Next up on the staff rankings is the most volatile position in the NFL, the Running Back. Outside of the top 5, we have so many discrepancies in the ranks. This is due to the dreaded two-headed committee craze that has taken over in the NFL. The top 18 backs on our list have little to no competition for carries (unless injuries arise), while the rest of the field is surrounded by question marks.
Rankings after the jump compiled by the best of the best: TJ Mahoney (mahoney1213), Evan Levine (eklevine), Scott Kaliska (dukeallstar) and Kenny Stein (Humbled Fan).
If you're looking for other rankings, check out Fantasy Rundown, which provides rankings from other sources on the internet.
|
|
TM |
EL |
SK |
KS |
|
|
1 |
Chris Johnson, Titans |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
2 |
Adrian Peterson, Vikings |
4 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
Jamaal Charles, Chiefs |
1 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
|
4 |
Arian Foster, Texans |
2 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
|
5 |
Ray Rice, Ravens |
5 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
|
6 |
Darren McFadden, Raiders |
8 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
|
7 |
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars |
12 |
7 |
5 |
6 |
|
8 |
LeSean McCoy, Eagles |
6 |
8 |
10 |
7 |
|
9 |
Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers |
7 |
10 |
7 |
9 |
|
10 |
Michael Turner, Falcons |
11 |
12 |
9 |
13 |
|
11 |
Frank Gore, 49ers |
9 |
9 |
13 |
16 |
|
12 |
Matt Forte, Bears |
13 |
11 |
14 |
12 |
|
13 |
Steven Jackson, Rams |
14 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
|
14 |
Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants |
15 |
15 |
15 |
14 |
|
15 |
Peyton Hillis, Browns |
24 |
14 |
11 |
10 |
|
16 |
Knowshon Moreno, Broncos |
17 |
16 |
17 |
17 |
|
17 |
LeGarrette Blount, Bucs |
20 |
19 |
16 |
20 |
|
18 |
Shonn Greene, Jets |
10 |
21 |
27 |
24 |
|
19 |
Ryan Mathews, Chargers |
21 |
28 |
19 |
18 |
|
20 |
Felix Jones, Cowboys |
22 |
25 |
23 |
21 |
|
21 |
Fred Jackson, Bills |
25 |
17 |
29 |
25 |
|
22 |
Cedric Benson, Bengals |
31 |
22 |
25 |
19 |
|
23 |
Mark Ingram, Saints |
19 |
30 |
28 |
22 |
|
24 |
Jonathan Stewart, Panthers |
23 |
27 |
20 |
29 |
|
25 |
Jahvid Best, Lions |
16 |
32 |
31 |
23 |
|
26 |
Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks |
29 |
26 |
22 |
26 |
|
27 |
DeAngelo Williams, Panthers |
18 |
20 |
18 |
- |
|
28 |
Joseph Addai, Colts |
32 |
24 |
26 |
32 |
|
29 |
Daniel Thomas, Dolphins |
27 |
18 |
- |
30 |
|
30 |
Ryan Grant, Packers |
28 |
23 |
- |
27 |
|
31 |
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Patriots |
- |
- |
21 |
15 |
|
32 |
Brandon Jacobs, Giants |
- |
31 |
24 |
- |
|
33 |
Ryan Torain, Redskins |
- |
- |
30 |
28 |
|
34 |
Pierre Thomas, Saints |
- |
29 |
32 |
- |
|
35 |
Beanie Wells, Cardinals |
26 |
- |
- |
- |
|
36 |
Roy Helu, Redskins |
30 |
- |
- |
- |
|
37 |
Ryan Williams, Cardinals |
- |
- |
- |
31 |
My 2 cents: As evidenced above, clearly not many backs can be trusted. 2011 is the year to own a top-5 pick. Any of the backs in the top 5 can make a case for the # 1 overall pick. CJ2K has a new head coach (former O-Line Coach) with a heavy focus on the run, AP is AP, Jamaal Charles becomes the lead back in K.C., Arian Foster was the # 1 player in fantasy in 2010, and Ray Rice has replaced TD-vulture Willis McGahee with top-blocking fullback Vonta Leach to create holes for him.
Outside of the top-5 picks, I'd feel comfortable with a top-flight Wide Receiver, a McFadden or a Mendenhall, and then stockpile RB's in the middle and end of the draft.
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