2021 Week 1 RB Rankings: McCaffrey and Cook lead the way for fantasy football

After a nearly eight months wait, the 2021 fantasy football season is finally upon us, and in turn, so are our weekly rankings. With an offseason full of moves, along with a new class of rookies set to take the stage, here are our current fantasy football RB rankings for Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season.

2021 Fantasy Football RB rankings | Week 1 

Note: These consensus rankings were created by Senior Fantasy Analyst Eric Moody and Fantasy Analyst Tommy Garrett with 0.5 PPR scoring in mind and will fluctuate throughout the week. Please check back regularly for any changes.

For analysis on the players listed below, be sure to check out our fantasy football player profiles and cheat sheet.

RB rankings | 1-5

• RB1 – Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers (vs. NYJ)
• RB2 – Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings (at CIN)
• RB3 – Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (vs. GB*)
• RB4 – Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans (vs. ARI)
• RB5 – Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers (at NO*)

*GB/NO will be played in Jacksonville

Last season, the only “decent” part of the Jets’ defense was its rush defense, ranking 20th in fantasy points allowed. Although they did make some moves and have a new regime, McCaffrey doesn’t care. Since 2018, McCaffrey has averaged 27.1 points per game (35 active games) while recording 20+ points 28 times (80%). 

Cook, when healthy, is one of the best RBs in the NFL and get’s a cakewalk matchup against the Bengals. I would not be surprised at all if he goes over 120 yards and is the RB1 for fantasy in Week 1.

The Packers have not been able to stop the run, giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to RBs per game (26.9). Kamara is the Saints’ offense right now and has 17 to 20-touch upside.

The Cardinals’ defense is a sleeper pick of many. But the Titans have too many weapons on offense to pack the box against Henry as he starts his quest for a third-straight rushing title.

Of the top-five RBs in fantasy football rankings for Week 1, Jones scares me the most. The Saints were No. 1 in points allowed to RBs (17.8) and were No. 5 overall (66.2 to skill-position players). The Packers OL took a slight hit in talent this offseason, and the Saints are projected to be a top-three defense again against RBs in 2021, barring something shocking.

RB rankings | 6-10

• RB6 – Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. MIN)
• RB7 – Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (vs. SEA)
• RB8 – Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns (at KC)
• RB9 – Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys (at TB)
• RB10 – Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (at BUF)

I know it might feel scary trusting Mixon to get your season off on the right foot, but this is as good of a chance as you can ask for. While I do expect the Vikings’ defense to be a significant upgrade from last season, Mixon could see 25 opportunities. Additionally, this is the one game you can guarantee he is healthy heading into it.

Taylor has all the talent, but the Colts’ usage of Nyheim Hines and Marlon Mack could hurt his upside in a middle-of-the-road matchup.

So long as the defense keeps the game close, Chubb could take advantage of an advantageous matchup behind the best OL in the NFL.

Elliott feels more like a mid-RB2 than he does a low-end RB1. The Buccaneers’ defense could be better than last season (No. 7 in RB points allowed). Furthermore, this could turn into a track meet for the Cowboys trying to keep up if their defense hasn’t improved. I love Elliott long-term, but it’s a brutal way to start the season.

Harris begins his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign against a Bills’ defense that is getable on the ground. But for that to happen, the Steelers need to keep it close. If their secondary fails, which could occur, Harris still has five-reception upside.

2021 Fantasy Football RB rankings | 11-20

A trio of second-year players could easily find themselves in RB1 consideration.

RB rankings | 11-15

• RB11 – James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars (at HOU)
• RB12 – Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers (at WAS)
• RB13 – Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team (vs. LAC)
• RB14 – Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (vs. DEN)
• RB15 – Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. CLE)

Tip for the season: Start whichever RB is going against the Texans. Robinson is a top-five RB for me in Week 1 fantasy football RB rankings.

The matchup is not great (No. 3 vs. RBs in fantasy), but the Kamara-type usage of Ekeler should mean he can return value, especially in PPR formats.

The Chargers gave up the 12th-most points per game to RBs through the air last season (10.7). If Gibson does see the anticipated target increase, he could be a monster this season.

Barkley is a top-20 RB in fantasy football rankings for Week 1 based on talent alone. However, there are questions surrounding his usage, health, and offensive line. If you start him, be prepared for any outcome.

The Browns were a difficult defense last season (sixth in points allowed at 20.1 to RBs) and got even better. Still, so did the Chiefs up front. This is a potential AFC Championship preview.

RB rankings | 16-20

• RB16 – Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens (at LV)
• RB17 – Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks (at IND)
• RB18 – Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers (at DET)
• RB19 – David Montgomery, Chicago Bears (at LAR)
• RB20 – Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles (at ATL)

No team attempted more rushes than the Ravens last season. Now, they take on a Raiders’ defense that was 29th in points allowed to RBs (28.8) and allowed the sixth-most via the run (17.4). The Raiders are a worse team, and the Ravens have fewer mouths to feed — go all-in on the Gus Bus in Week 1. He has RB1 upside.

After seeing his rushes drop last season (11.8 per game), I am very curious to see what Carson’s usage will be if the Seahawks allow Wilson to run the offense.

Looking for an RB in Week 1 rankings that might surprise many? Look no further than Mostert. The 49ers will be an explosive team, even with Jimmy Garoppolo. They take on the Lions, who were dead-last in points allowed to RBs last season at 32.4. Whatever his prop total is or price in DFS, I’m all in on him for Week 1.

He’ll have the volume you want to see, but Montgomery’s upside is throttled with a brutal matchup against Aaron Donald and the Rams.

