2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs


These 2013 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings will be updated often throughout the spring and summer, so make sure you check back from time to time. Also, be sure to check out my other 2013 Fantasy Football articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2013 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.



2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - Running Backs (Sept. 4):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-40 | 41-60 | 61-75


  1. Evan Royster, RB, Redskins. Bye: 5.
    Evan Royster is nothing more than a late-round flier, but he is worth adding because an Alfred Morris could mean big things for him. Also, remember that Mike Shanahan is completely insane, so who knows what’s going to happen with the running back position in Washington?

    Follow @walterfootball for updates.

    Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 250 rushing yards. 20 catches. 140 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
    Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 77.
    Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 97.

  2. Toby Gerhart, RB, Vikings. Bye: 5.
    Toby Gerhart will get some more playing time if Adrian Peterson’s not chasing the all-time record again, but don’t expect much. Gerhart needs Peterson to get hurt to be any sort of factor.

    Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 250 rushing yards. 23 catches. 170 receiving yards. 2 total TDs.
    Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 74.
    Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 97.

  3. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Falcons. Bye: 6.
    Jacquizz Rodgers won’t make any sort of fantasy impact unless Steven Jackson gets hurt.

    Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 370 rushing yards. 25 catches. 180 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
    Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 73.
    Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 98.



  4. Knile Davis, RB, Chiefs. Bye: 10.
    Knile Davis could get goal-line touches for the Chiefs. He could also be benched if he fumbles as much as he did at Arkansas.

    Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 350 rushing yards. 6 catches. 40 receiving yards. 5 total TDs.
    Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 69.
    Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 75.

  5. Mike James, RB, Buccaneers. Bye: 5.
    With LeGarrette Blount gone, Mike James has a chance to be the No. 2 back in Tampa Bay.

    Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 400 rushing yards. 15 catches. 100 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
    Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 68.
    Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 83.



  6. Donald Brown, RB, Colts. Bye: 8.
    Vick Ballard has surpassed Donald Brown as Indianapolis’ starting running back. Brown needs Ballard to get injured if he wants to become relevant again.

    Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 400 rushing yards. 11 catches. 100 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
    Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 68.
    Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 79.

  7. Willis McGahee, RB, None. Bye: 0.
    Willis McGahee is now a free agent, though he told the media that he expects to play somewhere in 2013. If he can swallow his pride, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Denver re-sign him later in the summer.

    Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 300 rushing yards. 7 catches. 50 receiving yards. 2 total TDs.
    Projected 2010 Fantasy Points: 67.
    Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 74.



  8. Ryan Williams, RB, Cardinals. Bye: 9.
    AUG. 2 UPDATE: Ryan Williams is suffering from knee issues, and there is no indication of when he’ll be able to return. Williams was expected to challenge Rashard Mendenhall for the starting job, but that’s not a realistic possibility if he can’t practice.

    I’d say Ryan Williams has a slight edge over Rashard Mendenhall to be Arizona’s starting running back, but it ultimately doesn’t matter. That’s a situation to avoid.

    Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 400 rushing yards. 15 catches. 120 receiving yards. 2 total TDs.
    Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 61.
    Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 73.

  9. Dion Lewis, RB, Browns. Bye: 10.
    AUG. 16 UPDATE: Dion Lewis fractured his fibula against the Lions and will be out for a few months. He was seen as a decent handcuff for Trent Richardson.

    AUG. 9 UPDATE: Trent Richardson was out, allowing Dion Lewis to start. Lewis fared very well as a receiver coming out of the backfield, catching three balls for 22 yards and a touchdown. He also gained 12 yards on the ground with his five carries. If you own Richardson, it might be worth your while to handcuff him with Lewis, who will be a productive player if he’s forced into the starting lineup.

    Cleveland’s new regime doesn’t like Montario Hardesty, so it seems like Dion Lewis will be the handcuff to own, if you’re into that sort of thing. I am not.

    Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 150 rushing yards. 12 catches. 100 receiving yards. 1 total TD.
    Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 56.
    Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 68.



  10. Robert Turbin, RB, Seahawks. Bye: 12.
    Robert Turbin isn’t a very good handcuff because second-round rookie Christine Michael could just as easily handle a ton of touches.

    Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 250 rushing yards. 15 catches. 100 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
    Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 53.
    Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 68.

