I know I love reading power-ranking articles or lists on all my favorite leagues. It’s fun to see where people put your favorite team and why they think the way they do. It’s an excellent mind-flex activity in which you try to compile a list in your head. Here at Dynasty Nerds, we don’t do normal power rankings. Instead, I’m doing a twist on the traditional power rankings. I’m looking at all 32 teams from a dynasty power rankings viewpoint. I’ll rank each team, viewed from a dynasty fantasy football point of view. This is intriguing because a team like the Kansas City Chiefs would be ranked high, but CEH and Ronald Jones will drop them quite a bit compared to a standard list. Let’s get started on these Running Back Dynasty Power Rankings. Be prepared for some surprises.
Remember, it’s about looking down the road several years in value, which is tough since these are RBs. I’ll discuss the system more than the backs for some teams as to why they are ranked so high.
1. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts don’t try to hide that they want to run all over opposing defenses. It helps when you have the best RB and dynasty RB on your team in Jonathan Taylor. He has excellent backups, too, in the form of Philip Lindsay and Nyheim Hines.
2. Denver Broncos
The Broncos have an elite young RB in Javonte Williams, who now must wait another year to break out and unleash his skills fully. That’s fine by me. This will let him do even more damage longer than other RBs. They have a fantastic backup in Melvin Gordon, which solidifies this team’s spot. With Russell Wilson at QB, there will be fewer stacked boxes.
3. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are set to run the ball more than in years past due to losing Adams. Aaron Jones is still a good RB who can do anything you want with the ball. He should be in GB for at least one more year. AJ Dillon is a terrific ball carrier as well and is there for multiple years. Great duo.
4. Los Angeles Chargers
You know how great Austin Ekeler is. He should age gracefully since he was used sparsely earlier in his career. Isaiah Spiller is the perfect complement and brings shades of MG3. Give me both in this high-powered offense.
5. New York Jets
The Jets have their version of “Love and Thunder,” where Breece Hall provides the Love and Michael Carter brings the Thunder. Admittedly, Breece could be both. Hall is a talented rusher who can do it all, while Carter is one of the best backups. Dynasty Gold.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs have a tremendous pass-catching back in Leonard Fournette, who does everything Tom Brady wants. Now they have a clone of his in Rachaad White, who will take over in the future. The perfect two RBs for this offense secured for the long-term.
7. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are this high because of the rushing system they use. If you play dynasty, you want a 49ers RB on your roster as they could be week-winning plays. Elijah Mitchell and Tyrion Davis-Price will be good for dynasty, and the 49ers this year and in the future.
8. Detroit Lions
This is about DeAndre Swift’s potential and future value. Swift is an elite RB that can pass, catch or rush. He will provide tons of points and upside for dynasty teams and the Lions. The Lions drop this far because I don’t trust Jamaal Williams or Craig Reynolds.
9. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have a terrific RB room on paper. They have Lamar Jackson; oh wait. In reality, they have J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Mike Davis. Dobbins and Edwards are both recovering from torn ACLs. Dobby has a ton of dynasty potential and should do just fine for the future.
10. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are an explosive offense, and regardless of who the RB1 is, you want them on your dynasty team. I’m ignoring the Cam Akers hate since the dude played six months after a torn Achilles. With an entire off-season of rest and rehab, he’ll be just fine. Kyren Williams has sneaky dynasty potential too, but Henderson is a lost cause.
11. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks finally get the offense that coach Pete Carroll has always wanted. A rush-first offense with limited passing. With Ken Walker Jr. and Rashaad Penny leading the rushing room, there’s room for both to explode. Walker has the higher dynasty value being the 1.02 in rookie drafts.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars now have a real NFL head coach with at least one top RB in the NFL. Travis Etienne has all the makings of being a dual-threat RB who will be great for dynasty. James Robinson was performing great until he tore his Achilles, but he can return from it and be just fine, hopefully. Keep an eye on Snoop Conner too.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have a lot of RB talent, but who knows what their rushing scheme will be. Josh Jacobs is only 24 and should be considered a dynasty RB1/2. Zamir White could be the back-to-own long-term in Las Vegas. Both have good dynasty value.
14. Chicago Bears
The Bears now have a more mobile QB who will siphon some rushing upside. They drop this far due to their unknown rushing commitment and the fact that David Montgomery is gone in a year. DMont is a great back-to-own in dynasty, but is Khalil Montgomery up to the task to be an RB1?
15. Washington Commanders
The Commanders have multiple backs to own in dynasty due to their youth, use, or future value. If he’s ever unleashed, Antonio Gibson could be an elite RB, which might happen in a couple of years, once he’s free from Washington. The Commanders rush a lot, and Brian Robinson should be owned while J.D. McKissic is an elite handcuff.
