Steven Mullen here with another Best Ball blog. In this one we will be taking a Best Ball specific look at the Running Back position. I always draft 6 RBs for my Best Ball teams and I will not carry more then 2 with the same bye week.
Tier 1
1. Chistian McCaffery Car
2. Saquon Barkley NYG
3. Alvin Kamara NO
4. Ezekial Elliott Dal
5. Nick Chubb Cle
6. David Johnson Ari
Tier Notes: It's a bit controversial to put David Johnson in tier 1. The reason I have him tier 1 for Best Ball is because in Best Ball I would never consider taking a WR over him. The reason why, unlike in a seasonal league I am concerned about ownership %. My target for Johnson is 8%. Johnson rarely drops past pick 5 or 6 while Hopkins and Adams often can be had a bit later. In a seasonal league I would take Hopkins over David Johnson but not in Best Ball where ownership % is a consideration. It's simply easier to get Hopkins shares.
Tier 2
7. Le'veon Bell NYJ
8. James Conner Pit
9. Dalvin Cook Min
10. Todd Gurley LAR
11. Joe Mixon Cin
12. Kerryon Jonson Det
13. Damien WIlliams KC
Tier Notes: I know what you are thinking Nick Chubb too high. The reason I like him more in Best Ball then in seasonal leagues is because you don't pay the price as much when Kareem Hunt returns. You get to have amazing production for the 8 weeks Hunt isn't in the picture. In Best Ball there is no threat of missing production in your fantasy playoff games because there are no fantasy playoff games. With his talent level and team situation I think he can dominate in 2019.
Tier 3
14. Aaron Jones GB
15. Marlon Mack Ind
16. Leonard Fournette Jax
17. David Montgomery Chi
18. Sony Michel NE
19. Chris Carson Sea
20. Devonta Freeman Atl
21. Josh Jacobs Oak
22. Derrick Henry Ten
Tier Notes: This Tier is my RB 2 tier I very much prefer my RB 2 to be no worse then the players from this Tier. I have Michel ranked a bit higher then most people. I am very worried about the knee which is why I believe a lot of people have him ranked lower. Since I am unsure of that situation instead of lowering his ranking and ownership % instead I have raised Damien Harris's ranking and ownership %. I believe Michel is too good a value to pass in round 5-6. I think he is a fantastic value there if healthy so I'd rather mitigate the risk with extra Damien Harris shares.
Tier 4
23. Miles Sanders Phi
24. Mark Ingram Bal
25. Phillip Lindsay Den
26. Rashad Penny Sea
27. James White NE
28. Tevin Coleman SF
29. Tariq Cohen Chi
30. Latavius Murray NO
31. Melvin Gordon LAC
32. Kenyan Drake Mia
33. Austin Ekler LAC
34. Darrell Henderson LAR
35. Royce Freeman Den
36. Devin Singletary Buf
37. Kalen Ballage Mia
38. Darius Guice Was
39. Lamar Miller Hou
40. Ronald Jones TB
Tier Notes: Carson and Penny back to back may look a bit strange. I have them back to back not because I think whichever wins the starter job will be good but because I don't think it matters who wins the starters job and that both will be heavily involved. I believe they will cannibalize each other a bit but with Mike Davis out of the picture there are plenty of touches available. Despite being on the same team 2 players with that much skill and volume can finish in the top 25 RBs.
Tier 5
41. Damien Harris NE
42. Peyton Barber TB
43. Dion Lewis Ten
44. Adrian Peterson Was
45. Justice Hill Bal
46. Lesean McCoy Buf
47. Ito Smith Atl
48. Jordan Howard Phi
49. Carlos Hyde KC
50. Justin Jackson LAC
51. Matt Breida SF
52. Darwin Thompson KC
53. Jaylen Samuel Pit
54. Alexander Mattison Min
55. Chase Edmonds Ari
56. Tony Pollard Dal
Tier Notes: This tier contains a lot of upside guys as well as players I feel might end up in a time share as opposed to having a clear cut starter. Depending how strong my RB position is when I get to this tier I will pick different types of players from this tier. If I feel my current RB situation is low risk with what I have I will try and get the highest risk highest upside guys like Damien Harris, Justice Hill. If my RB position is a bit high risk I may take a player that I feel I know will have a role but has less upside like Jordan Howard or Dion Lewis.
Tier 6
57. Chris Thompson Was
58. Kareem Hunt Cle
59. Malcom Brown LAR
60. CJ Anderson Det
61. Duke Johnson Hou
62. Ryquell Armstead Jax
63. Mike Davis Chi
64. Jalen Richard Oak
65. Nyheim Hines Ind
66. Gio Bernard Cin
67. Quadree Ollison Atl
68. Benny Snell Pit
69. Dexter Williams GB
Tier Notes: I think as little as 2% can give you an edge vs the field on some of these deep sleepers. It would be nice to be ahead of the game if an injury occurs in preseason. My favorite of the group is probably Quadree Ollison due to Freeman's injury history and my belief Ito Smith is best kept a complimentary pass catching RB. Darwin Thompson also really intrigues me as I think he might be the most talented of the RBs in KC. I don't think their is a chance for him to win the starting role right away obviously. I do think he will be given the old Char West 3rd down role and could perform so well he works himself into more touches.
Good luck in your drafts!
Steve