Running back is the scarcest position in fantasy: true three-down workhorses barely exist any more, committees eat into touches, and the drop-off from the elite tier to a replacement-level back is the steepest on the board. That scarcity is exactly what value over replacement (VOR) measures — and why RBs still dominate the top of most drafts even in PPR, where pass-catching backs stack a reception floor on top of rushing volume. Hit on your early RB picks and the rest of your draft plays from ahead; miss and you're chasing the waiver wire all season.
Players our board ranks meaningfully higher than the market drafts them — the gap between VOR-based rank and public ADP is where draft value lives.
Tier breaks (T2, T3, …) mark real drop-offs in projected value — players inside a tier are close; between tiers the gap is big enough to change your pick.
| # | Player | Team | Proj pts | VOR | TD% | ADP | ’25 finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | T1Christian McCaffrey | SF | 338 | 214 | 37% | 4.8 | RB1 |
| 2 | Bijan Robinson | ATL | 337 | 213 | 41% | 2.0 | RB3 |
| 3 | De'Von Achane | MIA | 277 | 153 |
Data baseline from the projection models · refreshed 16 Jul 2026.
Per-game projections from prior-season form, usage and opponent strength — a data baseline, not a betting edge. Rookies without NFL production are placed by market ADP, not model-projected. For entertainment / draft research — 18+.
Usually yes — but for a different reason than in Standard. PPR softens pure rushing volume, yet the backs at the top of this board catch passes too, so their projected points barely drop while their scarcity stays extreme. VOR, not raw points, is what makes an elite RB a first-round pick: the gap to a replacement back is the biggest positional gap in fantasy. From the mid-rounds on, the position flattens fast and WRs typically offer better value per pick.
| 46% |
| 9.2 |
| RB6 |
| 4 | Chase Brown | CIN | 253 | 129 | 31% | 20.6 | RB9 |
| 5 | Ashton Jeanty | LV | 234 | 110 | 31% | 14.1 | RB13 |
| 6 | Saquon Barkley | PHI | 233 | 109 | 38% | 17.0 | RB15 |
| 7 | T2Jahmyr Gibbs | DET | 231 | 107 | 35% | 1.4 | RB4 |
| 8 | Kyren Williams | LA | 222 | 97 | 41% | 31.5 | RB8 |
| 9 | Travis Etienne | JAX | 217 | 93 | 29% | 38.8 | RB10 |
| 10 | Derrick Henry | BAL | 216 | 92 | 34% | 9.9 | RB7 |
| 11 | Jonathan Taylor | IND | 213 | 88 | 38% | 6.2 | RB2 |
| 12 | Tony Pollard | TEN | 203 | 78 | 20% | 73.1 | RB23 |
| 13 | T3Rhamondre Stevenson | NE | 202 | 77 | 23% | 72.5 | RB25 |
| 14 | Kenneth Walker III | SEA | 197 | 73 | 33% | 19.2 | RB22 |
| 15 | James Cook | BUF | 192 | 68 | 31% | 10.2 | RB5 |
| 16 | Breece Hall | NYJ | 187 | 63 | 29% | 30.6 | RB18 |
| 17 | D'Andre Swift | CHI | 186 | 61 | 36% | 44.0 | RB14 |
