Updated 2019 Fantasy RB Rankings: Top running backs, sleepers for your draft cheat sheet

Matt Lutovsky

Updated 2019 Fantasy RB Rankings: Top running backs, sleepers for your draft cheat sheet image

No fantasy football cheat sheet is complete without a good set of running back rankings. Actually, check that -- no cheat sheet is complete without several sets of RB rankings. Sure, the top tier is likely going to be the same, but one person's sleeper is another person's bust. Your draft strategy ("Zero-RB"? Handcuff or no handcuff? Avoid injury/suspension/holdout/committee risks or just take best available?) might be the complete opposite of another owner's; and the difference between standard and PPR rankings might be more dramatic than any other position.

No position is going to cause more headaches throughout the season than running back. It's the most critical position in fantasy football, but it's important to remember that you can only account for so much during your draft. Injuries are going to occur; unexpected breakouts/slumps will happen, and TDs will get vultured. Depth is key, and giving yourself options is half the battle.

DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2019 Fantasy Cheat Sheet

RB looks loaded on paper, but there a lot of potential worries. Todd Gurley has arthritis, Le'Veon Bell has spent more time rapping than playing football the past year, and Melvin Gordon and Ezekiel Elliott are holding out (but 'Zeke's back, so that's half the battle). Throw in your standard injury concerns, rookie/second-year uncertainty, and committee situations, and you have a messy set of names. The good news is some third stringer who's not even listed in these rankings will wind up starting for teams in the fantasy playoffs...so, we have that going for us. 

2019 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Wide Receiver | Tight End | D/ST | Kicker | Top 200

Ultimately, preseason rankings are about talent, expected workload, and risk/reward assessment. We know trends can change on a weekly basis based on gameplans, so don't get too comfortable with anyone outside of the top tier. If you have a strong feeling about a particular sleeper, go ahead and "overdraft" him. At this position, anyone can pay off and anyone can flop. 

These rankings will be adjusted throughout the preseason, so check back for frequent updates and additional analysis.

2019 PPR RANKINGS:
Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | Top 200

LISTEN TO THE SN FANTASY RB PREVIEW PODCAST BELOW

2019 Fantasy RB rankings

Rankings based on standard scoring leagues

1. Saquon Barkley, Giants. You never know how first-year RBs are going to fare, but Barkley ran right through the rookie wall last year, leading the league in total yards (2,028) and scoring 15 touchdowns on 352 touches. He will likely go first in most drafts -- and he's certainly worth that distinction -- but the relative lack of other weapons on the Giants could lead to increased focus from defenses. Of course, Barkley dealt with that to some degree last season and it didn't slow him down, so we're not all that worried. He's a monster and should be a monster again this year.
2. Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys. Zeke led the league in carries (304) last year and saw a career-high 95 targets (fifth among all RBs). He also led the league in rushing by over 120 yards. Despite all of this, Elliott scored a relatively mediocre nine TDs -- the same amount he scored in his 10-game 2017 campaign. The potential is there for a 20-TD season from Zeke, and while he might not hit that number, you know he's going to get as many chances as anyone in the league...assuming he ends his holdout, of course. (Update: He's back.)
3. Alvin Kamara, Saints. Mark Ingram is finally gone, but Latavius Murray was signed to take his place. Still, we think Kamara can have an even bigger role in the offense and continue to score at an almost league-leading clip. It's worth remembering that Kamara put up monster stats in Weeks 1-4 without Ingram last year (611 total yards, six TDs), so perhaps we're expecting too much, but he remains one of the most talented all-around backs in the league and plays for one of the most high-powered offenses. Kamara averaged 16.7 touches and more than a touchdown per game even when Ingram was active, so we know the kind of damage he can do.
4. Christian McCaffrey, Panthers. McCaffrey proved the doubters like us wrong last year, totaling 1,965 yards, scoring 13 TDs, and leading all RBs in receptions (107, eighth overall). There's no real reason to doubt his durability anymore, though we still have (slight) doubts about his ability to consistently put up touchdowns like the other top-tier backs. Obviously, McCaffrey is a beast in any format, but there's a case to be made for him as the top overall PPR player. 
5. Le'Veon Bell, Jets. The last time we saw Bell on the field, he was leading the league with 406 touches and totaling 1,946 yards with the Steelers. After sitting out last year, the 27-year-old back got a big deal to join the Jets in the offseason. It's fair to wonder how motivated Bell will be and how he'll adjust to a new system, but we can't doubt his talent. He might not lead the league in touches again, but he should see at least 20 per game. Make no mistake, there's bust potential here (after all, Bell averaged just 4.0 ypc in 2017), but Bell also has the tools to finish as the top fantasy back.

