Fantasy Football RB Rankings Tiers 5.0: Where Ashton Jeanty falls in Jamey Eisenberg's draft day cheat sheet
Tier-based RB rankings to help you build out your Fantasy rosters
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We're through the first week of preseason action, so it's time to update the running back tiers. For Tier 3.0, I will only list the players in each tier, along with any potential changes.
You can see the full breakdown of each player by clicking on Tiers 1.0 here. You can also see the full list of Tiers 2.0 here and Tiers 3.0 here, and Tiers 4.0 here.
And for context, this is based on PPR, as well as one point for every 10 yards rushing and receiving. Hopefully, these tiers can help with any draft decisions you have to make this year.
Tier 1
De'Von Achane was in Tier 1, but he dropped down a tier with his calf injury. He might continue to fall during the week, so continue to check the rankings.
Tier 2
De'Von Achane
I'm going to keep Achane in Tier 2 even though he appears on track to play in Week 1. I'm still concerned about this injury, and the earliest I would draft Achane now is the middle of Round 2.
Tier 3
No change from Tiers 4.0.
Tier 4
Chuba Hubbard
Hampton moved ahead of James Cook in this tier, and I would draft Hampton in the early part of Round 3. I moved Hubbard into this tier also, and he's worth drafting in the beginning of Round 4.
Tier 5
Alvin Kamara
D'Andre Swift
These are the running backs I would draft toward the end of Round 4. I'm nervous about Kamara and Conner given their age, but they still offer plenty of upside when healthy. Just don't reach for either one, especially Kamara, who has an ADP in early Round 3 on CBS.
Tier 6
Tony Pollard
Isiah Pacheco
Breece Hall
We don't know when Tyjae Spears (ankle) will return to action, but he should have a prominent role when healthy, which should impact Pollard's touches. I still like Pollard in early Round 5. Pacheco has become a quality selection in Round 5 since he looks like the featured running back for the Chiefs. And I dropped Hall to this range because the earliest I would draft him is Round 5.
Tier 7
No change from Tiers 4.0.
Tier 8
Travis Etienne
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
This is one of my favorite tiers, and I'm expecting big things from this group. Mason, Charbonnet and Allen could become the best running backs in their respective backfields this year, and Croskey-Merritt has the most upside of all the running backs in Washington following Brian Robinson Jr. being traded to San Francisco. Etienne makes me nervous given the potential shakeup at some point this season in Jacksonville's backfield. But he's worth the risk in the Round 7 or 8 range if he can keep the starting job for the Jaguars all season.
Tier 9
Javonte Williams
Austin Ekeler
Williams could be among the best surprises if he does well as the starter for the Cowboys, and he could get off to a good start if Jaydon Blue (ankle) misses any time early in the season. And Ekeler should have a prominent role with the Commanders now that Robinson is gone. I dropped Johnson to this tier since he appears to have an uphill battle for playing time behind Warren and potentially Kenneth Gainwell.
Tier 10
Dylan Sampson
Ollie Gordon II
Bhayshul Tuten
I'm fascinated what will happen with Jacksonville's backfield this season, and Tuten might have the most upside of the trio out of him, Etienne and Bigsby. Sampson and Gordon have become two of my favorite risers during training camp. Sampson could be the starting running back in Cleveland all year, and Gordon has emerged as the No. 2 running back in Miami behind Achane, who is injured heading into Week 1.
Tier 11
Jaydon Blue
I'm excited about Blue to potentially have a big role in Dallas this season, but you'll have to be patient with him on your bench. Ford should compete with Sampson for the starting role in Cleveland. Skattebo should eventually earn a prominent role with the Giants in tandem with Tracy. And Chubb will open the season as the starter in Houston with Joe Mixon (foot) out.
Tier 12
Brian Robinson Jr.
Joe Mixon
Quinshon Judkins
Tyjae Spears
Najee Harris
Mixon and Judkins fall into this tier, and we'll see what happens with both this season. Mixon could be out for an extended period of time, and Judkins has yet to sign his rookie contract. Robinson also falls into this tier since he's now the No. 2 running back in San Francisco behind Christian McCaffrey, and Spears is in this tier since he'll open the season on IR.
Tier 13
Chris Rodriguez
Woody Marks
Several new names are in this tier with Pierce, Miller, Smith, Rodriguez and Marks. The Texans backfield is up in the air with Mixon injured, and we'll see if Pierce and Marks can compete with Chubb for touches. Miller looks like the No. 2 running back for the Saints behind Kamara, Smith could be the No. 2 running back for the Chiefs behind Pacheco, and Rodriguez is now the No. 3 running back in Washington behind Croskey-Merritt and Ekeler.
Tier 14
Blake Corum
Rico Dowdle
Roschon Johnson
Jaylen Wright
D.J. Giddens
I dropped Wright and Guerendo into this tier, and we'll see what happens now that they have slipped down the depth chart. I still expect them to have some Fantasy value at some point this season, but their value is on the decline heading into Week 1.
Tier 15
Kenneth Gainwell
I moved around a few of these running backs, but a lot would have to happen for them to be Fantasy-relevant this season.
