Fantasy Football: Post-Draft RB Ranks

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Here are the updated fantasy football Post-Draft RB Ranks, featuring the top 20 players at the running back position.

Below is a table which contains the data I have collected from this year’s rookie running back class. Included are the top 20 running backs ranked in way that incorporates all of the research points thus far. Of course, the results of the NFL Draft are paramount so I put a major emphasis on landing spot and draft capital spent on each running back.

Up to this point, my rankings have been a combination of film grades I gave each player based on the college game tape that I watched, as well as production metrics from their respective collegiate careers. And in the final column, you will find each player’s Relative Athletic Score. The (RAS) Relative Athletic Scores compile prospects’ testing metrics from combine and pro day drills. This is a rating system from 0 to 10.0, with ten being the best possible grade.

Post-Draft RB Ranks

Two Top Tier Draft Prospects

There were two running backs selected during the 1st round of NFL Draft, and both were taken with top 15 picks. No surprise, the first running back drafted was Bijan Robinson as he went to the Atlanta Falcons with the 8th overall selection. He has been my RB#1 all the way back to my initial Rookie RB Film Grades, and there is no change here. Robinson is one of the most talented prospects we have seen at the position, and he should see plenty of opportunity with the Falcons. Robinson is not only the best rookie RB, but in my opinion, he should be the 1.01 in all dynasty rookie drafts.

While, Robinson has provided stability at the very top of the rookie running back rankings, my RB #2 has changed every step of the way. And considering that he was selected 12th overall by the Detroit Lions, Jahmyr Gibbs received the draft capital needed to firmly establish himself as the RB #2 of the class. Looking at his 2023 NFL Draft Profile, I have some concerns with Gibbs footwork. But untimely, the investment that the Lions made is too significant to ignore.

Running Full Circle

Looking back at my first impression in the form of these running backs’ film grades, I had Kendre Miller at RB #2 and Devon Achane at RB #3. If not for Gibbs getting the round 1 capital, Miller and Achane would likely have regained those spots. Even once I incorporated college production into my Rookie RB Pre-Draft Ranks, Miller was still the RB #3, which is where I place him now that the draft is done. He could see immediate opportunity with the New Orleans Saints. At the very least, I am predicting a prime production peak beginning in 2024 for Miller.

Meanwhile, Achane ended up with the Miami Dolphins, one of the most coveted running back landing spots on the market. It seems like the Dolphins have a type where it comes to their backfield: smaller, faster running backs. Achane should fit in with Miami’s run scheme and could potentially be the starter by the end of his rookie season if he impressed the coaching staff.

Chicago Changing

Last year, I raised a Day 3 drafted running back in to the top 5 of my RB Ranks because of the team that took him. Even though I did not love the 5th round capital, I really liked Tyler Allgeier‘s potential opportunity, and ranked at at RB #5 post-draft. And while he will likely lose opportunity to the newly selected Bijan Robinson, he did have a productive rookie season. Allgeier finished his first NFL campaign with over 1,000 rushing yards, not bad for a 5th round rookie. It demonstrated that after a certain point, landing spot supersedes draft for running backs.

In 2023, I am once again pushing the envelope with that concept and moving Roschon Johnson all the way up to my rookie RB #5. That would place him ahead of several round 3 running backs, and even a round 2 guy. However, his landing spot with the Chicago Bears is one of the best for running backs in this class. First, the Bears are a very run-heavy team, so there should be plenty of carries to go around, even in a backfield split. Next, a skilled running quarterback like Justin Fields will command extra attention from defenders and can open up lanes for his running back. Finally, the depth chart does not currently feature an elite option, and Johnson can certainly climb in a hurry.

Charbs Crashing

Just before the NFL Draft unfolded, I had raised Zach Charbonnet to the RB #2 in my Final Pre-Draft Rookie RB Ranks. He did end up being the third running back selected, and the only one taken in the 2nd round. However, he went to the Seattle Seahawks, a team that just spent a 2nd round pick on a running back last year. In my opinion, the problem is that Charbonnet is now trapped behind a more talented running back with 3 years still left on his rookie contract. Perhaps the Seahawks see the situation differently, but I am hesitant to invest in Charbonnet until I can see that he can take significant work away from Kenneth Walker.

I do believe this now crowded backfield negatively affects both players. Walker was my dynasty RB #1 before this recent NFL Draft. That is no longer the case, but I do think this hurts Charbonnet’s potential more. The one area I can see logic behind the decision is wanting Charbonnet as a pass-catching back. For the NFL that makes sense, but as a fantasy football asset that worries me. Seattle only threw the ball 84 times combined to all of their running backs. And especially considering the now talented wide receiver trio, I don’t expect the Seahawks to increase the running back targets. So while I still have him at rookie RB #6, I do believe there is a tier gap between the top 5 and Charbonnet.

Who’s Lew?

Of all the running backs selected during the 2023 NFL Draft, there is only one player that I did not scout before hand. That player is Lew Nichols, who was drafted by the Green Bay Packers. In the table above, you will notice some blank spaces, and that includes some missing information about Nichols. First, I could not find any full game cutups from Nichols during the 2022 collegiate season. Nor does he have any athletic testing metrics on the RAS website.

All we have is the 7th round draft capital, and his production from college. Neither sparks huge confidence in Nichols. Therefore, I have him ranked at RB #18, the lowest ranking of any drafted running back.

Risers and Fallers

Comparing my final pre-draft running back rankings to my current iteration, the biggest riser is Tank Bigsby. Originally, he was my RB # 17, but after the draft he moved up 9 spots to RB #8. Receiving 3rd round draft capital from the Jacksonville Jaguars, Bigsby’s rise into the top ten was undeniable. Even if I don’t love the landing spot, or Bigsby’s footwork, that was a significant enough investment by the Jaguars. I had no choice but to move him ahead of all the running backs who were taken in the 5th round or later.

In terms of the biggest faller in my rankings, Keaton Mitchell takes the cake. He went from my RB #9 all the way down to RB #19 because of his undrafted free-agent status. Now, he did land on a run-heavy team in the form of the Baltimore Ravens, so not all hope is lost. But considering the situation of being a UDFA, I felt that I had to place Mitchell below all of the drafted players.

Thank you for consulting Post-Draft RB Ranks. Be sure to check out all of the great NFL content available on Full Press Coverage.