vol. 28, #61 • 🏆 CeeDee Lamb Is A 1st Round Target
June 4th • Vol. 28, #60 • 🏆 Mark Andrews At TE16 Is A Gift
June 3rd • Vol. 28, #59 • 🏆 Drake Maye Over Lamar Jackson?
June 2nd • Vol. 28, #58 • 🏆 The NFL's Best Wingman Is Ready to Fly Solo
June 1st • Vol. 28, #57 • 🏆 A.J. Brown Is A Patriot. Myles Garrett Is A Ram.
May 31st • Vol. 28, #56 • 🏆 The Reigning MVP Is A Draft-Day Bargain
May 30th • Vol. 28, #55 • 🏆 Is Kenneth Walker Heading To A Career Year?
May 29th • Vol. 28, #54 • 🏆 Ben Johnson Is Buying Luther Burden Stock
May 28th • Vol. 28, #53 • 🏆 The WR1 Upside Hiding In Round 3
May 27th • Vol. 28, #52 • 🏆 Here's How We See The Josh Jacobs Situation
May 26th • Vol. 28, #51 • 🏆 CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, or Amon-Ra St. Brown: Pick One
May 25th • Vol. 28, #50 • 🏆 The Top Three WRs Everyone Is Drafting. Are They In the Right Order?
May 24th • Vol. 28, #49 • 🏆 I've Worn This Bracelet for 21 Years
May 23rd • Vol. 28, #48 • 🏆 ADP Is Shifting. Your Rankings Should Too.
May 22nd • Vol. 28, #47 • 🏆 The Most Interesting Stories in Fantasy Football Today
May 21st • Vol. 28, #46 • 🏆 Are We Drafting These Backfields Right?
May 20th • Vol. 28, #45 • 🏆 Jaylen Warren Has a Problem Named Rico Dowdle
May 19th • Vol. 28, #44 • 🏆 What Do Rashee Rice's Latest Issues Mean for You?
May 18th • Vol. 28, #43 • 🏆 Two Backfields, Little Clarity. Bob Has Answers.
May 17th • Vol. 28, #42 • 🏆 Quarterback Competitions, Real and Imagined
May 16th • Vol. 28, #41 • 🏆 We Made You a Schedule Grid. It Prints.
May 15th • Vol. 28, #40 • 🏆 Your 2026 Schedule Cheat Sheet Is Here
May 14th • Vol. 28, #39 • 🏆 Sigmund's RB Tiers Are Out. Here's Who To Target.
May 13th • Vol. 28, #38 • 🏆 Stop Drafting Dynasty WRs Like It's 2024
May 12th • Vol. 28, #37 • 🏆 Bob Harris Has Your Offseason Intel
May 11th • Vol. 28, #36 • 🏆 NFL First-Round Pick. Fantasy Afterthought.
May 10th • Vol. 28, #35 • 🏆 Bob Harris Found The ADP Fallers Worth Chasing
May 9th • Vol. 28, #34 • 🏆 Send This To The Football Mom In Your Life
May 8th • Vol. 28, #33 • 🏆 Gary Davenport's Boldest IDP Calls For 2026
May 7th • Vol. 28, #32 • 🏆 The Mother’s Day Win You Still Have Time For
May 6th • Vol. 28, #31 • 🏆 Bell. Kluge. Sharp Dynasty RB Tiers
May 5th • Vol. 28, #30 • 🏆 Bob Harris Has The News You Need
May 4th • Vol. 28, #29 • 🏆 Your Dynasty Trade Guide Just Updated
May 2nd • Vol. 28, #28 • 🏆 Your Sunday NFL Update
May 1st • Vol. 28, #27 • 🏆 Your IDP Rookie Rankings Are Here
April 30th • Vol. 28, #26 • 🏆 Harris vs. Davenport: 5 Questions. They Have Thoughts.
April 29th • Vol. 28, #25 • 🏆 Our Staff Ran a Dynasty Startup Draft Last Night. Here's Every Pick. Overview
April 28th • Vol. 28, #24 • 🏆 Harris With The News + Bloom's Rookie Board
April 27th • Vol. 28, #23 • 🏆 George Pickens Still Hasn't Signed In Dallas
April 26th • Vol. 28, #22 • 🏆 A Fresh Addition to the Eagles' Target Tree
April 25th • Vol. 28, #21 • 🏆 NFL Draft Is Done. Here's What It Means For You.
April 23rd • Vol. 28, #20 • 🏆 Fantasy Fallout From Round 1 - Let's Break It Down
April 22nd • Vol. 28, #19 • 🏆 Draft Week Discount + The Pre-Draft Bloom 100. On Us
April 19th • Vol. 28, #18 • 🏆 Davante Adams Isn't Done
April 16th • Vol. 28, #17 • 🏆 The News You Need, Pre-Draft Bloom 100, And More!
April 12th • Vol. 28, #16 • 🏆 Three QBs To Draft If You're Moving Off Jalen Hurts
April 9th • Vol. 28, #15 • 🏆 The News You Need, NFL Mock Drafts And More!
April 5th • Vol. 28, #14 • 🏆 Bob Harris: New Possibilities For 3 Running Backs
April 2nd • Vol. 28, #13 • 🏆 Sigmund Bloom On Puka Nacua, Jalen Hurts, Kirk Cousins And More
March 29th • Vol. 28, #12 • 🏆 Bob Harris Names His Bounce-Back Superstars
March 26th • Vol. 28, #11 • 🏆 Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Puka Nacua. Ty Simpson. Now What?
March 22nd • Vol. 28, #10 • 🏆 3 Free Agency What-Ifs Bob Harris Is Watching
March 19th • Vol. 28, #9 • 🏆 Sigmund Has The NFL Notes You Need This Week
March 12th • Vol. 28, #8 • 🏆 We tracked every 2026 player move. Here's what you actually need
March 8th • Vol. 28, #7 • 🏆 The Free Agents Bob Harris Is Targeting Right Now
March 5th • Vol. 28, #6 • 🏆 Sigmund Bloom With The News You Need + 2026 Rookie Guide Update
March 1st • Vol. 28, #5 • 🏆 The Week Coaches Say More Than They Should
February 26th • Vol. 28, #4 • 🏆 Sigmund Bloom Has the News You Need
February 22nd • Vol. 28, #3 • 🏆 The Free-Agent QB We're Watching
February 19th • Vol. 28, #2 • 🏆 Sigmund Bloom Has the News That Matters
February 15th • Vol. 28, #1 • 🏆 A.J. Brown: "Change is not a bad thing"

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