Running back half-PPR rankings for 2024 fantasy football (2024)

2024 NFL training camp is starting in earnest and it’s time to update some fantasy football rankings. For this installment we’ll take a look at probably the toughest position to rank, the running backs. The saying that “RBs don’t matter” is just a short-hand to remind us they do matter, but in a different way than they used to in the NLF.

You’ve heard it before, but there’s no doubt that the running back position has changed in the NFL. You can see that easily in their salaries and touches. More money has been funneled to the quarterbacks, linemen and wide receivers as offenses have moved even further toward the pass. Of course, defenses are learning and have limited big play passing offenses of late, but I don’t see the league now moving back to the bell-cow back in earnest.

So, running backs will remain more apt to be injured, split time, or lose touches to a backup compared to wide receivers. That means to be safe, we want those consistent receivers early in drafts and to be a bit more picky with our running backs early on and then default to the position late in drafts.

Backs I like more than current ADP

James Conner, Cardinals — Conner is the starter in Arizona and will have a healthy Kyler Murray to begin the season. He’s coming off the best season of his career, and lead the league in 20 yard rushing plays. So, despite turning 29, he still has the juice and will be on a team that should be much better offensively, leading to more scoring opportunities. Sure, Trey Benson is in the wings, but this is Conner’s job while healthy.

Joe Mixon, Texans — Mixon isn’t going to have a ton of upside in the Texans offense as far as receptions, but he is going to have light boxes and scoring opportunities with C.J. Stroud throwing to one of, if not the best, receiving groups in the league. He’s also going late enough that you can build a strong base of top-tier wide receivers before drafting him. He’s one of the safer backs at a good price this season.

Jonathan Brooks, Panthers — Brooks is coming off an ACL tear he suffered in November of last season. The good news is that it was a clean tear, giving him a good chance to be ready nine-months later when the season starts. I am fearful of this pick due to the injury, but if things go well, Brooks will be in a great spot as the lead back in an offense that helped a less-talented Rachaad White to a huge 2023 fantasy season. Dave Canales has helped offenses wherever he’s ended up and Brooks could be in store for a surprise year from the bottom-dwelling Panthers.

Tyjae Spears, TitansSpears showed well last season as he took away touches from Derrick Henry, but the team brought in Tony Pollard to block Spears. The good news is that Spears and Pollard are very similar and whoever plays better should end up winning the majority of snaps as the season goes on. It will still be a split backfield, but we don’t need a Pollard injury to make Spears a flex play from day 1.

Nick Chubb, Browns — Chubb’s knee injury was worse than Brooks’ and there’s plenty of reason to worry about his ability to come back and dominate. I get it, and being cautious is smart. But, I also don’t see any of the current Browns running backs playing well enough to keep even a “not-as-good-as-before” Chubb off the field. And to be fair, a not as good Chubb could still be very good. Just look at what an outlier he has been and this comes after a college knee injury as well —

Missed tackles forced vs Yards after contact per attempt, RBs since 2022. pic.twitter.com/V77qXMabK1

— Football Insights (@fball_insights) March 7, 2024

Maybe this is the end for Chubb and he fades away, but I’ll give him a chance to prove himself this year when I can get him as the RB40, after guys like Gus Edwards and Jerome Ford.

2024 Fantasy football rankings: Top 125 Half-PPR running backs

Running back half-PPR rankings for 2024 fantasy football (2024)

FAQs

Running back half-PPR rankings for 2024 fantasy football? ›

Christian McCaffrey had the most fantasy points by a running back last year, with 391.3. StatMuse has him at RB1. He is projected to put up 334.5 fantasy points this season.

Who is the best fantasy football RB in 2024? ›

Christian McCaffrey

What is the most PPR fantasy points by a running back? ›

Christian McCaffrey had the most fantasy points by a running back last year, with 391.3. StatMuse has him at RB1. He is projected to put up 334.5 fantasy points this season.

Is half PPR better for RB or WR? ›

Are RB or WR more valuable in half PPR? In half-PPR, running backs and wide receivers might not be on more equal footing. In standard leagues, running backs reign supreme. In full-PPR, the edge almost shifts to the receivers.

