Fantasy Football Week 1 RB Rankings: Gurley Remains the Top Back
By Nick Ferris in NFL Football
Published:
- Will anyone challenge Todd Gurley after his record-setting fantasy playoff run in 2017?
- Rookie Saquan Barkley draws a tough matchup for his NFL debut
- Where does Steelers James Conner rank with Le’Veon Bell’s continued absence?
Does anyone feel like it’s Christmas morning and there is a present missing under the tree?
The 2018 NFL season begins with one of the most impactful stars of the game holding out for a contract, as the Steelers and Le’Veon Bell have been unable to hammer out a long-term deal.
I have dropped the Steelers’ star from my Week 1 rankings, since he has still not reported to the team and is unlikely to see the field in Cleveland if he were to report at this point.
Instead, let’s turn our attention to the guys who are actually here.
2018 Week 1 RB Rankings 1-10
| Rank | Player (Team) | Opponent | 2017 Point Total | 2017 Positional Finish | 2018 ECR | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Todd Gurley (LAR) | @OAK | 383.3 | RB 1 | RB 1 | $9,300 |
| 2 | David Johnson (ARI) | WAS | 13.1 | RB 111 | RB 2 | $8,800 |
| 3 | Alvin Kamara (NO) | TB | 315.4 | RB 3 | RB 4 | $8,500 |
| 4 | Christian McCaffery (CAR) | DAL | 228.6 | RB 10 | RB 9 | $6,400 |
| 5 | Melvin Gordon (LAC) | KC | 288.1 | RB 5 | RB 6 | $6,800 |
| 6 | Ezekeil Elliot (DAL) | @CAR | 203.2 | RB 12 | RB 3 | $7,700 |
| 7 | Leonard Fournette (JAX) | @NYG | 230.2 | RB 9 | RB 8 | $7,100 |
| 8 | Jordan Howard (CHI) | @GB | 199.5 | RB 14 | RB 13 | $6,300 |
| 9 | Saquon Barkley (NYG) | JAX | ROOKIE | NA | RB 5 | $6,700 |
| 10 | Dalvin Cook (MIN) | SF | 65.4 | RB 72 | RB 11 | $6,200 |
Kamara to be Featured in New Orleans
Just in case anyone forgot how dangerous Alvin Kamara is, watch the video below. Kamara opens 2018 absent his backfield running mate, Mark Ingram, due to suspension.
The Saints draw a soft Week 1 matchup with the Bucs coming to town. Don’t be surprised to see the Saints open 2018 with 40+ points on the board, and Alvin Kamara doing a lot of the damage.
Kamara’s floor this week is higher than most other RB’s ceilings.
Gurley is Still the RB1
Speaking of ceilings, let’s not leave out the reigning fantasy RB champion, Todd Gurley, whose ceiling is sky-high every week.
The Rams’ RB single-handedly won fantasy championships in 2017. His run through the fantasy playoffs was legendary. Expect more of the same in 2018 from Gurley and the Rams, but unless you own him in a season-long league you will be paying dearly.
2018 Week 1 RB Rankings 11-20
| Rank | Player (Team) | Opponent | 2017 Point Total | 2017 Positional Finish | 2018 ECR | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Kenyon Drake (MIA) | TEN | 142.3 | RB 33 | RB 16 | $5,900 |
| 12 | Joe Mixon (CIN) | @IND | 141.3 | RB 34 | RB 14 | $6,100 |
| 13 | Derrick Henry (TEN) | @MIA | 135 | RB 37 | RB 22 | $5,400 |
| 14 | Kareem Hunt (KC) | @LAC | 295.2 | RB 4 | RB 7 | $6,900 |
| 15 | Devonta Freeman (ATL) | @PHI | 200.2 | RB 13 | RB 12 | $6,600 |
| 16 | LeSean McCoy (BUF) | @BALT | 263.6 | RB 7 | RB 15 | $6,000 |
| 17 | Jay Ajayi (PHI) | ATL | 135.1 | RB 36 | RB 20 | $5,500 |
| 18 | Carlos Hyde (CLE) | PIT | 234 | RB 8 | RB 28 | $4,500 |
| 19 | Adrian Peterson (WAS) | @ARI | 78.9 | RB 62 | RB 45 | $4,700 |
| 20 | Lamar Miller (HOU) | @NE | 193.5 | RB 16 | RB 18 | $5,200 |
Derrick Henry Should See Plenty of Touches in Week 1
The Tennessee Titans head into Week 1 having no real identity on offense. They possess an athletic QB who has struggled with consistency, some talent in the receiving core, but no real game-changing threat.
If they need an identity for Week 1 against a below-average run defense, look no further than the 240-pound horse they have in their backfield.
Derrick Henry has scored ten rushing touchdowns in his first two seasons in a limited roll. If the Titans want to come out of Week 1 with a win, they will find a way to stick the ball in Henry’s belly 20 times this week.
Adrian Peterson has Fantasy Value in Week 1
I think we all know why Adrian Peterson cracks the top 20. The Redskins are ready to ride the future Hall-of-Famer like a rented mule.
In 2017, AP showed up in Arizona with a giant chip on his shoulder and produced a couple heroic efforts before his aging body let him down. I’m betting on 2018 being very similar for Peterson, so play him while you can.
