Here are my top 20 running backs as of today. Running backs are, to me, the least important position out of the three I have now written about, but is the most important position to do your research on due to the lack of consistency from the position in fantasy. Sit back, read and enjoy.
Pre-Season Top 20 Running Backs
1. Adrian Peterson (Vikings): Why am I going against the professionals and putting Peterson at number 1? Adrian Peterson is unstoppable. His whole career he has been at the top and after only playing 1 game in 2014, he has fresh legs that will take off this year. Look for Peterson to have another big year, as he has something to prove due to his suspension and age. Watch out critics, Peterson is ready for takeoff.
2. Jamaal Charles (Chiefs): Jamaal Charles has been great to watch since he was in high school and I had the pleasure of watching him play against my high school. He has great field vision and the speed to make big plays. Over the past 3 seasons in the NFL, Charles has averaged at least 5 yards per carry. Jamaal Charles gives fantasy owners consistency and the Chiefs will always feed him the ball on the ground and through the air. Look for Charles to rush for 1,100 yards and about 13 Touchdowns.
3. Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks): Beast Mode!!!! Why is Russell Wilson dominant? Probably because every defense has to worry about Marshawn Lynch. If you key on Russell, Lynch will go beast mode all over your defense. Lynch had over 1,300 yards last year with 13 touchdowns. Look for him to repeat this performance. The only thing I worry about is Jimmy Graham taking away his red zone touchdowns. Lynch is a for sure first round draft pick.
4. LeSean McCoy (Bills): He's back, but with a better team. Since the Eagles hired Chip Kelly, his offense isn't a good fit for a great running back. Look for Rex Ryan to lean on McCoy all season just like the Eagles did in the past. McCoy should rush for 1,100 yards and 9 touchdown this season. Draft McCoy, but not too early.
5. Eddie Lacy (Packers): Lacy started off last season on a slow pace, but picked it up and rushed for over 1,000 yards and 9 touchdowns. Lacy should start this season right where he left off. Lacy is at number 5 on my list due to the dominant passing attack the Packers have with Aaron Rodgers. I see Lacy getting 1,200 Yards and 8 touchdowns.
6. Arian Foster (Texans): Mr. Foster has been an elite running back in the NFL since he won over a starting job in Houston. No one else in the league runs quite like he does. Foster is patient and waits for a whole to open up and then explodes into the secondary. Foster is at number 6 only because he can never stay healthy. Foster plays for my Houston Texans, so I hope he can play all 16 games and produce like he did in 2012. Despite him missing 3 games last year, he still rushed for over 1,200 yards and had 13 total touchdowns. Look for Foster to tear it up if he is healthy and get 1,350 yards with 15 total touchdowns. He is a steal in the third round and is a deep second round option.
7. Le'Veon Bell (Steelers): Le'Veon Bell, you are such a disappointment to me this year. You were my number 1 overall running back, but due to not following rules, you got suspended for the first 3 games. Some people need a first round pick the first 3 weeks of the season. Putting that aside, He is the most talented running back in the NFL. He can pound it out on the ground or catch the ball and take it to the house. Bell is the ultimate package in the Steelers offense. Having Antonio Brown and Bell makes their offense explosive. Grab Bell in the 2nd round and he won't disappoint you.
8. Jeremy Hill (Bengals): Where did Jeremy Hill come from last year? Everyone though Bernard was the man for the Bengals and all of the sudden they have a new star. Hill rushed for over 1,100 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and 9 touchdowns as a rookie. Look for Hill to do the same this year except be more dominant in the red zone. He should put up 13 Touchdowns since A.J. Green is healthy and will get the Bengals into the red zone more often.
9. Matt Forte (Bears): Forte has been great in the running and passing game. Jay Cutler loves to dump the ball off to him and if Forte is successful on the ground attack, Cutler feels less pressure. Last season, the whole Chicago team had trouble moving the ball. It seems the only person that did decent was their tight end Bennett. Look for Matt Forte to bounce back with 1,150 yards with 10 total touchdowns.
10. Frank Gore (Colts): FRANK THE TANK! Frank Gore plays in the shadows compared to other elite quarterbacks. He doesn't get the credit he deserves year after year. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards 8 of the past 9 seasons. With Luck taking pressure off the running game and putting defenses on their heals, look for Gore to rush for over 1,000 yards once again with 10 touchdowns.
Just Outside the Top 10
11. C.J. Anderson (Broncos): C.J. Anderson came out of nowhere last season in Denver. Once 2 injuries occurred in Denver's backfield, Anderson was called into action. He rushed for nearly 900 yards and had 8 touchdowns with minimal starts under his belt. Look for C.J. Anderson to keep his starting role, but split time in the backfield. I see him rushing for 1,100 yards in Kubiak's new run heavy offense and stealing 9 touchdowns from Manning and the pass attack.
12. Darren McFadden (Cowboys): McFadden could be the biggest steal in your fantasy draft or a bust as always. If McFadden can stay healthy this year, he could take home the rushing title behind the best offensive line in the NFL. With help from the big men up front, McFadden in my opinion should stay healthy and he will have a career year. Look for McFadden to either get 500 yards with 3 touchdowns due to being injured or break out for 1,400 yards and tack on 14 touchdowns if healthy all season.
13. Todd Gurley (Rams): Todd Gurley was a beast in college and was the top running back taken in this years draft even though he suffered an injury at the end of last season. Look for Gurley to have a great rookie season with around 900 yards rushing and 7 touchdowns. The only problem I have with him at this time is when will his debut occur? Week 1 or later? Only time will show. Gurley is a great late draft pick for owners but could hurt you depending on when he comes back and is at 100 percent injury wise and condition wise as well.
14. DeMarco Murray (Eagles): Murray is coming off his best season yet and won the rushing title last year in Dallas. Even though he did so well and dominated everyone and everything in his way, I give more credit to the Cowboys offensive line than him. I also think he will suffer in Chip Kelly's offense, which in my opinion, isn't running back friendly. Murray is a huge risk due to his injury history and being in an offense where dominant LeSean McCoy couldn't get things going. Be careful drafting Murray early. Wait for a late round if you do or you will most likely regret that pick.
The Rest of the Bunch
15. Mark Ingram (Saints)
16. Alfred Morris (Redskins)
17. Justin Forsett (Ravens)
18. Melvin Gordon (Chargers)
19. Carlos Hyde (49ers)
20. Latavius Murray (Raiders)
I hope you enjoyed my running back ratings as of today and if you have any questions or would like me to write about something, email me at ffltalk@gmail.com
Cheers!
I hope you enjoyed my running back ratings as of today and if you have any questions or would like me to write about something, email me at ffltalk@gmail.com
Cheers!
No comments:
Post a Comment