Fantasy Football 2021 Running Back Rankings

The top spot in the running back rankings this year is closer than many others. Christian McCaffrey gets the slight nudge over Dalvin Cook, but the gap is razor thin. Arranging the rest of the top tier is a fun but futile exercise. Sure, Derrick Henry‘s pass-game usage is troubling, but he just keep on producing. Aaron Jones and Ezekiel Elliott get the bump over Alvin Kamara as we are a little more confident in the quarterback play and overall scoring output in Green Bay and Dallas.

ADP Targets

While you love leaving round one with a top tier option, it’s really not up to you if picking outside the top six. Among the next group, Austin Ekeler (10.6) and his target volume makes him the prime target at the back end of the first round for me. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (16.4) and Najee Harris (13.5) can both slip deep in the second round but should be in consideration at the 1/2 turn.

Deeper into the draft, Darell Henderson (34.0) and Miles Sanders (36.3) stand out as the third round running backs that we are most likely to take the dive on. James Robinson’s (45.5) ADP is likely to skyrocket following the news that Travis Etienne is going to miss the season, but perhaps he remains a value as some fail to adjust quickly enough… Raheem Mostert (53.7) is one of the best home run hitters in the league when healthy… Phillip Lindsay (105.9) has the most juice in the Texans’ backfield and while the team is likely to be awful, there is value in volume… Ty Johnson (200+) looks like he may lead the Jets’ running back committee… Jerrick McKinnon (200+) is an interesting athlete and should he be needed for a larger role in KC, it could be a very productive one.

Top 100 Running Back Rankings