Times have become tough for running backs. We're seeing fantasy stud RBs — guys who were league-winners just two or three years ago — engaged in contract disputes, battling serious injuries, or suddenly behind younger backs on the depth charts of their new teams. The perceived real-life value of RBs has perhaps never been lower, but our Week 1 fantasy RB rankings for standard leagues will still have plenty of appeal in fantasy lands.
Running backs remain one of the most vital pieces to championship-building puzzles, especially in standard leagues. Our collective paths to fantasy glory start in Week 1, with our production at RB1, RB2, and flex likely playing a huge part in whether we start strong or stumble out of the gates.
Time waits for no one, so let's prepare! Here's our full Week 1 RB rankings for standard leagues, including write-ups about the elite options, the top waiver targets and sleepers, and the biggest injuries of note. Good luck and go get those Ws!
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Who are the best fantasy RBs Week 1?
Surprise, surprise: Austin Ekeler (vs. Dolphins), Christian McCaffrey (@ Steelers), Nick Chubb (vs. Bengals), and Derrick Henry (@ Saints) all sit within our top five, which happens to be where they finished in 2022. All four of these backs serve as the predominant offensive force for their respective teams and should see heavy volume and RB1 results. Chubb and Henry have tougher matchups, but they're matchup-proof at this point.
WEEK 1 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
The lone addition to that elite top-five tier: Falcons rookie Bijan Robinson (vs. Panthers), the odds-on favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Robinson not only provides us with an abundance of good fantasy team names, but he also gives us an RB1 ceiling from Day 1 behind a strong offensive line and against a weak Carolina run defense. After the FBS season concluded (and before Atlanta picked him eighth overall), PFF called Bijan "the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley."
Last year's rushing champ Josh Jacobs (@ Broncos) didn't make the top five, but he does sit within the elite eight. We expect some negative regression from the fifth-round back, but we still like his volume and opportunity within an evolving Raiders offense. Tony Pollard and Saquon Barkley (Cowboys @ Giants) join Jacobs in the top 10, with Pollard now the undisputed bell cow in Dallas after Ezekiel Elliott's departure and Saquon in a contract year after betting on himself with a one-year deal.
WEEK 1 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
My ride-or-die this preseason is Rhamondre Stevenson (vs. Eagles). Bill Belichick loves this kid, and it's not hard to see why. He works hard, he has good fundamentals, and he can dominate both on the ground and through the air. Don't forget about rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (@ Chiefs), who gets overshadowed by Bijan in this rookie class but could easily make his own case for ROY. Detroit has a good o-line, and Gibbs has 4.36 speed, elusiveness, and pass-catching ability.
Who are the best fantasy RB waiver pickups Week 1?
This section will obviously carry more weight in Week 2 and beyond, as the majority of fantasy teams have just been drafted and we have yet to see a single minute of regular season action. However, there are a couple of names worth mentioning in light of recent news and developments.
Your first priorities on the waiver wire should be at least one of the Colts' Zack Moss (arm), Deon Jackson, and Evan Hull (vs. Jaguars), especially if you drafted Jonathan Taylor (back, ankle) and have the ability to stash him on IR. As we wrote recently, we like Jackson's floor but love Hull's ceiling as long as Moss is out.
If you're in a shallow league, be sure to double-check if Dolphins rookie Devon Achane (@ Chargers) is available. Achane should launch right into RB2 on Miami's depth chart behind Raheem Mostert now that Jeff Wilson Jr. hit the IR due to "finger and midsection" issues (sounds like an injury the Pillsbury Doughboy would suffer). Achane is dealing with a shoulder injury of his own, but he'll be ready to rock sooner rather than later.
Who are the best fantasy RB sleepers Week 1?
While not exactly sleepers, we're high on second-year backs Kenneth Walker III (vs. Rams), Breece Hall (vs. Bills), and Isiah Pacheco (vs. Lions), all of whom have home games against below-average run defenses. Sure, KW3 and Breece Lightning are coming off injuries, but all signs point to their ability to start Week 1 without issue.
We're less excited about Broncos second-year back Javonte Williams (vs. Raiders), who tore his ACL, LCL, and PCL in Week 4 of 2022 against this same Vegas squad. Samaje Perine is the sleeper back to play this week, even if Williams plays. During his tenure with the Bengals, Perine filled in admirably whenever Joe Mixon missed time, and we expect strong results from him in his Broncos debut against a poor Raiders rushing defense.
