8/20 Running Back Rankings
By Zack Cimini
Two weeks are completed officially in the preseason. Fantasy drafts done before now were pretty much tune ups for the ones forthcoming. Throw your outdated fantasy magazine away, and keep coming here for weekly rankings and daily fantasy updates.
1. Arian Foster- A couple of seasons ago, Foster was undrafted in most leagues just as he was by NFL executives. Now he is at the top of the list for fantasy running backs.
2. Chris Johnson- One year as Johnson had last year is going to make too many fantasy owners shy away from drafting him above a couple other backs. He has looked like the Chris Johnson we have come to know. Resembling that Chris Johnson would push even Arian Foster off the top spot.
3. LeSean McCoy- McCoy is durable and a safe bet to continue thrashing opposing defenses. He is right up there with Ray Rice in terms of what he can do out of the backfield.
4. MJD- MJD needs to get himself back in the Jaguars team facility. I’m sure he is keeping himself in shape but holdouts have typically been detrimental to running backs. With an improved Gabbert, MJD should even be more of a threat.
5. Ray Rice- Look for Rice’s numbers to dip slightly. The Ravens defense is not as sharp as it’s been, which means the offense will throw the football more. It’s good for the long term protection of Rice, but not what fantasy owners want to hear.
6. DeMarco Murray- Since when has a third round pick stormed the NFL quite like Murray? He was a true surprise. Now at full speed, Murray should continue his destruction.
7. Darren McFadden- Health is a big question mark with McFadden or he could easily be right up there with Foster and Chris Johnson. Having not stayed healthy for an entire season yet, he has to remain a bottom first round pick.
8. Ryan Mathews- Mathews is the back now that people like to put the most uncertainty on. Why? He is a young back with fresh legs, that is coming off a solid year. Young backs with talent such as Mathews usually break in even higher following a year like Mathews had.
9. Michael Turner- Atlanta seems ready to not only take over the NFC South but erase the memory of their wild card loss to the New York Giants. With New Orleans hit with question marks, Atlanta has their foot on the gas to storm by. Turner does not have to be a weekly force with yardage. With the explosiveness of the Falcons offense he is a lock for double digit touchdowns.
10. Matt Forte- He now has his contract, which should have been restructured a few seasons ago. Forte does not seem like the type of back that would decline after getting a paycheck. He has been the Bears offense the last two seasons. Additions of Alshon Jeffries, Brandon Marshall, and Mike Bush should be more to the benefit of Forte than hurting his stats. The offense will be more in sync and lead to bigger plays for Forte.
11. Steven Jackson
12. Reggie Bush
13. Ahmad Bradshaw
14. Frank Gore
15. Adrian Peterson
16. Shonn Greene
17. Marshawn Lynch
18. Jamaal Charles
19. Isaac Redman
20. Donald Brown
21. Doug Martin
22. Ryan Williams
23. Fred Jackson
24. Trent Richardson
25. Jonathan Stewart
26. Darren Sproles
27. Beanie Wells
28. Willis McGahee
29. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
30. Mark Ingram
31. DeAngelo Williams
32. Roy Helu
33. Stevan Ridley
34. CJ Spiller
35. James Starks
36. Kevin Smith
37. LeGarrette Blount
38. Michael Bush
39. Cedric Benson
40. Peyton Hillis
41. Toby Gerhart
42. Keiland Williams
43. Rashad Jennings
44. Ben Tate
45. Daniel Thomas
46. Jason Snelling
47. Robert Turbin
48. David Wilson
49. Kendall Hunter
50. Taiwan Jones
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