As draft season approaches there are many running backs that you should consider taking in the first few rounds. Listed here are the top running backs that you should look to add during the early rounds of your fantasy drafts.

• Christian McCaffery

  Christian McCaffery is going to go number one overall in a majority of fantasy drafts this season, and he should. Drafting McCaffery is always a risk because of his injury history, but if he can play 14 games, he may easily be the most productive running back in the passing game, as well as the ground game. McCaffery played in 16 games this past season his most since 2019, as well as reaching double digit games for only the second time since 2019, making the injury concern real here. The offense he plays in certainly brings a much higher floor than anyone else you could possibly take number one overall but if he gets hurt and misses a chunk of the season that floor turns into the basement. McCaffery produced 1459 rushing yards last season to go along with 21 total touchdowns, and 67 catches for 564 yards. Take him number one overall, but make sure you handcuff him with Elijah Mitchell, even if that means taking Mitchell a few rounds earlier then you should, because you have to make sure you do not get stuck with a waiver wire running back for multiple weeks at a time.

• Bijan Robinson

  Robinson has the most potential to dethrone McCaffery next season as the number one running back taken in drafts next year, meaning he should be in for a big year this year. With Arthur Smith gone, and a completely new coaching staff underway they are going to want to get their high draft pick into action a lot more than the previous coaches did last year. Robinson will produce as both a runner and a pass catcher similar to McCaffery, and now that he has a real quarterback the Atlanta offense should function a lot smoother meaning more opportunities for Robinson, especially on the ground. Expect Robinson to rush for 1300 plus yard, catch 60 plus passes for 600 plus yards, along with 14 total TDs.

• Breece Hall

  Hall is coming into a much better situation then he did last year strictly because of his quarterback situation. With Aaron Rodgers back, teams won’t be able to stack the box against Hall and in turn that should open up a lot more holes for Hall to run through. Rodgers also tends to get his running backs involved in the passing game, adding more value to Hall especially in PPR leagues. Hall was limited last year especially early on as he was coming off of an injury, but heading into this season Hall has no limitations and is expected to be the bell cow for the New York Jets. If Hall and Rodgers can stay healthy expect Hall to reach 1300 plus rushing yards, 12 total touchdowns, along with 70 plus catches for 600 plus yards.

• Saquon Barkley

  Barkley switched teams this past off season joining his longtime rival the Philadelphia Eagles. For fantasy purposes this is a massive move for Barkley as he is now in an actual offense, an offense that will give him better opportunities to produce, and most importantly score touchdowns. Barkley has a long injury history as well, and it is definitely concerning but he has the opportunity to grind out his best season as a pro, in his best situation as a pro. Barkley will be much more effective in a faster moving offense, as well as playing with one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. Barkley should rush for at least 1200 years, score 10 touchdowns, and catch 50 plus passes for 4-500 yards. Take Barkley as a top four running back this year, and if he stays healthy feel confident in not just him but his situation.

• Jahmyr Gibbs

  Gibbs was limited by his coaches early on last season, but by the end of the year the team fully unleashed him. Sharing a backfield with running back David Montgomery, one would think it should take some of his value away but because Gibbs will be used more in the slot this year according to the coaching staff it could actually add more value to Gibbs because he may catch more passes. Gibbs has limitless potential and if he is able to get to 220 plus carries, he is going to easily be a top five fantasy running back this season. Gibbs has the potential to explode statistically this year, expect him to rush for 1100 plus yards, have 80 plus catches for 600 plus yards and 10 total touchdowns. This may be Gibbs’ floor if he stays healthy, with the potential for so much more.

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