Don't forget about Bills second-year back James Cook (@ Jets), who finally sits atop Buffalo's RB depth chart now that Devin Singletary bounced for Houston. Cook draws a tough matchup against Gang Green, so his ceiling may be capped in standard leagues. But his pass-catching skills and open-field burst make him a solid upside option for any teams struggling with starting RB depth or suffering from Week 1 injuries.
What are the biggest RB injuries Week 1?
As we mentioned in the intro — and in the last line of our sleepers section — there will be some injuries to monitor, even before the season kicks off. Former rushing champ Jonathan Taylor (back, ankle) begins the season on the PUP list, so the aforementioned Deon Jackson and Evan Hull (vs. Jaguars) should get bumped to RB1 and RB2 unless Zack Moss recovers from the broken arm he sustained in late July.
Breece Hall (knee) could be limited this week, so if you have higher-floor options you might want to consider them. Javonte Williams (knee) will play but seems like a risk when Sean Payton has a perfectly healthy Samaje Perine ready to rock in Denver against a very beatable Raiders front-seven.
We already pointed out that Dolphins rookie Devon Achane (shoulder) should be on your radar with Jeff Wilson Jr. (midsection) hitting the IR, but Achane is a risk to miss Week 1 himself. Fantasy owners will also be without Alvin Kamara (suspension), opening the door for Jamaal Williams to really do damage against Carolina.
We'll be updating these standard RB rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis.
Fantasy RB Rankings Week 1: Who to start, sit at running back
Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring
Rank Player
1 Austin Ekeler, Chargers vs. Dolphins
2 Bijan Robinson, Falcons vs. Panthers
3 Nick Chubb, Browns vs. Bengals
4 Derrick Henry, Titans @ Saints
5 Christian McCaffrey, 49ers @ Steelers
6 Tony Pollard, Cowboys @ Giants
7 Saquon Barkley, Giants vs. Cowboys
8 Josh Jacobs, Raiders @ Broncos
9 Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots vs. Eagles
10 Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions @ Chiefs
11 Najee Harris, Steelers vs. 49ers
12 Travis Etienne, Jaguars @ Colts
13 Joe Mixon, Bengals @ Browns
14 Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks vs. Rams
15 Breece Hall, Jets vs. Bills
16 Aaron Jones, Packers @ Bears
17 Isaih Pacheco, Chiefs vs. Lions
18 James Conner, Cardinals @ Commanders
19 Miles Sanders, Panthers @ Falcons
20 Rachaad White, Buccaneers @ Vikings
21 JK Dobbins, Ravens vs. Texans
22 Dameon Pierce, Texans @ Ravens
23 Javonte Williams, Broncos vs. Raiders
24 Jamaal Williams, Saints vs. Titans
25 Alexander Mattison, Vikings vs. Buccaneers
26 Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders vs. Cardinals
27 Khalil Herbert, Bears vs. Packers
28 Cam Akers, Rams @ Seahawks
29 James Cook, Bills @ Jets
30 Deon Jackson, Colts vs. Jaguars
31 Samaje Perine, Broncos vs. Raiders
32 Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots vs. Eagles
33 David Montgomery, Lions @ Chiefs
34 Dalvin Cook, Jets vs. Bills
35 Rashaad Penny, Eagles @ Patriots
36 D'Andre Swift, Eagles @ Patriots
37 Raheem Mostert, Dolphins @ Chargers
38 Damien Harris, Bills @ Jets
39 AJ Dillon, Packers @ Bears
40 D'Onta Foreman, Bears vs. Packers
41 Antonio Gibson, Commanders vs. Cardinals
42 Evan Hull, Colts vs. Jaguars
43 Tyler Allgeier, Falcons vs. Panthers
44 Devon Achane, Dolphins @ Chargers
45 Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs vs. Lions
46 Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles @ Patriots
47 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs vs. Lions
48 Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks vs. Rams
49 Elijah Mitchell, 49ers @ Steelers
50 Kendre Miller, Saints vs. Titans
51 Devin Singletary, Texans @ Ravens
52 Gus Edwards, Ravens vs. Texans
53 Tank Bigsby, Jaguars @ Colts
54 Michael Carter, Jets vs. Bills
55 Roschon Johnson, Bears vs. Packers
56 Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons vs. Panthers
57 Chase Edmonds, Buccaneers @ Vikings
58 Zamir White, Raiders @ Broncos
59 Jaylen Warren, Steelers vs. 49ers
60 Chuba Hubbard, Panthers @ Falcons
