Fantasy Football 2015: Running Back Rankings

Let’s continue my fantasy football positional rankings with a look at the running backs. You can check out the QB rankings here. As a reminder, these rankings are for standard, non-PPR scoring.

1. Adrian Peterson (MIN). The last time he entered a season thinking he had something to prove he ripped off nearly 2,314 all-purpose yards and 13 total touchdowns. Also, Norv Turner is his O-coordinator. Just sayin.

1. Le’Veon Bell (PIT). The only reason he’s this low is his 3-game suspension. He’s that good – over 2,000 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns last year.

1. Eddie Lacy (GB). Entering his third year on an offensive juggernaut after recording at least 1,100 rushing yards, 35 receptions, and double-digit total touchdowns in each of his first two seasons.

1. Marshawn Lynch (SEA). Four straight seasons of at least 1,200 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Had career highs in receiving yards and touchdowns last season which will likely shrink with the addition of Jimmy Graham.

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1. Jamaal Charles (KC). You could make the case for this dual-threat running back to move to the top of this list. ESPN’s Matthew Berry did.

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) runs onto the field for the start of the game against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

C.J. Anderson (DEN). Averaged 4.7 yards per carry and nearly 10 yards-per-reception last season. That’s basically what Le’Veon Bell did, although with about 150 more touches. Also, new head coach Gary Kubiak makes average running backs good and good running backs great (remember Justin Forsett last year?).

1. Arian Foster (HOU). The first serious injury concern. I’m probably staying away because of that, but if he plays 16 games he could be the number one RB in fantasy.

1. Jeremy Hill (CIN). After beginning his rookie year as the second fiddle in a running back committee, Hill broke out in week 9 and never looked back. In the last 9 games of the season Hill rushed for 929 yards and 6 touchdowns.

1. DeMarco Murray (PHI). Last season’s number one running back has a history of injuries and is coming off of a 449 touch season. That’s a lot. On the bright side, he is going to an offense that gets the ball to their running backs. I’m just doubtful he’ll play the entire season.

1. LeSean McCoy (BUF). He’s talented and Rex Ryan will feed him the ball, but the Bills offensive line is no bueno.

1. Matt Forte (CHI). Continually underrated, but I just didn’t feel right placing him higher. He’s had a lot of touches the last two years, just turned 30, and will likely see a large dip in receptions with Trestman moving on.

1. Mark Ingram (NO). Missed 3 games last year and still finished as the 15^th best running back last year. The Saints are handing him the lead back role this season with the oft-injured C.J. Spiller offering competition primarily in passing situations.

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller (26) stiff arms New York Jets cornerback Marcus Williams (22) during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Lamar Miller (MIA). Quietly effective last season and on an offense set to improve again this year, I wouldn’t be surprised if Miller pops into the top 10.

1. Frank Gore (IND). The ageless one moves to a better offense with a much better QB than he’s ever had. The offensive line is iffy though.

1. Carlos Hyde (SF). Didn’t play a lot behind Gore last season, but when he did he looked like a future star. His offensive line, coaching, and quarterback situation are all questionable but he’ll definitely lead the team in carries (I’m not worried about Reggie Bush).

1. Justin Forsett (BAL). Breaking out at age 28 as a running back isn’t often seen, but man did he look good last year. I’d be more concerned about the loss of zone-blocking guru Gary Kubiak as offensive coordinator if he wasn’t replaced by Marc Trestman (who just play-called Matt Forte to 2 consecutive seasons of at least 1,000 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving).

1. Alfred Morris (WAS). Never flashy, but consistent. He’s been a top-15 running back in each of his three seasons. Guess that means I should move him up a couple spots?

1. Joseph Randle (DAL). No idea what he’s going to do this year, but he’s running behind arguably the best offensive line in the NFL. Yes, he has competition but how many games is Darren McFadden really going to last?

1. Melvin Gordon (SD). If you combine the stats of last season’s “starters”, Branden Oliver and Ryan Matthews, you have the 16^th best fantasy running back. Gordon can’t be worse than that can he? Although he may lose 3^rd down touches to Oliver and Danny Woodhead.

1. Latavius Murray (OAK). He flashed a lot of talent in limited touches last season. I’d expect him to be the lead back with Helu possibly stealing some 3^rd down action. Trent Richardson is no threat…to anybody, anywhere.

Jun 16, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon (24) runs during minicamp at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

T.J. Yeldon (JAC). I like that he’ll be the number one running back on his team. I don’t like that he might run into an eleven man front since his quarterback scares exactly no one.

1. Jonathan Stewart (CAR). Could be great, but his injuries have burned me so many times over the years there is no way I’m drafting him. I may as well put him at 100.

1. LaGarrette Blount (NE). Played in 26 career games with New England and averaged around 5 yards per carry while rushing for over 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns. Not outstanding total numbers, but Ridley and Vareen are gone so he should get a larger share of the carries.

