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Fantasy football: Early 2019 running back PPR rankings

By Kevin Scott

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants takes the field prior to their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 12, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants takes the field prior to their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 12, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 23: Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) runs with the ball during a regular season game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions on December 23, 2018 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Minnesota defeated Detroit 27-9. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 23: Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) runs with the ball during a regular season game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions on December 23, 2018 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Minnesota defeated Detroit 27-9. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Tier 3

Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings

James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers

Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars

Le’Veon Bell, New York Jets

Damien Williams, Kansas City Chiefs

While it is unlikely any of these players could finish as a top-three running back, all have massive potential as key cogs in their respective offenses. While it is a tad worrisome that the Vikings drafted talented back Alexander Mattison, Dalvin Cook should still handle the lion’s share of touches in an explosive offense. If the Jets make a turnaround, Le’Veon Bell could be a value in this tier, but there is always a chance things go south for him after he sat out a full season. And Damien Williams jumps up to this tier since he is likely to handle 70 percent or more of the touches in one of the top offenses in the league.

Tier 4

Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts

Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers

Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions

Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

Sony Michel, New England Patriots

Derrius Guice, Washington Redskins

This tier could be called the “young with potential to combust” tier. Each of these players is still on his first contract, and each has shown flashes of huge upside (with the exception of Derrius Guice, who only showed those flashes in college). Further, each could become the centerpiece of his offense and move into the top-10 running backs for 2020, but each comes with the risk of not getting enough touches to get there. These are very solid options if you miss on the guys in the first three tiers.

Tier 5

Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons

Mark Ingram, Baltimore Ravens

Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks

Phillip Lindsay, Denver Broncos

Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles

Joshua Jacobs, Oakland Raiders

This tier is a mix of aging veterans in good situations and young backs with big potential. Devonta Freeman, if he returns to health, could easily be an excellent value in this tier, and potentially push your team over the top. Then again, he has had a difficult time staying healthy. Miles Sanders and Joshua Jacobs, if they get the majority of touches as rookies, could also add that high end starter for fantasy teams and be the extra push a team needs to get over the top. Sanders is ranked over Jacobs because I think Sanders is the superior talent.

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