These 2019 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 Fantasy Football Rankings articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2019 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
2019 Fantasy Football Rankings - Running Backs (Sept. 4):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-40 | 41-75
Other Positions: QB | WR | TE | Top 250
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Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks. Bye: 11.
AUG. 12 UPDATE: Pete Carroll praised Chris Carson’s receiving ability in an interview, telling the media that Carson will catch more passes this year. The Seahawks lost some offensive players this offseason, so it makes sense that Carson would see an uptick in catches.
AUG. 7 UPDATE: The Seahawks want Chris Carson to be a bigger part of the passing game, according to offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. I currently have Carson projected to catch 22 passes, so he’ll move up the rankings with an increased reception total.
AUG. 5 UPDATE: Chris Carson has been the best running back for the Seahawks in training camp, according to Michael Shawn-Dugar of the Athletic. There’s some belief that Rashaad Penny could overtake Carson at some point, but Carson isn’t making things easy for the former first-round pick.
Chris Carson had a big year despite the Seahawks spending a first-round pick on Rashaad Penny. Carson rushed for 1,151 yards and scored nine touchdowns. He looked great, but could ultimately lose his job to Penny, so don’t spend too early of a pick on him.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Stats: 1,090 rushing yards. 38 catches. 300 receiving yards. 10 total TDs.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Points: 209.
Projected 2019 PPR Fantasy Points: 247.
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Aaron Jones, RB, Packers. Bye: 11.
MAY 30 UPDATE: Aaron Jones measured in at just 5.3 percent body fat at OTAs. Jones credited his peak condition to quitting candy and soda. Jones is a brave man, but he’s also taking his career very seriously, which is a great sign for his 2019 outlook.
Aaron Jones was suspended for the first two games of the season, then missed the final two contests of the year with an injury. He rushed for 728 yards in the other 12 games, but it’s worth noting that he didn’t become the team’s primary back until the midway point of the season. Jones has great talent and could be poised for a big season, though the Packers didn’t find an upgrade to the interior of their offensive line. Jones’ outlook is also tied to Aaron Rodgers’ health, which doesn’t sound great.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Stats: 1,080 rushing yards. 40 catches. 280 receiving yards. 12 total TDs.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Points: 208.
Projected 2019 PPR Fantasy Points: 248.
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Todd Gurley, RB, Rams. Bye: 9. 
JUNE 5 UPDATE: There’s even more negativity surrounding Todd Gurley. Jay Glazer recently reported that Gurley’s knee is a “concern,” while Ian Rapoport said that Gurley’s days as a “straight-up, every-down bell cow are probably over.” Gurley’s ADP is still 1.09, and he was just chosen 10th overall in our experts league, which is way too high. I don’t think I’d touch Gurley in the top 20 picks.
MAY 30 UPDATE: Todd Gurley is not practicing at OTAs right now. This is not a surprise, but it’s a reminder that Gurley will not be 100 percent this upcoming season.
Todd Gurley was the consensus No. 1 pick last year, and he lived up to the hype. Gurley rushed for 1,251 yards, caught 59 passes for 580 receiving yards and scored 21 touchdowns. Gurley now has 40 scores in the past two years, and he’ll continue to find the end zone at a high rate as long as he plays in a dynamic offense. Unfortunately, Gurley’s knees sound like they’re shot, so I would avoid him this year. Let someone else take the risk.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Stats: 1,030 rushing yards. 42 catches. 360 receiving yards. 11 total TDs.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Points: 205.
Projected 2019 PPR Fantasy Points: 247.
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Devonta Freeman, RB, Falcons. Bye: 9.
Devonta Freeman played just two games last year because of a groin injury that required surgery. The silver lining is that Freeman’s injury wasn’t structural at all, so he could have a big 2019 campaign because of fresh legs. An improved offensive line and Tevin Coleman’s departure will help.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Stats: 1,030 rushing yards. 48 catches. 360 receiving yards. 11 total TDs.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Points: 205.
