2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Fantasy Football RB Rankings

- Updated: Tuesday, September 5th

Scoring: These rankings are based on standard-scoring formats -- one point per 10 rushing yards, six points per rushing touchdown plus one point per 10 receiving yards and six points per receiving touchdown.


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Here are running backs 21-40 in our rankings:

21. Tevin Coleman, Atlanta Falcons

Once again, Coleman has missed multiple games, but he showed his big-play ability when he was on the field. While Freeman will continue to lead the backfield in usage and production, Coleman had double-digit touches in 11 of his 13 games last year and finished the season as a top-20 fantasy running back.

22. Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions

After missing all but two games last season due to a Lisfranc injury, Abdullah goes into the 2017 season as the Lions starting running back. On a per-touch basis, Abdullah was off to a good start last year -- 18/101 (5.6 YPC) rushing and 5/57/1 (11.4 Y/R) receiving -- and there is definitely some fantasy breakout potential in 2017.

23. Adrian Peterson, New Orleans Saints

Mark Ingram may have a higher salary and be listed as the "starter," but it wouldn't be much of a surprise if Peterson emerged as the leader in terms of workload split (and production) in that duo. With double-digit rushing scores every year he's played at least four games, the ceiling for AP is through the roof in the high-powered, Drew Brees-led offense.

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24. Bilal Powell, New York Jets

Finishing as the RB23 (RB16 in PPR) in 2016, Powell set career highs in yards from scrimmage (1,110), receptions (58) and touchdowns (five). With Matt Forte either out or limited down the stretch, Powell had 82/411/2 rushing (5.01 YPC) and 21/141/1 receiving over the final four games of the season. Even if the Jets employ a "backfield-by-committee," Powell should lead the backfield in touches and production in 2017.

25. Danny Woodhead, Baltimore Ravens

Missing the majority of the 2014 and 2016 seasons, Woodhead has played just 21 games over the past three years. Even more valuable in PPR formats as one of the league's top receiving backs, Woodhead has finished as a top-24 fantasy running back (standard scoring) in each of his past three full seasons. Given the season-ending injury to Kenneth Dixon, it's possible that Woodhead extends that streak if he can stay healthy.

26. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

Breaking the collegiate record for all-purpose yards previously held by Barry Sanders, McCaffrey's biggest strengths are his versatility and ability to create mismatches in the passing game. More valuable in PPR formats, McCaffrey doesn't seem destined to ever become a bellcow back at only 202 pounds. That said, (now ex) GM Dave Gettleman made the following comparison — "The best tackle-box runner I’ve ever seen is Curtis Martin out of Pitt. Christian is right there with him ..."

27. C.J. Anderson, Denver Broncos

Not only did Anderson miss more than half of the 2016 season, but he averaged a career-low 4.0 yards per carry. With a new coach and the addition of Jamaal Charles, the Broncos are expected to employ a committee approach, but I'd expect CJA to get the largest share of the committee's workload.

28. Mike Gillislee, New England Patriots

Gillislee capitalized on limited opportunities (110 touches) as LeSean McCoy's backup to rack up 627 yards from scrimmage and score nine touchdowns in 2017. Now in New England, Gillislee should get the majority of goal-line opportunities that went to LeGarrette Blount, who led the league with 18 rushing touchdowns last season. The only concern is the obvious one that comes with the uncertainty of how the workload will be distributed to New England's backs, but few backs have as much weekly upside as Gillislee.

29. Frank Gore, Indianapolis Colts

In his age-33 season, Gore reached the 1,000-yard milestone, but he once again posted a sub-4.0 YPC average. With the addition of Marlon Mack in the fourth round, it's likely that Gore sees less than the 301 touches that he saw in 2016. Even so, he's likely to outperform his ADP — as usual.

30. Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In his first five NFL seasons, Martin has rushed for 1,400-plus yards twice -- and under 500 yards three times. Playing a full 16-game slate in both 1,400-yard seasons, Martin has played a total of 25 games in his other three seasons combined. At a minimum, Martin will miss three games to start the season as he completes serving a four-game suspension.

31. Paul Perkins, New York Giants

Now the starter, Perkins should easily exceed his 127 rookie touches. Not only is the offensive line a concern, but Perkins (and the running game in general) has not inspired much confidence this preseason.

32. Terrance West, Baltimore Ravens

Expectations for a three-headed committee have obviously changed with the suspension and subsequent season-ending injury to Kenneth Dixon. West should handle the bulk of early-down work, but no team threw the ball on a higher percentage of their plays than the Ravens (65.99%) in 2016.

33. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

The (nearly) 250-pound back averaged 4.5 yards per carry with five rushing scores as a rookie. Even though Murray remains the team's lead back heading into 2017, Henry should see an expanded share of the workload in his second season. Last year's split was 74-26 in Murray's favor, but I'd expect Henry to get closer to 35 percent of the duo's touches in 2017.

34. Robert Kelley, Washington Redskins

When given an opportunity, Kelley made the most of it as the team's primary back on early downs. With the team using its fourth-round pick on Samaje Perine, a similar back to Kelley in terms of style, Kelley could eventually lose his role as lead back at some point this season, but he will begin the season as the starter.

35. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers

The Panthers used their top-two picks on weapons to help Cam Newton -- and likely hurt the fantasy outlook for Jonathan Stewart. Both Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel are extremely versatile and dynamic weapons that should make significant contributions early. Now 30 years old, Stewart has missed at least three games in five consecutive seasons and he has averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry in three of those five seasons including last year (3.8 YPC).

36. Thomas Rawls, Seattle Seahawks

The addition of Eddie Lacy creates a semi-uncertain role for Rawls, but Rawls appears to be a better value than Lacy based on current ADPs. If Rawls can stay healthy, it wouldn't surprise me if he has some big games. Over the past two seasons, Rawls has five 100-yard rushing games -- only eight players have more -- despite getting 10-plus carries in only 12 games over that two-year span.

37. LeGarrette Blount, Philadelphia Eagles

Last season, Blount finished with 299 carries for 1,161 yards and 18 touchdowns. Even though Ryan Mathews was released, it's unlikely that Blount comes anywhere near his New England numbers in his first year with the Eagles. In fact, there has been some speculation that Blount could be a surprise cut in Philadelphia.

38. Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions

One of the backs that is much better in PPR-scoring formats, Riddick is one of the league's most dynamic receiving backs. Over the past two seasons, he has averaged 5.12 receptions for 41.08 yards and 0.35 touchdowns per game and he should remain a vital part of the passing attack.

39. James White, New England Patriots

Signing a three-year extension this offseason, White had a career-high 60 receptions in 2016 in addition to 14 receptions in their Super Bowl victory. While he may once again have more catches than carries and be better in PPR formats, White finished as the RB33 in standard-scoring formats (non-PPR) last season.

40. Darren McFadden, Dallas Cowboys

If Zeke serves his six-game (or a reduced) suspension in 2017, McFadden becomes the Cowboys' starter (and a fantasy start) for those games. In his first season in Dallas without Zeke and Tony Romo injured most of the year, McFadden rushed for 1,089 yards (4.6 YPC) on 236 carries and added 40 catches for 328 yards.

- Continue to Fantasy Running Backs 41-90
- Go back to Fantasy Running Backs 1-20

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