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Last season was a tough one for fantasy drafters with the No. 1 and 2 picks missing much of the season. Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley both were problematic draft choices. In their place, Dalvin Cook and Alvin Kamara took over as the go-to top plays in PPR leagues, while Derrick Henry moved into their group in non-PPR leagues.
Here are my pre-draft and -free agency running back half-ppr rankings:
Tier 1
Will McCaffrey return to his No. 1 status this season? Yes, but we will likely see more arguments for Cook, Henry, Barkley and Kamara. With Drew Brees likely gone, Kamara becomes a little iffier, but he should still be a huge part of the Saints offense. McCaffrey still put up huge numbers in his almost three games played and should be champing at the bit to get back to the field. Barkley has the ability to be a high-usage back and put up big PPR numbers, but his injury history and sketchy offense is a little worrisome. But, I still like him as a Tier 1 player.
Tier 2
After those five, things get a little tougher, but we have a good group with Nick Chubb, Jonathan Taylor and Austin Ekeler. I’m also high on D’Andre Swift and J.K. Dobbins, while Ezekiel Elliott should return to a touchdown maker with Dak Prescott back. These probably can be split into two tiers, but they are close.
Running back rankings for half-PPR 2021 fantasy football
Rk | Name | Team |
---|---|---|
Rk | Name | Team |
1 | Christian McCaffrey | CAR |
2 | Dalvin Cook | MIN |
3 | Alvin Kamara | NO |
4 | Saquon Barkley | NYG |
5 | Derrick Henry | TEN |
6 | Nick Chubb | CLE |
7 | Jonathan Taylor | IND |
8 | Austin Ekeler | LAC |
9 | D'Andre Swift | DET |
10 | Ezekiel Elliott | DAL |
11 | J.K. Dobbins | BAL |
12 | Aaron Jones | GB |
13 | Cam Akers | LAR |
14 | Josh Jacobs | LV |
15 | Miles Sanders | PHI |
16 | Joe Mixon | CIN |
17 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | KC |
18 | Antonio Gibson | WAS |
19 | David Montgomery | CHI |
20 | James Robinson | JAC |
21 | Chris Carson | SEA |
22 | Kenyan Drake | ARI |
23 | Kareem Hunt | CLE |
24 | Melvin Gordon III | DEN |
25 | Ronald Jones II | TB |
26 | Raheem Mostert | SF |
27 | Zack Moss | BUF |
28 | Najee Harris | FA |
29 | Travis Etienne | FA |
30 | Myles Gaskin | MIA |
31 | David Johnson | HOU |
32 | Leonard Fournette | TB |
33 | Tony Pollard | DAL |
34 | James Conner | PIT |
35 | Chase Edmonds | ARI |
36 | AJ Dillon | GB |
37 | Devin Singletary | BUF |
38 | Damien Harris | NE |
39 | Tarik Cohen | CHI |
40 | Nyheim Hines | IND |
41 | Latavius Murray | NO |
42 | Le'Veon Bell | KC |
43 | Darrell Henderson | LAR |
44 | Phillip Lindsay | DEN |
45 | Todd Gurley II | ATL |
46 | Jamaal Williams | GB |
47 | Marlon Mack | IND |
48 | J.D. McKissic | WAS |
49 | James White | NE |
50 | Sony Michel | NE |
51 | Benny Snell Jr. | PIT |
52 | Jeff Wilson Jr. | SF |
53 | Kerryon Johnson | DET |
54 | Ke'Shawn Vaughn | TB |
55 | Duke Johnson Jr. | HOU |
56 | Rashaad Penny | SEA |
57 | Alexander Mattison | MIN |
58 | Gus Edwards | BAL |
59 | Boston Scott | PHI |
60 | Matt Breida | MIA |
61 | Joshua Kelley | LAC |
62 | Carlos Hyde | SEA |
63 | Tevin Coleman | SF |
64 | Giovani Bernard | CIN |
65 | Salvon Ahmed | MIA |
66 | La'Mical Perine | NYJ |
67 | Justin Jackson | LAC |
68 | Ito Smith | ATL |
69 | Darrynton Evans | TEN |
70 | Mark Ingram II | FA |
71 | Malcolm Brown | LAR |
72 | Jerick McKinnon | SF |
73 | Rex Burkhead | NE |
74 | Damien Williams | KC |
75 | Anthony McFarland Jr. | PIT |
76 | Mike Davis | CAR |
77 | Wayne Gallman | NYG |
78 | Bryce Love | WAS |
79 | Jordan Howard | PHI |
80 | Jalen Richard | LV |
81 | Kenny Gainwell | FA |
82 | Darrel Williams | KC |
83 | Adrian Peterson | DET |
84 | DeeJay Dallas | SEA |
85 | Lynn Bowden Jr. | MIA |
86 | Chris Thompson | JAC |
87 | Brian Hill | ATL |
88 | Ryquell Armstead | JAC |
89 | Dare Ogunbowale | JAC |
90 | Devine Ozigbo | JAC |
91 | Royce Freeman | DEN |
92 | Ty Johnson | NYJ |
93 | Jordan Wilkins | IND |
94 | Kalen Ballage | LAC |
95 | Justice Hill | BAL |
96 | Peyton Barber | WAS |
97 | Eno Benjamin | ARI |
98 | Frank Gore | NYJ |
99 | LeSean McCoy | TB |