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The way I’ve approached the running back position in my 2020 leagues is to get my starting duo as early as possible. This is for two main reasons. Firstly because it is one of the deepest years for receiver I can remember, but also the running back position is full of uncertainty when you get past the top 12 or so players due to guys with injury concerns, new landing spots or on potentially bad offenses. When I have tried the zero RB strategy, I’ve found myself unhappy with my stable of rushers, relying on either rookies or taking a punt on committee backs in the hope I hit on the right player for those teams. Therefore before you see my rankings I’m recommending that you go RB early in drafts and build your receiver corps later.
Note: I’ve based these rankings on a 0.5 PPR scoring system.
2020 Redraft RB Rankings
| Rank | Name | Team | Bye | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Name | Team | Bye | Notes |
| 1 | Christian McCaffrey | CAR | 13 | Even if CMC sees a dropoff on his incredible 2019 scoring he's still the top back in 2020 |
| 2 | Saquon Barkley | NYG | 11 | Will push McCaffrey to be the RB1 this season |
| 3 | Ezekiel Elliott | DAL | 10 | The most consistent high-end producer the position has ever seen |
| 4 | Alvin Kamara | NO | 6 | Positive touchdown regression is coming for Kamara |
| 5 | Dalvin Cook | MIN | 7 | Contract issues aside, Cook will be a top 5 back this season |
| 6 | Austin Ekeler | LAC | 10 | No Melvin Gordon will see Ekeler's touches increase in 2020 |
| 7 | Joe Mixon | CIN | 9 | This is the year Mixon puts it all together |
| 8 | Aaron Jones | GB | 5 | Last year's RB2 sees an expanded role but fewer TDs after 19 in 2019 |
| 9 | Derrick Henry | TEN | 7 | Henry wont repeat his 2019 numbers but is still an RB1 this year |
| 10 | Leonard Fournette | JAX | 7 | Fournette will still see tons of volume in 2020 |
| 11 | Josh Jacobs | LV | 6 | With a full season Jacobs pushes to crack the top 10 running backs |
| 12 | Miles Sanders | PHI | 9 | Sanders gets the starting role and runs away with it |
| 13 | Kenyan Drake | ARI | 8 | Drake carries on where he left off in 2019 |
| 14 | James Conner | PIT | 8 | Bounce back year for Conner looking for a new contract in 2020 |
| 15 | David Johnson | HOU | 8 | New home, fresh start as Johnson looks to rebuild his career in Houston |
| 16 | Melvin Gordon | DEN | 8 | Another new home and Gordon is a solid starting RB option this year |
| 17 | Le'Veon Bell | NYJ | 11 | I fear Bell's best days are behind him in the Jets' offense |
| 18 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | KC | 10 | Exciting times for CEH but his role will be complimentary in the Chiefs' high-powered offense |
| 19 | Todd Gurley II | ATL | 10 | What has Gurley got left on his return to the state of Georgia? |
| 20 | Kareem Hunt | CLE | 9 | Hunt will outscore Nick Chubb but both will cannibalise each other's scoring in 2020 |
| 21 | Nick Chubb | CLE | 9 | His shared role with Hunt means his stock takes a dip this year |
| 22 | Jonathan Taylor | IND | 7 | Taylor has top-12 potential but until he gets the starting role, its all potential |
| 23 | Chris Carson | SEA | 6 | If Carson is healthy then he can be a top-15 back again |
| 24 | Mark Ingram II | BAL | 8 | Ingram is the starting back but faces stiff competition from JK Dobbins |
| 25 | Cam Akers | LAR | 9 | Akers will be the starter in LA but how will he be utilised in his rookie year? |
| 26 | James White | NE | 6 | White's high receiving floor doesn't diminish with Cam and will prove to be a valuable asset again in the passing game |
| 27 | Tarik Cohen | CHI | 11 | 100 targets in 2019 and likely to see the same again, hopefully with more production |
| 28 | Devin Singletary | BUF | 11 | Just 2 TDs as a rookie and with Josh Allen plus rookie Zack Moss likely to get the Red Zone looks, I don't see the upside |
| 29 | Raheem Mostert | SF | 11 | A new contract but his usage is unpredictable in a wildy creative offense |
| 30 | David Montgomery | CHI | 11 | Patchy usage and a poor second half of his rookie season, makes Montgomery a hard sell for me in 2020 |
| 31 | Ronald Jones II | TB | 13 | He's the man say Bruce Arians. Or is he? Can he catch? What about Shady? And Vaughn? I've no idea |
| 32 | D'Andre Swift | DET | 5 | Exciting prospect but he and Johnson will likely split a role in a pass first offense |
| 33 | Jordan Howard | MIA | 11 | Super consistent in Philly but the Dolphins offense is going to struggle again and will lose targets to Breida |
| 34 | Antonio Gibson | WAS | 8 | With the Guice news dropping, Gibson gets a bump as the back likely to lead the team in touches in 2020 |
| 35 | Tevin Coleman | SF | 11 | Similar to Mostert, Coleman will have a varied workload but can be an RB1 if you get the right week |
| 36 | Jamaal Williams | GB | 5 | Will continue to play second fiddle to Jones but has a role that means some flex upside |
| 37 | Nyheim Hines | IND | 7 | An expanded role in the passing game likely coming for Hines with Rivers at QB |
| 38 | Latavius Murray | NO | 6 | Murray has an established role behind Kamara and is a flex option most weeks |
| 39 | Matt Breida | MIA | 11 | Likely to see the passing work for the Dolphins but the poor offense worries me |
| 40 | J.K. Dobbins | BAL | 8 | Poised to take over from Ingram next year and will flash as a rookie on a deep rushing attack |
| 41 | Phillip Lindsay | DEN | 8 | A great 2 years for Lindsay but his role will be relegated behind Gordon. A great handcuff |
| 42 | Marlon Mack | IND | 7 | A matter of timer before Taylor gets the starting role. No help in the passing game sees Mack fall in the depth chart. |
| 43 | Kerryon Johnson | DET | 5 | A time share with Swift harms both their fantasy outputs this year. |
| 44 | Duke Johnson | HOU | 8 | A lesser role for Duke with David Johnson in town in 2020 |
| 45 | Alexander Mattison | MIN | 7 | With Cook not holding out, Mattison sees a similar role to his rookie season |
| 46 | Sony Michel | NE | 6 | Michel is on the PUP list and likely to miss the start of the season. Not good for his fantasy outlook |
| 47 | Tony Pollard | DAL | 10 | Flashed as a rookie but unless Zeke gets injured, his role will be limited |
| 48 | Ke'Shawn Vaughn | TB | 13 | With Shady now on the roster, Vaughn may struggle for a consistent role as a rookie |
| 49 | Justin Jackson | LAC | 10 | Jackson should see extra touches in 2020, especially in the running game behind Austin Ekeler |
| 50 | Chase Edmonds | ARI | 8 | Flashed in a couple of games and could should find a role behind Drake in 2020 |