Whether you go zero or hero running backs, running back is still arguably the most important position in fantasy football. Getting a workhorse running back or a dual threat can help you ascend to the mountain top of fantasy football glory, but the wrong choices could leave you performing the last place punishment.

These are the tailbacks you should avoid in 2023.

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Running Backs to Avoid in Fantasy Football (2023)

Travis Etienne (RB – JAX): ADP 31; RB 11

Etienne essentially had his rookie season in 2022 after missing the previous year with a Lisfranc injury. In the middle of it, the Jaguars moved on from James Robinson, which gave Etienne a chance to be a top back.

Unfortunately, Etienne didn’t take as much advantage of the opportunity as we hoped. From Weeks 8-to-18, after Robinson was traded, Etienne finished as the RB19, was 37th in fantasy points per opportunity, and 27th in route participation.

He excelled last year in the red zone by being sixth in red zone carries and third in rushing yards. Jacksonville’s drafting of powerhouse running back Tank Bigsby could reduce those chances near the goal line.

Breece Hall (RB – NYJ): ADP 32; RB 13

Breece Hall was on his way to a stellar rookie season until a torn ACL cut that short. Although he should be on the field by the start of the season, it often can take a full year to recover from this injury. This is something to note for someone like Hall, who is an east-to-west runner and likes to make quick cuts.

New York has plenty of depth at the position. Michael Carter was the starter before Hall, Zonovan Knight saw a significant amount of playing time last year, and they drafted Israel Abanikanda. Don’t be surprised if Hall doesn’t receive a heavy workload, especially early in the season.

Kenneth Walker (RB – SEA): ADP 46; RB 18

Walker is dealing with a groin injury at the moment, and there is no timetable for his return. But even when healthy, he’s not someone I’m willing to roster.

We saw the Seahawks become one of the more surprising teams last season, with Geno Smith having a career year. The passing attack was on display with the seventh-most attempts last season. The Seahawks were forced to throw often to support a below-average defense. And while they made improvements, I’m not expecting this unit to be any better than average.

That’s why Seattle felt it was important to add a running back who can also contribute in the passing game. That’s where rookie Zach Charbonnet comes in, as he finished with 75 catches for 589 yards in four seasons at Michigan and UCLA. Walker was never a factor as a pass catcher at Wake Forest or Michigan State, and he wasn’t with the Seahawks as a rookie. Head coach Pete Carroll realized he needed more receiving options, and I doubt Walker gets the same amount of snaps as last year.

Miles Sanders (RB – CAR): ADP 47; RB 19

Thanks to playing a full season, Sanders had a career-high in rushing yards and touchdowns in 2022.

Injuries are often a concern for him, as he has a history of missing time.

But the bigger concern is Sanders’ downgrade in situation. Going from the NFC champion Eagles to a Panthers team with a rookie coach and quarterback will be a tough adjustment. The Eagles also had the best-graded line last season. And while the Panthers were near the middle, it’ll still be a tough adjustment for a team looking to rebuild.

Alvin Kamara (RB – NO): ADP 58; RB 23

Now that we know Kamara will be suspended for the first three games, we have a clearer outlook on his availability. But even at his current ADP, he’s someone not worth rostering.

The Saints prepared for life without Kamara by signing Lions running back Jamal Williams and drafting TCU rookie Kendre Miller. This tandem will do well at filling in, and we could see a shared backfield when Kamara returns.

We also saw regression from Kamara last year. He’s missed time with injuries the last two seasons and finished with his lowest yards per carry, receiving yards per game, and fantasy points per opportunity during this span.

James Conner (RB – ARI): ADP 64; RB 26

There are too many risky factors when it comes to Conner, most notably how injury prone he’s been throughout his career in Pittsburgh and Arizona.

Secondly, Arizona could be in for a rough season, as many expect the Cardinals to be picking first overall in next year’s draft.

The offensive line is another spot I don’t trust. Pro Football Focus had them ranked 30th in run-block grade last, and it looks like that won’t change with the personnel projected to be on the line.

More Players to Target & Avoid

• Pat Fitzmaurice: (Targets | Avoids) (Premium)
• Andrew Erickson: (Targets | Avoids) (Premium)
• Derek Brown: (Targets | Avoids) (Premium)
• Fantasy Football Sleepers for Every Team (Premium)
• How to Identify Fantasy Football Busts (Premium)
• Erickson’s Guide to Drafting Players on Good Offenses
• Fantasy Football Draft Values for Every Round
• Predicting First-Round Bust Candidates
• DBro’s Wide Receiver Lottery Tickets
• Erickson’s Running Back Lottery Tickets
• Hoppen’s 4 Players Who Could Become First-Round Picks Next Year
• Players to Target in Each Round (v2 | v3)
• Players to Avoid in Each Round
• Late-Round Draft Targets
• Late-Round QB Targets in Superflex Leagues | More QB Sleepers
• Late-Round RB Targets | More RB Sleepers | July RB Targets
• Late-Round WR Targets
• Late-Round TE Targets
• Deep Dart Throw Draft Targets
• WRs to Target in the RB Dead Zone (v2)| RBs to Avoid in the RB Dead Zone | RBs to Target in RB Dead Zone
• Identifying the Next WR1s | Identifying the Next RB1s
• 2022 Duds That Will Become 2023 Studs
• 4 Kickers To Target at the End of Drafts

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