The Falcons were a better rushing defense than given credit for last season (No. 9 with 20.7 ppg) and have a new coach that will help set the tempo on defense. There is also concern about the touch split between Sanders, Boston Scott, and Kenneth Gainwell.

2021 Fantasy Football RB rankings | 21-30

Which RBs currently have low-end RB2/high-end RB3 status?

RB rankings | 21-25

• RB21 – Mike Davis, Atlanta Falcons (vs. PHI)
• RB22 – Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams (vs. CHI)
• RB23 – Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. BAL)
• RB24 – Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins (at NE)
• RB25 – D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions (vs. SF)

The recent addition of Gallman has caused many to sour on Davis. I can’t blame them either.

The Bears should be a top-five run defense this season, and we need to see the split with Henderson and Sony Michel. 

Between splitting carries with Kenyan Drake and a tough matchup, Jacobs is a low-end RB2 with little upside — unless he finds the end zone.

In 2020, Gaskin was ninth in touches per game at 18.3, tied for sixth in targets at 4.7, and on pace for 1,000 yards and 70 receptions. 

RB rankings | 26-30

• RB26 – Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns (at KC)
• RB27 – Damien Harris, New England Patriots (vs. MIA)
• RB28 – Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals (at TEN)
• RB29 – Ronald Jones II, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. DAL)
• RB30 – Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (at NYG)

Last season, only two teams had a higher percentage of points allowed to RBs come from the passing game (50.7%). Hunt is one of the best receiving backs in football and isn’t too shabby as a rusher either.

Miami was one of the most formidable defenses against RBs (fifth-fewest points) last season and should be again. Nevertheless, with the release of Cam Newton, Harris should see ample workload for the Patriots. 

Who is the RB1 for the Cardinals? It likely is Edmonds, but James Conner is not far behind in Week 1 RB fantasy football rankings. This is a fantastic matchup against the Titans (26th vs. RBs).

Jones is the RB1 for the Buccaneers, but will he see the all-important passing reps? For him to finish as an RB2 or better, he needs to find the end zone.

RB rankings | 31-40

• RB31 – Melvin Gordon III, Denver Broncos (at NYG)
• RB32 – Trey Sermon, San Francisco 49ers (at DET)
• RB33 – Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. DAL)
• RB34 – Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions (vs. SF)
• RB35 – James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (at TEN)
• RB36 – Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts (vs. SEA)
• RB37 – David Johnson, Houston Texans (vs. JAX)
• RB38 – AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers (at NO)
• RB39 – Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills (vs. PIT)
• RB40 – Tevin Coleman, New York Jets (at CAR)

Who is the starting RB for the Texans? Does it even matter, and are you willing to trust anyone?

With the Steelers expected to have a staunch run defense, Singletary could be the more valuable play for the Bills as he sees most of the passing work.

41-50

• RB41 – Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills (vs. PIT)
• RB42 – Kenyan Drake, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. BAL)
• RB43 – Phillip Lindsay, Houston Texans (vs. JAX)
• RB44 – Michael Carter, New York Jets (at CAR)
• RB45 – James White, New England Patriots (vs. MIA)
• RB46 – J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team (vs. LAC)
• RB47 – Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys (at TB)
• RB48 – Sony Michel, Los Angeles Rams (vs. CHI)
• RB49 – Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings (at CIN)
• RB50 – Salvon Ahmed, Miami Dolphins (at NE)

Where does Carter fall on the depth chart? Week 1 could tell us a lot about how these RBs should land in rankings moving forward.

51-60

• RB51 – Rashaad Penny, Seattle Seahawks (at IND)
• RB52 – Giovani Bernard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. DAL)
• RB53 – Ty Johnson, New York Jets (at CAR)
• RB54 – Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars (at HOU)
• RB55 – Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers (at WAS)
• RB56 – Mark Ingram II, Houston Texans (vs. JAX)
• RB57 – Latavius Murray, New Orleans Saints (vs. GB)
• RB58 – Damien Williams, Chicago Bears (at LAR)
• RB59 – Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles (at ATL)
• RB60 – Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts (vs. SEA)

Keep an eye on Bernard’s availability. If he misses Week 1 (high-ankle sprain), Fournette gets a bump up in value.

Johnson could be a sneaky play in Week 1. Coleman is projected to be the lead back, but Johnson has shown proficiency in the rushing and receiving game.

61-75

• RB61 – Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles (at ATL)
• RB62 – Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (vs. MIA)
• RB63 – Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (vs. NYJ)
• RB64 – Malcolm Brown, Miami Dolphins (at NE)
• RB65 – Ty’Son Williams, Baltimore Ravens (at LV)

• RB66 – Darrel Williams, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. CLE)
• RB67 – Devontae Booker, New York Giants (vs. DEN)
• RB68 – Tony Jones Jr., New Orleans Saints (vs. GB)
• RB69 – Benny Snell Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers (at BUF)
• RB70 – Larry Rountree III, Los Angeles Chargers (at WAS)

• RB71 – Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. CLE)
• RB72 – Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens (at LV)
• RB73 – Rex Burkhead, Houston Texans (vs. JAX)
• RB74 – Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. MIN)
• RB75 – Matt Breida, Buffalo Bills (vs. BUF)

Ty’Son Williams has RB3 upside working as the RB2 for the Ravens. He takes over Edwards’ role and should be a critical factor in the receiving game.

Jones Jr. is the sleeper play of the week when looking at Week 1 RB fantasy football rankings. Lost in the hustle of the preseason was head coach Sean Payton saying that Jones would have been the RB2 if the season started. Personally, I have him ranked over Murray in Week 1, as he seems by far the more dynamic rusher. Keep an eye on Jones in deeper leagues and as a potential Week 2 waiver claim depending on his performance.