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Fantasy Football 2020: Dynasty rookie running back rankings

By Benjamin Main

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 07: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs the ball in the Big Ten Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 07: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs the ball in the Big Ten Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 28: Running back AJ Dillon of Boston College runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 28: Running back AJ Dillon of Boston College runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Running Back Rankings: Tier 2

5. AJ Dillon, Boston College (projected: 3rd-4th)

6’0” 247lbs, 4.53 40yd

AJ Dillion’s draft stock is soaring right now. He is a polarizing figure on draft boards. A rare combination of size and athleticism. Guys built like AJ Dillon should not be able to jump that high and run that fast. There is a reason why he put up back-to-back-to-back seasons of over 1000 yards and over 10TDs. With the success of Derek Henry last year, there will be a team that bets early round draft capital on his upside. Stephen Jackson is a better comp than Henry is though.

6. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU (projected: 2nd-3rd)

5’7” 207lbs, 4.60 40yd

Small, slow running backs do not peak my fancy in dynasty. The thing moving CEH up on draftboards is his college production in his junior year at LSU. I will not take anything away from his junior year, commanding a 10% target share in an offense riddled with talented options. However, I cannot look past the size and speed measurables. He is going to be the next Dion Lewis, not a 3 down running back in the NFL.

7. Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt (projected: 3rd – 4th)

5’10” 214lbs, 4.51 40yd

Vaughn is a between the tackles grinder that flashed some hands in his senior season at Vanderbilt, catching 28 catches out of the backfield. He also commanded a 10% target share in his senior season, which is elite. His combine was decent, but he did not flash the explosiveness that I would have liked to see. He ranked in the bottom half in both broad jump and vertical. He clearly belongs in a tier below the top 3 (or 4 with Cam Akers). Another consideration is the fact that he will turn 23 prior to the start of the season, which is not ideal for dynasty.

8. Antonio Gibson, Memphis (projected: 4th-5th)

6’0” 228lbs, 4.39 40yd

Is he a running back? He states that he is a wide receiver, but he played a duel role in college at Memphis. Gibson averaged 11.2 yards per carry on 33 carries in his second season on Memphis, while commanding 56 air targets and a 12.7 percent target share. He is an explosive play-maker that is extremely versatile. Sounds probably like a better real life NFL player than fantasy stud, but the upside is something that cannot be overlooked.

9. Joshua Kelley, UCLA (projected: 4th-5th)

5’11” 212lbs, 4.49 40yd

Joshua Kelley has all the makings of a productive 3 down back in the NFL. He has adequate size, he is athletic, he is agile and he was productive at UCLA. Kelley only has 2 years against Division I talent, as he started his collegiate career in junior college. He went over 1000 yards and 10 touchdowns in each season at UCLA. He did all of this behind one of the worst offensive lines in all of college football. He reminds me of Marlon Mack.

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