2014 Running Back Rankings

Armando Marsal
Fantasy Writer
Twitter: @Armando_fbguru

Below you’ll find the top 60 running backs rankings. The top four backs on the list are what I consider to be the elite tier. You can’t go wrong with any of these backs on draft day. Eddie Lacy is the next sure thing, but hasn’t done it enough to warrant him elite status. Doug Martin has moved up in my rankings since I initially created them. Last year, he was drafted as a top five back in most leagues. Yes, he’s coming off of an injury and didn’t look great last season. However, this is a revamped offense with a new quarterback under center. That should create more opportunities for Martin.  I’m probably one of the only people that have Arian Foster this low. He can’t stay healthy and he’s on a bad team. The risk you take in drafting him early is not worth it. The general consensus has Joique Bell ranked higher than on my list below. He’s behind Reggie Bush in the depth charts, and unless you’re in a PPR format, he may not have a consistent amount of touches on a weekly basis to get you quality points. Drafting starters such as Frank Gore, Ryan Mathews, and Rashad Jennings, makes more sense to me. Someone who has moved up in my rankings is Lamar Miller. He appears to fit better in Bill Lazor’s offense and is having a good preseason. At 32-34 you’ll see some rookies that are currently backups. Key word of that sentence is currently. Davonta Freeman is someone who I think can eventually get the start. Steven Jackson is coming off an injury plagued season and is getting up there in age. Terrence West is playing behind Ben Tate, who I like, but Tate can’t stay healthy. Plus many reports from camp suggest that West is playing well and could earn himself some carries. Hill is the least exciting one of the three for me. However, he is expected to be the change-of-pace back in Cincy as well as getting some goal-line carries. As we get towards the bottom of my rankings, you’ll see players such as Bryce Brown, who may not be on some rankings. Brown is a player that the Bills really like and see a future in. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them give him a shot at some point this season, especially if Spiller struggles.

My suggestion is to always try to draft at least one elite running back if you can. Then you can mix it up and get some guys like Rashad Jenning, Ben Tate, and Chris Johnson, and pair them up with backs with upside like Freeman, West, and Hill. Try to have both consistent backs and backs that have a lot of potential. Balance is key.