Fantasy Football 2011: Top 50 Running Backs
Updated: 9-2-2011
Your draft/s may be complete, but there are still a multitude of drafts on the 6th (my personal favorite day for drafting), and some scattered over Labor Day weekend. Here are my latest, and likely last, running back rankings. This list is guided by stats, observations, and some good ole fashioned hunches. I do not expect anyone (other than me) to follow it verbatim.
1) Adrian Peterson, Vikings
2) Chris Johnson, Titans
3) Ray Rice, Ravens
4) Arian Foster, Texans
5) Jamaal Charles, Chiefs
6) Darren McFadden, Raiders
7) Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers
8) LeSean McCoy, Eagles
9) Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars
10) Matt Forte, Bears
11) Michael Turner, Falcons
12) Frank Gore, 49ers
13) LaGarrette Blount, Bucs
14) Steven Jackson, Rams
15) Peyton Hillis, Browns
16) Jahvid Best, Lions
17) DeAngelo Williams, Panthers
18) Tim Hightower, Redskins
19) Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants
20) Felix Jones, Cowboys
21) Beanie Wells, Cardinals
22) Ryan Grant, Packers
23) Ryan Mathews, Chargers
24) Knowshon Moreno, Broncos
25) Cedric Benson, Bengals
26) Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks
27) Mark Ingram, Saints
28) Shonn Greene, Jets
29) BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Pats
30) Joseph Addai, Colts
31) Fred Jackson, Bills
32) Brandon Jacobs, Giants
33) Mike Tolbert, Chargers
34) James Starks, Packers
35) Reggie Bush, Dolphins
36) Willis McGahee, Broncos
37) Pierre Thomas, Saints
38) C.J. Spiller, Bills
39) Thomas Jones, Chiefs
40) Daniel Thomas, Dolphins
41) Ben Tate, Texans
42) Jonathan Stewart, Panthers
43) LaDanian Tomlinson, Jets
44) Roy Helu, Redskins
45) Rashad Jennings, Jaguars
46) Danny Woodhead, Patriots
47) Michael Bush, Raiders
48) Ronnie Brown, Eagles
49) Ryan Torain, Redskins
50) Ricky Williams, Ravens
51) Tony Gerhart, Vikings
(Note: In the original list, I had a brain malfunction and neglected to include Michael Turner on this list. Thanks to the reader below for pointing out my mistake. The list had been updated.)
Thoughts:
With the recent hamstring issue, Arian Foster has been falling, in many cases down to 8 or 9. He says his hammy is all good, and I believe him. Foster is too much of a multi-faceted threat not to nab him in the Top 5.
I’m in the “Tim Hightower could be this year’s Arian Foster” camp. Hightower’s a workhorse who finally gets his chance to start (after being 1b to Beanie Wells the past few seasons). Then again, Roy Helu could also be this year’s Arian Foster.
I have Willis McGahee a little higher than most at #35. Touchdown Willie will get his opportunities under John Fox, a coach who knows how to utilize two running backs.
Ahmad Bradshaw has fallen ever so slightly to #18 with the emergence of Brandon Jacobs, who has risen to #31. The Giants have already indicated an intention of getting Jacobs the ball more, and his 6 yards a carry average in the preseason will likely keep them on course.
Other than Danny Woodhead (who will get plenty of opportunities in New England‘s always unpredictable backfield), everyone listed from 40-50 is a backup for a featured runner. Drafting these guys is fine in deep leagues, but you’d be better off throwing darts at wide receivers and tight ends, and seeing which unexpected running backs emerge. I guarantee we’ll see at least one not on this list. Happens every year.
