FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

August 31st, 2023

Thursday Late-Evening Edition

My Top 10 Fantasy Football 

RB Rankings for 2023

With the signal-callers out of the way, it’s time to look at the workhorses in the backfield. Here are my Top-10 for the start of the 2023 season.

The Top-10

1. Christian McCaffrey

2. Austin Ekeler

3. Nick Chubb

4. Saquon Barkley

5. Bijan Robinson

6. Tony Pollard

7. Derrick Henry

8. Josh Jacobs

9. Rhamondre Stevenson

10. Najee Harris

With running back Kareem Hunt no longer in Cleveland, this paves the way for running back Nick Chubb to improve upon his No.7 fantasy scoring (points-per-game) finish in 2022. Last season the Browns running back posted 1,525 yards rushing (career high) and 12 rushing touchdowns (tying-career high). Chubb will be running behind one of the best O-lines in the game this season and at the youthful age of 27, he’s primed for a big year.

The Giants running back Saquon Barkley is coming off a bounce back year in 2022 (finished as the No.5 fantasy running back) after his disappointing 2021 season (finished as No.29), minimum of 10 games played. Last season Barkley set a career high with 1,312 yards rushing while posting 10 rushing scores (2nd most in his career). More than a full season removed from his ACL tear that cut his 2021 season, Barkley is a Top-10 fantasy running back heading into the 2023 season with Top-5 tendencies.

The Steelers running back Najee Harris rounds out the Top-10, coming in at number 10. Harris was disappointing in 2022 for fantasy owners finishing as the No.19 fantasy scoring running back (minimum 10 games). Harris took a step back in 2022, rushing for over 160 yards less than the previous season and catching 33 fewer balls. It’s no secret Harris played with an injury last season which could have played a big role in his regression. The Steelers offense looks a bit different this preseason (improved) and could be set up to take some big steps forward when the regular season starts. Now healthy, Harris figures to again lead the ground attack and should benefit greatly.

The Next 10.

11. Breece Hall

12. Travis Etienne Jr.

13. Aaron Jones

14. Joe Mixon

15. Dameon Pierce

16. Jahmyr Gibbs

17. Kenneth Walker

18. Alexander Matison

19. JK Dobbins

20. Alvin Kamara

The Texans running back Dameon Pierce slots in at number 15 in my rankings. He’s coming off a shortened 2022 season where he finished as the No.20 fantasy scoring running back. Pierce totaled over 1,000 yards with 5 touchdowns in his rookie campaign. Pierce has the talent and ability to improve upon last season’s numbers and if he plays a larger role in the offense than originally thought, he’s got a chance at finishing as a borderline RB1/RB2.

Notably missing is running back Jonathan Taylor. In a 12-Team format, I am not willing to risk the draft capital with an early round pick. I’d rather sit on him and get him as my third RB or pass altogether.

Another notable back absent from my Top-20 is Miles Sanders, just missing the cut. Last season he finished as the RB22 in fantasy scoring, so I am pretty comfortable where I have him. 

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Friday Night Edition

August 23rd, 2019

Bad Boys Running Wild

The Ones!

With the peak of the Fantasy draft season upon us (a lot of fantasy drafts expected this weekend and next), it’s time to tighten up your rankings and close in on those fantasy picks that are going to bring home the hardware.

Out of the gate, this of course is not headline news, the top pick for me is a no-brainer; Saquan Barkley (MR#RB1). Last season the Giants runner totaled 352 touches (261 carries, 91 receptions), playing in all 16 games of his rookie campaign. There is no reason to think he won’t see similar numbers once again and with his nose for the big play, he’s a solid first pick.

Running backs Christian McCaffrey (MR#RB2) and Alvin Kamara (MR#RB3) offer similar upside, but both are not quite the workhorse as is Barkley.

It’s no secret in Cleveland, running back Nick Chubb (MR#RB5)is expected to be the man to open the season. He has a great opportunity to be a fantasy star and with the upgraded passing game, he should be. Last season Chubb finished 10th in NFL rushing and just missed 1,000 yard by four.

It may be a surprise to see Le’Veon Bell (MR#RB7) as high as I have him, but unlike many other Fantasy experts, I believe Bell will be fine in New york. You don’t pay top dollars for a high-performance car to park it in the garage. I happen to believe Bell is going to see a large volume of work and will be highly productive.

