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We're back with part two and as important as it is to get yourself one or two studs, cleaning up late in the draft on running backs can go a long way. By the time November comes around, it's usually a case of the haves and have nots for running backs in fantasy leagues. If you're lacking a back and looking to acquire one as your fantasy trade deadline approaches, there will be a target on your back that even Tim Tebow could hit.
Personally, I've always made the upside factor a huge part of how I will rank the the backup runners. That means teams with productive offensives and/or having injury-prone starters will be intriguing teams to target in fantasy drafts.
Part 1 was yesterday, but in the interest of simplicity, I just threw it on here to make it a one-stop shop for those of you that missed it. We'll be back with Part 3 tomorrow. Here we go:
Other rankings so far:
Running Back | Comment | |
1 | Adrian Peterson | His 1,322 rushing yards in the second half would have ranked seventh on the year |
2 | Doug Martin | TB's D should be better and Martin Scoreseasy will be a focal point; 49 receptions last year |
3 | Arian Foster | Slightly worried about the hamstring issues and Ben Tate |
4 | C.J. Spiller | C.J Thriller and his 6.0 YPC from last year should be extremely busy with a rookie at QB |
5 | Ray Rice | He was second among RBs with 61 catches, but Bernard Pierce is a threat for touches |
6 | LeSean McCoy | Chip and Eagles are going to run a ton, but Bryce Brown is still there |
7 | Trent Richardson | As long as he can avoid injury, he'll be an absolute workhorse with plenty of receptions |
8 | Steven Jackson | A perfect fit for the Falcons and should be a safe bet for 40 catches and 10+ TD if healthy |
9 | Matt Forte | Receptions should come in bunches with Marc Trestman calling the shots |
10 | Marshawn Lynch | The receptions won't be there, but Seattle is going to score a ton of points this year |
11 | Jamaal Charles | Andy Reid turned LeSean McCoy into a stud and should do the same with JC |
12 | Alfred Morris | He ranked second in rushing yards and rushing TDs |
13 | Chris Johnson | An improved offensive line has to help his cause and his schedule is nice |
14 | Reggie Bush | If not for the concern of injuries, Bush would crack the top 10 of PPR rankings |
15 | Darren McFadden | Ditto |
16 | DeMarco Murray | Cowboys were 31st in rushing last year and hopefully that changes for Murray's sake |
17 | David Wilson | Yards are going to be there, but Andre Brown should vulture some scores |
18 | Darren Sproles | Sean Payton says he'll run more, which could end up dropping Sproles' 75 receptions |
19 | Chris Ivory | He looks to be in line for a featured gig and nobody can call him a sleeper at this point |
20 | Stevan Ridley | Shane Vereen's 18 touches in the two playoff games is a bit scary, especially with Ridley's fumbling issues |
21 | Lamar Miller | He says he's rushing for 1,500 yards; talk is cheap, but the opportunity is there |
22 | Montee Ball | Remember when Joseph Addai was a beast? Montee could be that guy |
23 | Maurice Jones-Drew | It's tough to count on a guy with injury concerns while on a terrible offense |
24 | Frank Gore | He turned 30 this week and with his 2,226 career touches, the end is near |
25 | Le'Veon Bell | Huge opportunity for him to get tons of touches for the Steelers |
Running Back | Comment | |
26 | Ryan Mathews | Chances are someone in your league will be reaching for him and there's still some upside |
27 | Vick Ballard | He's in front of Donald Brown and the Colts are going to score points this year |
28 | Jonathan Stewart | DeAngelo Williams likely to be cut in June, but J-Stew was terrible down the stretch with a 3.3 YPC in the last eight games |
29 | Isaiah Pead | A disastrous rookie year isn't enough to give him plenty of sleeper appeal |
30 | Rashard Mendenhall | The Cardinals were dead last in rushing last year and playing the Niners and Seahawks twice doesn't help |
31 | Bernard Pierce | If Ray Rice goes down, Pierce would be a top-five back |
32 | Shane Vereen | He saw more touches late in the season and could be in a timeshare with Ridley |
33 | Bryce Brown | One of the best pickups in fantasy leagues last year and fits Chip Kelly's stretch-play style |
34 | Eddie Lacy | The receptions won't be there and the Packers' rushing attack has been a wasteland for years |
35 | Giovani Bernard | BenJarvus Green-Ellis isn't a starting-caliber NFL back, but Bengals focusing on aerial attack |
36 | Ben Tate | If you draft Arian Foster, Tate is a must 'cuff |
37 | Fred Jackson | His 3.8 YPC is small potatoes to Spiller's 6.0 |
38 | Andre Brown | Not a stretch to think he can score 10 TDs |
39 | Zac Stacey | The Rams backfield will be one of the most watched position battles in training camp |
40 | Mikel LeShoure | He's an interesting handcuff for those that take the plunge on Bush |
41 | Mark Ingram | Sean Payton fixing to run more and Ingram might get 250 touches |
42 | Michael Bush | Not a great fit with Trestman's offense; merely a handcuff |
43 | Daryl Richardson | Even though he had a 4.8 YPC, his numbers trended down as the year progressed |
44 | BenJarvus Green-Ellis | No thanks |
45 | Ahmad Bradshaw | He's unlikely to be a starter on whatever team he signs with |
46 | DeAngelo Williams | He'll be cut and picked up by some team |
47 | Marcel Reece | He proved to be a PPR beast in November with 23 catches and 270 receiving yards |
48 | Danny Woodhead | Third down looks to be his for San Diego and Ryan Mathews is far from safe on first and second down |
49 | Christine Michael | The Seahawks must like him a lot to take him and push Robert Turbin down the depth chart |
50 | Joseph Randle | He's having thumb surgery could cost him time with the Cowboys, but PPR upside will be there for OK State product |