🏈 2023's top 15 RBs (PPR)

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It's The Touchdown Press Newsletter. Your #1 source for all things fantasy football, DFS, and sports betting, along with 10,000+ fellow degenerates.

It’s a mid-July Thursday, and we’re all thirsty for a little football content.

Today in 5 minutes or less, you’ll learn:

• My own current top-15 RB rankings 📈 

• Why these guys all have massive upside 💣

• Surprise rankings and snubs 🤷‍♂️

• Early NFL training camp news and notes 📝 

Austin Ekeler (LAC), ADP 2.3, RB1:

Honestly, this a toss-up between the first two guys.

But you have my permission to draft Ekeler first if you want.

He was the overall RB1 in ‘22, and the top non-QB scorer (21.9 PPR points per game), catching over 107 balls.

Plus, he’s scored an untouchable 38 TDs last 2 years.

Chargers’ offense isn’t going anywhere, and neither is he.

Christian McCaffrey (SF), 5.6, RB2:

One of the best RBs in modern fantasy football is slippery and electric with the ball in his hands.

He was 1st in route participation (75%), target share (21.8%), and 3rd in total TDs (13).

He also had 61 evaded tackles and 15 breakaway runs, a great fit for Kyle Shanahan’s scheme in San Fran.

Bijan Robinson (ATL), ADP 12.4, RB3:

It may seem counterintuitive to have a rookie ranked this high, but Bijan seems special.

He’s a 3-down human highlight who ranked 2nd in the nation in percentage of evaded tackles over the last 2 years.

Now he joins a rising Atlanta offense with a solid O-line and strong run game. LFG!

Jonathan Taylor (IND), ADP 18.2, RB4:

He’s only a season removed from his RB1 finish. The Colts will need to call on that talent if they want to acclimate Anthony Richardson to the fold.

Shane Steichen’s RBs in Philadelphia scored 18 TDs over the course of 2022.

That bodes well for JT’s fantasy outlook.

Taylor should bounce back this year and beat his PrizePicks futures number of 1,175.5 yards.

You taking it?

Saquon Barkley (NYG), ADP 16.9, RB5:

Healthy Saquon makes the Giants offense work.

He had the 3rd highest opportunity share in ‘22 and there’s no one on the roster to seriously challenge for touches.

He finished 5th in fantasy points per game last season (17.8), and his teammates figure to be a bit better.

If it weren’t for the holdout talk he’d be a lock.

Tony Pollard (DAL), ADP 16.4, RB6

Finally.

No Ezekiel Elliott to contend with in the Dallas backfield.

He was RB8 in fantasy points per game (15.6) on just the 34th opportunity share. Now he’s alone.

He’s ready to skyrocket in 2023.

Josh Jacobs (LV), ADP 18.7, RB7:

Another holdout guy.

But he was RB1 in standard formats last season.

He led the league in opportunity share (83.7%), and rushing yards (1,653), and had career high receptions (53).

The Raiders need this guy. Let’s hope he plays.

Nick Chubb (CLE), ADP 21, RB8:

Chubb has never finished a season with fewer than 5 yards per carry, and since 2019 has never been outside of the top-10 RBs in points per game. (6th in ‘22).

Last season, he was 1st in evaded tackles (133), 4th in juke rate (40.4%), and 1st in breakaway runs (23).

He’s got Deshaun Watson’s backfield all to himself.

Breece Hall (NYJ), ADP 25.3, RB9:

He may be eased in at the start of the year, but his explosiveness is nothing to scoff at:

He was 1st in juke rate (50.5%), 1st in yards per touch (6.9), 2nd in breakaway run rate (11.3%), and 3rd in yards created per touch (4.32).

You can’t deny the talent.

Derrick Henry (TEN), ADP 23.3, RB10:

The Big Dog is still a freight train, with his huge frame and punishing running style. I know you’ve seen it.

His receiving chops are underrated, even if the raw volume isn’t spectacular by any means. He was 1st in yards per route (3.02) and yards per catch (12.1).

As long as he stays healthy, he’s the Titans’ workhorse.

Jahmyr Gibbs (DET), ADP 27.8, RB11

Gibbs was drafted into the perfect situation.

D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams combined for 421 touches last season (361 carries and 60 receptions). Both have left Detroit.

Gibbs has 3-down talent and will have a chance to showcase it in a very big way.

Travis Etienne (JAX), ADP 31.2, RB12:

In '22, Etienne was 10th in yards per touch (5.7), 5th in yards per reception (9), and 12th in breakaway run rate (7.3%). He’s a great runner.

That explosiveness will be on display in the Jaguar offense next to a rising star in Trevor Lawrence.

Rhamondre Stevenson (NE), ADP 34.1, RB13:

There’s no threat to Rhamondre’s carries on the Patriot depth chart, and there may not be all season.

Last year he was 4th in receptions (69), 7th in receiving yards (421), 3rd in evaded tackles (113), and 6th in yards created per touch (3.43).

Kenneth Walker (SEA), ADP 39.9, RB14:

Walker was 12th in juke rate and 10th in evaded tackles. He’s got the skills to move out there.

He also had the 3rd most RZ touches with 52.

Seattle should give him that work again.

Aaron Jones (GB), ADP 44.6, RB15:

Jones has a vice grip on the receiving work in Green Bay.

AJ Dillon was 43rd in route participation and 29th in target share. He’s not getting those targets.

With a new starter at QB, Jones will be pivotal to the offense and a huge part of making it go.

✈️ Jets Lock Down First-Round Pick

💪 Titans Eye Free Agent OT for Key Role

😳 Patriots Host Veteran RB for Workout

❤️‍🩹 Ravens Eye Defensive End for Return from Injury

🚫 Jets Plan to Part Ways with WR If Trade Talks Fail

🏈 Chiefs RB Practices Despite Injury Concerns

🟫 Browns Release DT After Assault Charges Dropped

🤠 Cowboys OL May Not Report to Camp

✍️ Steelers Lock Up Breakout EDGE with Big Extension

🤕 49ers Place Rookie CB on Active/PUP List

Every day is a little closer to the season. Let’s get there together!

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