Who is the best running back in fantasy football ppr? ›

Week 1 Running Back Fantasy Football Rankings (PPR)
RB TierRB RankPlayer Name
11Christian McCaffrey
12Breece Hall
13Bijan Robinson
14Saquon Barkley
73 more rows
5 days ago

Is RB or WR better in fantasy? ›

Conclusion: I will reference the inciting question, "Do Wide Receivers score more points than Running Backs in Fantasy Football", and conlcude that the answer is yes, Wide Receivers definitively score more points than Running Backs. There is more than sufficient evidence that backs the validity of my conclusion.

What is the best fantasy running back performance ever? ›

Here are the 100 highest scoring Fantasy seasons from running backs.
  • LaDainian Tomlinson (2006) SD -- 483.1 PPR FPTs, 427.1 Non-PPR FPTS, 30.19 PPR FPTs/gm. ...
  • Priest Holmes (2003) KC -- 445 PPR FPTs, 371 Non-PPR FPTS, 27.81 PPR FPTs/gm. ...
  • Marshall Faulk (2001) STL -- 417.7 PPR FPTs, 334.7 Non-PPR FPTS, 29.84 PPR FPTs/gm.
May 11, 2020

What position is most valuable in PPR fantasy football? ›

What is the Best PPR Fantasy Football Draft strategy for 2024? One popular approach is to prioritize drafting running backs and wide receivers early. These positions tend to accumulate the most fantasy points and have the potential to be game-changers for your team.

Do running backs get points in PPR? ›

A WR, RB, or TE receives six points for a rushing or receiving touchdown. Points can also be given out for yardage, defensive stats, kickers, and more. In a PPR league, there is a standard scoring system as well as the points given out per reception.

How many running backs should I have on my fantasy team? ›

That said, if it's potentially position-leading upside you desire at running back, spending one of your first two picks on RBs was much more likely to result in success: 31% of running backs selected in the top two rounds finished top five at the position in scoring.

Who to target in half ppr? ›

Last updated: 6:00 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 1
RankPositionName
1RBChristian McCaffrey
2WRCeeDee Lamb
3WRTyreek Hill
4WRJa'Marr Chase
64 more rows
5 days ago

Why is half point ppr best? ›

Half PPR stands for half point per reception, which means that for every catch a player makes in a game, they will be awarded half of a point in addition to standard scoring points. This scoring system is increasingly popular in fantasy football leagues, as it allows for a more balanced approach to drafting players.

Should you take a RB or WR first round? ›

In close calls in the first round, lean to WRs over RBs, because you have to start three in many leagues, and durability might be less of a concern.

Who to pick first for fantasy football 2024? ›

Anyone with the top overall pick should take Christian McCaffrey with little hesitation. He scored over 100 more PPR points than any other running back last season and has the perfect combination of talent, opportunity and situation. Anyone missing out needs to pivot to a wide receiver.

What running back has the most PPR fantasy points in a game? ›

Billy Cannon has the most PPR fantasy points by a running back in a game, with 68 points versus the New York Titans on December 10, 1961.

What is the most PPR fantasy points by a WR in a game? ›

Most Fantasy Points – PPR Scoring
  • Jerry Rice (WR): 65.5 Fantasy Points.
  • Jimmy Smith (WR): 62.1 Fantasy Points.
  • Jerry Rice (WR): 59.9 Fantasy Points.
  • Jamaal Charles (RB): 59.5 Fantasy Points.
Jul 16, 2024

What players should I keep in fantasy football? ›

In recent years, you couldn't go wrong keeping players like Christian McCaffrey, Patrick Mahomes, CeeDee Lamb, and Travis Kelce. As we head into 2024, some of the top fantasy players are guys like Tyreek Hill, CeeDee Lamb, Josh Allen, and Bijan Robinson.

Who will be the best QB in fantasy this year? ›

Week 1 quarterback rankings
Rank, PlayerMoody
1. Josh Allen, BufAri1
2. Jalen Hurts, PhiGB3
3. Lamar Jackson, Bal@KC4
4. Patrick Mahomes, KCBal2
21 more rows
7 days ago

What does SOS mean in fantasy football? ›

Each team's Strength of Schedule (SOS) displays the relative ease or difficulty of their matchups for the season. SOS is based on each opponent's Fantasy Points Allowed to a position, adjusted for strength of schedule.

Who is the best future RB in FIFA 22? ›

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Achraf Hakimi and Reece James are the best young right-backs in FIFA 22, not least the back right-backs full stop. After that, the likes of Noussair Mazraoui and Sergiño Dest are talented.

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