Week 1 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings: Derrick Henry Near the Top Spot and Notable Backs Outside the Top 10
Morgan gives his week 1 fantasy football rankings for running backs.
It's time for another week 1 fantasy football ranking story for another position!
We looked at quarterbacks and tight ends already, and will discuss running backs here today. We'll address things from a PPR perspective and list 30 backs.
Check out week 1 fantasy football projections for running backs on FantasySP as well.
Barkley is my No. 1 PPR back for week 1. He has a favorable matchup against the Cowboys.
Barkley is likely going to be the No. 1 projected back for me several times, but he's deserving of that honor.
This might be a surprise to some, but I have Henry in my No. 2 slot. He has a matchup against the Bills, which was a very favorable matchup for backs last season.
I see Henry getting his 2025 season off to a big start. His fantasy outcome will be determined by if Lamar Jackson steals any of his touchdown runs.
3. Jahmyr Gibbs
Gibbs has a clash against the Packers in week 1. That's a pretty average matchup from a season ago.
I'm interested to see how the Lions' offense looks, but I am not counting out Gibbs - he can deliver big numbers against anyone.
Give me Taylor in the No. 4 slot for his matchup against the Dolphins. That's another so-so matchup.
Taylor should be heavily involved as the Colts look to move the ball with Daniel Jones at quarterback.
5. Bucky Irving
Irving opens his season against the Falcons, which is a below-average matchup based on last year's numbers.
I have high hopes for Irving this season, so he needs to be trusted in every matchup.
Robinson drops to my No. 6 slot in week 1. He will go up against the Bucs, who were surprisingly stout against fantasy backs last season.
You're never sitting Robinson if you roster him, but I wouldn't be anticipating a monster fantasy outing this time around.
CMC gets the seventh slot for me in his test against the Seahawks. That's an average matchup on paper.
I'll be tuned in to the stat sheet to see how much McCaffrey plays and is utilized after an injury-riddled 2024 season.
8. Chase Brown
Brown has a bit tougher test against the Browns in week 1.
I'm a big fan of Brown this season, and am expecting top-10 numbers all year from him, so I'm rolling with him in every matchup to start the year.
Jeanty has a favorable matchup against the Patriots in week 1, even though I think New England will be improved this season.
Jeanty would rank even higher if this wasn't his first NFL regular season game.
10. Kyren Williams
Williams rounds out my top 10 - he will take on the Texans in week 1, which is a bit tougher matchup.
I still see Williams being a workhorse, and on volume alone, delivering big fantasy numbers in week 1.
11. De'Von Achane
Achane has a test against the Colts in week 1, which sets up as just above average for him.
Achane would likely be a top-10 option for me if he wasn't dealing with an injury.
12. Alvin Kamara
Kamara will take on the Cardinals in week 1, which is another above-average matchup for the back.
He's capable of finishing even higher, but I simply don't trust this Saints' offense.
13. Josh Jacobs
This seems low for Jacobs, but a tougher test against the Lions is looming.
I expect Detroit to stack the box and make the Packers' offense rely on a banged-up Jordan Love, so that works against Jacobs.
14. James Conner
I'm a big believer in Conner this season, and a favorable test against the Saints in week 1 sets him up to deliver right away.
If Arizona gets a comfortable lead early, Conner could easily be a top-10 fantasy finisher this week.
15. Kenneth Walker
Walker has a favorable matchup against the Niners, even though I expect them to be better in 2025.
Walker could be a sneaky good option this week, if this game stays fairly close, or Seattle is ahead.
16. Chuba Hubbard
Here's another sneaky good option in Hubbard, who takes on a below-average Jaguars' defense from last year.
I want to rank him higher, but I'm docking him for Bryce Young's inconsistencies over the years.
17. James Cook
This seems low for Cook after the 2024 season he had, but a tougher test against the Ravens isn't helping him any.
Cook could score a time or two and easily finish above this spot, but this is where I'm most comfortable putting him.
18. Omarion Hampton
Hampton opens his NFL regular season career in a brutal matchup against the Chiefs.
He'll likely concede some touches to Najee Harris as well, so I'm not as high on Hampton as most are this week. We'll see if he can prove me wrong.
19. Tony Pollard
I'm higher on Pollard than most sites as he takes on the Broncos in week 1.
I expect the Titans to simplify the offense and not try to put too much on Cameron Ward's plate. That should mean plenty of touches for Pollard, and it makes him a sneaky good option this week.
20. Breece Hall
I'm down on Hall going into the season, and a tougher test against the Steelers isn't going to help him.
We'll see if he gets enough touches, or maybe can score to be a better option going forward.
The rookie has a test against the Raiders to kick off his regular season debut. That's a pretty average test based on last year.
Henderson could really make a name for himself with a big showing in week 1.
22. Aaron Jones Sr.
Most see a committee in Minnesota's backfield, but I still like Jones to lead the way.
In a favorable matchup against the Bears, both backs could shine, but I see Jones as the better asset.
23. D'Andre Swift
The other lead back in that Minnesota/Chicago game is Swift.
Minnesota is a tougher test, but on volume alone, I see Swift putting up some decent numbers this week.
24. Isiah Pacheco
I think Pacheco and Kareem Hunt will both be good early-season fantasy assets, but a tough test against the Chargers hurts their values this week.
I like Pacheco to lead the way, so I'll give him a spot inside my top 25.
25. Tyrone Tracy
Most are writing off Tracy, but an average matchup against the Commanders in week 1 should help him get off to a solid start.
I'm higher on the Giants' offense than most, and think the lead back could be a weekly starting option - we'll see if Tracy can solidify that role with a good week 1 showing.
26. Jerome Ford
Ford is being overlooked, but he has a solid week 1 matchup against the Bengals.
I see Ford leading the Browns' backfield, with Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson helping out here and there and overtaking Ford as the season progresses. For week 1 at least, Ford has some fantasy value.
27. Jaylen Warren
It looks like Warren is going to lead the Steelers' backfield to open the year, but he ranks lower because of a tougher test against the Jets.
Don't be surprised if Warren finishes higher than this, even if he's splitting touches with other backs.
28. Tank Bigsby
I'm taking a swing here on Bigsby because of a matchup against the Panthers. That was the most favorable fantasy matchup for backs last year, and most of the damage was done on the ground.
I expect Bigsby to lead the Jaguars in rushing attempts, so I have him here over Travis Etienne Jr.
29. J.K. Dobbins
Give me Dobbins at No. 29 going into a matchup against the Titans, which is a favorable matchup.
I see Dobbins leading the Broncos' backfield to start the season, but RJ Harvey taking the lead over time. Dobbins has a better chance to score a TD I think, so that's why he gets the nod over Harvey.
30. David Montgomery
Give me the Lions' No. 2 RB in the No. 30 slot.
The matchup against the Packers is just so-so, which leaves room for both backs to post solid fantasy totals. Montgomery could finish way above this with a score on the day.
