Fantasy Football RB Rankings for Week 1: Top 50 Running Backs

Week 1 RB Rankings at a Glance

1. Bijan Robinson, ATL
2. Saquon Barkley, PHI
3. Chase Brown, CIN

Running back remains one of the most important positions in fantasy football, and the landscape can change quickly once the season gets underway.

Injuries, changing workloads, goal-line opportunities, passing-game usage, and weekly matchups can all cause running backs to rise or fall in the rankings from one week to the next.

To help with lineup decisions, here are our fantasy football running back rankings for this week. Rankings compiled via our fantasy football projections.

Injuries can — and will — impact these rankings. Stay up to date with injury news on our NFL player news page.

Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings for Week 1

Rankings pulled from our half-PPR fantasy football RB projections, which may have updated after this article was published.

1. Bijan Robinson, ATL (at PIT)
2. Saquon Barkley, PHI (vs. WSH)
3. Chase Brown, CIN (vs. TB)
4. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (vs. NO)
5. Jonathan Taylor, IND (vs. BAL)
6. De'Von Achane, MIA (at LV)
7. Derrick Henry, BAL (at IND)
8. Christian McCaffrey, SF (at LAR)
9. James Cook, BUF (at HOU)
10. Ashton Jeanty, LV (vs. MIA)
11. Omarion Hampton, LAC (vs. ARI)
12. Breece Hall, NYJ (at TEN)
13. Kenneth Walker III, KC (vs. DEN)
14. Travis Etienne, NO (at DET)
15. Cam Skattebo, NYG (vs. DAL)
16. Jaylen Warren, PIT (vs. ATL)
17. David Montgomery, HOU (vs. BUF)
18. Javonte Williams, DAL (at NYG)
19. D'Andre Swift, CHI (at CAR)
20. Kyren Williams, LAR (vs. SF)
21. Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (at SEA)
22. Chuba Hubbard, CAR (vs. CHI)
23. Aaron Jones, MIN (vs. GB)
24. Bucky Irving, TB (at CIN)
25. J.K. Dobbins, DEN (at KC)
26. Jadarian Price, SEA (vs. NE)
27. Jeremiyah Love, ARI (at LAC)
28. Quinshon Judkins, CLE (at JAC)
29. Rico Dowdle, PIT (vs. ATL)
30. RJ Harvey, DEN (at KC)
31. Tony Pollard, TEN (vs. NYJ)
32. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, WSH (at PHI)
33. Bhayshul Tuten, JAC (vs. CLE)
34. MarShawn Lloyd, GB (at MIN)
35. Woody Marks, HOU (vs. BUF)
36. Kyle Monangai, CHI (at CAR)
37. Jordan Mason, MIN (vs. GB)
38. Rachaad White, WSH (at PHI)
39. Tyjae Spears, TEN (vs. NYJ)
40. Blake Corum, LAR (vs. SF)
41. Chris Rodriguez Jr., JAX (vs. CLE)
42. Chris Brooks, GB (at MIN)
43. Kenneth Gainwell, TB (at CIN)
44. Tyler Allgeier, ARI (at LAC)
45. Sione Vaki, DET (vs. NO)
46. Jacob Saylors, DET (vs. NO)
47. Braelon Allen, NYJ (at TEN)
48. Jonathon Brooks, CAR (vs. CHI)
49. Dylan Sampson, CLE (at JAX)
50. George Holani, SEA (vs. NE)

Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings FAQ

What factors go into weekly fantasy football running back rankings?

Weekly rankings should account for projected workload, carries, targets, red-zone opportunities, matchup quality, injuries, and changes to a player's role. Recent usage can be especially important when evaluating running backs during the season.

How important are matchups for fantasy football running backs?

Matchups matter, but volume is usually more important. A running back with a secure workload can still be a strong fantasy option in a difficult matchup, while a favorable matchup may not help much if a player isn't receiving enough touches.

Should I start a running back ranked higher even if he has been struggling?

Not necessarily. Rankings are a useful guide, but fantasy managers should also consider recent workload, injuries, and their other lineup options. A player's role can sometimes be more predictive than his recent fantasy-point totals.

How does PPR scoring affect running back rankings?

PPR scoring increases the value of running backs who are heavily involved as receivers. Backs who consistently earn targets and catches can maintain strong fantasy floors even when their rushing production is limited.

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