Fantasy football keeper leagues: 5 best running backs to keep in 2023

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For some fantasy football managers, research for the next season begins as soon as the current season ends. Maybe even sooner. If this describes you, then you’re in the right place. You’re probably a dynasty and/or keeper league juggernaut and are simply trying to stay ahead of the curve. With most season-long leagues concluding last week, and the rest concluding this week, I figured now was a good time to give the people what they want.

If you aren’t familiar with keeper leagues, you’re welcome to stay, too. We will be discussing draft strategy and overperformers, as well. That’s sort of the point. Rules in keeper leagues can differ, so to keep things simple, I’m going to cover players that were drafted in the 4th round or later. Things like injuries in the playoffs, free agency, or trades may alter this list, but this is as it stands right now. Here is my early list of running backs to keep.

Fantasy Football: NFL 2022: Cornerback Mike Hilton #21 of the Cincinnati Bengals chases after running back Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium on January 15, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Top Fantasy Football keeper league running backs to hold onto in 2023

1. Josh Jacobs, Raiders

Currently ranked as RB1 in STD leagues and RB3 in PPR leagues, don’t think twice about whether or not you should keep Josh Jacobs. The former first-round pick is only 24 years old and still has many great years ahead of him. Only finishing outside of the top 20 once in his career (rookie season, 2019, PPR leagues), he has been a steady performer and overachiever since joining the league. Whether he gets a contract with the Raiders or signs elsewhere, he will be that team’s feature back.

With an ADP of 48 in STD leagues and 50 in PPR leagues in 2022, Josh Jacobs barely made the 4th round or later cut. To be honest, he shouldn’t have been drafted this low. After finishing as RB15 in STD and RB11 in PPR in 2021, his fantasy football draft stock took a hit in Week 1 of the preseason. He played well into the 3rd and 4th quarters, and this raised some concern about whether or not he was still viewed as the starting running back. Jacobs put all those worried heads to rest in 2022. Make sure he’s on your fantasy football team in 2023.

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