Top Five Fantasy Football Running Backs for 2023

Football has returned as week one of preseason action is getting underway, and the countdown is officially on for the 2023 NFL regular season. We have gone through all the top five position rankings so far, except for the running back position. Wide receivers are getting pushed to the top of fantasy football drafts, leaving some elite running backs available outside of the top three picks. Austin Ekeler led the way in 2022 at the running back position in PPR formats, while Josh Jacobs sat at the top in standard formats. There are others behind him that can take the crown from them. With that, here are the top five fantasy football running backs for the 2023 season:

5. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

Browns RB Nick Chubb (24) – Rob Carr/Getty Images

Nick Chubb has become one of the most consistent running backs in fantasy football, and that trend will continue. With Kareem Hunt leaving the Cleveland Browns, the backfield will belong to Nick Chubb. There has been a lot of talk in the preseason surrounding Jerome Ford being the RB2 for the Browns, but that shouldn’t worry those wanting to take Chubb early in the draft. The Browns showed faith in the former Georgia product as they went without taking a running back in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Chubb is coming off a 2022 season where he ranked fourth amongst running backs in fantasy points per game (254.4). During the 2022 season, Chubb racked up 1,525 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Having Deshaun Watson in this Browns offense for a full season will only help Chubb be able to reach his ceiling in 2023.

The Browns running back should be a no-brainer pick in the first round of fantasy drafts, especially in 12-team and 14-team leagues. His powerful running ability makes him hard to take down, and over the past few years, he has averaged over five yards per carry. Chubb will be a safe pick in fantasy football this year, with the ability to elevate his status with no competition behind him in the Browns backfield.

4. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

Giants RB Saquon Barkley (26) – Abbie Parr/Associated Press

There were question marks on whether or not we would see Saquon Barkley take the field with the New York Giants as both sides couldn’t come to an agreement on a contract. The two sides were able to come to an agreement that would ensure that Barkley would be back with the Giants. That is definitely good news to hear for Giants fans and fantasy football managers.

The question mark that has been surrounding Barkley outside of the contract talks was the amount of time missed in the past few seasons. Barkley was able to have a fully healthy 2022 season as he finished fifth overall at the running back position in fantasy points per game. He is set to be the bell-cow running back once again for the Giants, as the depth behind him isn’t appealing.

In 2022, Barkley finished the season with 295 carries for 1,312 rushing yards and ten touchdowns. When looking at PPR leagues, Barkley is the running back that you want to look for. PPR leagues give you a full point per reception, and it is a cheat code in fantasy football to find running backs that can do it all. The question marks surrounding the contract talks are over, and Barkley remains an elite option heading into the 2023 season.

3. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

Former Texas RB Bijan Robinson (7) – Eric Gay/AP Photo)

The rookie out of Texas has gotten a lot of hype ever since he was taken eighth overall by the Atlanta Falcons. Bijan Robinson could not be going to a more perfect situation for his rookie season. Even with the recent release of Robinson being the third running back on the unofficial depth chart heading into the preseason action, Robinson is set to be the talk of the town heading into the season.

It’s not often that we see a rookie running back find their name listed on a top-five list heading into the season, but Robinson is a generational talent that is going to an offense that wants to run the football. Head coach Arthur Smith has shown time and time again that he wants to lead the league in rushing attempts. Smith has been able to consistently be a run-heavy offense during his time with the Tennessee Titans and the Atlanta Falcons.

Robinson has the capability of doing something special in his rookie season, and fantasy managers shouldn’t be scared of taking a guy we haven’t even seen take a snap at the next level. Robinson has shown his elite pass-catching skills during training camp, and he showed at Texas what he can do on the ground. The running back depth chart is filled with talent behind him with Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson, but the Falcons didn’t take Robinson at the top of the draft for him not to be the leading back for Atlanta. Take Robinson with confidence in the first round, as he truly can be a league winner.

2. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (30) – Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports

Austin Ekeler is coming off a sensational 2022 season, and he will be looking to continue that heading into this season. Ekeler took advantage of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams dealing with injuries last season. The 28-year-old running back hauled in 107 receptions during the 2022 season. He continued to be dominant in the fantasy football landscape. During the 2022 season, Ekeler finished the season with 204 carries for 915 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.

He continued to be a red-zone scoring machine in 2022 as he had 18 total touchdowns last season. The Chargers’ offense will be due for a bounce-back season in 2023 after their top two wideouts missed out on some of the season. Los Angeles spent their first-round draft pick on Quentin Johnston, that will add another viable pass catcher to this offense.

The only concern that has been surrounding Ekeler’s name this offseason is how Johnston will affect his target share heading into the 2023 season. It shouldn’t be expected that Ekeler will hover over 100 receptions this season, but he is still one of the best pass-catching backs in the league. Ekeler still remains one of the top options at the running back position and should be one of the first running backs taken off the board.

1. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (23) – Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Christian McCaffrey was able to benefit when he was traded from the Carolina Panthers to the San Francisco 49ers in the middle of last season. When bringing up McCaffrey in fantasy football, there will always be question marks regarding his ability to stay healthy. He was able to have a fully healthy season in 2022 as he continued to be one of the elite options at the position. You cannot go wrong with their taking McCaffrey or Ekeler at the top of this year’s fantasy drafts.

After McCaffrey was traded to the 49ers, he would lead all fantasy running backs in points per game down the stretch. He finished the 2022 season with 244 carries for 1,139 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Where McCaffrey is elite is in the pass-catching department and he continued that under Kyle Shanahan’s offense. He added 52 receptions for 464 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

McCaffrey will now have a full season ahead of him in a 49ers offense that will be looking to be one of the top offenses in the NFL. The question mark for the 49ers heading into the season will be at the quarterback spot. McCaffrey will only benefit if Brock Purdy is ready to go for the season opener.