DRAFT STRATEGY AND RANKINGS TIERS: 
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST

6. Todd Gurley, Rams. Last year's runaway top back enters 2019 with some major question marks. Gurley is reportedly dealing with an "arthritic component to his knee", though at the start of training camp he said his knee was "good". Fantasy owners are likely worried after Gurley's lackluster NFC Championship (five touches, 13 yards) and Super Bowl (11 touches, 34 yards), but after a full offseason of rest, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Gurley have another monster season. His touches figure to drop at least some, but he'll still approach or surpass 280. He'll also continue to be a touchdown machine. The red flags are obvious, but don't let Gurley fall too far in your drafts.
7. James Conner, Steelers. Conner did a more than adequate Le'Veon Bell impression last year, totaling 1,470 yards and 13 TDs in just 13 games. The third-year back originally indicated he expects more of a split in touches this year, though he later backtracked and said he expects a "similar" role to last season. Either way, we're expecting good results. We know what Pittsburgh RBs can do when leaned upon, and Conner has the potential for even more touches with Antonio Brown gone.
8. Joe Mixon, Bengals. Mixon finished ninth among RBs in standard fantasy points last year despite missing two games. However, with just four 100-yard games and two multi-TD games, Mixon lacked the oomph of some of the guys higher (and lower) than him on this list. He'll need to do more as a receiver to really break out, but with a 4.9 ypc and little competition for carries, Mixon is the kind of steady back you can feel safe with in your lineup. If he does have a career year, you'll be getting him at a nice value in the second round.
9. David Johnson, Cardinals. Johnson's meteoric rise in 2016 was thanks to a high TD total and elite receiving numbers. After missing almost all of '17, both of those numbers fell last year -- as did his rushing numbers. After averaging only 3.6 ypc and seeing his targets drop from 120 in '16 to 76 last year, there are reasons to think Johnson will never recapture his old form. A new uptempo offensive system and (hopefully) competent QB play could invigorate him, and we'll give him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to talent. Arizona will continue to have offensive line issues, thus limiting Johnson's overall upside, but we still think he can produce big stats.

FANTASY SLEEPERS: 
8 QBs | 14 RBs | 11 WRs | 11 TEs | 6 D/STs | One from each team

