TOP 10 RBs 2023
Top 10 Fantasy Football RBs 2023
- Bijan Robinson
- Jonathan Taylor
- Najee Harris
- Derrick Henry
- Saquon Barkley
- Breece Hall
- Dameon Pierce
- Josh Jacobs
- Christian McCaffrey
- Austin Ekeler
These are the non-consensus fantasy football RB rankings heading into 2023. Let’s dive into each player and go over why they made the top 10 list and why you should draft them early in your drafts this season. Rankings won’t help you win your fantasy football leagues and are just a guideline. Grab the 16 Rounds Draft solution to be light years ahead of the competition.
1. Bijan Robinson
(Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire)
The Falcons drafted Bijan Robinson in the 1st round and 8th overall in the 2023 NFL draft. He is ultra-elite talent and can not only run, but he’s an excellent pass catcher. He has an opportunity to be the true and full workhorse fantasy RB in Atlanta.
When you are drafting an RB early, you have to make sure he checks the boxes of the CUDDY system: consistency, upside, durability, depth, and youth. Bijan easily checks at least 4/5 of these boxes. He is 6’0, 215 lbs, and had great stats in college. 258 rushing attempts, 1580 yards on the ground, 6.1 yards per carry, and 18 TDs in 2022. He is ready to dominate in the NFL.
I love the talent and the upside for Bijan going into the 2023 NFL fantasy season. Draft in the 1st round and even first overall with confidence, but always have depth at the running back position.
2. Jonathan Taylor
Taylor is coming off a down year and only played 11 games in 2022. This was a decline I predicted and anticipated. What goes up usually comes down.
(Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire)
Taylor is in a contract year this year and will play his heart out. With no competition for touches in the backfield, look for Taylor to get t ton of volume and rushing attempts.
The only concern is that the Colts drafted a rookie QB that likes to rush a lot. Anthony Richardson could be a major problem for Taylor as he could steal rushing attempts and goal-line TDs.
3. Najee Harris
Najee is entering his third year in the NFL and working towards his contract year. His rookie was solid as he finished as a top 3 PPR RB. In 2022 he had a down year, yet he still finished with 272 attempts which was 5th among RBs.
The Sky is really the limit this year as the Steelers have improved their o-line, and Kenny Pickett is set and settled into the offense.
I believe in Najee, Pickett, the improved o-line, and head coach Mike Tomlin. Najee has no competition for touches in their offense at all. He is the man, and he will eat. Not to mention that he is a great vale and sitting 13th on the consensus rankings.
The value and opportunity are great for Najee Harris entering his third year.
(Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire)
4. Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry is heading into his sunset years and is getting older. Last year he did great again and finished with the most rushing attempts among RBs (349). When I look at drafting an RB, volume is really key, and Henry will give you this.
There are some question marks, though, including the addition of rookie QB Will Levis and how he will gel with the offense if he gets the start. You also have to question is Henry can still play at a top level again consistently and maintain his volume without injury.
Honestly, I did feel better about Henry last year, and this year it will be a boom or bust season, in my opinion, and possible integration of rookie RB Tyjae Spears. Maybe 2022 was the last Hooray for Henry, or perhaps he has another solid year or two left in him. I am excited to see how this plays out.
5. Saquon Barkley
Saquon had a pinnacle year in 2022 as he had to prove himself to get a big contract with the NY Giants. The problem is that he did prove himself and didn’t get the big contract. He is turning down 13 million-dollar-a-year deals and may hold out in the 2023 season.
(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)
I like the talent, and he is primed for workhorse volume, but do not draft unless he solidifies a deal. It is too risky to invest a 1st round fantasy football draft pick in a guy with contract issues who could hold out.
I also liked his value last year, when everyone was sleeping on him, and he fell outside the top 10 among RB rankings and was drafted in the 2nd round in 12-person PPR leagues. Just be cautious if you do draft him.
6. Breece Hall
They don’t call him Breece “The Beast” for no reason. Breece Hall is sitting 11th on the consensus sheep rankings, and the reason for that was his knee tear injury last season.
The good news is that he is all healed and looking good in training camp. According to the coaching staff, he looks solid, and videos
(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)
show him moving well.
If you want to roster the beast on your rosters, you can get him for decent value in the 2nd round. If you decide to draft him, ensure you draft an RB in round one to be safe. I love the ceiling and upside of Breece Hall, but his running at 100% in the 2023 season is in question with the injury from last season.
I love the upside and boom-type potential here with Breece Hall. I also like the RD 2 value you will get him for.
7. Dameon Pierce
Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)
Dameon Pierce proved last year that he is the main man in Texas and can get it done. He rushed for 220 attempts, 939 yards, 4.3 YPC, and 4 TDs in his rookie year. He is currently sitting 19th on the consensus sheep rankings, and you can get him in rounds 3-4.
I love the value, talent, and upside here for Dameon, who made it out of the draft unaffected. He is the workhorse and is the lead back in with the Texans. They brought in Devin Singletary, but he sucks and should not be a concern, as Dameon is the man.
This season, he can easily be a top-10 finisher based on talent, volume, and opportunity. Draft with confidence for amazing value and upside this 2023 fantasy football season.
8. Josh Jacobs
(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)
I am not convinced that Josh Jacobs can repeat last year’s performance. He was #2 in rushing attempts and ran for over 1653 yards on the ground, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. He was playing hard last year as he was playing for a contract year.
He got paid 10 million on a franchise tag for 2023 and should continue to play with a lot on the line. He was average in his rookie and early season and was always an RB that came off in round 3 in fantasy or after. I don’t feel like spending early draft capital on him and not sold. He can duplicate last year’s numbers.
9. Christian McCaffrey
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CMC will get hurt, is my gut feeling. He only played ten games in 2020 and 2021 combined. Last year he decided to turn it up and ran for 1138 yards on the ground on 244 attempts and topped it off with 85 receptions.
Christian McCaffret is not a young guy anymore, he has been paid and incentivized, and I feel will lack the hunger to duplicate last season’s success. 2022 was CMC’s last hooray, and he won’t achieve these numbers again.
Note that Elijah Mitchell only played five games last year in 2022 and should be back healthy and demand a heavy workload himself. I am not going to pay a 1st overall pick on an older RB who is past his prime and coming off a great season. No way.
10. Austin Ekeler
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I had to put Austin Ekler in the top 10 because he was untouched after the NFL draft. The Chargers did not pay him the mega-contact he wanted and expected but at least he will still be the main back.
Now you have to anticipate a significant decline this upcoming season, as Joe Lombardi is no longer there, and the check-downs will have to end.
Ekeler is way too expensive of a draft pick, coming in a pinnacle year, and a decline is 100% in the books. I will not pay the top 3 overall draft pick on a guy who isn’t even a true workhorse RB. He was a WR last year on a team that had major injuries at that position.
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