2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs led by David Johnson

A loaded running back class makes fantasy football rankings tight as we look forward to fantasy drafts in the coming months.

Every year experts debate just how big of an impact rookies will make in their first year, which severely impacts fantasy football rankings This year could be huge for a very deep running back class.

It wouldn’t be a surprise for four rookies to finish in the top 15 for fantasy by the end of the year, but for now here are my current rankings about two months out from fantasy draft season.

May 16, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson during team OTA workouts at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1. David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals

David Johnson took the league by storm last year, he was far and away the best fantasy player in the league and should be once again this year.

2. Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers

Really the only player on this list who can challenge David Johnson for the top spot. The only question is whether or not he can stay healthy and out of trouble. He was in on more snaps than any other running back in 2016.

3. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

Don’t get me wrong Zeke is a special talent, but as we saw the last couple years, anyone can put up good numbers behind that offensive line, he should have another big year in 2017.

4. LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills

Shady surprised some people last year as he turned back the clock and finished with great fantasy numbers, he may actually see a slight increase in usage this year as Mike Gillislee has moved on to the New England Patriots.

5. Jordan Howard, Chicago Bears

Howard will have to carry the team if the Bears expect to climb out of the cellar of the NFC North. My only worry here is that Howard will be the focal point of every defense the Bears face. He will see a lot of eight-man boxes, and it could hurt his fantasy production.

Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons

Freeman is in a contract year and has stated that he wants to be paid among the league’s best. Look for him to shine in 2017.

7. Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers

Gordon bounced back from a disappointing rookie season and put up good numbers in 2016. He will once again be the feature back in a high-scoring offense and should be a top-12 pick in most leagues.

8. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

My pick for offensive rookie of the year. McCaffrey should see a lot of touches in the Panther’s offense and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him finish among the best in the league for fantasy points.

9. DeMarco Murray, Tennessee Titans

Murray scares me a little bit, he has had injury problems in the past, and the Titans will be looking to get Derrick Henry more involved in the offense. Murray should still be the lead back but this could be more of a timeshare as the season moves forward.

10. Jay Ajayi, Miami Dolphins

11. Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams

12. Lamar Miller, Houston Texans

Miller had a disappointing 20166 from a fantasy perspective, and the addition of D’onta Foreman won’t help him much, he’s out of my top 10.

13. Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars

Could go higher, could go lower does anyone really trust Jacksonville to use him to his full potential?

14. Marshawn Lynch, Oakland Raiders

15. Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers

16. Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns

17. Eddie Lacy, Seattle Seahawks

18. Spencer Ware, Kansas City Chiefs

19. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings

20. Bilal Powell, New York Jets

He’s the only player I would touch for the New York Jets in the first few rounds. He should see a lot of carries and dump off passes from whichever quarterback starts for the Jets.

21. Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints

As of right now Ingram is still the back to own in New Orleans, but I fully expect him to be traded by the beginning of the season. If he is traded, then start to look for Adrian Peterson to rise up draft boards.

22. Ty Montgomery, Green Bay Packers

Keep an eye on the Packers backfield in the pre-season, they have some new additions and one of them could surprise and push for a starting role this season.

23. Adrian Peterson, New Orleans Saints

24. C.J. Anderson, Denver Broncos

25. Danny Woodhead, Baltimore Ravens

26. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have a similar situation to New Orleans, look for them to trade or release Jeremy Hill or Giovani Bernard. Once they do, I would be much more comfortable drafting Mixon and would slide him up a few more spots on the board.

27. Tevin Coleman, Atlanta Falcons

Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs the ball against Dallas Cowboys strong safety Barry Church (42) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

28. Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Martin is suspended for the first three games of the season so he could slip a bit on draft day. He could be a great pickup for later in the season.

29. LeGarrette Blount, Philadelphia Eagles

30. Frank Gore, Indianapolis Colts

31. Paul Perkins, New York Giants

32. Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions

33. Mike Gillislee, New England Patriots

34. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

35. Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions

36. Robert Kelley, Washington Redskins

37. C.J. Prosise, Seattle Seahawks

38. James White, New England Patriots

39. Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs

40. Matt Forte, New York Jets

41. Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles

42. Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals

43. Duke Johnson Jr., Cleveland Browns

44. Chris Thompson, Washington Redskins

45. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers

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46. Latavius Murray, Minnesota Vikings

47. Rex Burkhead, New England Patriots

48. Samaje Perine, Washington Redskins

49. Kenneth Dixon, Baltimore Ravens

50. Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals

51. Jacquizz Rodgers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

52. D’Onta Foreman, Houston Texans

53. Jamaal Charles, Denver Broncos

54. Charles Sims, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

55. Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts

56. T.J. Yeldon, Jacksonville Jaguars

57. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

58. Dion Lewis, New England Patriots

59. Shane Vereen, New York Giants

60. Jalen Richard, Oakland Raiders

61. Thomas Rawls, Seattle Seahawks

62. Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota Vikings

63. DeAndre Washington, Oakland Raiders

64. Terrance West, Baltimore Ravens

65. Wendell Smallwood, Philadelphia Eagles

66. Kenyan Drake, Miami Dolphins

67. Devontae Booker, Denver Broncos

68. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers

69. Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers

70. James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers

71. Lance Dunbar, Los Angeles Rams

72. Darren McFadden, Dallas Cowboys

73. Joe Williams, San Francisco 49ers

74. Jonathan Williams, Buffalo Bills

75. Robert Turbin, Indianapolis Colts

Questions, comments, smart remarks? Comment below!

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