Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 1: Who to start, sit at running back in fantasy football

The 2022 NFL season kicks off Thursday, Sept. 8 between the Rams and the Bills, launching millions of fantasy football leagues. The majority of leagues operate under either a PPR or half-PPR format, so fantasy mirrors the importance of real-life pass-catching in the NFL. But in fantasy — unlike on the actual field — running back remains the most important position, which is why our Week 1 fantasy RB PPR rankings are so crucial.

Our weekly rankings aim to assist you in making the right RB starts and sits. Of course, the cream of the RB crop merit auto-starts — no fantasy owner in their right mind would bench reigning rushing champ Jonathan Taylor (Texans), two-time rushing king Derrick Henry (vs. Giants), or PPR studs Christian McCaffrey (vs. Browns) and Austin Ekeler (vs. Raiders), among others. Basically, the top-10 backs are always going to be weekly starting lineup locks, barring injury. 

What about beyond that 10? The Giants’ Saquon Barkley (@ Titans) has been a popular pick to return to fantasy glory under new head coach Brian Daboll, formerly the offensive coordinator of the high-flying Bills. Can Barkley do some opening-week damage against a Titans D that just lost linebacker Rashaan Evans? Tennessee allowed RBs to haul in four catches 12 different times last year, and RBs netted 50-plus receiving yards against Mike Vrabel’s squad eight times. 

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Then there will always be questions of role, which usually dictates volume and in turn production. The Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott (vs. Buccaneers) enjoyed a TD-rich 2021 season, but he sometimes struggled against strong defenses like Tampa and needed to be spelled by backup Tony Pollard, who makes for a decent flex play in his own right. The Jaguars’ Travis Etienne Jr. (@ Commanders) spent his entire rookie year sidelined by an Lisfranc injury, but he figures to get bell-cow work with fellow RB James Robinson still being eased back in from an Achilles’ tear. 

WEEK 1 STANDARD FANTASY RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker

Speaking of injuries, multiple backs are either back in action or close to returning. We’ll keep an eye on the Ravens’ JK Dobbins (@ Jets), who would be a fantastic play against a New York squad that just allowed an NFL-most 25.7 fantasy points to RBs last season. The same goes for San Francisco’s Elijah Mitchell (@ Bears), who faces off against a Chicago team that surrendered 125.1 rushing yards per game and just lost defensive stud Khalil Mack. As long as they’re active, start them, though keep in mind both lose a little value in PPR leagues.

WEEK 1 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker

Perhaps more notable than banged-up players: Rookies. Everyone will be watching on the status of Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III (vs. Broncos), who has been dealing with a hernia. That gives veteran Seahawks back Rashaad Penny the keys to the backfield, with Penny hoping to ride momentum that saw him outscore all other backs from Week 13 through Week 18 last season. James Cook (@ Rams) should be decent for the Bills, but opening day in L.A. sounds daunting. The Texans’ Dameon Pierce (vs. Colts) and Jets’ Breece Hall (vs. Ravens) could have similar troubles in Week 1. Of that group, Pierce is our favorite, and we actually prefer the Bills’ and Jets’ veteran committee members (Devin Singletary, Michael Carter) a bit more.

Our rankings reflect an expected boost for “handcuffs” AJ Dillon (@ Vikings) and Rhamondre Stevenson (@ Dolphins). Both should see expanded rushing work and much more of a role as pass-catchers, especially Stevenson. The Vikings gave up five-plus catches 13 times last season, and the Dolphins allowed seven RB catches in five different games. On the flip side, the Saints were dominant against fantasy RBs last year, but we can’t recommend sitting Cordarrelle Patterson in a PPR league. Ditto for Chase Edmonds (vs. Patriots).

Cleveland’s Kareem Hunt, a PPR legend, highlights our top sleepers for the week, as interim QB Jacoby Brissett should be dumping off a lot against Carolina’s improved front-seven. J.D. McKissic (vs. Jaguars), Kenneth Gainwell (@ Lions), and Jerick McKinnon (@ Cardinals) are other “PPR backs” to watch, but it’s tough to start them in shallower leagues in Week 1 given their relatively low ceilings. Until we see usage concerns with Antonio Gibson, Miles Sanders, or Clyde Edwards-Helaire, we advise just using them in your lineup.

Overall, we’ll learn a lot from Week 1, so don’t get too high or too low no matter what happens. Start your studs and hope for the best. 

Note: We’ll be updating these RB PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for analysis and the latest player movement. For individual analysis of key RBs, click here.

Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 1: Who to start, sit at running back in fantasy football

Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring