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Fantasy Football Week 1 RB Rankings: Gurley Remains the Top Back

Nick Ferris

by Nick Ferris in NFL Football

Updated Sep 6, 2018 · 5:29 PM PDT

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley
The Los Angeles Rams are favored to secured the NFC West title for the 3rd straight season. Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire.
  • 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.

YouTube video

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.

YouTube video

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.

YouTube video

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? 

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