10. Leonard Fournette, Jaguars. This guy, right? Fournette disappointed slightly as a rookie before being a complete bust in an injury-plagued sophomore season, so it's likely many fantasy owners -- especially those who have been burned by him -- are putting him on their "Do Not Draft" lists. We get it, but keep in mind he still figures to be a high-volume back for a team that would like to lead the league in carries like it did in 2017. Fournette loses a notable amount of value in PPR leagues, but standard leaguers should be able to rely on him as long as he's on the field. Again, there's a lot not to like here, but a healthy, motivated Fournette on a team with even a semi-competent QB can have a breakout year.
11. Dalvin Cook, Vikings. Like Fournette, Cook has missed a lot of time in his two seasons in the NFL, playing in only 15 games. However, he's impressed more when on the field, averaging at least 4.6 ypc in both campaigns and hauling in almost 3.5 catches per contest. Part of the reason for the optimism around Cook this year is the expected increase in workload after the Vikings let Latavius Murray walk in free agency. With mostly inexperienced backs behind him on the depth chart, Cook could be in line for 20 touches per game. Of course, for a back that can't stay healthy, that might not actually be a good thing, but Cook has major breakout potential.
12. Kerryon Johnson, Lions. Among RBs with more than 60 carries, only Aaron Jones had a higher ypc than Johnson's 5.4 last year. He missed the final six games because of a left knee injury, but extrapolating Johnson's numbers over a full season yield this: 1,025 rushing yards, 51 catches, 341 receiving yards, and six TDs. That was while splitting time with LeGarrette Blount. Even with C.J. Anderson in town, Johnson is slated for a bigger role, and many fantasy owners are expecting big things. The Lions offensive line is an issue, but a new offensive system and hopefully 100-percent Matthew Stafford should open up the offense more. 
13. Mark Ingram, Ravens. It's not secret that Baltimore wants to be a run-first team, and Ingram has been brought in to lead the way in the backfield. The 29-year-old veteran hasn't shown any signs of slowing down, averaging 4.9 and 4.7 ypc, respectively, the past two seasons. He'll likely see more carries than he did in New Orleans, though he'll still be rotated in and out to stay fresh. Whenever a veteran joins a new team it's tough to know what to expect, but considering we haven't seen a drop in Ingram's talent and he's going to the team that ranked second in carries last year, it's fair to expect a good season.
14. Tevin Coleman, 49ers. Coleman had his most efficient season in Atlanta when current 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was offensive coordinator, averaging 6.3 yards per touch while scoring 11 TDs in 2016. After somewhat disappointing despite more playing time last year, Coleman has been reunited with Shanahan, though his role is a bit of a mystery. Breakout (but oft-injured) back Matt Breida remains in the rotation and will certainly get touches, but Coleman figures to get the most carries. His role in the receiving game might not match up with what he did in Atlanta. Still, for standard leagues, he figures to see the most action, especially around the goal line. Shanahan backs always produce, so there's a lot to like about Coleman despite the question marks.

FANTASY CONSISTENCY RATINGS:
Quarterback | Running backWide receiver | Tight end

15. Aaron Jones, Packers. Jones has averaged 5.5 ypc in both of his first two seasons, and he just seems like one of those guys who's going to have a breakout campaign at some point. He scored in five straight games leading up to Week 15 last year, but a knee injury cost him the rest of the season. Whether it's been off-field issues, injuries, or simply having to share carries, Jones has yet to shine consistently. Things could be different this year in Green Bay's new-look offense. If Aaron Rodgers is healthy and the Packers are committed to getting Jones the ball, he'll outplay this ranking. But for now, he's more "potential" than "proven commodity".
16. Nick Chubb, Browns. We know -- Chubb should be higher. And he would be if Kareem Hunt wasn't waiting in the wings with the potential to significantly cut into his touches in the second half of the season. If we were just ranking RBs through the first eight games, Chubb would probably be No. 8, but given the uncertainty of the entire season, we've moved Chubb into this range. Over the final 10 games last year -- when he really started getting playing time -- Chubb totaled 823 rushing yards, 149 receiving yards, and eight TDs. He has as much upside as virtually anyone given his talent and role in a dynamic offense, but, again, the worries can't be ignored. 
17. Marlon Mack, Colts. Mack ranked 10th in standard FPPG (13.4) last season. He had some real duds mixed in because of his lack of work in the receiving game, but it's worth noting that Mack finish the year with two 100-yard games and five TDs in his final four contests. The Colts aren't a run-heavy team, but they are one of the best offenses in the NFL (seventh-most total yards last year), so Mack should get plenty of touches and opportunities to score again this year. 
18. Derrick Henry, Titans. Henry through Game 11 last year: 507 total yards, four TDs. Henry in Games 12-16: 652 total yards, eight TDs. Prior to his 238-yard outburst in Week 13, Henry hadn't topped 58 rushing yards in a game. His 2017 season wasn't that much different, only the "big games" didn't come all in a row. Early reports suggest Henry is going to be leaned upon heavily in his contract year, but until we see it, it's tough to bank on it. Clearly, Henry has the talent to produce -- and in a run-heavy offense, he'll get opportunities -- but consistency is a major question mark. 