2018 Week 1 RB Rankings 21-35
| Rank | Player (Team) | Opponent | 2017 Point Total | 2017 Positional Finish | 2018 ECR | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Royce Freeman (DEN) | SEA | ROOKIE | NA | RB 19 | $4,500 |
| 22 | Jamaal Williams (GB) | CHI | 142.8 | RB 32 | RB 29 | $6,000 |
| 23 | Dion Lewis (TEN) | @MIA | 197 | RB 15 | RB 21 | $4,900 |
| 24 | Alex Collins (BAL) | BUF | 171 | RB 21 | RB 17 | $5,600 |
| 25 | Rex Burkhead (NE) | HOU | 129.8 | RB 39 | RB 23 | $4,200 |
| 26 | Duke Johnson (CLE) | PIT | 216.1 | RB 11 | RB 30 | $4,700 |
| 27 | James Conner (PIT) | @CLE | 14.4 | RB 110 | RB 46 | $4,500 |
| 28 | Marlon Mack (IND) | CIN | 103.3 | RB 48 | RB 40 | $4,800 |
| 29 | Marshawn Lynch (OAK) | LAR | 164.3 | RB 24 | RB 25 | $5,100 |
| 30 | James White (NE) | HOU | 134 | RB 38 | RB 38 | $4,000 |
| 31 | Kerryon Johnson (DET) | JETS | ROOKIE | NA | RB 31 | $4,400 |
| 32 | Peyton Barber (TB) | @NO | 85.7 | RB 57 | RB 35 | $4,100 |
| 33 | Alfred Morris (SF) | @MIN | 72.2 | RB 67 | RB 41 | $3,600 |
| 34 | Chris Carson (SEA) | @DEN | 39.7 | RB 86 | RB 32 | $4,500 |
| 35 | Bilal Powell (NYJ) | @DET | 145.2 | RB 29 | RB 42 | $4,700 |
Treat Royce Freeman as a Starting RB
Devontae Booker hasn’t set the RB bar very high in Denver. Check out Royce Freeman’s TD run in the video below and you’ll see a run that surpasses anything Booker has ever produced.
The rookie is the superior runner and with a Week 1 matchup the Broncos should be able to keep close, Freeman will get plenty of opportunity to set himself further apart from Booker. And the third-round pick will do just that.
The bulldozing rookie seems to have a nose for the end zone, scoring three TDs in the preseason. He gives the Broncos the best chance at a functional rushing attack.
Don’t Fear Ronald Jones, Peyton Barber will Carry the Load in Week 1
Peyton Barber has fended off all challengers and earned the Bucs’ starting tailback role.
In limited action in 2017, Barber found the end zone three times on 108 carries. Averaging a boring 3.9 yards per carry, Barber won’t wow you with his greatness in any one aspect. But he is a solid all-around back who will get volume in Week 1.
In fantasy volume is valuable, which makes Barber a good value play to start the season.
2018 Week 1 RB Rankings 36-50
| Rank | Player (Team) | Opponent | 2017 Point Total | 2017 Positional Finish | 2018 ECR | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | Tevin Coleman (ATL) | @PHI | 167.9 | RB 22 | RB 27 | $4,400 |
| 37 | Theo Riddick (DET) | NYJ | 154 | RB 26 | RB 47 | $4,200 |
| 38 | Isaiah Crowell (NYJ) | @DET | 143.5 | RB 31 | RB 37 | $4,900 |
| 39 | Chris Thompson (WAS) | @ARI | 151.4 | RB 28 | RB 26 | $4,700 |
| 40 | Gio Bernard (CIN) | @IND | 151.7 | RB 27 | RB 43 | $4,400 |
| 41 | Latavius Murray (MIN) | SF | 157.4 | RB 25 | RB 55 | $4,800 |
| 42 | Tarik Cohen (CHI) | @GB | 144.6 | RB 30 | RB 33 | $5,800 |
| 43 | Corey Clement (PHI) | ATL | 92.4 | RB 50 | RB 52 | $3,600 |
| 44 | Austin Eklar (LAC) | KC | 106.9 | RB 45 | RB 56 | $4,400 |
| 45 | Matt Breida (SF) | @MIN | 103.5 | RB 47 | RB 36 | $4,600 |
| 46 | Ronald Jones (TB) | @NO | ROOKIE | NA | RB 48 | $4,900 |
| 47 | C.J. Anderson (CAR) | DAL | 175.1 | RB 18 | RB 49 | $4,200 |
| 48 | Ty Montgomery (GB) | CHI | 91.6 | RB 52 | RB 44 | $3,700 |
| 49 | Jordan Wilkins (IND) | CIN | ROOKIE | NA | RB 53 | $3,700 |
| 50 | Nick Chubb (CLE) | PIT | ROOKIE | NA | RB 54 | $4,100 |
Wilkins and Montgomery Provide Value in Bargain Bin
If you’re reaching this low in Week 1, you’d better be filling out a daily fantasy lineup. Value plays could come in the form of Jordan Wilkins, depending on the health of teammate Marlon Mack, and Ty Montgomery, who should have a role in a potent Packer passing attack, so long as he is healthy.
Looking for more Fantasy Football Week 1 positional rankings?Â
Nick Ferris is a seasoned fantasy football vet of over 20 years. He's an expert in everything from best ball to daily fantasy sports. Although arm chair quarterback is as close he ever got to the field - or are we counting 7v7 touch? - he has been fortunate enough to coach some youth football.
