Harmon’s 2017 Fantasy RB Rankings
The running back position has undergone an overhaul in recent years. We don’t have a huge run of bellcows anymore. Few players at the position averaged more than 15 carries per game. Now, the continued involvement of RBs in the passing game keeps the touch count high for some, but has created a proliferation of workload splits.
Sure, there was the 322-carry count amassed by Ezekiel Elliott behind the massive Cowboys O-Line, but he’s currently appealing a six-game suspension. Therefore, Darren McFadden is on the radar for fantasy owners as draft season revs up.
Instead of debating the other players at the top of the heap, I’d be remiss in failing to recognize the career of Frank Gore. Gore notched another 1,000-yard season in 2016 and now stands a mere 600 yards from becoming the sixth all-time rushing leader. I still have Marlon Mack in italics and blinking as a “sleeper,” or Ninja, as we can them here.
Anyway, it’s time to dial up the initial running back rankings. Let’s get it.
David Johnson, ARI
Le’Veon Bell, PIT
LeSean McCoy, BUF
Jay Ajayi, MIA
Devonta Freeman, ATL
Melvin Gordon, LAC
Jordan Howard, CHI
Ezekiel Elliott, DAL
Leonard Fournette, JAX
DeMarco Murray, TEN
Lamar Miller, HOU
Isaiah Crowell, CLE
Ty Montgomery, GB
Todd Gurley, LAR
Dalvin Cook, MIN
Christian McCaffrey, CAR
C.J. Anderson, DEN
LeGarrette Blount, PHI
Spencer Ware, KC
Marshawn Lynch, OAK
Carlos Hyde, SF
Joe Mixon, CIN
Bilal Powell, NYJ
Ameer Abdullah, DET
Eddie Lacy, SEA
Mark Ingram, NO
Mike Gillislee, NE
Danny Woodhead, BAL
Paul Perkins, NYG
Derrick Henry, TEN
Terrance West, BAL
Adrian Peterson, NO
Frank Gore, IND
Tevin Coleman, ATL
Jonathan Stewart, CAR
Doug Martin, TB
Theo Riddick, DET
Doug Martin, TB
Matt Forte, NYJ
Darren McFadden, DAL
Robert Kelley, WAS
Alvin Kamara, NO
Jamaal Williams, GB
Joe Williams, SF
Duke Johnson, CLE
Kareem Hunt, KC
Jeremy Hill, CIN
C.J. Prosise, SEA
Marlon Mack, IND
Latavius Murray, MIN
James White, NE
Samaje Perine, WAS
Darren Sproles, PHI
Jamaal Charles, DEN
Jonathan Williams, BUF