I have the Lions star runner Kerryon Johnson (MR#RB10) in my top 10, because I am drinking the Kool-aid. His rookie season was cut short due to injury (knee), but Johnson is healthy in 2019 and expected to open the season as the Lions lead-back. KJ is a versatile back (32 receptions in 2018) and from weeks 7 to week 11, he averaged 17.4 touches per game. He has the potential for a heavier workload and finishing inside the Fantasy Top 10 this season.

1.Saquon Barkley

2.C. McCaffrey

3.Alvin Kamara

4.David Johnson

5.Nick Chubb

6.Joe Mixon

7.LeVeon Bell

8.Dalvin Cook

9.Todd Gurley

10.Kerryon Johnson

11.Damien Williams

12.Devonta Freeman

The Next 12

Just a couple of quick notables for the second 12 of my rankings list; I am believing the hype surrounding Raiders rookie running back Josh Jacobs (MR#RB14). He could be a 20-touch per game back in Head Coach John Gruden’s offense.

I dropped Ezekiel Elliot (MR#RB15) outside my top 12, due to his holdout and the risk he could miss some games. Should he get signed, he catapults up the charts to number 5. Drafting him as a RB1 or RB2 is basically based on how confident you are he’ll be back in Dallas and when.

I have Leonard Fournette (MR#RB17) a little low at 17, but if he stays healthy this season he could easily finish in the top 10. Last season Fournette played in 8 games, finishing as the No.40 RB in fantasy PPR scoring, as compared to his rookie season where he played in 13 games and finished 9th.

Although he may be considered a little undersized, Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (MR#RB24) proved he is more than capable in an NFL backfield. The former Buffalo out of the University of Colorado finished his rookie campaign as the 13th RB in fantasy PPR scoring. He makes my board as a low-end RB2, but I honestly feel he could be a little low.

13.James Conner

14.Josh Jacobs

15.Ezekiel Elliott

16.Aaron Jones

17.L. Fournette

18.Marlon Mack

19.Melvin Gordon

20.Derrick Henry

21.Mark Ingram

22.Tevin Coleman

23.Chris Carson

24.Phillip Lindsay

That’s My Take

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

October 28th 2017

Saturday Night Edition

Week 8 RB Rankings

With a week 8 matchup against the Patriots this Sunday, Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is slotted at the number two spot. Gordon, the No.4 fantasy RB (PPR format) has been a dual threat this season and should heavily involved in the offense on Sunday; he’s a favorite this week.

He’s the lead back in the Bengals running game and this week’s meeting against the Colts could finally be breakout week for rookie running back Joe Mixon. The Colts have allowed the 2nd most fantasy points and most rushing touchdowns (8) to opposing running backs. This could be the week Mixon tops his season high 62 rushing yards set back in week 3 and finds the end zone (for the second time this season).

The Niners allow the most fantasy points to opposing running backs and have surrendered the most receptions and receiving yards making Wendell Smallwood a week 8 flex favorite. Smallwood hasn’t done much this season, but this Sunday could be very different.

RB Rankings

1. Le’Veon Bell

2. Melvin Gordon

3. LeSean McCoy

4. Kareem Hunt

5. Ezekiel Elliott

6. Mark Ingram

7. Jordan Howard

8. Devonta Freeman

9. Alvin Kamara

10. Christian McCaffrey

11. Joe Mixon

12. Jerick McKinnon

13. Doug Martin

14. Chris Thompson

15. Ameer Abdullah

16. Lamar Miller

17. Carlos Hyde

18. James White

19. Duke Johnson

20. Latavius Murray

21. CJ Anderson

22. Tevin Coleman

23. Jalen Richard

24. Dion Lewis

25. Wendell Smallwood

26. Matt Forte

27. LeGarrette Blount

28. Bilal Powell

29. Tarik Cohen

30. Theo Riddick

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

October 21st 2017

Saturday Evening Edition

Week 7 RB Rankings

In a matchup that should be filled with plenty of fireworks, I really like Falcons running back Devonta Freeman this week. Despite this being a road game for the Falcons, it’s a great matchup for Freeman against a struggling Patriots defense.