MORE: Dollar values | IDP rankings | Best ball tips | Team names

19. Damien Williams, Chiefs. In the five games after Kareem Hunt's suspension, Williams averaged 79.4 total yards while hauling in 20 passes and scoring six TDs. His two playoff games yielded 250 total yards and four touchdowns. Andy Reid has already said Williams will be the Week 1 starter and the expectation is for him to keep the job. Based on what we saw last season, he's up to the task. Still, with Carlos Hyde in town and several rookies competing for roster spots, we can't fully endorse Williams as the "new Hunt", but he certainly has the upside to outpace this ranking. 
20. Chris Carson, Seahawks. You'd think finishing fifth in the NFL in rushing would buy you some job security, but when it comes to the Seahawks, you never know. Coach Pete Carroll has already cast some doubt as to whether Carson will maintain his stranglehold on the starting job over second-year back Rashaad Penny, which is why we can only rank him so high. He did everything well and finished the season with three straight 100-yard games and at least one TD in six of the final seven games, so there's obviously potential here for a top-10 season. Seattle led the NFL in carries last year, so Carson will get chances even if Penny is running more, but reliability could be an issue.
21. Phillip Lindsay, Broncos. Lindsay was one of nine backs to hit the 1,000-yard mark and one of 12 to score double-digit TDs last year. With Royce Freeman doing little to impress, it would seem likely that Lindsay will only improve on those numbers. He certainly could, but with a new coaching staff in Denver, you never know how things will go for the undersized Lindsay. Clearly he has the talent to produce, but committee worries limit his ceiling. He could be a major risk/reward pick in the early-middle rounds.
22. Devonta Freeman, Falcons. Knee and groin injuries limited to Freeman to just two games last year. At 27 with declining stats, it's possible Freeman is cooked. As it stands, he's reportedly looked good in the offseason, and he'll start the year as "the guy", so the potential is there for a similar season as 2016 (1,182 total yards, eight TDs) -- if not more with Tevin Coleman gone. One thing seems certain: Freeman won't regain his '15 form when he hauled in 73 passes and totaled 14 touchdowns, but he can still pay off as an RB2 at a nice price. 
23. Melvin Gordon, Chargers. Only Todd Gurley averaged more standard fantasy points per game (FPPG) among RBs than Gordon's 18.8 last season. A knee injury cost him the final four games of the season and limited him in the playoffs, but despite a reduction in carries/game, Gordon was on pace for his best season as a pro. That was most evident by his 5.1 ypc -- the first time in his career he was over 3.9. He enters the final year of his contract wanting a new deal, and everyone who drafted Le'Veon Bell last year knows how that can go. It's too early to say whether Gordon will miss games, but obviously it's something to be aware of. Assuming he's active Week 1, Gordon seems like a sure thing to produce at a high level and be a top-six RB, but the longer his holdout goes, the more he's going to tumble down draft boards.
24. Sony Michel, Patriots. Michel racked up 931 rushing yards in just 13 games last year, but the usual suspects remain in the Pats backfield (James White, Rex Burkhead) and third-round rookie Damien Harris has joined the fold, so as much as we want to think Michel will continue to improve, you just never know how the Pats will divvy up carries. Michael provided next to nothing in the receiving (seven catches, 50 yards), so he has to produce on the ground. The uncertainty is too great to make Michel more than a low-end RB2 in standard leagues.
25. Josh Jacobs, Raiders. As Alabama's "No. 2 back" last year, Jacobs averaged 5.3 ypc and scored 11 TDs. He never had a No. 1 role in college, so durability as a two-down back in the NFL is a worry. The Raiders didn't have much of a rushing offense last year (23rd in carries, tied for 21st in ypc), but a more dynamic passing game should help open up the run. Jacobs is the type of unknown who could break out or bust, so don't trick yourself into thinking you know what you're going to get, but the workload and upside is there.
