Top 5 Fantasy Running Backs 2023 – A Comprehensive Guide
Hi, I’m Emily Johnson, and I’ve been playing fantasy football for the past decade. As a running back enthusiast, I’ve scoured through the stats and analyzed the trends to bring you the top 5 fantasy running backs for the upcoming 2023 season. In this article, I’ll be sharing my personal experiences, expert analysis, and interesting facts to help you make informed decisions for your fantasy team.
Top Statistics and Curiosities
- Christian McCaffrey has been the top fantasy running back for the past three seasons, but his injury history is a major concern for the upcoming season.
- Derrick Henry had a breakout season in 2022, rushing for over 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns.
- Jonathan Taylor finished as the RB2 in 2022 and is poised for another strong season in 2023.
- Alvin Kamara is a consistent performer and is heavily involved in the passing game, making him a valuable asset in PPR leagues.
- Saquon Barkley is coming off a major injury but is expected to bounce back strong in 2023.
1. Christian McCaffrey
Christian McCaffrey has been a fantasy football superstar for the past three seasons, but his injury history is a major concern for the upcoming season. In 2022, he missed 12 games due to various injuries, including a hamstring strain, a shoulder injury, and a foot injury. Despite the injuries, McCaffrey still managed to finish as the RB11 in PPR leagues.
However, if he can stay healthy in 2023, McCaffrey has the potential to be the top fantasy running back once again. His dual-threat ability as a runner and receiver makes him a valuable asset in both standard and PPR leagues. In 2019, he became just the third player in NFL history to record 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.
2. Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry had a historic season in 2022, rushing for over 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. He finished as the RB1 in both standard and PPR leagues, and his dominance was a major reason why many fantasy managers won their championships.
Henry’s workload is a major concern, as he carried the ball 378 times in 2022, the most in the league by a wide margin. However, if he can continue to handle the workload, he has the potential to be a top fantasy running back once again in 2023.
3. Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor finished as the RB2 in 2022, behind only Derrick Henry. He rushed for over 1,800 yards and 19 touchdowns, and he also caught 45 passes for 389 yards and a touchdown.
Taylor’s involvement in the passing game was a major surprise, as he was not known for his receiving ability in college. However, his versatility makes him a valuable asset in PPR leagues, and he should continue to be a top fantasy running back in 2023.
4. Alvin Kamara
Alvin Kamara is a consistent performer and is heavily involved in the passing game, making him a valuable asset in PPR leagues. He has finished as a top-10 fantasy running back in each of the past four seasons, and he has caught at least 81 passes in each of those seasons.
Kamara’s touchdown production was down in 2022, as he only scored nine touchdowns compared to 21 in 2021. However, he should still be a top fantasy running back in 2023 due to his involvement in the passing game and his ability to break big plays.
5. Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley is coming off a major injury, as he tore his ACL in Week 2 of the 2022 season. However, if he can stay healthy in 2023, he has the potential to be a top fantasy running back.
In his first two seasons in the league, Barkley rushed for over 1,000 yards and caught at least 91 passes in each season. His versatility and big-play ability make him a valuable asset in all formats, and he should be a top pick in fantasy drafts if he is healthy.
FAQs
- What is a fantasy running back? A fantasy running back is a player on a fantasy football team who earns points based on his performance in real-life NFL games. Points are typically awarded for yards gained, touchdowns scored, and receptions made.
- What is PPR? PPR stands for points per reception. In PPR leagues, players earn one point for each reception they make, in addition to points for yards gained and touchdowns scored.
- How do I draft a fantasy running back? When drafting a fantasy running back, it’s important to consider the player’s past performance, injury history, and the strength of their team’s offense. It’s also important to consider the player’s role in their team’s offense, as some running backs are more involved in the passing game than others.