| 18 | RJ Harvey | DEN | 176 | 52 | 38% | 93.7 | RB21 |
| 19 | T4Woody Marks | HOU | 172 | 48 | 20% | 132.2 | RB32 |
| 20 | Tyrone Tracy Jr. | NYG | 172 | 48 | 20% | — | RB28 |
| 21 | Javonte Williams | DAL | 172 | 47 | 26% | 34.9 | RB11 |
| 22 | Jaylen Warren | PIT | 167 | 43 | 17% | 66.3 | RB17 |
| 23 | Josh Jacobs | GB | 161 | 37 | 32% | 25.3 | RB12 |
| 24 | Kenneth Gainwell | PIT | 157 | 33 | 27% | — | RB20 |
| 25 | T5Quinshon Judkins | CLE | 150 | 26 | 20% | 46.7 | RB27 |
| 26 | Zach Charbonnet | SEA | 145 | 21 | 28% | 145.7 | RB24 |
| 27 | Rico Dowdle | CAR | 141 | 17 | 23% | 79.6 | RB16 |
| 28 | Bucky Irving | TB | 136 | 12 | 34% | 47.7 | RB33 |
| 29 | Aaron Jones | MIN | 132 | 8 | 30% | 97.3 | RB43 |
| 30 | Jacory Croskey-Merritt | WAS | 124 | 0 | 27% | 119.3 | RB29 |
| 31 | T6Cam Skattebo | NYG | 123 | -1 | 42% | 37.5 | RB39 |
| 32 | TreVeyon Henderson | NE | 120 | -4 | 11% | 59.8 | RB19 |
| 33 | Chuba Hubbard | CAR | 120 | -4 | 21% | 82.9 | RB40 |
| 34 | Devin Singletary | NYG | 120 | -4 | 21% | — | RB44 |
| 35 | David Montgomery | DET | 114 | -10 | 37% | 54.1 | RB26 |
| 36 | Omarion Hampton | LAC | 112 | -12 | 44% | 16.9 | RB36 |
| 37 | T7Kareem Hunt | KC | 111 | -13 | 27% | — | RB30 |
| 38 | Alvin Kamara | NO | 106 | -18 | 29% | — | RB48 |
| 39 | Dylan Sampson | CLE | 100 | -24 | 16% | — | RB57 |
| 40 | Tyler Allgeier | ATL | 98 | -26 | 17% | — | RB38 |
| 41 | Michael Carter | ARI | 95 | -29 | 16% | — | RB53 |
| 42 | Rachaad White | TB | 95 | -29 | 19% | 106.4 | RB35 |
| 43 | T8Kimani Vidal | LAC | 95 | -29 | 15% | — | RB42 |
| 44 | J.K. Dobbins | DEN | 95 | -30 | 25% | 86.0 | RB41 |
| 45 | Kyle Monangai | CHI | 94 | -30 | 17% | 98.0 | RB31 |
| 46 | Isiah Pacheco | KC | 93 | -31 | 20% | 147.1 | RB55 |
| 47 | Ty Johnson | BUF | 90 | -34 | 17% | — | RB47 |
| 48 | Tyjae Spears | TEN | 88 | -36 | 21% | 139.9 | RB46 |
| 49 | T9Chris Rodriguez Jr. | WAS | 87 | -37 | 21% | 142.6 | RB45 |
| 50 | Bam Knight | ARI | 86 | -38 | 26% | — | RB52 |
| 51 | Jordan Mason | MIN | 81 | -43 | 14% | 121.2 | RB34 |
| 52 | Samaje Perine | CIN | 80 | -44 | 14% | — | RB56 |
| 53 | Blake Corum | LA | 75 | -50 | 9% | 116.6 | RB37 |
| 54 | Isaiah Davis | NYJ | 72 | -53 | 11% | — | RB59 |
| 55 | T10Emanuel Wilson | GB | 67 | -57 | 10% | — | RB51 |
| 56 | Jeremy McNichols | WAS | 67 | -57 | 14% | — | RB58 |
| 57 | Sean Tucker | TB | 65 | -59 | 24% | — | RB49 |
| 58 | Nick Chubb | HOU | 65 | -59 | 26% | — | RB54 |
| 59 | Ray Davis | BUF | 64 | -61 | 13% | — | RB63 |
| 60 | Keaton Mitchell | BAL | 62 | -62 | 12% | — | RB66 |
| 61 | T11Bhayshul Tuten | JAX | 62 | -62 | 31% | 57.8 | RB50 |
| 62 | Devin Neal | NO | 60 | -64 | 16% | — | RB65 |
| 63 | Tank Bigsby | PHI | 56 | -68 | 13% | — | RB64 |