26. Tarik Cohen, Bears. Cohen graduated from "gadget player" to every-week back last year, at least in PPR leagues, and he might take another step forward this year. Jordan Howard is gone, and with both Mike Davis and rookie David Montgomery unproven in the Bears offense, Cohen could easily see more touches. He was sixth among RBs in targets (90) and receptions (71) last year, all the while averaging an impressive 4.5 ypc and scoring eight TDs. Cohen has the upside for even more.
27. James White, Patriots. White (123) trailed only Christian McCaffrey in targets among RBs last season, and he tied for seventh among RBs in total touchdowns (12). Can you count on him repeating those stats? Probably not considering his previous career highs in those categories were 86 and six, respectively. He also blew past his career highs in carries (94) and rushing yards (425). The targets might be there considering the uncertainty in New England's passing game, but the touchdowns will likely be inconsistent. And with first- and second-year backs Damien Harris and Sony Michel, it seems unlikely White will run much. He's a borderline RB1 in PPR formats, but he'll likely be little more than a FLEX in standard formats.
28. Kenyan Drake, Dolphins. Drake disappointed last year, but he still had 1,012 total yards and nine TDs. He also averaged a solid 4.5 ypc and caught 53 of 73 targets. With a new coaching staff in Miami, Drake could actually be the featured back -- and stay in that role -- this year, though early reports suggest the opposite will happen, as Kalen Ballage has been talked up throughout the preseason. Throw in a training camp injury and Drake's value is up in the air. He figures to be a solid PPR option regardless, but his standard-league value could go a variety of different directions.
29. Jordan Howard, Eagles. Howard's efficiency continues to slip, as his ypc plummeted to 3.7 last season. Now in Philadelphia, he'll have to fight off second-round rookie Miles Sanders and franchise veterans Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood, and Josh Adams for playing time. It seems likely Howard will at least function as the goal-line back, but it also seems likely that he won't come close sto last season's 250 carries. Adams led the Eagles in carries with 120 in 2018, and the season before, LeGarrette Blount led the way with 173.
30. Derrius Guice, Redskins. Guice had all kinds of buzz last year before a preseason ACL injury derailed his season. He's already suffered a hamstring injury this year and will likely miss some time in camp. Obviously, injuries are a worry, but a healthy Guice has big upside. The Washington O-line opened up enough holes for Adrian Peterson to rush for over 1,000 yards last year, and while Peterson is still around, Guice could do even more if he gets regular playing time. It might be a slow burn with Guice as he earns playing time and proves he's healthy, but the potential is there.
31. Ronald Jones, II, Buccaneers. Jones was the No. 38 pick in 2018 and went on to be one of the biggest fantasy busts, averaging just 1.9 yards per carry on 23 carries. As bad as all that was, there's reason for optimism this year. Jones will be getting a fresh start with new coach Bruce Arians, and we're hearing all the typical offseason buzz -- he  added muscle, the new coaching staff loves him, etc. Considering his main competition for playing time remains the uninspiring Peyton Barber, he looms as a value pick and potential breakout candidate, especially in standard leagues.
32. Latavius Murray, Saints. Murray moves into the "Mark Ingram" role in New Orleans, and while the 29-year-old veteran has never had the consistent success Ingram had, he could easily post similar stats. Last year, Ingram 815 total yards and seven TDs in just 12 games while averaging 4.7 ypc. Murray hasn't averaged more than 4.1 ypc since his rookie year, but in a better offense with a better line, he should be better. Playing time is the only real concern here.
