Howdy, y’all! Christopher Pinto here of Belly Up Fantasy Sports. With the NFL Draft set to take place at the end of the month, I could not think of a better way to make my debut than by sharing my pre-draft top 12 rankings at each position for re-draft PPR leagues. During this series, I will give stats and my own personal rankings for each position. To kick things off, I will start with the running back position. Running backs are stable workhorses that can constantly produce 15 or more points per week. For my fantasy teams, the running back position has always been my foundation and my personal favorite. These guys are versatile and can do it all. Running backs have evolved over the past five seasons and there are a lot of ways to rank your guys. I’ve used film, stats, and my gut to bring you my Re-Draft Top 12 Rankings List: Running Back Edition.

12) Austin Ekeler – Los Angeles Chargers

Top 12 Rankings List: 12/12 Austin Ekeler

Ekeler kicks off my top 12 rankings list. The 5’10”, 200 lb former Western Colorado University running back averaged 38.1 snaps per game and finished as a top-five running back in terms of points scoring 309 total. He rushed for 557 yards and had 3 touchdowns on 132 carries. Also adding 92 receptions for 993 yards with 8 touchdowns. We have seen him in a feature role, but defenses may key on Ekeler which could limit his fantasy value. That being said he will put up RB1 numbers throughout the year. Overall, Austin Ekeler is a scrappy, tough guy, who never turns down a challenge. He was last season’s underdog story and he’s looking to keep his legend growing. He will be an RB1 by season’s end.

11) Joe Mixon – Cincinnati Bengals

Top 12 Rankings List: 11/12 Joe Mixon

Mixon makes my top 12 rankings at number 11. The 6’1”, 220 lb former Sooners running back averaged 41.3 snaps per game and finished as a top 15 running back in terms of points scored; 225.4 total. He rushed for 1,137 yards and 5 touchdowns on 278 carries. While adding 287 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns on 35 catches. Mixon has always been in the RB1 discussion but has never fully ascended. Adding some offensive weapons to aid Mixon will be a priority. In summation, Mixon makes my top 12 rankings easily by his usage alone. Couple that with his talented pedigree and he is a no-brainer to be a top RB1.

10) David Johnson – Houston Texans

Top 12 Rankings List: 10/12 David Johnson

Johnson makes my top 12 rankings at the 10th spot. The 6’1”, 224 lb former University of Northern Iowa ball carrier averaged 34.2 snaps per game and barely finished in the top 40 in terms of points scored; 141.5 total. He rushed for 345 yards and 2 touchdowns on 94 carries. While adding 370 receiving yards on 36 receptions and 4 touchdowns. Johnson was a former number one fantasy football draft pick but has fallen from grace. His new home in Houston should bring life back to the ball carrier and he should put up RB1 numbers. In conclusion, being number one in the Texans offense is a great thing. David Johnson has not seen the top five in a few seasons. My belief is that D.J. rockets back onto the scene and finishes as an RB1.

9) Nick Chubb – Cleveland Browns

Top 12 Rankings List : 9/12 Nick Chubb

Chubb makes the top 12 rankings at the number 9 spot. The 5’11”, 227 lb former Bulldogs running back averaged 45.5 snaps per game finishing as a top-eight running back in points scored; 255.2 total. Chubb rushed for a staggering 1,494 yards and 8 touchdowns on 298 carries. Also adding 278 yards through the air on 36 catches. Chubb’s fantasy value had some concerns as the Browns added running back Kareem Hunt. But both have seemed to find their place in the offense. Nick Chubb looks like he will repeat as the RB1 we will all expect him to be. Overall, Chubb is one handoff away from busting that huge touchdown run. He will be a clear cut RB1 by season’s end.

8) Aaron Jones – Green Bay Packers

Top 12 Rankings List: 8/12 Aaron Jones

Jones makes this top 12 rankings at number 8. The 5’10”, 207 lb former UTEP Miner averaged 42.3 snaps per game and was finally freed last season when Jones finished as the number two running back in points scored; 314.8 total. He rushed for 1,084 yards and scored 16 times on 236 carries. Adding 3 more scores and 474 yards through the air on 49 catches. Aaron Jones should see a similar workload and will be in the constant RB1 discussion. In conclusion, I am a big Free Aaron Jones guy and loved that the Packers unleashed him last season. Jones is a unique talent with a nose for the endzone and he will be an RB1 without a doubt.

7) Derrick Henry – Tennessee Titans

Top 12 Rankings List: 7/12 Derrick Henry

Henry makes the top 12 rankings list at the 7 spot. The 6’3”, 238 lb former Crimson Tide running back averaged 40.1 snaps per game finishing as a top-five running back in terms of points; 294.6 total. King Henry racked up 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns on 303 carries on the ground. While adding 18 catches for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air. The Titans’ offense rolls through the running game. Henry will again put up gaudy numbers. Expect him to finish as an RB1. Furthermore, Derrick Henry can be an elite running back if teams stop stacking the box against him. Until that happens, he will not be the league’s number one guy.