RB Rankings

1. Le’Veon Bell

2. Ezekiel Elliott

3. Devonta Freeman

4. LeSean McCoy

5. Todd Gurley

6. Jay Ajayi

7. Melvin Gordon

8. Mark Ingram

9. Jordan Howard

10. Carlos Hyde

11. Alvin Kamara

12. Jerick McKinnon

13. Christian McCaffrey

14. Leonard Fournette

15. Doug Martin

16. Chris Thompson

17. Adrian Peterson

18. CJ Anderson

19. Tevin Coleman

20. James White

21. Duke Johnson

22. Javorius Allen

23. Joe Mixon

24. Dion Lewis

25. Derrick Henry

26. Ty Montgomery

27. LeGarrette Blount

28. DeMarco Murray

29. Aaron Jones

30. Orleans Darkwa

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

October 14th 2017

Saturday Evening Edition

Week 6 RB Rankings

This has to be PPR Week in the NFL. All the way up to No.14 this week is the Browns running back Duke Johnson Jr, solely on his receiving prowess. Through five weeks Johnson has powered his way up to the No.8 fantasy RB spot in PPR with 23 receptions on 31 targets. With only 16 carries, Duke is basically used as another receiver and stays heavily involved. Last week his touches and targets dipped a bit, but this week against a battered Texans defense he’ll likely take advantage.

Another PPR specialist that should make a lot of noise this week is Patriots running back James White. The Patriots ball carrier comes in at No.20 and that’s right where he is on the season; the No.20 fantasy RB in PPR. Through the team’s first five games White has been targeted 35 times and snagged 29 balls. He’s at home this week and will take his shots at a jets defense that allows the 5th most fantasy points to opposing running backs; he may not be high enough in this week’s rankings.

RB Rankings

1. Kareem Hunt

2. Todd Gurley

3. Le’Veon Bell

4. Melvin Gordon

5. Devonta Freeman

6. Leonard Fournette

7. Jordan Howard

8. Doug Martin

9. DeMarco Murray

10. Lamar Miller

11. CJ Anderson

12. Mark Ingram

13. Jay Ajayi

14. Duke Johnson

15. Ameer Abdullah

16. Carlos Hyde

17. Jerick McKinnon

18. Alvin Kamara

19. Javorius Allen

20. James White

21. Marshawn Lynch

22. Aaron Jones

23. Tevin Coleman

24. Chris Thompson

25. Andre Ellington

26. Tarik Cohen

27. Elijah McGuire

28. Mike Gillislee

29. Samaje Perine

30. Jamaal Charles

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

October 7th 2017

Saturday Morning Edition

Week 5 RB Rankings

(does not include Thursday’s game)

Not much of a surprise here, leading the way for Week 5 is the Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell. Last week Bell led all running backs with 34.60 fantasy points (PPR scoring) turning in a stat line of 35/144/2 and adding 4 receptions for another 42 yards. Bell has been the workhorse the past several weeks averaging 30-plus touches in his last three games. With a home contest on the slate this week against the Jaguars, not much expected to change here.

I am showing some love for running back Alex Collins this week; he’s my No.17 fantasy RB. The Ravens ball carrier has shown some nice running ability averaging over 9 yards per carry the past two weeks on 18 total carries. His problem is holding onto the ball. If he can overcome this big flaw, his matchup against the Raiders this week could be quite productive. The Raiders have allowed the 10th most rushing yards to opposing running backs and over 4 yards per carry. The Ravens offense is in great need of a spark and this matchup with Collins in the backfield could be what the doctor ordered.

Also coming into play this week is the Giants running back Wayne Gallman. Reports indicate, normal starter Paul Perkins is likely to be sidelined, opening the door for Gallman to take advantage. Last week Gallman rushed 11 times for 42 yards and this week he’ll get a crack at the Chargers 31st ranked run defense. The Giants offense is in need of some balance with their running game (ranked 30th) barely showing a pulse. Gallman has RB3 and flex status written all over him as my No.24 fantasy RB.

Here are my RB rankings for Week 5;

1. Le’Veon Bell

2. Kareem Hunt

3. Ezekiel Elliott

4. Todd Gurley

5. Jay Ajayi

6. Leonard Fournette

7. LeSean McCoy

8. Carlos Hyde

9. Melvin Gordon

10. Lamar Miller

11. DeMarco Murray

12. Jordan Howard

13. Ameer Abdullah

14. Bilal Powell

15. Christian McCaffrey

16. Frank Gore

17. Alex Collins

18. Latavius Murray

19. Joe Mixon

20. Duke Johnson

21. Marshawn Lynch

22. Tarik Cohen

23. LeGarrette Blount

24. Wayne Gallman

25. Andre Ellington

26. Jonathan Stewart

27. Giovani Bernard

28. Isaiah Crowell

29. Aaron Jones

30. Wendell Smallwood

These are my Top-30 rankings for Week 5.

~David Ortega