33. David Montgomery, Bears. It's easy to understand why so many people want Montgomery in their drafts. Just a few years ago, Kareem Hunt starred as a third-round rookie in Matt Nagy's offense in Kansas City, so Montgomery, also a third-round pick playing in Matt Nagy's offense, will do the same, right? It's possible, but we're not quite that high on Montgomery -- mainly because Tarik Cohen's presence will surely limit his touches, particularly receptions. But there's no doubting his talent (1,373 total yards, 13 TDs at Iowa State last year) and potential opportunity. Montgomery is the type of player who will rise rapidly with a good preseason, so be careful about going overboard with expectations, but by all means target him in your drafts.
34. Devin Singletary, Bills. With LeSean McCoy out in Buffalo, Singletary becomes the favorite for carries. Given his big-time production in college, there are plenty of reasons to be excited. He took a step back in 2018 after rushing for 1,918 yards and 32 TDs the year before, but he still posted a respectable 1,348 yards and 22 scores in two fewer games. At 5-7, 203 pounds, Singletary lacks the size you'd want in an every-down back, but he's an "exciting" rookie, and that always means his draft price will be inflated. However, it's worth noting that Frank Gore and T.J. Yeldon are both veteran backs who will get touches, at least early, so that's why we haven't moved Singletary even higher.
35. Austin Ekeler, Chargers. Ekeler is one of the most interesting guys in the draft, at least in the early going. Melvin Gordon's holdout makes Ekeler a must-have handcuff, but it's unclear if he or Justin Jackson would see the bigger bump in value. Ekeler averaged 12 carries and 3.5 targets in the four games Melvin Gordon missed last year and totaled 263 yards and two TDs. If Gordon continues to hold out or is traded, Ekeler could jump up into the 20s, but as it stands, he's just solid bench depth.
36. Royce Freeman, Broncos. Freeman could be flying up big boards with a solid preseason. Despite being outproduced in virtually every way by Phillip Lindsay, the constant chatter out of Denver this offseason has been that the coaches want more of an even split between their second-year backs. That would mean closer to even value in standard leagues. Freeman has the size to be a solid producer, especially near the goal line, so the upside is obvious.
37. Justin Jackson, Chargers. The longer Melvin Gordon holds out, the more likely it is Jackson is the co-No. 1 for the Chargers in Week 1. The second-year back from Northwestern averaged 4.1 ypc last year and showed plenty of potential as a receiver, catching seven passes in one game.
38. Dion Lewis, Titans. Lewis's first year in Tennessee didn't quite go as planned despite a career-high 214 touches. He averaged just 3.3 ypc (down from 5.0 in his final season with the Pats) and only got in the end zone twice (down from nine scores). With Derrick Henry breaking out at the end of last season, Lewis could become little more than a receiving back. Fortunately, Tennessee once again figures to be near the top in run percentage, and with just a little more touchdown luck (or a Henry injury), Lewis could be an RB2 in standard leagues. We're hedging our bets for now, but don't overlook the veteran on draft day.
39. Miles Sanders, Eagles. Jordan Howard, Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood, Josh Adams, Darren Sproles, Sanders -- it's a crowded RB room in Philadelphia right now. It seems likely some cuts are coming, but Howard and Sanders are definitely safe. Moreover, Sanders seemingly has the most fantasy upside even if it's tough to guess what his exact role will be. He might never get 15-plus touches per game, but there's a  reason he was a second-round pick.
40. Adrian Peterson, Redskins. In 13 games in 2016 and '17 with Minnesota, New Orleans, and Arizona, Peterson averaged 3.1 ypc and looked like his Hall-of-Fame career was coming to an unceremonious end. But he resurfaced with the Redskins in training camp last year and finished eighth in rushing with 1,042 yards (4.2 ypc). Now 34, Peterson should be close to finished, but the dude has consistently defied the odds. With Derrius Guice healthy, Peterson shouldn't be counted on for 250 carries again, but he can still produce at an RB3 level, at least early in the season.
41. Kalen Ballage, Dolphins. Take away a 75-yard TD run in Week 10 against the Vikings last year and Ballage had 116 yards on 35 carries. The big second-year back from Arizona State has been getting all kinds of buzz this preseason, though, and it seems like the new Dolphins coaching regime wants him to get more touches. We're still not sold on Ballage's talent, but the tools are there for him to break out. Kenyan Drake will limit Ballage's ceiling in PPR leagues, but he might have more standard league upside than we're giving him credit for.
