Ranking the top 114 standard (non-PPR) running backs in 2020 fantasy football

The NFL season is fast approaching. With no preseason games and limited media coverage due to Covid-19, it is going to be tougher to evaluate camp battles, but it’s never been that easy either. That makes fantasy football draft preparations a little different than in recent seasons.

Below you will find our overall Standard (non-PPR) fantasy football rankings. Training camp is meaningful and what we learn over the next 20-plus days will help us rank these players more accurately. But, the bulk of evaluation has been done already.

Many default settings on fantasy football platforms is no longer non-PPR, but it is still an often used scoring type. Pass-catching backs take a back seat in non-PPR but it all comes down to yards and touchdowns. That usually means every-down running backs remain the top picks while those that rely on receptions drop somewhat in the rankings. But there are no hard and fast rules, as a purely receiving back can still have value if he is getting those precious yards and touchdowns.

Tier 1

The top three running backs stay the same for me from the PPR rankings, but we get to add Derrick Henry into the mix in non-PPR. I still rather have the more versatile every-down backs, but Henry’s touchdown and yardage upside is right up there with the group.

Tier 2

This tier is short, but with three great backs, Dalvin Cook, Alvin Kamara, and Nick Chubb. Cook and Kamara are closer to Tier 1 than Chubb, as he won’t get many receptions, but non-PPR boosts him into Tier 2.

Tier 3

Tier 3 starts to get a little dicier, but with a ton of upside still for the taking. This tier goes from Josh Jacobs to Austin Ekeler. That leaves Miles Sanders, Joe Mixon, Kenyan Drake, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire in-between. Ekeler and Edwards-Helaire will need to be especially savvy at getting into the end zone, as they will see many touches through the air, but I like their chances.