🔥 The top 15 fantasy football RBs (PPR)

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It’s Wednesday. I still think of it as the hardest-hitting football practice of the week. Thanks, coach.

Today in 5 minutes or less, you’ll learn:

• The PPR RBs who still rule fantasy 👑 

• High-investment picks with upside 🚀 

• Information to take into draft day ✍️

• Everything you need to know around the NFL 🏈 

Christian McCaffrey (SF), ADP 3.5, RB1:

Skill and situation means CMC is still top of the heap.

He evaded 61 tackles in ‘22, on his way to 1,139 rush yards (7th) and 13 TDs (3rd). But it’s the passing game work that really puts him over the top in that Kyle Shanahan offense:

• 1st in target share (21.8%)

• 1st in route participation (75%)

• 3rd in yards per route run (1.92)

Impressively, it led to 21 fantasy PPG (2nd). Now he enters the year well-established in San Fran. LFG!

Austin Ekeler (LAC), ADP 7.5, RB2:

I’ve flip-flopped Ekeler and CMC all summer, so why stop now? His situation is as good and he’s the Charger spark plug.

He was the overall RB1, and the top non-QB scorer (21.9 PPR points per game), catching over 107 balls.

Plus, he’s scored an untouchable 38 TDs last 2 years.

He’s one of Justin Herbert’s comfort blankets and will continue to produce at a high level in ‘23.

Bijan Robinson (ATL), ADP 8.7, RB3:

Bijan has had the hype since well before he was drafted 8th overall by the Falcons.

He’s a 3-down human highlight who ranked 2nd in the nation in percentage of evaded tackles over the last 2 years.

And in ‘22 he had an insane 20 TDs and 1,580 rushing yards while handling an NFL-like 277 touches.

He’s the real deal, and on a rising Atlanta offense, he’s in the right spot too. Draft high.

Nick Chubb (CLE), ADP 12.1, RB4:

Chubb has jumped since the last time I did these rankings.

He was RB6 in fantasy PPG in ‘22, along with being:

• 4th in juke rate (40.4%)

• 1st in evaded tackles (133)

• 1st in breakaway runs (23)

Now he’s got Deshaun Watson’s backfield all to himself with the departure of Kareem Hunt, and Jerome Ford’s injury.

It’s Chubb SZN for Cleveland and your fantasy team.

Tony Pollard (DAL), ADP 16.4, RB5

Finally. With Ezekiel Elliott off to the Patriots, Pollard has a controlling share of the Cowboy backfield.

He was super efficient last season, finishing 8th in fantasy points per game (15.6) on just the 34th opportunity share.

Pending health, he has a very realistic overall RB1 ceiling.

Saquon Barkley (NYG), ADP 16.9, RB6:

The Giants run through Barkley.

He had the 3rd highest opportunity share in ‘22 and there’s no one on the roster to seriously challenge for touches.

He finished 5th in fantasy points per game (17.8), and his teammates figure to be a bit better.

Saquon went for 1650 all-purpose yards in ‘22.

That’s NOT decreasing by 250 in this bustling Giants’ offense. Take the OVER on PrizePicks:

Jonathan Taylor (IND), ADP 21, RB7:

Things are getting a little bit dicey for JT drafters.

He and the team are at odds over the contract situation, and Kenyan Drake was brought in from free agency last week. Reportedly, he’s expected back next week but still wants a trade.

Right now there are just so many unknowns.

History keeps him ranked RB7 here today, but keep the risks in mind before you pull that trigger.

Breece Hall (NYJ), ADP 25.3, RB8:

If you were nervous about the knee recovery slowing Breece for the start of the year, you probably aren’t pumped about the Dalvin Cook signing. He will absolutely get touches.

However, Hall was terrific in his athletic metrics last year:

• 1st in juke rate (50.5%)

• 1st in yards per touch (6.9)

• 2nd in breakaway run rate (11.3%)

• 3rd in yards created per touch (4.32)

You can’t deny the talent, so he’s hanging tough in the top 10.

Derrick Henry (TEN), ADP 23.3, RB9:

The Big Dog is still a freight train.

We know how he can punish defenders with that hard-running style and gigantic frame, but did you realize his receiving chops are underrated (albeit in limited volume)?

• 1st in yards per reception (12.1)

• 1st in yards per route run (3.02)

He’s starting to reach an age where guys who run like him have some more concerns, but he’s still the Titan workhorse.

R. Stevenson (NE), ADP 30.1, RB10:

‘Mondre got some company this week.

Ezekiel Elliott to the Pats means they have someone capable who can take the reps away. But it might not be so bad.

Rhamondre wore out quite a bit at the end of last season. He was dealing with a lot of little dings in his body that hampered his explosiveness. Zeke can help to keep him fresh.

Last year he was 4th in receptions (69), 7th in receiving yards (421), 3rd in evaded tackles (113), and 6th in yards created per touch (3.43).

He’ll be alright.

Josh Jacobs (LV), ADP 32, RB11:

Jacobs and the Raiders have a situation that’s not quite ideal, with the whole Zamir White no. 1 on the depth chart hullabaloo.

But the latest is that they expect to get a deal done and get Jacobs back with the team. He was RB1 in standard formats last season, which is probably the Standard MVP.

He led the league in:

• Rush yards (1,653)

• Opportunity share (83.7%)

He also had 53 receptions, which he’ll need for Jimmy Garoppolo to adjust to life in Vegas.

The team needs him, he needs the team. Get it done.

Travis Etienne (JAX), ADP 33.2, RB12:

In '22, Etienne was:

• 10th in yards per touch (5.7)

• 5th in yards per reception (9),

• 12th in breakaway run rate (7.3%)

So it’s not tough to envision another explosive year as the offense continues its upward trajectory under generational talent Trevor Lawrence.

He may cede some goal line work to Tank Bigsby, which is keeping him out of my top 10.

Jahmyr Gibbs (DET), ADP 35.8, RB13

Gibbs was drafted into the perfect situation.

D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams combined for 421 touches last season (361 carries and 60 receptions). Both are gone.

Gibbs projects to get the LION’S SHARE of carries over bunker mate David Montgomery, but don’t be shocked if the split isn’t skewed too dramatically. Monty’s a pro.

Still, after 926 rushing yards and 444 receiving yards at Alabama last year, that balance is crucial to seeing the field.

Joe Mixon (CIN), ADP 41.4, RB14:

Mixon’s road rage trial just finished up, so we’ll see if the league takes any action on him. However, the Bengals have stood behind him thus far, and seem unconcerned.

The team gave him plenty of opportunity in ‘22:

• 6th in RZ touches (46)

• 7th in target share (13.9%)

• 7th in opportunity share (73.7%)

He wasn’t as efficient as in the past, but still finished as RB10 and had 6 top-11 finishes in 15 games.

Don’t discount the effect of Joe Burrow and friends on a guy’s ceiling. Mixon’s is still high.

Najee Harris (PIT), ADP 42.9, RB15:

Harris was a huge fantasy asset as a rookie in ‘21, but suffered a bit of a sophomore slump last year.

Still, his usage keeps him afloat in these rankings:

• 5th in carries (272)

• 6th in red zone touches (46)

• 10th in opportunity share (69.9%)

I should mention that Jaylen Warren played 2 more snaps with the starters during the first preseason game than Harris, but I don’t think we can make much of it yet.

Harris has been their bell cow. I don’t think it will change.

🔄 Saints Drop WR Amid Rookie's Explosive Preseason

🏈 Giants Shore Up O-Line: Davenport Joins Squad

⛔ Falcons' LB Out for Season, Defense takes a Hit

🏆 What you talkin’ about? Willis Named QB2

🛑 Shell Game: Bills' OT Retires, Tackle Position Open

⚡ Javonte Williams Ahead of Schedule After ACL Tear

🔓 Seahawks' LB Returns from Injury List In Contract Year

🏈 Browns' Rookie QB Battle Intensifies

🧠 Browns' OT Conklin in Concussion Protocol

✍️ Steelers Sign Former Texan RB for Depth

You’re over the hump of the week. LFG!

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