The 2023 fantasy football season is almost here. Regardless of your draft strategy, fantasy players want to leave the draft with the guys on their must-have list.
- Snake Draft Pick Strategy: Early | Middle | Late
- Draft Targets for Every Round: Early | Middle | Late
- Fitz’s Draft Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
Must-Have Running Backs (2023 Fantasy Football)
James Cook (BUF): ADP 71.7 | RB30
Unfortunately, Cook didn’t live up to his rookie year expectations, ending the season as the RB45, averaging only six half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Yet, the fantasy football community collectively believes the second-year running back is prime for a breakout season. The Bills lost Devin Singletary this offseason, replacing him with veterans Damien Harris and Latavius Murray. However, the veterans are no threat to Cook’s breakout season.
Last year, the former Georgia star was explosive and dangerous in the open field despite having only 89 rushing attempts. Cook finished first in breakaway run rate (12.1%). Furthermore, 13.5% of his rushing attempts totaled 10 or more yards. Josh Allen recently talked about how significant of a role the running back would have this season. Don’t be surprised if Cook turns into this year’s Rhamondre Stevenson and ends the season as an RB1.
Jaylen Warren (PIT): ADP 146.3 | RB48
While he was an undrafted free agent last year, Warren quickly became the top handcuff in fantasy football. Last season, the former Oklahoma State star averaged 4.9 yards per rushing attempt, ranking 12th among running backs with at least 60 rushing attempts. Furthermore, 14.3% of his rushing attempts total 10 or more yards. Warren also finished 18th in yards after contact per rushing attempt (3.08) among running backs with at least 77 rushing attempts, the same average as Jonathan Taylor.
By comparison, Najee Harris averaged 2.74 yards after contact per rushing attempt last year, the same average as Zonovan Knight and Chuba Hubbard. Meanwhile, Warren was the star of Pittsburgh’s preseason games. The former Oklahoma State star averaged 14.8 yards per rushing attempt and six yards after contact per rushing attempt during the preseason. He also forced five missed tackles on his six rushing attempts. After his impressive rookie season, Warren will have a larger role in 2023.
Roschon Johnson (CHI): ADP 165.3 | RB53
Khalil Herbert is a popular draft target with David Montgomery in Detroit. However, Johnson could be this year’s Dameon Pierce. Not only is the rookie the cheapest Chicago running back to draft, but he has the most upside. Reportedly, the former Longhorn has been the pass running back in pass protection this offseason, something the coaching staff has harped about repeatedly. More importantly, Johnson has passed D’Onta Foreman for the No. 2 running back role.
Last year, Bijan Robinson led college football with 104 missed tackles, while Johnson had 46. However, the first-rounder forced a missed tackle on 40.5% of rushing attempts. By comparison, the fourth-rounder forced a missed tackle on 48.9% of his rushing attempts last season at Texas. Furthermore, Johnson had a higher percentage of rushing attempts totaling 15 or more yards (9.6%) than Robinson (8.2%). Herbert will begin the year as the starter, but it’s only a matter of time until the rookie becomes the lead running back.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
