Running Back Rankings

This is a strange year for running backs, as normally I would advise taking a RB in round one and possibly in round two, as well.  This season however, I just don’t see as many definitive choices.   There are many time share situations throughout the league and the top wide receivers may be go earlier than usual.  These rankings are geared towards non-PPR leagues. 

1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings:  If there is one back that has a chance at 2,000 yards this season, Peterson would be it.  One has to think that the addition of Brett Favre will open up some running lanes for Peterson, as defenses will be forced to respect the deep ball.
2. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons:  Don’t fret over the Falcons stating that they want to limit Turner’s carries and make sure he doesn’t come anywhere near the 370 he had last season.  When push comes to shove and you want to win the game, plans laid out in the pre-season tend to be pushed aside.  Turner is a beast, and will get his share of touchdowns in what will be an explosive offense in Atlanta.
3. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears:  Like Favre in Minnesota, the addition of Jay Cutler should have the same effect for Forte.  Sure the Bears may not run the ball as much, but his runs should be for more yardage as the Safeties have to play off the line of scrimmage.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars:  Jones-Drew is the human bowling ball that no one likes to tackle.  He is a complete weapon as a runner, receiver and returner.  The addition of wide receiver Torry Holt will hopefully take some pressure off of Drew, but how much Holt has left in the tank remains to be seen.
5. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams:  Jackson is a tremendous RB, we all know that.  He can be as dangerous catching the ball as well as running with it.  But when drafting him be cautious, he has been injured a bunch the past couple of seasons, and the Rams are a bad team.  With not much offensive help around him, defenses are sure to key on him.
6. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers:  Every time I hear that RB Jonathan Stewart misses another practice, I love Williams more and more.  The only thing stopping Williams from another monster season is losing too many to Stewart.    
7. Steve Slaton, Houston Texans:  Slaton is the only true RB on a team that has offensive playmakers all over the place.  Sure I can understand that you might be worried about Chris Brown taking carries at the goal line, but I wouldn’t panic too much about that. Brown is not much better than Slaton at that role, and Slaton should still get his fair share of short TD runs.
8. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers:  Gore is fairly predictable in what he will do, but that passing game won’t scare anyone and Gore should still be the focus of defensive coordinators.  That being said, Head Coach Mike Singletary is a big believer in smash-mouth football, and Gore is sure to be fed the football over and over again.
9. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles:  Westbrook is certainly better than the 9^th overall back, but he comes with quite a few warning flags.  One, he gets hurt every season and is forced to miss games.  Two, he had ankle surgery this off-season and will miss most of, if not all of the pre-season.  Three, the Eagles drafted LeSean McCoy to take some of the pounding away from Westbrook.  That being said, the Eagles offense will be a force with Westbrook still as the focal point and letting him fall any further would be a mistake.

10.  LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers:  Ranking Tomlinson comes down to believing whether or not he is on the decline or was last season’s toe injury the only cause for his struggles?    I think he can have a solid season, but certainly nothing compared to what he used to do.  The Chargers have a very good team, and play in a weak division.  I can foresee quite a few games where they are blowing out the opposing team and Tomlinson doesn’t see much action in the second half, as Darren Sproles takes on a larger role.

11.  Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys

12.  Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints

13.  Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

14.  Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints

15.  Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins

16.  Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants

17.  Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins

18.  Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers

19.  Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers

20.  Thomas Jones, New York Jets

21.  Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts

22.  Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs

23.  Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions

24.  Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

25.  Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills

26.  Knowshon Moreno, New York Jets

27.  Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys

28.  Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers

29.  Julius Jones, Seattle Seahawks

30.  Beanie Wells, Arizona Cardinals

This post was written by George Kurtz