Koerner’s Fantasy Football RB Tiers: Rankings for Redraft Leagues

I felt it was more critical to get my RB Upside Chart and full backfield breakdown out first, since I view RB ranks as more complex than a simple list to draft in order. Each back has a wide range of outcomes, and I assign a letter grade to capture who I think are the best values at current ADP. This makes it easier to identify targets ahead of time and to plan how a draft might play out.

For example, Rhamondre Stevenson and Zach Charbonnet may have a similar “rank” in terms of raw projections, but they profile very differently. Stevenson provides more immediate Week 1 points, while Charbonnet has league-winning upside if Kenneth Walker misses time. When I’m filling out my bench, I am far more likely to chase a back like Charbonnet because of that ceiling.

What follows are my current RB ranks and tiers based on projected points, alongside the updated Upside Chart and updated notes for each backfield (since my original 11,000+ word write-up…a lot has changed since then).

Still refer to that original piece to see my overall thoughts on each backfield.

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Draft Strategy Context

There is no one-size-fits-all draft strategy. League format and scoring drastically affect RB value. A full PPR setup elevates pass catchers, while standard scoring puts more weight on early down backs. Roster construction also matters: starting three WRs vs. two can flip WR/RB value. Even draft slot changes which RBs and WRs you’ll have access to.

That said, in a typical 12-team, half-PPR league where you start QB/WR/WR/WR/RB/RB/TE/Flex, a rough guideline I like is leaving the first three rounds with two WRs and one RB. Sometimes I end up with three WRs and no RBs, or two RBs and one WR, and that can still work out fine. The point is that a 2 WR / 1 RB start is often a strong foundation, but the middle and later rounds are where leagues are usually won.

Why Bench Stashes Matter

I like to load up my bench with high-upside RBs. Last year was an anomaly where most of the top backs stayed healthy all season, which limited how often backups got their chance. That type of health luck is unlikely to repeat. We should see more “spot start” opportunities this season, where a backup gets thrust into an RB2+ role for a week or more.

This is why RB depth charts matter so much. For every Blake Corum who earns an A grade but never starts because Kyren Williams stayed healthy, there is a Zach Charbonnet or Jordan Mason who gets his chance and returns RB1 value. No other position offers that type of plug-and-play upside. If Zay Flowers misses time, Rashod Bateman will see more work, but it’s not the same automatic leap to WR2+ production.

RBs are unique in that sense, which is why the letter grades in my Upside Chart are still the most useful way to know who I’m targeting beyond the surface-level ranks.

Tier 1 – Elite RB1

• Saquon Barkley
• Bijan Robinson
• Jahmyr Gibbs

Tier 2 – Solid RB1

• Derrick Henry
• Christian McCaffrey
• De’Von Achane

Tier 3 – Mid-range RB1