Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Running Back Rankings 2018

Author:
Athlon Sports
Publish date:
Jul 11, 2018

While there is certainly no lack of options when it comes to running backs for fantasy football in the 2018 season much of the attention surrounds the new kid on the block. Saquon Barkley was the second overall pick of the draft and the expectations for him are as high (if not higher) than any rookie RB to come along in recent seasons.

The recent track record for rookies has been pretty good, highlighted by Ezekiel Elliott, who led the NFL in rushing as a rookie in 2016, but it doesn't minimize the risk in relying on someone who has yet to play a down as a professional. Fortunately there are plenty of established options outside of Barkley, led by the quartet of Todd Gurley, Le'Veon Bell, David Johnson and Elliott.

And for those who don't wish to spend an early pick on a rookie like Barkley (or Rashaad Penny, Derrius Guice or Ronald Jones II), the class of 2017 is impressive is in its own right with Kareem Hunt, Leonard Fournette, Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook and Christian McCaffrey leading the way.

One thing is for sure, running backs, including Barkley, will go early in fantasy drafts and quite a few will be taken before all is said and done. Maybe these rankings will help you prepare for draft day.

2018 Positional Rankings: QB I RB I WR I TE I DST I K

2018 Running Back Rankings


Rank	Player	Team	Bye
1	Todd Gurley	LAR	12
2	Le'Veon Bell	PIT	7
3	Ezekiel Elliott	DAL	8
4	David Johnson	ARI	9
5	Saquon Barkley	NYG	9
6	Kareem Hunt	KC	12
7	Leonard Fournette	JAC	9
8	Melvin Gordon	LAC	8
9	Alvin Kamara	NO	6
10	Dalvin Cook	MIN	10
11	LeSean McCoy	BUF	11
12	Devonta Freeman	ATL	8
13	Christian McCaffrey	CAR	4
14	Joe Mixon	CIN	9
15	Rashaad Penny	SEA	7
16	Jerick McKinnon	SF	11
17	Derrius Guice	WAS	4
18	Dion Lewis	TEN	8
19	Alex Collins	BAL	10
20	Kenyan Drake	MIA	11
21	Ronald Jones II	TB	5
22	Mark Ingram	NO	6
23	Jordan Howard	CHI	5
24	Jay Ajayi	PHI	9
25	Sony Michel	NE	11
26	Derrick Henry	TEN	8
27	Royce Freeman	DEN	10
28	Lamar Miller	HOU	10
29	Jamaal Williams	GB	7
30	Duke Johnson	CLE	11
31	Tarik Cohen	CHI	5
32	Nick Chubb	CLE	11
33	Chris Thompson	WAS	4
34	Rex Burkhead	NE	11
35	Isaiah Crowell	NYJ	11
36	Marshawn Lynch	OAK	7
37	Kerryon Johnson	DET	6
38	Tevin Coleman	ATL	8
39	Marlon Mack	IND	9
40	C.J. Anderson	CAR	4
41	Theo Riddick	DET	6
42	D'Onta Foreman	HOU	10
43	James White	NE	11
44	Devontae Booker	DEN	10
45	Carlos Hyde	CLE	11
46	Giovani Bernard	CIN	9
47	Ty Montgomery	GB	7
48	Nyheim Hines	IND	9
49	Darren Sproles	PHI	9
50	Bilal Powell	NYJ	11
51	Aaron Jones	GB	7
52	LeGarrette Blount	DET	6
53	Chris Ivory	BUF	11
54	Latavius Murray	MIN	10
55	Austin Ekeler	LAC	8
56	Kenneth Dixon	BAL	10
57	Frank Gore	MIA	11
58	Doug Martin	OAK	7
59	Samaje Perine	WAS	4
60	Matt Breida	SF	11
61	Spencer Ware	KC	12
62	Corey Clement	PHI	9
63	Chris Carson	SEA	7
64	Charles Sims	TB	5
65	Jonathan Stewart	NYG	9
66	Peyton Barber	TB	5
67	Javorius Allen	BAL	10
68	T.J. Yeldon	JAC	9
69	Kalen Ballage	MIA	11
70	C.J. Prosise	SEA	7
71	Jeremy Hill	NE	11
72	Jordan Wilkins	IND	9
73	Mark Walton	CIN	9
74	Ameer Abdullah	DET	6
75	Wayne Gallman	NYG	9
76	Jonathan Williams	NO	6
77	John Kelly	LAR	12
78	Rod Smith	DAL	8
79	Tavon Austin	DAL	8
80	Cameron Artis-Payne	CAR	4