| 64 | Emari Demercado | ARI | 55 | -69 | 11% | — | RB62 |
| 65 | Brashard Smith | KC | 50 | -74 | 9% | — | RB67 |
| 66 | Justice Hill | BAL | 49 | -75 | 16% | — | RB61 |
| 67 | T12Brian Robinson | SF | 48 | -76 | 14% | — | RB60 |
| 68 | Hunter Luepke | DAL | 46 | -78 | 8% | — | RB75 |
| 69 | Jaylen Wright | MIA | 46 | -79 | 13% | — | RB69 |
| 70 | Chris Brooks | GB | 44 | -80 | 8% | — | RB81 |
| 71 | Ollie Gordon II | MIA | 43 | -82 | 15% | — | RB68 |
| 72 | Jerome Ford | CLE | 42 | -83 | 14% | — | RB74 |
| 73 | T13Zavier Scott | MIN | 41 | -83 | 9% | — | RB72 |
| 74 | James Conner | ARI | 37 | -87 | 43% | — | RB78 |
| 75 | Raheem Mostert | LV | 36 | -88 | 18% | — | RB85 |
| 76 | Malik Davis | DAL | 36 | -88 | 13% | — | RB71 |
| 77 | Jawhar Jordan | HOU | 36 | -88 | 10% | — | RB80 |
| 78 | Audric Estimé | NO | 35 | -89 | 16% | — | RB70 |
| 79 | T14Kendre Miller | NO | 35 | -89 | 10% | — | RB73 |
| 80 | Tyler Badie | DEN | 32 | -93 | 8% | — | RB82 |
| 81 | Rasheen Ali | BAL | 31 | -93 | 12% | — | RB90 |
| 82 | Ameer Abdullah | IND | 31 | -93 | 12% | — | RB76 |
| 83 | Dare Ogunbowale | HOU | 30 | -94 | 10% | — | RB86 |
| 84 | Andrew Beck | NYJ | 29 | -95 | 9% | — | RB87 |
| 85 | T15LeQuint Allen Jr. | JAX | 28 | -97 | 7% | — | RB89 |
| 86 | Jaleel McLaughlin | DEN | 27 | -97 | 9% | — | RB77 |
| 87 | Trey Benson | ARI | 27 | -97 | 13% | — | RB79 |
| 88 | Miles Sanders | DAL | 25 | -99 | 18% | — | RB83 |
| 89 | Antonio Gibson | NE | 20 | -104 | 19% | — | RB92 |
| 90 | Najee Harris | LAC | 20 | -105 | 30% | — | RB101 |
| 91 | T16Jaret Patterson | LAC | 19 | -105 | 10% | — | RB84 |
| 92 | Raheim Sanders | CLE | 19 | -105 | 20% | — | RB91 |
| 93 | Trayveon Williams | CLE | 19 | -105 | 8% | — | RB97 |
| 94 | Tahj Brooks | CIN | 19 | -105 | 9% | — | RB116 |
| 95 | Dylan Laube | LV | 19 | -106 | 8% | — | RB120 |
| 96 | Will Shipley | PHI | 18 | -106 | 7% | — | RB95 |
| 97 | T17George Holani | SEA | 18 | -106 | 7% | — | RB94 |
| 98 | Terrell Jennings | NE | 18 | -106 | 12% | — | RB96 |
| 99 | Kaleb Johnson | PIT | 18 | -107 | 9% | — | RB106 |
| 100 | AJ Dillon | PHI | 17 | -107 | 11% | — | RB104 |
| 101 | Cam Akers | SEA | 17 | -108 | 13% | — | RB112 |
| 102 | Khalil Herbert | NYJ | 16 | -108 | 12% | — | RB113 |
| 103 | T18Jaydon Blue | DAL | 16 | -108 | 9% | — | RB88 |
| 104 | Adam Prentice | DEN | 16 | -109 | 6% | — | RB98 |
| 105 | Zamir White | LV | 15 | -109 | 8% | — | RB110 |
| 106 | DJ Giddens | IND | 14 | -110 | 7% | — | RB105 |
| 107 | Julius Chestnut | TEN | 14 | -110 | 8% | — | RB121 |
| 108 | Evan Hull | NO | 14 | -111 | 8% | — | RB115 |
| 109 | T19Austin Ekeler | WAS | 14 | -111 | 27% | — | RB100 |
| 110 | Braelon Allen | NYJ | 14 | -111 | 12% | — | RB93 |
