Saturday, August 20, 2011

My Top 10 Fantasy Running Backs

This year is going to be harder than ever to get a solid running back that will give you solid output each week. The league is littered with committee situations and new offenses this year. While it is wise to rely heavily on your running backs, makes sure you choose the right one. This should help.




1. Adrian Peterson
The Vikings seem to have a new quarterback, coach and team every time that you look their way. The one things that is solid year after year though is Adrian Peterson. The kid is a freakish athlete and has quickly addressed his issues with fumblitius. He should be the first back, if not the first player off the board in every league.


2. Chris Johnson
Don't be worried about the Chris Johnson hold out. Johnson will be back for the season. The whole situation is a mess and will easily be resolved in time. Tennessee will be a solid team with Hassleback at the reigns. Johnson consistently puts up the big numbers and should be rightfully your second running back choice


3. Arian Foster
Risk Warning: Gary Kubiak is a fantasy nightmare when it comes to deciding his backfield. When it wasn't Steve Slaton, it was Ben Tate. When it wasn't Tate, it was Derrick Ward. When preseason came around this year it was Chris Ogbonnaya. And when it wasn't any of those guys it was Arian Foster. While I think that Foster has secured the spot this year, I felt the same way about Slaton a little while back. Keep this situation in the back of your head before drafting Foster.


4. Rashard Mendenhall
Mendenhall is a great addition to any fantasy team. The Steelers backfield is more secure than any other team. You can count on Mendenhall to be taking all the carries on 1st down, 2nd down and even on the goal-line. Don't be afraid to count on Mendenhall and the Pittsburgh offense this year.


5. Jamaal Charles
Charles may not be in the greatest offense in the league, but he is definitely a back that relies more on his pure talent than his team for greatness. Charles is shifty and explosive. You can expect some long runs and big play capability if you draft Charles this year. Risk Warning: Charles has more downside than any other back here as his backfield is shared between him, Jones and an exciting McCluster. Don't be surprised if Charles is hurt this year by a reduced amount of carries.


6. Ray Rice
Rice looks great in the Ravens offense. He is a great blocking back and will be kept on the field for most downs. You can count on Rice to get a solid amount of production week in and week out. Risk Warning: Expect Ricky Williams to steal some touchdowns away from Rice this year. 


7. Lesean McCoy
McCoy had a real breakout year last year, and is very talented. However, the Eagles high-flying offense should look much more human this season. Expect McCoy to put up some solid yards and numbers this year. Risk Warning: Count on Andy Reid to give Ronnie Brown a share of the carries this season. They didn't go all the way to Miami for him to ride the pine.


8. Frank Gore
Gore's 2010 season was definitely less than stellar, but I fully expect him to bounce back. The 49ers offense has chance to be dynamic with the addition of Edwards and Harbaugh. Since the passing game may not be up-to-par, count on Gore to bounce back to his usual self and have a great year.


9. Michael Turner
The running back slot in Atlanta is begging to be filled with a consistent option. Turner has the potential to be a top-tier rusher this season if he can stay healthy and productive. There is a risk to Turner involved when you consider his health, but you also have to believe that this year he will finally stay healthy.


10. Maurice Jones-Drew
Jones-Drew had a solid 2010 but in my opinion, under-produced. MJD is a talented back that demands the ball on all downs and situations. The quarterback situation in Jacksonville may be undecided still, but they have some solid players in the offense, and you can feel confident in MJD as a top running back.




Potential Sleepers


1. Ahmad Bradshaw
While this isn't a far reach, Bradshaw has enormous upside. Little by little he is claiming the Giants backfield as his own. If he stays healthy, he could easily be a top ten running back in a solid Giants offense.


2. Ryan Grant
NFL.com has Grant ranking in the 20's for running backs. Don't forget how big of a year Grant had in 2009 before missing the whole 2010 season. Grant is looking to reclaim the primary position in the greatest offense in football. There is no reason why he can't be incredibly productive this year.




Deep Sleepers


1. Mike Tolbert
Tolbert has gone undrafted in an insane amount of 10-man leagues. Make sure that when everyone passes on him and is trying to snag defenses, you pick up Tolbert. Ryan Matthews has yet to produce in the way that San Diego would hope for, and Tolbert has always picked up the slack. I wouldn't hesitate at all throwing him into the flex spot of my lineup.


2. Dexter McCluster
I'm not completely sold that Charles owns the Chiefs backfield. McCluster is a very good back and has the capability to take some of those coveted carries away from Charles. For this reason, he has tremendous upside.