42. Duke Johnson Jr., Texans. Johnson is an elite receiving back, and with Lamar Miller (knee) out for the year, he could see a career high in carries. It seems unlikely that Johnson will suddenly become an "every-down" back, but he could approach or surpass 200 touches and put up 1,200 total yards. Touchdowns will ultimately decide his overall value, but he'll be in the mix for starting FLEX spots in standard leagues most weeks (and RB2 spots in PPR leagues).
43. Tony Pollard, Cowboys. Pollard might play a prominent role in Week 1 if 'Zeke isn't up to speed. After that, it's unlikely he has much standalone value, rather fitting in better as a possible Elliott handcuff.
44. Darwin Thompson, Chiefs. Damien Williams enters the season as the Chiefs primary RB, but given his relative inexperience in that role, he's far from a sure thing. Carlos Hyde looked rough last year, and we know Andy Reid isn't afraid to take chances. Thompson would certainly require "taking a chance", as the 5-8, 200-pound rookie out of Utah State doesn't fit the profile of a feature back. He put up big numbers in his lone season in Logan, rushing for 1,044 yards (6.8 ypc) and adding another 351 through the air, so if he gets a shot, he'll have plenty of potential value.
45. Matt Breida, 49ers. Breida couldn't stay healthy last year, but he showed he could produce, averaging 5.3 yards per carry and 9.7 yards per reception. With Jerick McKinnon (knee) out of the pricture, Breida has major upside in a committee with Tevin Coleman, but his health will remain a concern.
46. Ito Smith, Falcons. Devonta Freeman missed 14 games because of knee and groin issues last year, and it's fair to wonder if he'll ever be the same back he once was. Smith will enter this season as Freeman's primary handcuff after getting a surprising amount of playing time last year. Even when Freeman is healthy, Smith should be in line for double-digit touches every week. He'll have to improve on his 3.5 ypc, but he'll certainly get his chances. He can function as a FLEX right away, and he'll obviously have a lot of potential value if Freeman gets hurt again.
47. Gus Edwards, Ravens. It's easy to forget just how good Edwards was last year. He finished the year with 717 yards (5.2 ypc) despite not getting significant touches until the 10th game of the year. The Ravens are still going to challenge for the league lead in carries, so even with Mark Ingram in town, Edwards can approach double-digit touches every week. If anything happens to Ingram, Edwards could flirt with RB1 status. He's a must-have handcuff with potential standalone value.
48. Peyton Barber, Buccaneers. Barber was basically the Bucs feature back all year, but he managed a mediocre 871 yards and six total TDs. Ronald Jones should be getting a fresh start with Bruce Arians revamping the offense, so Barber might not have much to offer. He'll be drafted, but no one will be excited to call his name.
49. Rashaad Penny, Seahawks. Penny mostly watched as Chris Carson ran away with the Seahawks starting RB job last season. He did manage one 100-yard game, but he never topped 12 carries and scored just two TDs. There's no reason to think he'll simply unseat Carson as Seattle's top guy, but Pete Carroll is no friend to fantasy owners when it comes to seemingly out-of-nowhere personnel changes. Penny has talent, and given Carson's injury history, he will likely get a shot at some point this season.
50. Nyheim Hines, Colts. Despite receiving more opportunities as a runner than many expect, Hines never got going on the ground last year, averaging 3.7 ypc. He'd pop off the occasional big play, but his real value came as a receiver, where he caught 63 of 81 targets for 425 yards. He should be even more dangerous in that rolet his season, and he'll take over as the primary back if anything were to happen to Marlon Mack. Hines obviously has more value in PPR leagues, but he's worth having on your bench in standard leagues, too.
51. Carlos Hyde, Texans. Hyde fell off a cliff last year, averaging just 3.3 ypc and splitting time between the Browns and Jags. Almost 29, Hyde might never recapture his old form, but with a fresh chance in Houston, he should get opportunities. Hyde will have to hold off several rookies, but he'll have some value if he's getting carries.
52. Darrell Henderson, Rams. Henderson is another talented rookie who's an injury away from having major value. Todd Gurley has an "arthritic component to his knee," which slowed him down considerably at the end of last season. It's unclear exactly how much that will affect him this season, but there's cause for concern. Henderson ran all over the American Athletic Conference last season, posting 1,909 yards (8.9 ypc) and scoring 25 touchdowns. The 5-8, 203-pound back is a bit undersized, but he ran a 4.49 40 at the Scouting Combine (4.36 unofficially), so you know he has burst. He'll produce if he gets a chance.
53. Alexander Mattison, Vikings. Dalvin Cook has missed 17 out of a possible 32 games in his brief NFL career, so his handcuff has plenty of potential value. That looks like Mattison entering the season, which is a bit surprising given his inexperience. For what it's worth, he ran for over 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons, setting career highs last year in rushing (1,415) and touchdowns (17). Perhaps even more impressive, the 5-11, 221-pound back was a workhorse, totaling 329 touches. There's big-time potential here if Cook gets hurt, though it's unclear if Mattison will have much, if any, value if Cook is healthy. That's why he's ranked relatively low, but the potential here is obvious.
54. Justice Hill, Ravens. Expect the rookie to be more valuable in PPR leagues, but we know the Ravens are going to run a lot, so there's a chance for him to move into the primary handcuff role and have more value later in the year.
55. Mike Davis, Bears. Davis will be competing with David Montgomery for the lead-back role, and while fantasy owners will always side with the more exciting rookie in these situations, Davis shouldn't be forgotten. He looked good with the Seahawks last year, rushing for 4.6 ypc and catching 34 passes. If Montgomery has any trouble picking up the offense or handling passing-down duties, Davis could find himself getting 12-plus touches a game for what figures to be a solid offense.
56. Giovani Bernard, Bengals. It feels like Bernard is purely a receiving back at this point, but he's still a Joe Mixon injury away from becoming a valuable fantasy commodity. Perhaps he shouldn't be drafted as anything more than a handcuff in standard leagues, but there's some FLEX PPR value here.
57. Damien Harris, Patriots. New England is a less-than-ideal landing spot for the 5-10, 216-pound rookie, but Bill Belichick drafts everyone for a reason, so who knows what to expect? Harris likely won't do much early in the year, but if Sony Michel struggles or gets hurt, Harris should be next man up. He has the talent to produce in what should be a run-heavy offense.
58. C.J. Anderson, Lions. Kerryon Johnson is getting a lot of hype -- and deservedly so -- but Anderson showed last year with the Rams he can still produce. With the Lions wanting to run more in general, Anderson might have a bigger role than fantasy owners think. At the very least, he's a key handcuff for Johnson owners.
59. Frank Gore, Bills.
60. Jalen Richard, Raiders.
61. LeSean McCoy, Chiefs.
62. T.J. Yeldon, Bills.
63. Chris Thompson, Redskins.
64. Jaylen Samuels, Steelers.
65. Kareem Hunt, Browns. Hunt is suspended for the first eight games of 2019, and his role upon returning is unclear given Nick Chubb's presence. 
66. Ty Montgomery, Jets.
67. Jamaal Williams, Packers.
68. Chase Edmonds, Cardinals.
69. Myles Gaskin, Dolphins. Anything can happen in the Miami backfield. Gaskin was a seventh-round pick with so-so measurables, so there's no real reason to expect much, but Kenyan Drake looked like little more than a receiving back last year, and Kalen Ballage did nothing to impress. Gaskin was extremely productive in his four years at Washington, rushing for over 1,200 yards and scoring at least 10 touchdowns in each season, so watch him throughout the year.
70. Bilal Powell, Jets.
71. Jordan Scarlett, Panthers.
72. Ryquell Armstead, Jaguars. 
73. Darren Sproles, Eagles.
74. Wayne Gallman, Giants.
75. Benny Snell, Jr., Steelers

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.