| 111 | Tyler Goodson | IND | 13 | -111 | 8% | — | RB119 |
| 112 | Kene Nwangwu | NYJ | 12 | -112 | 8% | — | RB117 |
| 113 | Corey Kiner | ARI | 12 | -113 | 8% | — | RB107 |
| 114 | Dameon Pierce | KC | 11 | -113 | 11% | — | RB122 |
| 115 | T20British Brooks | HOU | 11 | -114 | 7% | — | RB109 |
| 116 | Jacob Saylors | DET | 10 | -114 | 8% | — | RB130 |
| 117 | Hassan Haskins | LAC | 10 | -115 | 12% | — | RB108 |
| 118 | Ty Chandler | MIN | 9 | -115 | 10% | — | RB111 |
| 119 | Craig Reynolds | DET | 9 | -116 | 7% | — | RB136 |
| 120 | Travis Homer | CHI | 8 | -116 | 8% | — | RB150 |
| 121 | T21Trevor Etienne | CAR | 7 | -117 | 8% | — | RB99 |
| 122 | Isaac Guerendo | SF | 7 | -117 | 10% | — | RB142 |
| 123 | Sione Vaki | DET | 7 | -117 | 8% | — | RB135 |
| 124 | Chase Edmonds | WAS | 7 | -117 | 9% | — | RB141 |
| 125 | DeeJay Dallas | JAX | 7 | -118 | 12% | — | RB126 |
| 126 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | KC | 7 | -118 | 16% | — | RB124 |
| 127 | T22Roschon Johnson | CHI | 7 | -118 | 12% | — | RB128 |
| 128 | D'Ernest Johnson | NE | 6 | -118 | 7% | — | RB125 |
| 129 | Ronnie Rivers | LA | 5 | -119 | 7% | — | RB118 |
| 130 | Elijah Mitchell | KC | 5 | -119 | 28% | — | RB145 |
| 131 | Trey Sermon | PIT | 4 | -120 | 9% | — | RB147 |
| 132 | Kalel Mullings | TEN | 4 | -120 | 8% | — | RB132 |
| 133 | T23Nyheim Hines | NO | 4 | -120 | 9% | — | RB151 |
| 134 | Velus Jones Jr. | SEA | 4 | -121 | 8% | — | RB123 |
| 135 | Gary Brightwell | CIN | 3 | -121 | 9% | — | RB148 |
| 136 | Myles Gaskin | SEA | 2 | -122 | 19% | — | RB133 |
| 137 | Jordan Mims | TEN | 2 | -122 | 15% | — | RB139 |
| 138 | Robbie Ouzts | SEA | 2 | -123 | 7% | — | RB140 |
| 139 | T24Avery Williams | NYJ | 2 | -123 | 10% | — | RB143 |
| 140 | Eric Gray | NYG | 1 | -123 | 9% | — | RB144 |
| TJeremiyah Love | ARI | — | — | — | 27.0 | — |
| Jonathon Brooks | CAR | — | — | — | 130.2 | — |
| Jadarian Price | SEA | — | — | — | 69.0 | — |
A handcuff is the direct backup to a workhorse back — the player who inherits a bell-cow role if the starter goes down. Because RB value is so concentrated in volume, a good handcuff is one injury away from RB2-or-better production. Late in drafts, handcuffs to fragile or aging workhorses (especially your own) are among the highest-upside picks available; our tiers help spot which backfields have a clear next man up.
It's the model's anytime-touchdown probability for a typical game. Touchdowns are the most volatile part of RB scoring — two backs with similar yardage projections can differ by several points per game purely on goal-line role. A high TD% flags backs whose teams give them the valuable short-yardage and red-zone work, which is stickier than it looks year over year.