2023 NCAA Football Fantasy Running Back Rankings

By Kreighton Rahn
Updated November 3, 2023

 2023 College Football DFS Top-30 Running Back Rankings Through Week 9

Kairee Robinson is Balling Out in His Own Backyard

In the world of college football, where quarterbacks often steal the show, Kairee Robinson is a force that refuses to be overlooked. His year-to-date rushing stats are a testament to his dominance on the ground, amassing 719 yards and 13 touchdowns. But Robinson isn't just a traditional back; he's a multifaceted threat who has also secured 197 receiving yards, showcasing his versatility and adding 2 receiving TDs to his tally. His prowess in racking up yards after contact and breaking tackles has translated to a formidable FD PTS/G of 22.70, cementing him as the 6th ranked RB in the nation.

Robinson, a senior for the San Jose State Spartans, has been a revelation, providing a spark to an offense that thrives on his hard-nosed running style. The team's 4-5 record, with a stronger 3-2 in MWC play, is partially borne on his shoulders, with his performances guiding them to a 5th standing in the Mountain West Conference.

The Spartans have leaned on Robinson's reliability, and it shows in their rankings. They stand as a competitive force in rushing yards within the conference, with Robinson's impact not limited to the ground—his contribution to the passing game has been equally impressive. The team's capability to put points on the board often begins with Robinson's ability to move the chains and find the end zone from anywhere on the field.

Kairee Robinson is not merely running through defenses; he's rewriting the narrative for running backs in the DFS circuit. Each carry, each reception, each game—Robinson is building a legacy not just as a reliable back but as a DFS cornerstone.

For those in the DFS realm, Robinson is the quintessential workhorse back that brings a blend of reliability and explosive potential.

The Thunder Behind the Thundering Herd - Rasheen Ali

Currently locking down the #2 position in season-long running back rankings in FanDuel's DFS offerings is Marshall junior Rasheen Ali. With a robust 25.1 FD PTS/G, Ali is a game-changer for a team that the average football fan knows nothing about.

Over his first 6 games of 2023, Ali has amassed 641 rushing yards, which is an average of about 107 yards per game. If you're tracking team stats, know that Marshall is a team that prefers to ground and pound in short yardage and red zone situations. Ali might not have the most yards in the nation, but his 11 rushing touchdowns place him 3rd in the FBS.

What makes Ali a standout even within this mediocre run offense is his touchdown efficiency. With 11 rushing touchdowns, he's averaging nearly two scores per game. Only Michigan's Blake Corum (13) and South Alabama's La'Damian Webb (12) have more. It's not just his legs doing the work. Ali's hands are equally dependable. He's tallied 15 receptions for 144 yards this year, adding another touchdown and more layers to both his fantasy and on-field value.

Ali's Week 7 performance against Georgia State was nothing short of spectacular. In that game, which Marshall unfortunately lost 24-41, Ali was a beacon of excellence. He accumulated 103 rushing yards and crossed the goal line twice on the ground. His receiving stats were equally impressive, with 4 receptions for 71 yards, topped off with a touchdown.

This is so encouraging to hear because 90% of running backs would not surpass 100 yards in games in which their team lost by 3 scores. Ali has averaged a jaw-dropping 35.4 FD points per game this year because his production is immune to gameflow, making him one of the highest-scoring running backs of the week and the season.

Simply put, not considering Rasheen Ali as your RB1 is akin to leaving money on the table. This is a player who delivers consistently high FD points regardless of the matchup or game script, which makes him a very safe option for cash game players. Ali offers a rare blend of floor and ceiling, thanks to his rushing and receiving abilities. And let's not forget the touchdown upside, which can turn a good fantasy day into a great one.

This Overlooked SEC Running Back Is Winning DFS Players Cash This Year

Ray Davis of the University of Kentucky is a name you need to etch into your mind. The Wildcats aren't who normally comes to mind when listing off SEC powerhouses, but their running game is no joke in 2023.

Their feature back, Davis, is currently sitting at #3 in season-long FanDuel RB rankings. Davis is a statistical marvel with an average of 25.1 FD PTS/G over 7 contests. His portfolio boasts a robust 781 rushing yards, which is just under 120 yards per game.

Davis has punched it in 8 times on the ground, which has really boosted his fantasy score, too. His work doesn't end there—he's also a threat in the passing game coming out of the backfield. 15 receptions on the year for 193 yards and 5 receiving touchdowns is what takes him from top-20 to top-3 in the FBS.

The Wildcats dropped a conference game to Missouri their last time out, but Davis' production didn't suffer. The 5th-year senior had a noteworthy outing, logging 128 rushing yards. He couldn't find the endzone on the ground, but he did secure 2 receptions for 11 yards and managed to score a receiving touchdown. Davis ended the game with 19.9 FD points.

Considering Mississippi State's run defense is top-50 in the FBS and allows an average of 135 yards per game—Davis' performance is even more impressive.

What does all this mean for your DFS lineup? While each of the backs listed above are bound to be uber expensive on FanDuel, Davis can be had at a bit more of a bargain thanks to the Wildcats playing the role of underdog in many of their conference games.

Constantly playing from behind jeopardizes Davis' touches, but he's usually okay in that department. In exchange for the discounted price is the increased risk, meaning Davis would serve you better in deep tournaments than in cash.

NCAA DFS Top-30 Running Back Rankings

What to Look For in a DFS College Football Running Back

Most fantasy owners select their running backs before any other position on the roster. The reasoning is simple: there are fewer options out there, so RB is usually the least flexible position.

Understanding that running backs are important is key, but designing an archetype for the perfect fantasy running back is a golden ticket. What type of running back is best?

The beauty of running back play in fantasy college football is that the criteria you are searching for remains virtually the same regardless of whether you are playing a cash game or entered in a deep GPP tournament.

Rule #1: It is imperative to draft running backs from teams projected to win the game—preferably to win comfortably.

When football teams take a big lead into the second half they run the football. Big leads equal RB touches which turn into rushing yards and touchdowns.

If that back also gets utilized heavily as a pass catcher out of the backfield—he goes from a smart play to a near lock.

Finding Hidden Gems and Avoiding the Common Pitfalls of College Football DFS Running Backs

Stacking a quarterback and receiver from the same team is a popular move in fantasy college football, but it is usually not a good idea to stack a quarterback and running back from the same team.

A lot of touches for the running back mean fewer passes for the quarterback and vice versa.

In FanDuel DFS college football, points are awarded for kick and punt return touchdowns. Be sure to check which running backs also return kicks for their teams as picking up a free return touchdown from the running back position could be the difference between going home with nothing and cashing a big tournament.

Beware of running backs with known fumble issues. Some backs are notorious for always coughing the ball up. One or two fumbles per week can really eat away at your bottom line.

Doing Your Homework to Find Reliable Running Back DFS Plays

Checking the strengths and weaknesses of the defensive is key to finding profitable running backs. Some defensive coordinators focus on defending the run and often stack the box. Many new-school coordinators focus instead on pass rush and secondary play, aiming to offset the rushing yards they allow with interceptions and strip sacks on the quarterback.

If a good running back is priced low and it seems too good to be true, check the defensive matchup because chances are that he is facing an elite run stopping unit.

An advanced technique to better predict running back performance is to study the game-planning habits of his head coach. Some head coaches are extremely static in their offensive play calling—running the same types of schemes and looks all season long.

Other coaches are dynamic and switch up the scheme heavily each week based on their opponent. Getting a feel for how coaches like to utilize their running backs in certain spots will give you a major edge both in finding diamonds in the rough and avoiding crippling dud performances.