RB Tiers 7-12
Let’s continue mining the fantasy football RB tiers for valuable later-round additions.
Tier 7
Travis Etienne, Chase Edmonds, Michael Carter, Melvin Gordon III, Damien Harris, Javonte Williams, Raheem Mostert, James Robinson, Ronald Jones II
Who will end the season as the more valuable RB for the Jaguars and Broncos? While the hot names (both Etienne and Williams seem to be in the RB2 role), we all know how quickly that can change.
Is Harris screaming value to anyone else? Not that this is new, as Harris was the favorite all last offseason to take over the role until he underwent surgery on his pinky, costing him the first three weeks. But this summer, he has been healthy, and every single report coming out of camp from beat reports has been raving over him. The issue will always come down to trusting the Patriots and their usage at RB, a one-way trip to a migraine.
Tier 8
Leonard Fournette, James Conner, Trey Sermon, David Johnson, A.J. Dillon, Zack Moss, Gus Edwards
If you are a Zero RB drafter, circle him, place a gold star, highlight his name, whatever you have to do, but don’t let Edwards pass you by in drafts. In three seasons, Edwards has seen at least 130 carries for 700 yards each year. From Week 6 on, Edwards was the RB26 in PPR scoring with 9.9 ppg. In fact, Dobbins was trailing him in fantasy points heading into Week 17 until the rookie went off for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Ravens gave him a two-year, $10 million extension for a reason.
Tier 9
Nyheim Hines, Tony Pollard, Kenyan Drake, Jamaal Williams, Latavius Murray, Devin Singletary, Alexander Mattison, J.D. McKissic
Speaking of mid-to-late-round guys to target, Williams needs to be on that shortlist. While he is in Tier 9 of fantasy football RBs, his production could more closely resemble that of an RB multiple tiers above him. In making projections, it’s relatively easy to pencil him for 200 touches.
With Moss sidelined as he came off ankle surgery and hamstring aggravation, Singletary put together a solid first week of preseason, rushing 8 times for 42 yards and scoring a 6-yard receiving TD.
However, RB competition returns. Spotted back in action throughout practice this week, Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Moss would play against the Bears this week as he comes off the injury report. Both Singletary and Moss are competing for the RB1 role for a potent Bills offense. Right now, it’s a 50-50 choice.
Tier 10
James White, Giovani Bernard, Rashaad Penny, Phillip Lindsay, Tevin Coleman, Tarik Cohen, Joshua Kelley, Sony Michel, Salvon Ahmed, Devontae Booker
Bernard could have upside in PPR formats if he finds himself in the “James White” role for Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. Clearly, they brought him in for a reason.
Lindsay, who was selected to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season in 2018, ran for more than 1,000 yards in 2018 and 2019 but dealt with injuries in 2020. Are we sure we can trust David Johnson to be the Texans’ RB1? If not, Lindsay could be an incredible value.
Ahmed for the Dolphins is another name to keep an eye on in the lower tiers of RBs for fantasy football. He was one of my favorite UDFAs last season out of Washington and has shown flashes. He actually had two top-12 performances in three starts, including 122 rushing yards and a score against New England in Week 15. Head coach Brian Flores continues to allude to this being a committee approach that puts Ahmed in a decent workload that could expand with an injury.
Tier 11
Malcolm Brown, Marlon Mack, Damien Williams, Samaje Perine, Chuba Hubbard, Boston Scott, Mark Ingram II, Darrel Williams, Kenneth Gainwell, Darrynton Evans
When targeting RB sleepers, take a hard look at Gainwell for 2021. Both HC Nick Sirianni (32) and OC Shane Steichen’s (34) backfields were in the top 10 in RB opportunities per game last season. More importantly, they both featured the RB in the passing game, something Sanders struggled with last season (13.5% drop rate).
Tier 12
Jeff Wilson Jr., Jerick McKinnon, Benny Snell Jr., Carlos Hyde, Larry Rountree III, Kalen Ballage, Justin Jackson, Ty Johnson, Wayne Gallman, Rhamondre Stevenson, Justice Hill, Matt Breida
Stevenson has 4 touchdowns in two preseason games. As far as first impressions go, that is as good as it gets. The Patriots declined Sony Michel’s fifth-year option, which signifies they are ready to move on, perhaps quicker than expected. At this rate, I will not be surprised if Stevenson leaps him on the depth chart as the primary short-yardage back.
Tommy Garrett is a writer for Pro Football Network covering the NFL and fantasy football and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA). You can read more of his work here and follow him at @TommygarrettPFN on Twitter.