We live in an era where the majority of the teams in the NFL are pass-first, but the crazy thing is; the top 5* passing teams didn’t make the playoffs and the top 5* rushing teams did. The running back position doesn’t last forever with repetitive hits over and over again. Therefore, in dynasty leagues, it is essential to target young backs with loads of potential.

We are getting into the top running backs on my list and it is exciting for me. The Top 20 guys on my list are so talented at what they do. There is not a guy in my top 20 that I wouldn’t love to have on my dynasty teams. As I rank these RB, I know that it gets harder to place each player at a certain spot. I value youth in my rankings. Mile Sanders and Devin Singletary are emerging stars in the fantasy world. I also value pass-catchers like Austin Ekeler. Finally, the proven fantasy studs such as Bell, Gurley, and Gordon all are great players to have on your fantasy team. Dynasty teams are built on having great running backs that will provide the greatest floors and the highest ceilings. Please enjoy reading my 20-11 Dynasty Running Backs.

Read who I have ranked at RB: 70-61; 60-51; 50-41; 40-31; 30-21

Don’t forget to check out where I ranked my dynasty QB (Post Combine):1-25; 26-44

Le’Veon Bell is one of the more confusing players when trying to predict his 2020 season. Few people doubt his overall talent as a runner and catcher. But the pros may outweigh the cons. Bell has a top 5 worst offensive line in the NFL, and his former team is ranked inside the top 10. Also, taking a year off and getting older may play a part in his subpar season. To put in perspective, the 2015 season Bell only played 6 games but still managed 556 yards rushing and 3 TD and in 2019 Bell played in 15 games and had 789 rushing yards and 3 TD.

It is evident Bell has something prohibiting his potential and value for 2020. I would be excited if the Jets moved on from Bell because of the tension between him and Adam Gase during the season. Right now Bell is an RB2 and could even fall down the draft boards in some leagues. In that case, he could become an excellent flex option for dynasty leagues.

Marlon Mack is entering his 4th year in the league with the Indianapolis Colts. Mack has been a steady back for the Colts over the last few years. Mack had his career-best in 2019 as he eclipsed 1,000 yards on the ground and added 8 TD. The Colts had an uneventful season after the announcement of Andrew Luck retiring came just a few weeks before the season started. The Colts offense struggled to move with the inconsistent play of Jacoby Brissett and T.Y. Hilton missed most of the season with injuries.

The Colts will make many changes this offseason to improve their offense but Mack will still be behind one of the best offensive lines in football. Marlon Mack doesn’t get many catches out of the backfield but with possibly a new QB under center, this could change. Mack doesn’t get the most hype in dynasty leagues but having him as the RB2 or RB3 on your team can pay off. I would take Mack in dynasty drafts knowing his floor and expecting a higher ceiling going forward.

Mark Ingram was the #1 back on the top rushing offense in 2019. The Ravens ran over any team they came across. Between Lamar Jackson and Mark Ingram, the Ravens were a tough team to stop on the ground. Ingram joined the Ravens during the 2019 offseason when he signed a 3-year, $15 million contract. He had a career-high in total touchdowns in 2019, as he had 10 TD on the ground and added 5 through the air. Ingram is 30 which is a concern in dynasty leagues.

Usually, younger RBs have more value in dynasty leagues, but Ingram is finally in an offense that fits his strengths. The Ravens will continue their dominance on the ground. Therefore, Ingram will continue to play a big role in 2020. I would suggest handcuffing Ingram with Justice Hill or Gus Edwards (if he remains on the team). Ingram still has a few good fantasy seasons in him and should be considered a value in dynasty drafts.

Chris Carson had a very strong first half of the season. Carson was being selected in 5th round or later in most fantasy drafts in 2019. Pete Carroll led us to believe that Carson would be used more in the passing game in 2019. Carson struggled with holding onto the ball in 2019 as he coughed up the ball 7 times. Carson hasn’t shown that he can stay healthy in this league. He hasn’t had a fully healthy season since his freshman year at Oklahoma State.

Despite being riddled with injuries, Carson has had over 1,100 rushing yards the last 2 seasons. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if Carroll looked to bring in another RB in the draft. Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny have struggled to stay healthy. I would be careful when picking Carson in dynasty drafts despite his recent workload. There is much risk but if he can stay healthy, he will produce.

Melvin Gordon sat out the first 4 weeks of the NFL season trying to get a new contract. Though he had no leverage and his only options were to continue to sit or join the Chargers back on the field under his current contract. Therefore, his first 4 games back were a disaster and his play showed no reason why the Chargers should write Gordon a large check. The remainder of the season for Melvin Gordon didn’t turn out too bad. He finished with 612 rushing yards and 8 TD while adding 296 receiving yards and 1 TD. The biggest worry for Melvin Gordon is looming scat-back named Austin Ekeler.

