The first formal step toward preparing for the 2023 fantasy football season is always going to be completing your rankings. I say formal because there is never a true beginning or end. Instead, it is just one ongoing cycle of following the news and staying up to date. But before you truly move forward, your 2023 fantasy football ranks must be complete.
It is important to remember that there will be multiple iterations and your rankings will be an ever-evolving entity, but you have to start from somewhere. When drafting, it is important to stay up to date with what the market is doing as it also allows you to evaluate your rankings against the ADP to find both potential value and pitfalls. With that being said, let us take a look at three of my favorite running back values for 2023 fantasy football when looking at their current ADP (as of via 7/11 Fantrax).
ADP vs. Ranks – 3 Running Back Values
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings, (76 PPR/111 Standard)
Now that Dalvin Cook will officially play elsewhere in 2023, the Vikings’ backfield officially belongs to Mattison. That alone brings value to the table as we are currently living in the age of the running back committee. There is a clear benefit to drafting the unquestioned number one running back at this point in the draft and that makes Mattison one of our running back values for the upcoming season.
Not having to worry about carries for Mattison after the first six rounds of the draft is a true plus, and that is especially the case if you go heavy on the other positions early in your draft. At this point, Ty Chandler and seventh-round draft choice DeWayne McBride represent the challenges to playing time and carries for Mattison, so that limits our concern.
Playing behind Cook has limited Mattison’s playing time, but when on the field, he has shown the ability to make things happen and be a factor both in the rushing and receiving game. From a speed perspective, Mattison is not a burner, but he has the size to move the ball between the tackles and carry a heavy load for the Vikings. Despite those facts, he has also proven to be a factor in the passing game which should help to keep him on the field for all three downs.
Because the Minnesota offense is going to be based on the connection between Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson, there should be plenty of space to operate for Mattison.
James Conner, Arizona Cardinals, (73 PPR/73 Standard)
Heading into his third season with Arizona, the good news is that Conner appears to be healthy and past his myriad of lower body injuries from 2022. What also helps to earn him consideration as one of our running back values is the fact that Conner will not be facing competition in the Cardinals’ backfield for work.
What is holding Conner back though is the fact that his next 1,000-yard season will be his first. Conner was on pace for it last season with 782 rushing yards in 13 games while rushing for seven touchdowns. That came a year after Conner picked up 15 touchdowns so we know that he has a nose for the end zone.
Especially with Kyler Murray expected to either miss the beginning of the season or be limited at the start, Arizona will be leaning on Conner in the running game as well as looking the running back’s way as a safety net in the passing game. Last year, Conner had his second most receptions with 46, and the hope here is just that he can stay healthy as there are not any committees to deal with it.
Michael Carter, New York Jets ( 209 PPR/236 Standard)
Admittedly, we are digging deep here with Carter but once we get to this point in the draft, it is all about throwing some educated darts.
Following the injury to Breece Hall’s knee last season, Carter did not do himself any favors as he failed to distinguish himself. While Carter did appear in 16 games, the Jets did phase him out towards the end of the season as he only averaged 3.5 yards per carry. I know that we are supposed to be making a case for Carter, but the running back was a solid contributor in the passing game catching 41 balls even if they went for just 288 yards.
The Jets are still committed to Carter in a backup role behind Hall, but to start the season, that might mean we are dealing with expanding playing time. We know that ACL injuries are tricky and the Jets will likely tread carefully with Hall for the first few weeks which will give Carter another chance to be a factor. When we combine that with New York’s desire to keep their explosive second-year running back healthy all season and Carter’s skill at catching passes, the latter could be a solid option late in drafts. The addition of Aaron Rodgers should positively impact the whole offense, Carter could be on the periphery of that.
For more great rankings and analysis, make sure to check out our 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit!
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— Fantrax (@Fantrax) July 4, 2023