Projected 2019 PPR Fantasy Points: 253.
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Mark Ingram, RB, Ravens. Bye: 8.
Mark Ingram signed with the perfect team. He’s going to accumulate high rushing totals in Baltimore’s run-heavy offense. We saw someone like Gus Edwards excel in the Ravens’ scoring attack last year, so imagine what Ingram will be able to do.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Stats: 1,250 rushing yards. 24 catches. 170 receiving yards. 10 total TDs.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Points: 202.
Projected 2019 PPR Fantasy Points: 226.
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Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings. Bye: 12.
AUG. 25 UPDATE: Dalvin Cook had the most explosive play of the third preseason game, bursting downfield for an 85-yard touchdown run. Cook was given a couple of great blocks, but he was electric. Cook is undoubtedly talented, and something like this would make me more bullish on him. However, his ADP is going to rise as a result of this play, and the concerns still linger. Cook carries extreme risk because he’s very injury-prone. He also doesn’t have a very good offensive line in front of him.
Dalvin Cook wasn’t quite himself last year after coming off a knee injury. He also ran behind a poor offensive line. Cook should do better in 2019 with Garrett Bradbury improving the offensive line.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Stats: 1,090 rushing yards. 50 catches. 380 receiving yards. 9 total TDs.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Points: 201.
Projected 2019 PPR Fantasy Points: 251.
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Devin Singletary, RB, Bills. Bye: 6. 
AUG. 31 UPDATE: Devin Singletary has been atop our Fantasy Football Sleepers list all summer. He’s an excellent talent, so I expected the Bills to either trade or cut LeSean McCoy at some point. I believed this would occur in the first month of the season, or perhaps right before the trade deadline, but the Bills like Singletary so much that they dumped McCoy at final cuts. Singletary will be a stud this year, and he should be chosen in the third round of fantasy drafts.
AUG. 24 UPDATE: Devin Singletary handled a carry right before halftime, scoring a 9-yard touchdown. It may sound bad that Singletary didn’t receive much work until very late in the opening half, but that was his only touch of the evening. I think this is a positive sign that the coaching staff values Singletary and plans on using him extensively in the regular season. I ultimately believe LeSean McCoy will be traded, and Singletary will be the starter, with Gore serving as the primary backup.
AUG. 9 UPDATE: Devin Singletary saw his first-ever NFL carry on the second drive of the game in the preseason opener. It went for no gain, but Singletary was able to impress on a drive to start the second quarter. It was the Devin Singletary show, as the Bills made a great effort to get the ball to their rookie runner on almost every play. Singletary rushed for 27 yards on nine carries, but the biggest takeaway was that he was used extensively in the passing game. Singletary caught three passes, including one leaping grab on a high throw. Singletary made a 10-yard reception to bring his team into the red zone, but was then removed from the game. Singletary is the top player in my Fantasy Football Sleepers page.
AUG. 7 UPDATE: Devin Singletary has gotten many opportunities with the first team in training camp, and he has made the most of it. According to the Athletic, Singletary has made defenders look “foolish” in practice. Singletary is the top player in my Fantasy Football Sleepers list, but I fear that his ADP will rise in the near future.
JULY 29 UPDATE: Devin Singletary has received plenty of first-team reps in training camp thus far. The Bills could be limiting the reps of LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore to keep them fresh. However, there’s a chance McCoy is moved eventually, and I have to believe that Singletary will start at some point this year, making him a very intriguing late-round option.
Devin Singletary is currently third on Buffalo’s running back depth chart, which is far from ideal for re-draft formats. However, he’s worth more in dynasty leagues because he could be the starter as soon as 2020.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Stats: 1,080 rushing yards. 42 catches. 330 receiving yards. 10 total TDs.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Points: 201.
Projected 2019 PPR Fantasy Points: 243.
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Kerryon Johnson, RB, Lions. Bye: 5. 
