As everybody knows, running backs are the key to fantasy football. This is such a well-known fact that the NFL is even making commercials about it. While it's not really that true in most leagues anymore, you still gotta know your Wells from your Ward from your White. Don't worry, we're here for you.
Here are my preseason fantasy running back rankings.
|
Rank |
Player |
Team |
Comments |
|
1 |
Peterson, Adrian |
MIN |
The only thing that can slow down the Vikes' running game is Brett Favre. After last season's 363 carries, an injury isn't out of the question though. |
|
2 |
Jones-Drew, Maurice |
JAX |
Remove Fred Taylor, Add Torry Holt. This should be Jones-Drew's best season yet. |
|
3 |
Turner, Michael |
ATL |
The Falcons won't have to run as much this season, so they won't. Turner will still be one of the most reliable RBs in the game though. |
|
4 |
Forte, Matt |
CHI |
The Bears offense still runs (ha-ha!) through Matt Forte. I'm not sure Jay Cutler realizes that yet. |
|
5 |
Barber, Marion |
DAL |
Terrell Owens giveth fantasy value (Barber) and taketh away fantasy value (Romo). The Cowboys will become a run-first team this season and Marion Barber is their man. |
|
6 |
Slaton, Steve |
HOU |
He put up 1282 total yards with only five 100+ yard games. He's very capable of doing that again and probably will. Maybe the quietest 1200 yard rusher in the league. |
|
7 |
Brown, Ronnie |
MIA |
He was the #2 overall draft pick in 2005 and has rushed for more than 900 yards in 3 of his 4 seasons. His team went to the playoffs last year and his quarterback is the steady but not spectacular Chad Pennington. Why aren't more people all over this guy? |
|
8 |
Smith, Kevin |
DET |
Who's the fantasy star of the Detroit Lions? Calvin Williams? Matt Stafford? Nope, it's Kevin Smith, a guy who ran for 976 yards and 8 TDs on probably the worst NFL team in 30 years. Both he and the Lions will be better this year. |
|
9 |
Portis, Clinton |
WAS |
Did well last year without any support from the passing game. If the passing game improves this year, Portis has one more great season in him. |
|
10 |
Lynch, Marshawn |
BUF |
Don't let the three-game suspension throw you - with TO on the field Lynch is going to chew up the yardage this season. He'll make up for the lost time and you should be able to get him cheap. |