Follow @cimini

Yesterday was the debut of the first installment of quarterback rankings. Today here are the top forty before mini-camps start. Running backs have the biggest shifts of anyone throughout the season, due to the plethora of system backfields in the NFL. A guy buried in preseason camps can rise suddenly to getting a share of the load, or even taking over due to a main injury like CJ Spiller did last season.

*Fading*- Frank Gore-

Credit Gore for his overall durability over the years. We all know though the time shelf of a running back is limited. We’ve seen the best of the best over the last ten years succumb to the wall of wear and tear and running back age. Gore will be no different. Expect a decline in production this year and for the 49ers to realize Gore is not the main focus of the offense anymore. Something they discovered during portions of last season.

*Mr. Consistent (in terms of value)*- Reggie Bush

Bush is one of those fantasy draft day players that falls in almost every draft. No one wants the old Brian Westbrook type, especially one that has an uneven amount of carries each week. The disparity of carries and workload from Bush drives down his value draft day. He more than makes up for it with his big play abilities and double digit production fantasy games. He will be a bigger threat in a Detroit Lions offense than he was in Miami. Look for him to do things he should of done while a Saint.

*Ranked Too High*- CJ Spiller

Spiller finally burst onto the scene last year after years of Bills fans waiting. He has always had the home run ability and the Bills let him run wild last year with their poor quarterback play from Ryan Fitzpatrick. That and no defense could stop him. He is not a guy that is going to carry the load twenty times a game, and therefore I believe his ranking as a top three fantasy back is artificial.

1. Adrian Peterson
2. Jamaal Charles
3. Doug Martin
4. Arian Foster
5. LeSean McCoy
6. Alfred Morris
7. Ray Rice
8. Trent Richardson
9. Marshawn Lynch
10. CJ Spiller
11. Chris Johnson
12. Matt Forte
13. Steven Jackson
14. David Wilson
15. Darren McFadden
16. MJD
17. DeMarco Murray
18. Reggie Bush
19. Le’Veon Bell
20. Frank Gore
21. Stevan Ridley
22. Chris Ivory
23. Ryan Matthews
24. Darren Sproles
25. Jonathan Stewart
26. Lamar Miller
27. Eddie Lacy
28. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
29. Vick Ballard
30. Montee Ball
31. Mark Ingram
32. Rashard Mendenhall
33. Bryce Brown
34. Mikel LeShoure
35. Andre Brown
36. DeAngelo Williams
37. Giovani Bernard
38. Fred Jackson
39. Ryan Williams
40. Shane Vereen