JULY 28 UPDATE: The Lions have been talking up Kerryon Johnson’s reception total this season, and they backed that up by releasing Theo Riddick. This is huge for Johnson’s outlook. As an aside, I’ve been watching the 2018 games – I’m halfway through Week 7 – and I forgot how electric Johnson was prior to his injury.
Kerryon Johnson was having a solid rookie campaign – 641 rushing yards, 32 catches, 213 receiving yards, four touchdowns in 10 games – before he missed the final six games of the regular season with a knee injury. Johnson should’ve posted better numbers in his 10 contests, but shared the workload with LeGarrette Blount for some reason. That won’t happen again.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Stats: 890 rushing yards. 62 catches. 490 receiving yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Points: 180.
Projected 2019 PPR Fantasy Points: 242.
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Phillip Lindsay, RB, Broncos. Bye: 10.
Phillip Lindsay was one of the top fantasy sleepers last year, and yet he performed way above my expectations. He was excellent as a rookie, rushing for 1,037 yards, catching 35 passes and scoring 10 times. I have to believe that the new coaching staff will continue feeding the ball to the supremely talented Lindsay.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Stats: 1,090 rushing yards. 40 catches. 290 receiving yards. 10 total TDs.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Points: 198.
Projected 2019 PPR Fantasy Points: 238.
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David Montgomery, RB, Bears. Bye: 6.
AUG. 9 UPDATE: David Montgomery was the star player during the Bears’ preseason opener. He didn’t start – Mike Davis handled the opening series – but it didn’t take very long for Montgomery to take the field. Montgomery picked up 22 receiving yards on a second-and-20 screen, then should’ve been tackled for a loss, but was able to spin away from a defender to pick up a few yards. Montgomery ultimately scored a touchdown on the drive, thanks to a great stutter step to evade a defender. Montgomery rushed for 16 yards and a touchdown on just three carries, and he also caught three passes for 30 receiving yards. It’ll be shocking if Montgomery weren’t the starter by the season opener, so given the running talent, receiving ability, great offensive line and opportunity, Montgomery could push to be a top-10 fantasy running back in his first NFL season.
The Bears traded away Jordan Howard partly because they loved some of the running backs in this class. David Montgomery was their pick in the third round, and he’s expected to be the primary ball-carrier in the near future. He’s one of the top options in dynasty formats.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Stats: 950 rushing yards. 35 catches. 270 receiving yards. 8 total TDs.
Projected 2019 Fantasy Points: 190.
Projected 2019 PPR Fantasy Points: 225.
2019 Fantasy Football Rankings - Running Backs (Sept. 4):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-40 | 41-75
Other Positions: QB | WR | TE | Top 250
More 2019 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2019 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2019 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 8/26 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - 8/12 (Chet)
2019 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/4 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 8/12 (Chet)
2019 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/3 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings - 8/12 (Chet)
2019 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 8/29 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings - 8/12 (Chet)
2019 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 5/11 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 5/11 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 8/27 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2019 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/29 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Real Draft - 8/28 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/22 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/15 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/8 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/1 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Experts Draft - 6/23 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft - 5/23 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2019 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Half-PPR - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 2-QB - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Articles:
2019 Fantasy Football Stock Report: OTAs, Training Camp - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 9/1 (Walt)
2019 NFL Preseason Game Recaps - 8/30 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Preseason Games - 8/30 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Busts - 8/27 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football: Wide Receiver Values - 8/20 (Chet)
2019 Fantasy Football: Running Back Values - 8/13 (Chet)
2019 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Values - 8/8 (Chet)
2019 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy Guide - 8/7 (Walt)
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 16
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
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Injured/injury risk
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Potential bust
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Potential sleeper
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Rank higher in touchdown leagues
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Rank lower in touchdown leagues
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Rank higher in PPR (points per reception) leagues
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Rank lower in PPR leagues
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