2020 Fantasy Football: Top Rookie Running Backs
After talking about the rookie quarterbacks, we transition to the rookie running backs for 2020 fantasy football rankings. Running backs are players that usually transition right away so we can do more short term rankings for this list. Let’s get right into it. Who cracks the top 10?
10: AJ Dillon (Packers)
AJ Dillon is a running back I really like, but this is a tough landing spot. Aaron Jones is entrenched as the guy. Jamaal Williams is the next in line and is no slouch. How many touches can Dillon really count on? This is a better long term fit than short term. Dillon could be valuable in short yardage. However, Dillon is still coming into the league 3rd on the depth chart. Tough to be that valuable in fantasy.
9: Zack Moss (Bills)
I don’t love this landing spot for Zack Moss but it’s not a terrible one. Con: Devin Singletary is coming off a really good year. Pro: The Bills will run a lot. Con: Josh Allen already steals some rushing touchdowns. Pro: Zack Moss can slide into that Frank Gore role and thrive. Just some things to think about.
8: Anthony McFarland (Steelers)
I love the player so Anthony McFarland comes in at number 8. The thing you worry about is the depth at the position. Jaylen Samuels, James Conner, and Benny Snell are already on the roster. The good news is McFarland is much different than that group. He brings a speed and passing game element to the table. Pittsburgh hasn’t fully recaptured what Le’Veon Bell used to give them. McFarland has a chance to develop into that with more speed.
7: DeeJay Dallas (Seahawks)
When I was thinking about doing comps for DeeJay Dallas, I almost put Chris Carson. It’s funny that Seattle took him. Dallas runs hard like Carson. He also can pass protect so they won’t take him off the field. Dallas is a converted wide out too so there’s that. At this point, Carson and Rashaad Penny are both wild cards. Dallas may end up being a factor right away.
6: Ke’Shawn Vaughn (Bucs)
Talk about a landing spot. Ronald Jones is really the big question mark on offense. Enter Ke’Shawn Vaughn who has a golden ticket to come in and start right away. I don’t care what anybody says. Tampa will run the ball more than they did this year because they have to. Vaughn has a big opportunity with an improved offensive line. Gronk is there to block too.
5: Jonathan Taylor (Colts)
I don’t love Jonathan Taylor, but he inherits the Colts offensive line. That’s a hell of a start. It’s a good offense for fantasy. Philip Rivers who will need to rely on the run game. It should be a team that wins some games. That means more rushing opportunities. Marlon Mack sure as hell shouldn’t start either. Taylor found a good home for fantasy.
4: D’Andre Swift (Lions)
D’Andre Swift gets bumped because of the Lions. Talk about a horrible landing spot. Shaky offensive line, no creative offensive coach, bad defense, bad football team. All of that means less rushing opportunities. Add in Kerryon Johnson who should still get a good chunk of carries. Who knows who will get the goal line touches?
3: Cam Akers (Rams)
I hate Jared Goff, but this is a good spot. Todd Gurley leaves, Cam Akers comes in. Gurley when he was healthy had HUGE fantasy performances. Akers has a chance to replicate that. I think Akers has star potential. He should enter as the starter. Sean McVay has always shown a willingness to run the ball. Especially because most of his offense is play action based.
2: JK Dobbins (Ravens)
I would have put JK Dobbins first but Mark Ingram still has juice left. Still, nobody runs the football more than Baltimore. Dobbins is going to get his carries. The Ravens are a run first team. They’re also a team that has the lead a lot. Dobbins is a VERY good player. If Ingram does take a step back, we’re looking at a superstar in fantasy.
1: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Chiefs)
Do I really have to explain this one? The Chiefs offense is a goldmine. Enter Clyde Edwards-Helaire who gets to be their Brian Westbrook. Kansas City puts up points left and right. Edwards-Helaire will find the end zone constantly. You can see it now. How many short dump offs from Pat Mahomes will CEH take to the house?
