Fantasy Football Week 1 Running Back Rankings

The 2023-24 NFL season is about to begin which means fantasy football is back! Most fantasy football team managers don’t make major lineup moves in the first week of the season. Typically managers will start the players they drafted in the earlier rounds. However, since every week is important it would be irresponsible to start a player with a rough matchup over a player with a more favorable one because he was drafted to be a starter. Here are fantasy football week 1 running back rankings.

*Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to the Injured Reserve List

(Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week)

Key:

Must Start- a player who is in your lineup regardless of the matchup or most circumstances. They Will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and in most weeks.

Starting RB1- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a high floor.

High-End RB2- a player who may not be likely to carry a lineup that week, but has the ability to have a breakout game and is teetering between RB1 and RB2 territory.

Starting RB2- a player who should be started in most lineups and should reach their point projection. This player is started because of their consistency and moderately high floor

Low RB2- a player who may not be a lock to start for a team every week, but will start more times than not. Their production may not be pretty or win a person their lineup but the production is consistent enough to make a fantasy owner comfortable starting them.

Flex- a player who could float around the territory of being benched, but is started due to the potential to play better than their point projection. However, this player has the potential to flop and cause a fantasy team to lose if he has a bad game.

Deep League Flex- a player who is more of a Hail Mary throw at the position. There are enough reasons to leave this player on the bench, but their upside makes them an attractive option. Desperate times may call for a player like this to be inserted into starting lineups.

Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.

Possible Changes that can occur before Sunday

RB15 Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers

Newly signed Miles Sanders has been dealing with a groin injury. Early reports say that he should be available for Week 1. If Sanders does miss Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons Chuba Hubbard moves up to RB29 between James Cook and Brian Robinson Jr. Raheem Blacksheer would become the RB53 between Damien Harris and Joshua Kelley.

RB34 Breece Hall, New York Jets

Breece Hall is still recovering from his torn ACL from last season. He is expected to start the year slow and ramp up to a role comparable to what he had last season as he gets healthier. If Hall sits out Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills Dalvin Cook moves up to RB9 between Nick Chubb and Rhamondre Stevenson. Michael Carter becomes the RB54 between Joshua Kelley and Jerome Ford. Israel Abanikanda becomes the RB64 between Rico Dowdle and Kyle Juszczyk.

RB39 De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins

De’Von Achane has been limited in practice because of a shoulder injury. Since Jeff Wilson Jr. will begin the year on IR Achane could see a large workload early on in his rookie season. However, if Achane was to miss Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers Raheem Mostert moves up to RB18 between Rachaad White and Najee Harris. Salvon Ahmed will become the RB58 between Keontay Ingram and Tyjae Spears. If Ahmed misses Week 1 because of his neck injury Chris Brooks will become the RB63 between Rico Dowdle and Kyle Juszczyk.

RB48 Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints

Kendre Miller missed practice last Thursday with a neck injury. He is expected to have an expanded role with Alvin Kamara missing the first three games due to suspension. If Miller was to miss Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans Jamaal Williams would retain his RB20 position. Versatile offensive weapon Kirk Merritt would be the team’s backup running back behind Williams.

RB62 Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons

Cordarrelle Patterson has been resting to recover from a soft tissue injury. His role is unclear with the addition of Bijan Robinson to the Falcons running back room. If Patterson misses Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers Bijan Robinson retains his RB4 position. Tyler Allgeier becomes a more comfortable option to flex in deeper leagues at his RB43 position.

Players that are currently not expected to play

Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts

Zack Moss is currently recovering from an arm fracture suffered early in the offseason program. Moss is not expected to be ready for the Indianapolis’ first game of the season. There is a chance Moss plays in the season opener. If Moss was to play he would slot in at RB35 between Breece Hall and Samaje Perine. Deon Jackson would drop down to RB40 between Devon Achane and Zach Charbonnet. Evan Hull would then drop to RB57 between Jerome Ford and Chuba Hubbard.

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