Melvin is finally in the driver’s seat in 2020 and can choose his destination. Right now, it feels like Melvin Gordon isn’t going to be a Charger in 2020. I have a feeling that Gordon may join Rivers. The two possible teams for me would be the Colts and the Buccaneers. Philip Rivers has had rumored interest in both squads. I would say the Buccaneers have a more glaring need than the Colts.

Dec 22, 2019; Carson, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (25) celebrates after scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Austin Ekeler was quite a surprise for those who took him in 2019 fantasy drafts. Through the first 4 weeks of the 2019 season, Ekeler was the RB2 in fantasy points just behind fantasy MVP, Christian McCaffrey. It is uncertain if the Chargers will bring back Melvin Gordon in 2020. However, I believe if they wanted to bring him back, he would have been offered a contract already. Austin Ekeler will be the Chargers starting running back in 2020, however, they will have a new QB handing him the ball as Philip Rivers won’t be returning to the team.

Ekeler can do it all. He is a premier pass-catcher out of the backfield but this doesn’t mean that he can’t run between the tackles. Ekeler will be 25 going into the season. There is a real possibility that Ekeler can catch 80+ passes in 2020. Austin Ekeler will be a great selection in dynasty leagues due to his passing work and game-changing speed.

Everyone and I mean everyone, knew how atrocious the Los Angeles Rams offensive line was in 2019. The absence of a strong line hurt their rushing game and also played dividends in their passing attack. Gurley was touchdown dependent in 2019 and finished with 12 rushing TD and 2 receiving TD while mustering under 900 yards on the ground. Many are worried about Gurley due to knee arthritis that has played a major role in his decline from the top fantasy back. I can’t tell what is happening behind the scene in regards to his knee.

However, Gurley will have to be the main piece in the Rams offense if they want to get back on track in 2020. Gurley has had great seasons in this league and as soon as the Rams stopped using him to his full potential they have suffered. The Rams will look to get Gurley going again in 2020. I would grab Darrell Henderson or Malcolm Brown. Gurley is still a very talented back and should be viewed as one, especially if the offensive line can get an upgrade. I can see Gurley finishing top 10 in 2020. I would grab Gurley in dynasty drafts as many won’t, use him for what he still provides and be a happy fantasy owner. His current ADP makes him a steal for his production.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Todd Gurley II #30 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before a game against the Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 17, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

Devin Singletary owners were happy with what could come after his week 1 performance with a rushing line of 4/70/0 and receiving line of 5/28/0. Sadly, he missed weeks 3-6 making owners hesitant for his play the rest of the season. Devin held his ground for the rest of the season and proved he wasn’t touchdown-dependent like some other RB’s. He finished the season with 775 rushing yards and 2 TD, adding 194 receiving and 2 TD.

Positive regression in total TD’s will happen for Devin in 2020 making his value interesting for fantasy players. I expect his 2nd year to be a big jump for him where he has the capability of having over 1000 rushing yards and 10 TD. I also think he adds around 500 receiving yards and 4 TDs. The Bills love Devin and the front office believes he has a bright future as well. Singletary is a young star that should be grabbed in dynasty drafts.

Miles Sanders had a slow start in 2019 after getting at least 11 touches in his first 4 games and only having 1 game over 10 fantasy points (PPR). The next several games for Sanders were off and on until week 9 where he would end up getting at least 12 touches a game until the end of the season. The key part for Sanders’ success was the injury that happened to Jordan Howard, who was becoming their key back for a short stretch in the season.

Miles Sanders has a great skill set in today’s NFL and shows glimpses of Christian McCaffrey in him. As long as Miles Sanders is involved in the passing game, he will be a consistent fantasy asset to own. The best-case scenario for Sanders is if the Eagles front office moves on from Howard and makes Sanders their number 1 back. Miles Sanders was a league winner in 2019, adding him to your dynasty teams could lead you to many fantasy championships.

If you were to witness a running back to have 1152 rushing yards with 100 targets and 552 receiving yards, how many TD do you think he would have? There is not a chance 3 would be the answer and that was exactly the case for Leonard Fournette in 2019. He had so many chances to find the endzone this year but couldn’t fall into the pay-dirt. Positive regression will occur in 2020, but the real question lies under his health. He played 15 games this year which is the most in his 3 seasons in the NFL.

To predict his 2020 season, I fully expect him to get the same amount of rushing yards, an increase in TD, and a decrease in receiving volume. This year was an outlier for Fournette’s receptions as he caught 54 more passes than the year prior. Leonard is 25 and the Jaguars have rumored to not offer him his 5th-year option. Fournette is a good back to own in dynasty leagues. You could draft a WR in the 1st round and grab Uncle Lenny in the 2nd.

Read who I have ranked at RB: 70-61; 60-51; 50-41; 40-31; 30-21

Also, check out my 2020 QB Dynasty Rankings 1-11; 12-21; 22-34

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