The 2017 draft class is already being speculated by many experts as offering the most star power and talent at the running back position in the past decade.  With big names like Florida State’s Dalvin Cook, Georgia’s Nick Chubb, and of course LSU’s Leonard Fournette they could be right.  

However, before you wipe the fantasy drool that's salivating from your future dynasty roster, now that the dust has settled on the 2016 draft class let's look at the five best prospects to get in your keeper league lineup this year.

5. Kenneth Dixon, Baltimore Ravens, Louisiana Tech

I saw Dixon down at the senior bowl where he lived up to the hype of a quick footed explosive tailback blended with outstanding vision that I saw on his Louisiana Tech tape. As of now, Dixon isn't even close to sniffing out immediate playing time with guys like Justin Forsett, Terrance West, Javorius Allen, and Lorenzo Taliaferro on the roster, players who all received touches to some degree in 2015.

However, looking at Dixon from a pure dynasty perspective he has more talent than the majority of players on that list as a rookie. Whether it takes just a few weeks or an entire season Dixon will be getting at minimum 50% of the backfield touches by 2017. Dixon’s a guy you simply can’t count on right now, but if you have the patience to stash him away he will pay big dividends in the future, in both standard and PPR leagues.

4. Jordan Howard, Chicago Bears, Indiana Hoosiers

Although I couldn't say why, word on the street has it that the Bears front office and coaching staff just isn't thrilled with the idea of leaning on Jeremy Langford as the long term starter.  Using a pick on Jordan Howard only added fuel to that fire as the 230 pound tailback will chew into Langfords production, touches, and playing time right away.  

Howard was highly productive for the Hoosiers and has the speed and power to be a three-down starter within the Bears offense.  In fact, Howard immediately offers better potential than Langford through the air as Jay Cutler's safety net on passing downs, given his natural pass catching skills in college.

Don’t be surprised to cash in on some goal-line plunges throughout the season as well, making Howard a strong dynasty pick for the long term, but a sneaky play right out the gate in the 2016 season too.

3. Kenyan Drake, Miami Dolphins, Alabama

Throw away the so called “experts” rankings and listen up, besides Ezekiel Elliott no rookie running back has the clearest path to starting, and is in line for more touches than Miami Dolphin Kenyan Drake.  

With Lamar Miller headed to Houston, Drake has just Jay Ajayi to compete with for playing time, who has been riddled with lingering knee injuries for multiple years. While I like Ajayi when healthy, I promise you the coaching staff is not counting on him to be in the Dolphins long term plans, and is why the front office used an early third-round pick on Drake.

This leaves the stage set for Drake to eventually be the lone man in the backfield.  While the rest of your league refers to him as “the other Alabama guy” and continues to sleep on him, do whatever you can to lock up Drake in your upcoming draft. Then, sit back and reap the benefits of a player who will give you immediate production in 2016, while supplanting himself as the long term starter for the future.

2. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide

So let's get this straight, DeMarco Murray, David Cobb, Antonio Andrews, Bishop Sankey, and Dexter Mccluster are already on the roster, and you use a top-50 pick on ANOTHER RUNNING BACK!?

Once the dust settled though you have to respect head coach Mike Mularkey’s commitment to pound the rock and win with physicality in the running game.  Much like his days in Pittsburgh where he leaned heavily on Jerome Bettis as the coach and player formed one of the most dominant running games in the league during that span. Now, enter Derrick Henry.  

Nobody offered the sheer size and physicality like the 6’3” 247 pound monster in this running back class as Henry physically punished and wore down defenses to help him win the Heisman trophy.  While Murray and the rest of the Titans muddled back field will fog up Henry's production in 2016, rest assured, Mularkey got the guy he wanted.  Henry was brought in to help duplicate Mullarkey's past success with “The Bus” and will be the focal point of the running game heading into the 2017 season, at the very latest.

1. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys, Ohio State Buckeyes

No brainer here as Elliot isn't just the top rookie and dynasty tailback, but he’ll enter the league as one of the top fantasy running backs in all of football right out of the gate (don’t be shocked when you see Elliott ranked as a top-10 fantasy running back).  Elliott has the oustanding all around talent during all three-downs that warrant top-10 consideration, but there’s another factor out of Elliott’s control that boosts his stock and potential even more.

Elliott drew one of the best cards in the deck when he was selected by the Dallas Cowboys as he will lineup behind the league's most dominant offensive line.  A group of guys that guided even Darren McFadden to rush for over 1,000 yards and average a healthy 4.6 yards per carry. Elliott’s offensive line not only has multiple pro bowlers but is also one of the youngest units in the league, helping Elliott owners rest easy at night for a long, long time.