1. Joique Bell (DET). Mixes in rushing and receiving yards to post low-end RB2 the last two seasons. He’ll start the season off as the primary back so there is value here, but he may lose touches to the rookie Abdullah.

1. Tevin Coleman (ATL). I think he’ll end up starting and I think he’ll do ok.

1. Rashad Jennings (NYG). He’ll probably look great again right up until he gets injured. Again.

1. Andre Ellington (ARI). This guy burned me badly last year so I probably won’t be drafting him. It wouldn’t surprise me if he ended up as the passing down specialist with David Johnson taking the lead back role.

May 1, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams first round draft pick Todd Gurley poses for a photo after a press conference at Rams Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Todd Gurley (STL). All about the knee injury. If he’s healthy week 1, he probably moves up. Offensive line issues and a tough division schedule don’t help him either.

1. Giovani Bernard (CIN). Another guy that burned me last season. He may play better than last year, but still is merely a passing down specialist behind Jeremy Hill.

1. Chris Ivory (NYJ). He runs hard and will have a few good games, but he’s part of the Jets offense.

1. Bishop Sankey (TEN). Averaged a brutal 3.7 yards per carry last year. If he continues that, he’ll probably lose his starting gig to David Cobb early.

1. C.J. Spiller (NO). He’ll fill the old Sproles role if he can stay healthy. There is upside here, especially when Ingram inevitably implodes.

1. Ameer Abdullah (DET). College phenom could steal the starting role if Joique Bell stumbles.

1. Ryan Matthews (PHI). Career 4.4 yards-per-carry average indicates talent, but he struggles to stay on the field. Could get a lot of touches should DeMarco Murray go down.

1. Darren McFadden (DAL). Another in the “has talent, but injury concerns” camp.

1. Shane Vareen (NYG). Similar to his time in New England, he’ll be primarily relegated to passing situations.

1. Charles Sims (TB). Either Sims or Martin takes the starting role. I’ll assume the offense will be better with Winston behind center?

1. Doug Martin (TB). The Muscle Hamster has fallen far since his breakout 2012 season. He hasn’t exceeded 500 yards or 2 touchdowns in either season since.

1. Tre Mason (STL). If Gurley misses time to start the season, his value goes up. If not, he’s probably a passing down guy at best.

Jun 16, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Duke Johnson (CLE). Right now Crowell is penciled in as the starter, but in what is probably another trashed season for Cleveland maybe the University of Miami’s leading rusher will provide a boost to the running game?

1. Isaiah Crowell (CLE). Was the Browns best running back last year, if that means anything.

1. Devonta Freeman (ATL). Penciled in as the starter now, but I don’t expect that to last beyond the preseason. Once Tevin Coleman proves he can handle the starting role, Freeman will slide to the passing down specialist.

1. Jay Ajayi (MIA). Lamar Miller’s backup.

1. David Cobb (TEN). Good chance he steals Sankey’s starting role sometime in the season.

1. Fred Jackson (BUF). I don’t expect Jackson to play nearly as much now that LeSean McCoy replaced C.J. Spiller.

1. David Johnson (ARI). As mentioned earlier, another guy to monitor through preseason. He may work himself in to a significant role.

1. Reggie Bush (SF). A limited role on a bad offense. No thanks.

1. Denard Robinson (JAC). A limited role on a worse offense. No thanks.

1. Daniel Herron (IND). Primary handcuff to old man Gore.

1. Roy Helu (OAK). Limited role on a…you get the point.

1. Montee Ball (DEN). Probably no more than a handcuff if C.J. Anderson gets hurt.

1. Lorenzo Taliaferro (BAL). He’s getting a lot less hype this year after Forsett’s breakout last year.

1. Chris Polk (HOU). He’s better than Alfred Blue.

1. Knile Davis (KC). Jamaal Charles primary backup.

1. DeAngelo Williams (PIT). Maybe you get 3 games of points out of him?

1. Jerick McKinnon (MIN). He’ll probably get some 3^rd down action unless AP is injured, then you’ll see the timeshare with Asiata from last season. 

1. Stevan Ridley (NYJ). If he’s healthy he’ll push Ivory for the lead back role.

1. Branden Oliver (SD). He’ll share backup and 3^rd down duties with Danny Woodhead as long as Melvin Gordon can handle the primary work.

1. Andre Williams (NYG). If Jennings goes down, Williams will likely fill the 1^st and 2^nd down role with Vareen sticking with 3^rd down/passing situations.

1. James White/Jonas Gray/Travaris Cadet (NE). I don’t always draft Patriot RB’s, but when I do it’s usually the wrong one.

From here out it’s more handcuffs and guys buried down their team’s depth chart. I usually won’t speculate on them until preseason is well under way.

Next up are my wide receiver rankings.