:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/38702708/20140907_jla_at5_155.jpg.0.jpg)
Several notable running backs suffered injuries in the second week of the NFL. Knowshon Moreno, Ryan Mathews, Mark Ingram, and Jamal Charles all left their Week 2 games with injuries. The only one who has a chance to play in Week 3 is Charles and it’s unlikely he’ll play as he’s dealing with a high ankle sprain. Knile Davis, Donald Brown, and Khiry Robinson are all moving up in this week’s rankings.
Below, you’ll see Arian Foster is in my top five. In the first two games, he’s rushed 55 times for 241 yards and a touchdown. He’s off to a great start this season and has a favorable matchup in Week 3. Surprisingly to some, at No. 10 I have Knile Davis. I’m not expecting Charles to play this week, and I like what I’ve seen from Davis. He performed great last week while filling in for Charles and should have another good game if he starts. Of course, this will be subject to change if Charles plays. Outside my top 10 is Eddie Lacy. The Lions have a good front seven and will make it difficult for Lacy to gain major yardage. He’s a low-end No. 1 RB in 12 team leagues.
Some guys moving up in the rankings this week are Stevan Ridley and Khiry Robinson. Ridley is coming off a 100 yard game against the Vikings and has another great matchup this week. As long as he doesn’t fumble, he should see plenty of volume this week. Robinson is expected to be the workhorse in Mark Ingram’s absence. He is set to take on the Vikings defense that got run over by Ridley.
There are a couple of players outside of my top 20 that have some upside to them, but it can be format dependent. For example, Shane Vereen, Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, and Ahmad Bradshaw all gain some value in PPR formats. They can be solid flex options this week.
|
Rank |
Running Backs |
|
1 |
LeSean McCoy PHI (vs. WAS) |
|
2 |
Marshawn Lynch SEA (vs. DEN) |
|
3 |
DeMarco Murray DAL (@STL) |
|
4 |
Arian Foster HOU (@NYG) |
|
5 |
Giovani Bernard CIN (vs. TEN) |
|
6 |
Alfred Morris WAS (@PHI) |
|
7 |
Le'Veon Bell PIT (@CAR) |
|
8 |
Matt Forte CHI (@NYJ) |
|
9 |
Adrian Peterson MIN (@NO) |
|
10 |
Knile Davis KC (@MIA) |
|
11 |
Joique Bell DET (vs. GB) |
|
12 |
Eddie Lacy GB (@DET) |
|
13 |
Andre Ellington ARI (vs. SF) |
|
14 |
Zac Stacy STL (vs. DAL) |
|
15 |
Doug Martin TB (@ATL) |
|
16 |
Terrance West CLE (vs. BAL) |
|
17 |
Rashad Jennings NYG (vs. HOU) |
|
18 |
Khiry Robinson NO (vs. MIN) |
|
19 |
Montee Ball DEN (@SEA) |
|
20 |
Stevan Ridley NE (vs. OAK) |
|
21 |
Lamar Miller MIA (vs. KC) |
|
22 |
Frank Gore SF (@ARI) |
|
23 |
C.J. Spiller BUF (vs. SD) |
|
24 |
Shane Vereen NE (vs. OAK) |
|
25 |
Bernard Pierce BAL (@CLE) |
|
26 |
Chris Ivory NYJ (vs. CHI) |
|
27 |
Ahmad Bradshaw IND (@JAC) |
|
28 |
Darren Sproles PHI (vs. WAS) |
|
29 |
Reggie Bush DET (vs. GB) |
|
30 |
Chris Johnson NYJ (vs. CHI) |
|
31 |
Donald Brown SD (@BUF) |
|
32 |
Pierre Thomas NO (vs. MIN) |
|
33 |
Darren McFadden OAK (@NE) |
|
34 |
Trent Richardson IND (@JAC) |
|
35 |
Steven Jackson ATL (vs. TB) |
|
36 |
Danny Woodhead SD (@BUF) |
|
37 |
Jeremy Hill CIN (vs. TEN) |
|
38 |
Jonathan Stewart CAR (vs. PIT) |
|
39 |
Justin Forsett BAL (@CLE) |
|
40 |
Fred Jackson BUF (vs. SD) |
|
41 |
Bobby Rainey TB (@ATL) |
|
42 |
Jacquizz Rodgers ATL (vs. TB) |
|
43 |
Isaiah Crowell CLE (vs. BAL) |
|
44 |
Carlos Hyde SF (@ARI) |
|
45 |
Shonn Greene TEN (@CIN) |
|
46 |
Toby Gerhart JAC (vs. IND) |
|
47 |
Jonathan Dwyer ARI (vs. SF) |
|
48 |
Devonta Freeman ATL (vs. TB) |
|
49 |
Benny Cunningham STL (vs. DAL) |
|
50 |
Bishop Sankey TEN (@CIN) |