2020 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs

Saquon Barkley endured a rough portion of his 2019 season when he returned from his injury. It seemed like he came back to the field prematurely because he finally looked like the Barkley of old late in the year when his initial timetable said he would return. Barkley is easily one of the top fantasy options for 2020 in any format. In fact, he’s my No. 1 player in non-PPR scoring systems.

Other 2020 Fantasy Football Ranking articles of note: 2020 Fantasy Football Sleepers | 2020 Fantasy Football Busts

Projected 2020 Fantasy Stats: 1,290 rushing yards. 80 catches. 750 receiving yards. 18 total TDs.
Projected 2020 Fantasy Points: 312.
Projected 2020 PPR Fantasy Points: 392.

Christian McCaffrey should be considered the top fantasy player in PPR formats. He was incredible this past season despite not having a very good quarterback in the backfield with him. While this led to more dump-offs for McCaffrey, it also closed up potential running lanes. McCaffrey should have another brilliant season in 2020. However, Teddy Bridgewater will be more willing to throw downfield than the limited Kyle Allen was.

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Projected 2020 Fantasy Stats: 1,280 rushing yards. 101 catches. 930 receiving yards. 14 total TDs.
Projected 2020 Fantasy Points: 305.
Projected 2020 PPR Fantasy Points: 406.

JUNE 26 UPDATE: Ezekiel Elliott told the media that he has recovered from the Coronavirus. Elliott was never at risk because 9,999 out of 10,000 people under the age of 60 aren’t. It’s also actually a good thing that he caught the bug over the summer rather during the season because those who become infected during the fall might have to miss a game or two. There’s no reason not to select Elliott in the top four picks of your fantasy draft this summer.

Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 1,357 yards and scored 14 touchdowns last year, but remember that his workload was limited at the beginning of the season as a result of his holdout. Unless the Cowboys suffer catastrophic injuries on the offensive line, Elliott should have a strong 2020 season. That said, Travis Frederick’s retirement will hurt a bit.

Projected 2020 Fantasy Stats: 1,410 rushing yards. 60 catches. 500 receiving yards. 16 total TDs.
Projected 2020 Fantasy Points: 287.
Projected 2020 PPR Fantasy Points: 347.

SEPT. 2 UPDATE: Alvin Kamara is stock neutral on the news that he might be traded. Regardless of whether or not Kamara is dealt, he’ll be a top-four fantasy player in all formats.

Alvin Kamara suffered an injury in the middle of the season, and he didn’t quite look the same after he returned to action, at least until the end of the year. Kamara’s 2019 stats don’t look very appealing as a consequence, but it seems as though he should have a bounce-back 2020 campaign.

Projected 2020 Fantasy Stats: 880 rushing yards. 84 catches. 720 receiving yards. 16 total TDs.
Projected 2020 Fantasy Points: 256.
Projected 2020 PPR Fantasy Points: 340.

AUG. 12 UPDATE: Josh Jacobs told the media he expects to catch 60 passes this season. That might be unrealistic – I’m expecting 40 or so receptions – but we’ve heard from the Raider coaches that they want to involve Jacobs more in the passing game.

Josh Jacobs was brilliant as a rookie, rushing for 1,150 yrds and seven touchdowns despite missing three games. He caught just 20 passes, but Jacobs’ terrific running ability makes him a great fantasy option in non-PPR formats. He also has some growing PPR appeal, as the Raiders have stated that Jacobs will play all three downs.

Projected 2020 Fantasy Stats: 1,430 rushing yards. 38 catches. 260 receiving yards. 14 total TDs.
Projected 2020 Fantasy Points: 253.
Projected 2020 PPR Fantasy Points: 291.

Nick Chubb’s production decreased in the second half of the year when Kareem Hunt returned from suspension. It also didn’t help that Freddie Kitchens’ poor play-calling kept the ball out of Chubb’s hands. Kitchens is gone, thankfully, but Hunt still remains. Also, keep in mind that the Browns added Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills, both of whom will really improve Cleveland’s offensive line.

Projected 2020 Fantasy Stats: 1,350 rushing yards. 24 catches. 190 receiving yards. 13 total TDs.
Projected 2020 Fantasy Points: 232.
Projected 2020 PPR Fantasy Points: 256.

JULY 31 UPDATE: I discussed this on our most recent Fantasy Football Mock Draft. Two NFC North nose tackles – Michael Pierce, Eddie Goldman – have both opted out of the 2020 season, so Jones will have four easier matchups this year.

Aaron Jones posted strong receiving numbers in 2019, catching 49 passes for 474 yards, and that was despite dropping a pair of deep touchdowns. Speaking of touchdowns, Jones scored 19 of them. That number could regress to the mean, but Jones is still projecting to be a RB1.

Projected 2020 Fantasy Stats: 1,110 rushing yards. 40 catches. 350 receiving yards. 14 total TDs.
Projected 2020 Fantasy Points: 230.
Projected 2020 PPR Fantasy Points: 270.

Joe Mixon was in a dreadful situation last year. His offensive line was a train wreck for most of the season, at least until Cordy Glenn returned from his concussion in the middle of the year. As a result, Mixon rushed for 136-plus yards in three of his final four games, which might be a sign of things to come. The Bengals disappointingly neglected their offensive line this offseason, but Joe Burrow’s presence should open things up for Mixon.

Projected 2020 Fantasy Stats: 1,280 rushing yards. 38 catches. 280 receiving yards. 12 total TDs.
Projected 2020 Fantasy Points: 228.
Projected 2020 PPR Fantasy Points: 266.

AUG. 19 UPDATE: Dalvin Cook has ended his holdout and contract discussions with the Vikings. He’ll be on the field during the opener. This is great news for his fantasy outlook and makes him first-round viable again. That said, Cook has never played a full NFL season, making him a risky initial choice.

JUNE 10 UPDATE: Dalvin Cook is holding out for a new contract, as he won’t participate in team activities until he gets one. There’s a dubious history of running backs holding out, with Melvin Gordon struggling most recently. This is bad news for Cook’s fantasy outlook, which was already bleak; Cook was high up on my 2020 Fantasy Football Busts list.

Dalvin Cook proved me wrong last year by staying healthy for the most part, though he eventually got injured at the end of the season. I still have some concern that Cook can remain healthy, but there’s no doubting his upside if he can remain on the field. His offensive line has taken a hit, however, so it’s fair to wonder if he’ll be able to hit his upside. Also, Minnesota’s offense won’t be as good without Stefon Diggs, so Cook’s touchdown total could drop.

Projected 2020 Fantasy Stats: 1,260 rushing yards. 50 catches. 410 receiving yards. 10 total TDs.
Projected 2020 Fantasy Points: 227.
Projected 2020 PPR Fantasy Points: 277.

JULY 30 UPDATE: Clyde Edwards-Helaire won’t have any competition from Damien Williams for the starting running back role, as Williams has opted out of the 2020 season. This reminds me of the Kareem Hunt situation a few years ago where he became an instant star when Spencer Ware suffered an injury. Edwards-Helaire is now in first-round fantasy consideration.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire will have to jump Damien Williams on the depth chart at some point, but he should see plenty of action in the meantime, especially on passing downs. Edwards-Helaire’s touchdown total will be high once he becomes the full-time starter.

Projected 2020 Fantasy Stats: 1,080 rushing yards. 55 catches. 460 receiving yards. 12 total TDs.
Projected 2020 Fantasy Points: 226.
Projected 2020 PPR Fantasy Points: 281.