  11. Joseph Randle, RB, Cowboys. Bye: 11.
    AUG. 26 UPDATE: Despite DeMarco Murray being benched for fumbling, Joseph Randle was nowhere to be seen until the third quarter. Phillip Tanner was the first running back off the bench, tallying 39 yards on 14 carries. Randle (16-66) continues to play behind both Tanner and Lance Dunbar, who should be back soon.

    AUG. 5 UPDATE: Joseph Randle did most of the work in the second half. He started slow but then ripped off some quality gains, finishing with 70 yards on 13 attempts. Randle looked good, but he has work cut out for him. Tanner and Dunbar both thrived against Miami, so it’s going to be difficult for Randle to move up the depth chart.

    JULY 29 UPDATE: Joseph Randle is near the bottom of the depth chart in training camp. Lance Dunbar has “zoomed past” him, according to the Forth Worth Star-Telegram. Randle could still emerge as the No. 2 in Dallas, but things are looking bleak for him.

    DeMarco Murray is very injury-prone. Once he goes down again, someone will have to step in as the starting running back. The favorite to do that is Joseph Randle, a fifth-round pick out of Oklahoma State.

    Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 200 rushing yards. 6 catches. 40 receiving yards. 0 total TDs.
    Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 34.
    Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 40.

  12. Marcus Lattimore, RB, 49ers. Bye: 9.
    Marcus Lattimore may not play a single snap this season. He may not even see the field much in 2014. But he’ll be a stud fantasy back in 2015 and beyond when Frank Gore’s contract expires.

    Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 100 rushing yards. 0 catches. 0 receiving yards. 0 total TDs.
    Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 10.
    Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 10.

  13. Michael Turner, RB, None. Bye: None.
    Michael Turner could sign with someone and be an effective goal-line back.

    Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 0 rushing yards. 0 catches. 0 receiving yards. 0 total TDs.
    Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 0.
    Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 0.


2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - Running Backs (Sept. 4):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-40 | 41-60 | 61-75





More 2013 Fantasy Football Articles:
2013 Fantasy Football: Home

2013 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/1 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: RUNNING BACKS - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/2 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/3 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/3 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Auction Values - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings - 5/5 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 8/28 (Walt)

2013 Fantasy Football Season Features:
Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings - 12/26 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings: PPR - 12/26 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Injury Reports - 12/26 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Start Em, Sit Em - 12/26 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Add/Drop: Week 15 - 12/9 (Walt)
Week 14 Fantasy Football Start Em, Sit Em - 12/8 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Fan Duel Picks - 11/22 (Walt)
FanDuel FanDuel $15,000 Contest - 11/22
FanDuel Exclusive Offer to WalterFootball.com Readers - 8/24
FanDuel Week 1 $500 Freeroll - 8/24

2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets (Printable Option):
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Traditional Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: PPR Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Touchdown Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: 2-QB Format - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Downloadable Spreadsheets - 9/2 (Walt)

2013 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-team, 3-WR, Flex - 9/2 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-team, PPR - 8/29 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-team, Standard - 8/22 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-team, Dynasty - 8/15 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 14-team, PPR - 8/8 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 3-WR - 8/1 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 2-QB - 7/26 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 14-teamer - 7/19 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/11 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 6/29 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Four-Man Mock - 6/13 (Walt)

2013 Fantasy Football Articles:
2013 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Training Camp - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 8/30 (Walt)
2013 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 8/30 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Quarterback Targets - 8/30 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 8/28 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Busts - 8/28 (Walt)
2013 ESPN Fantasy Football Magazine: 10 Reasons Not to Buy It - 8/21 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football IDP Tips - 8/17 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy - 8/16 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Draft Boards for Sale - 6/13
2013 Fantasy Football All-Value Team - 6/9 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Hot Finishers - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Quarterbacks - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Running Backs - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Wide Receivers - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football: Overdrafted Players - 2/17 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football: First-Round Bust History - 2/17 (Walt)
Running Backs with Most Carries - 2/17 (Walt)




NFL Picks - Dec. 5


2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 4


NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 3


2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29


Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4


Injured/injury risk
Potential bust
Potential sleeper
Rank higher in touchdown leagues
Rank lower in touchdown leagues
Rank higher in PPR (points per reception) leagues
Rank lower in PPR leagues