Running Back Rankings: 5 MUST HAVE Running Backs

Getting the right running back makes all the difference for your fantasy dreams and aspirations. There’s something to be said when your draft the running back all your buddies go, “nice pick, I wanted him.” I got you covered with my top five must have RBs entering your drafts, so you too can hear, “nice pick, I wanted him.”

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• RB: Isiah Pacheco
• Team: Kansas City Chiefs

I am all in on Pacheco. His volume has increased every year with the Chiefs and I expect workhorse back volume in 2024. Jerick McKinnon is no longer on the roster, which opens up Pacheco to be the sole third back in the Chiefs offense. In four games without McKinnon, he averaged 21.82 PPR points per game. He’s set up for a career season, perhaps a Kareem Hunt-esque 2017 season.

• RB: Josh Jacobs
• Team: Green Bay Packers

This may be a controversial pick, but I’ve come around to Jacobs during training camp. He saw he most stacked boxes among RBs as a Raider last season, which explains his lack of efficiency. He’ll see less us of those with Jordan Love as his QB. I thought MarShawn Lloyd push Jacobs for playing time but the rookie has dealt with injuries (hip and hamstring) and fumbling woes through training camp.  His new head coach has gushed about Jacobs being versatile as a power runner and legitimate threat out of the backfield. Matt LaFleur has a track record of producing top-12 fantasy RBs from 2019-22. Jacobs is an under appreciated RB1 going in the third round.

• RB: James Cook
• Team: Buffalo Bills

Cook usage increased dramatically once Joe Brady took over as the OC for the Bills. He averaged nearly 20 touches per game and averaged 16.4 PPR points per game, which was good for RB11. I know you’re worried about his red zone usage, but he was tied with Josh Allen in red zone rushing shares at 31.1% over his last 18 games. Cook should have positive TD regression as the Razzball model projected him for 5-6 additional TDs in 2023. If Cook finished with 5-to-6 TDs, he would finished as the RB4. He’s a bargain as the RB14 at 44th overall.

• RB: David Montgomery
• Team: Detroit Lions

It’s shame to see Jaymyr Gibbs dealing with a hamstring injury. As for fantasy, I see an early opportunity for Montgomery to earn a higher workload with a chance to maintain it during the season. He was able to average 80 total yards per game with 13 rushing touchdowns with sharing the backfield with Gibbs. He finished as RB15 PPR points per game and RB17 in total points. Despite a great last season and having the best offensive line per PFF, he’s hovering around RB20 in the sixth round. He’s a easy selection in the sixth as a very solid RB2 as he has one of the safest floors. DMont has room to be more should Gibbs’ hamstring injury linger.

• RB: Jaylen Warren
• Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Going outside the top 25, please sign me up all day. He finished 2023 as RB30 in PPR while playing less than 50% of the snaps in 2023. Digging deeper into Warren, he was top 10 in explosive run rate, broken tackle rate and yards per touch. He gets new a OC in Arthur Smith who has ranked top 10 in rushing attempts in four of his last five seasons. If he gets the Bijan Robinson role in Smith’s offense, he will have career season. Take advantage while you still can. *INJURY UPDATE* Warren sustained a hamstring injury and his Week One status is in the air. Expect Najee Harris ADP to rise, making Warren a steal if he drops to 8th or 9th rounds.

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