6) Josh Jacobs – Las Vegas Raiders

Top 12 Rankings List: 6/12 Josh Jacobs

Jacobs makes my top 12 rankings list at number 6. The 5’10”, 220 lb former Bama running back averaged 36.1 snaps per game and just missed the top 20 in terms of points with 191.6 total. In his debut season, Jacobs rushed for 1,150 yards and 7 touchdowns on 242 carries. Adding 20 catches for 166 yards through the air. With the Raiders moving DeAndre Washington, Jacobs will be a top 10 back when it is all said and done. Josh Jacobs… my man, Josh Jacobs. I could talk about this guy all day long. He was my ride or die last season and I am very bullish on him this year. GM Mike Mayock has expressed that they will use Jacobs in the passing game this season. If that is true, he will be the next big thing. I would say Jacobs will be a top-five guy, but until other factors in his offense can start to click, he barely misses it. You can lock him in as a RB1.

5) Alvin Kamara – New Orleans Saints

Top 12 Rankings List: 5/12 Alvin Kamara

Kamara makes my top 12 rankings list at number 5. The 5’10”, 215 lb former Tennessee running back averaged 45.4 snaps per game and made the top 10 in terms of points scored, 248.5 total points. Last season Kamara carried the ball 171 times for 797 yards and 5 touchdowns. Adding 81 receptions for 533 yards and 1 touchdown through the air. In what could be Drew Brees’ last season, expect Kamara to be a focal point and again be a top RB1. In summary, Sean Payton’s golden goose can do it all. He had a regression last season but is looking to have a huge year. If things play in his favor, he will be a top-five back by season’s end. Pencil him in as an elite RB1.

4) Saquon Barkley – New York Giants

Top 12 Rankings List: 4/12 Saquon Barkley

Barkley makes my top 12 rankings list at number 4. The 6’0”, 234 lb former Penn State running back averaged 56.7 snaps per game and squeaked into the top 10 in terms of points scored; 244.1 total. The 2019 season saw Saquon carry the ball 217 times for 1,003 yards and 6 touchdowns. Also adding 52 receptions for 438 yards and 2 scores. Furthermore, Barkley was my 1.01 last season and burned me. That being said, he will have to prove, at least to me, he can stay healthy. He should be in the top three conversation by season’s end. In what could finally be Barkley’s year, sign him up as an elite RB1.

3) Dalvin Cook – Minnesota Vikings

Top 12 Rankings List: 3/12 Dalvin Cook

Cook makes my top 12 rankings list at number 3. The 5’10”, 209 lb former FSU running back averaged 43.9 snaps per game and finished as the number six running back in terms of points scored; 292.4 total. In Cook’s first, fully healthy-ish season, he carried the ball 250 times for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns. Adding 53 receptions for 519 yards. In summation, Dalvin’s health was in question last season, but he put that to rest. Will he be able to finish the season a healthy scratch? If so, he will be a top-three guy without a doubt in my mind. Cook is an elite RB1.

2) Ezekiel Elliott – Dallas Cowboys

Top 12 Rankings List: 2/12 Ezekiel Elliott

Zeke makes the top 12 rankings list at number 2. The 6’0”, 225 lb former Buckeye running back averaged 58.8 snaps per game and finished as the number three running back in terms of points scored; 311.7 total. In Zeke’s holdout season, he carried the ball 301 times for 1,357 and scored 12 times. While adding 54 receptions for 420 yards and 2 scores. Zeke holds a special place in my heart as my father-in-law is a huge Cowboys fan and Elliott is the workhorse back of Dallas. I can see Zeke carrying the team and place himself as the league’s top running back by season’s end. Feed Zeke and fire him up as an elite RB1.

1) Christian McCaffrey – Carolina Panthers

Top 12 Rankings List: 1/12 Christian McCaffrey

CMC takes number 1 on my top 12 rankings. The 5’11”, 205 lb former Stanford running back averaged 66 snaps per game and finished number one in many categories including total points scored with 471.2. CMC carried the ball 287 times for 1,387 yards and 15 touchdowns. While adding 116 receptions for 1,005 yards and 4 touchdowns. There is no doubt in my mind that CMC will be the consensus 1.01. One of the most exciting backs to watch in the NFL, CMC can literally do it all. He leads the league in countless categories. I would take him first overall given the opportunity. If you find yourself in the first draft spot, don’t overthink it, just draft CMC, an elite RB1.

Share your thoughts with me in the comments below or by tweeting me @AggieKappaSig. See Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Belly Up Sports for other great articles. Lastly be on the lookout for the rest of the series as my rankings for QB, WR, TE, K, and D/ST come out. Thanks and Gig ‘Em!