16. Cleveland Browns
With the Browns’ new QB, they likely rush a lot less. Combine that with the ages of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, and that’s why they fall this far. Chubb and Hunt are great RBs but only have a couple of years of viability left. Buy D’Ernest Johnson and Jerome Ford now.
17. New York Giants
The Giants should have a better offense this year with continued health from Saquon Barkley. Bark’s an elite running back when fully healthy. With his limited touches, he should be owned in dynasty for the long term. However, will his future be with the Giants?
18. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are an elite passing team which is why you get what you get with Joe Mixon. Thankfully, Mixon gets plenty of passing work which inflates his points. He’s 25 and should give you three more years or so of solid RB play. The issue lies with the Bengals having zero RB depth.
19. Buffalo Bills
The Bills added a pass-catching back in James Cook, but I don’t know how much he will truly do. The Bills won’t run the ball much due to Josh Allen being the QB. He steals too much work. Devin Singletary should do fine as an RB2/3 in dynasty, while Cook is the same as the pass-catcher. Neither are elite but reliable.
20. New England Patriots
The Patriots rush the ball a ton. So much so that Mac Jones had three pass attempts in one game. The issue is they use so many RBs. James White, Rhamondre Stevenson, Damien Harris, and now Pierre Strong will be splitting touches. This is a backfield to avoid for now.
21. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals would be ranked higher if they had more stability behind James Conner. I’m not sure Conner is healthy all season, but he’s an RB1 this year. That could change in ’23. Behind him is the reliable but unspectacular Darrell Williams for one year. This is Eno Benjamin’s breakout year, or so I hope, but there are no proven RBs in the AZ system behind Conner.
22. Carolina Panthers
Carolina has the best RB in the NFL in CMC, at least when he’s healthy. Christian McCaffrey has missed a lot of time in each of the last two seasons. If healthy, he’s the top back. Besides him, the Panthers have little in the way of dynasty talent.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers
Like the Panthers, the Steelers have an elite RB in Najee Harris. Behind him is a mixture of practice squad RBs. Harris is the only name for dynasty and should get the most work, health provided. Plus, they likely rush less with Big Ben gone.
24. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have two elite RBs who both have uncertain futures. Ezekiel Elliot should be great this year, but those touches catch up with him as he ages. This is Tony Pollard’s final season under contract. Does he take over the room or leave in free agency? Too much uncertainty.
25. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles love to run the ball. It just so happens that Jalen Hurts likes to run the ball. This causes Miles Sanders to have to share rushes with his fellow RBs and his QB. Kenny Gainwell should be owned, but this is too confusing a backfield. At least they are young.
26. Minnesota Vikings
With a new offense in place, the Vikings likely rush the ball less. This hurts Dalvin Cook’s standing. Combine that with his age and injury history, and the time to sell is now. Alexander Mattison is leaving soon too. The Vikings don’t have a long-term RB on the roster.
27. Houston Texans
I don’t trust Dameon Pierce to be their long-term RB. The Texans took him in the fourth round and could easily upgrade next year. After Pierce, I don’t trust Rex Burkhead or Marlon Mack to do anything. Own Pierce on your team, but that’s it.
28. Kansas City Chiefs
The Clyde Edwards-Helaire experiment is nearing its end. He’s proven to not have a grasp on the job in KC. That’s why they brought in Ronald Jones and an aging Jerick McKinnon. None of these backs are good in dynasty, but maybe one hits for this year?
29. New Orleans Saints
The Saints have Alvin Kamara, who would usually raise their rankings quite a bit. However, he’s going to have a suspension due to legal issues. Combine that with his age, and this drops them a lot. Mark Ingram is their current RB1, so ouch. Tony Jones and Abram Smith leave a lot to be desired.
30. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins got sniped in the NFL Draft two years in a row on Javonte Williams and Breece Hall. Now, they have Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert, and Myles Gaskin. Those guys are fine for one year. None have long-term dynasty futures. This is just a mess of a backfield.
31. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have converted a WR into an RB to be their main back. Cordarrelle Patterson is a good player, but he’s already 31 and hardly a dynasty name to own. They did add rookie Tyler Allgeier, but he was a late-round pick. This backfield upsets me from a dynasty perspective.
32. Tennessee Titans
If you’re pushing all in to win this year, you should acquire Derrick Henry for your team. That’s because this might be the last year we see the true form of King Henry. He’s a terrific rusher, but after a big injury last year, combined with his age and use, could be catching up to him. Father Time is undefeated. Behind him, the Titans don’t have any other notable RBs for dynasty.
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As always, May the Force be with You…
