Home » 2021 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

2021 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings: Standard Scoring

Joe DiTullio

Publish Date: August 25, 2021

The 2021 NFL Draft is over, giving us a clearer picture of rosters for the 2021 season. With that fantasy football rankings can be released. Here are the 2021 fantasy football standard scoring running back rankings. (Note: These are best used for standard-scoring leagues and will be updated until the season starts)

For Position Rankings: Big Board QB RB WR TE D/ST K

1-10

1. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

He may have only played in a few games last season before getting injured, but McCaffrey was effective when he was on the field. McCaffrey led all running backs at 24.4 points per game and should be expected to put up similar numbers in 2021.

2. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

Henry is hitting milestones every year it seems and specializes in late-season production. He led all fantasy scorers with 314.7 points in 2020. For the 2021 season, Henry should be back atop running back leaders.

3. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings

Fantasy managers know Cook is an explosive player, but he will likely miss a few games every season. He had the highest scoring average at 21 points per game in 14 games played. Managers who draft Cook, should be happy with his production, but should prepare for him to miss time.

4. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

Barkley is coming back from an injury that only allowed him to play in two games last season. His talent is undeniable after he logged two 1,000 yard rushing seasons to start his career. With more offensive weapons, the box won’t be as stacked against him this year.

5. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

The Saints will have a new signal-caller under center, but at least they’ll still have Kamara out of the backfield. He finished second in both in total scoring and points per game in 2020. Teams will stack the box against him, which could hurt his production a little, but Kamara will be a nice, easy target for the new quarterback to utilize in the passing game.

6. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

Chubb averaged 16 points per game in 2020, but only played in 12 games. He ranked ninth last season, but he should move up this list this year with a full season.

7. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers

While Jamaal Williams will be out of the picture, A.J. Dillon will likely have a bigger role in the offense this year. The Packers would still be smart to utilize Jones heavily, as he ranked fifth for fantasy running backs in 2020. Even with his drop in the 2021 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings, he should still be a big producer.

8. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

Taylor made a late surge to finish as the fourth-best running back in 2020. Marlon Mack was re-signed, but Taylor is the more talented back and should be used more in short-yardage situations.

9. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

In 2020, Elliot did not look like himself and finished eleventh for fantasy running backs. Having Dak Prescott back under center will help keep the offense more open. Elliot has likely started to decline, but the question of how fast he will decline is up in the air.

10. Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team

He played in 14 games and ranked as the 14th-ranked running back in 2020 thanks to a late-season surge. Gibson is a threat as a runner and a receiver, making him a valuable fantasy asset. With an improved offense, Gibson should shine in 2021 and move up the 2021 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings.

11-20

11. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

During an injury-plagued 2020, Ekeler neared 1,000 total yards in just 10 games. The Chargers seem to have faith in him, as they didn’t further address the running back position in the 2021 NFL Draft.

12. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati coaches have stated they don’t want Mixon to come off the field almost at all this season. He only played in six games last season, so he’ll need to stay on the field, but Mixon will get a lot of work.

13. Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks

In 12 games, Carson rushed for 681 yards. If he can play a full season and the Seahawks focus on running the ball, Carson could recapture his value from a few years ago.

14. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers had other needs, but drafted Harris in the first round, which seems to have sent a message that the team is going back to their old-school ways of running the football. The Steelers mainly use one running back every year if they can stay healthy and Harris will benefit.

15. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs

Edwards-Helaire didn’t have the best rookie season, but finished as the 22nd-best running back in 12 games. His ability to be a good receiver and a year under his belt should help him move slightly up the top running backs this year.

16. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders signed Kenyan Drake, which will limit Jacobs a bit. He should still get most of the work out of the backfield after finishing eighth for running backs in 2020.

17. James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars

With rookie Travis Etienne going down with an injury, Robinson will be the top running back. He had a solid season last year and should be a viable RB2 at the very least.

18. David Montgomery, Chicago Bears

Montgomery was the sixth-best fantasy back last year. Tarik Cohen is coming back from injury, which will cut into the amount of touches he gets. Usually a sixth-ranked running back would rank much higher, but most of his production came via a late season push that saw him score seven of his eight touchdowns in the final five weeks of the season.

19. Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens

With JK Dobbins going down with a knee injury, Edwards figures to take over. Last season, he made the most of his carries. Having the top running back in Baltimore is well worth it for at-least RB2 fantasy points.

20. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles

Sanders ranked 21st last season in just 12 games played. The Eagles have added a lot to their running back room this offseason though, as they now have Kerryon Johnson and Kenneth Gainwell too.

21-30

21. D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions

With Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson gone, Swift is the leader in the backfield. He will be one of the few true offensive weapons the Lions have. After ranking 20th last season, finishing at that rate again is manageable.

22. Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams

With Akers tearing his Achilles, Henderson figures to take over most of the work out of the backfield. He is the only player with a lot of experience at the position on the Rams roster. Henderson averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season and should be able to produce.

23. Damien Harris, New England Patriots

While Harris did play well last year, the team drafted Rhamond Stevenson in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Harris will be an early-down back capable of producing, but the Patriots always use multiple running backs.

24. Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins

Surprisingly, the Dolphins didn’t address the running back position in the 2021 NFL Draft. Because of that, Gaskin will likely get the majority of the work out of the backfield. He ranked 27th in just 10 games played in 2020 and should improve on those numbers.

25. Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns

Hunt was the 10th-ranked running back last season, but it is hard to see him replicating that success if Nick Chubb can stay healthy for the full season. He is a boom or bust player, as even when Chubb is in the lineup, he can score over 20 points, but there are plenty of other games where he scores in the single digits.

26. Mike Davis, Atlanta Falcons

Last year, Davis did a great job filling in for Christian McCaffrey. He showed the ability to not only run between the tackles, but he also showed off some pass-catching ability. The Falcons signed him and no longer have Todd Gurley on the roster. After finishing as RB18 last season, Davis should have another good fantasy season.

28. Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers will likely use multiple running backs again in 2021. Jeffrey Wilson is out for the beginning of the season, but Trey Sermon and Elijah Mitchell both present some promise as rookies. Wayne Gallman is also on the roster. Mostert is the most experienced for the team and has produced for the 49ers, but he’ll have to fight for touches.

29. Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jones was the 15th-ranked running back last year in just 14 games. He will likely drop this year for a few reasons. Leonard Fournette started to come along in the playoffs and could get more work earlier in the season after a season with the team. The Bucs also acquired Giovani Bernard to be a third down back.

30. Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos

After the Broncos chose to not bring back Phillip Lindsay, Melvin Gordon figured to be the lead back by a wide margin for the team. Then the team drafted Javonte Williams in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Now, RB13 from last year may have to share the backfield again.

31-40

31. Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals

Edmonds has produced as a back up and change of pace back behind Kenyan Drake, but now he may get a lot more work. The Cardinals signed James Conner, but Edmonds is a more versatile weapon with the ability to catch the ball along with his rushing abilities.

32. David Johnson, Houston Texans

Johnson had a great 2020 season that saw him be the 19th-ranked running back in just 12 games played. The Texans have really invested in the running back position this offseason with the acquisitions of Mark Ingram and Phillip Lindsay.

33. Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Fournette did really well down the stretch and even earned the nickname “Playoff Lenny”. He was the 39th-ranked player during the regular season and has to split time in the backfield, so Fournette won’t rise up the 2021 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings too much despite his late-season production.

34. Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills

The problem for both Moss and Devin Singletary is that Josh Allen takes up some their opportunities as a runner. Then on top of that, they have to split carries with each other. If the Bills decide to try and limit the wear and tear on Allen in short yardage situations, Moss is the back who could get that work.

35. Kenyan Drake, Las Vegas Raiders

It seems the Raiders want to use Drake at running back and wide receiver in 2021. He may have a tough time fighting for carries with Josh Jacobs, but his receiving ability could really help his value in fantasy.

36. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

Conner didn’t have a good offensive line with the Steelers last year and he has struggled with injuries. If he is healthy, he should be able to produce, especially as a power back for the Cardinals.

37. Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens

Edwards is going to take over the lion’s share of the work out of the backfield, but the Ravens use multiple backs. Hill can be a good third down back for the Ravens and will get a lot of work.

38. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos

Teams don’t usually use early-round running backs on players and then sit them on the bench. Williams will be involved in the offense, but how many carries will he take away from Melvin Gordon?

39. A.J. Dillon, Green Bay Packers

Late in the season, Dillon was able to show why the Packers drafted him with a 24.9 point performance in week 16. Now that Jamaal Williams is in Detroit, Dillon will be able to spell Aaron Jones and get starts if he can’t go.

40. Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills

As mentioned, Singletary will fight for carries with both Zack Moss and Josh Allen. This will limit his value, but he does have the ability to catch the ball, which could help him stay on the field more than Moss.