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Friday, August 17, 2012

Fantasy 101 Episode 3: RBs

In this third installment of my Fantasy 101 series we will break down the running back position. This is one the most crucial components to fantasy success and takes knowledge to ensure that your team flourishes. The running back position is spread pretty thin so you have to draft smart. If you have a chance at an elite back take him. If the back you want in later rounds is top 3 to 5 in best available take him. Feel free to reach for a back if you really like him. Once again this rankings are solely based on fantasy purposes not who I believe is the best back in the league.

10. Trent Richardson - This guy is probably the most ready made back since Adrian Peterson. He is a tough runner. Speed with power. The total package. He is featured in an offense that has a little known and unproven receiving core and a rookie QB. We will have to see how this knee affects him, but otherwise a solid pick. Early second round.

9. Matt Forte -  In 2010 no one accounted for more percentage of an offense's yards than Matt Forte. Last year he got hit with an injury and didn't play a full season. With the addition of Brandon Marshall on the outside that should loosen up the box for him. He is primed for a big season as long as he stays healthy. Second Round.

8. Marshawn Lynch - "Darren Shaper HMD" the beast himself. Very solid year last year. He is the feature back in an offense that is unsure what will happen at the quarterback position this year. I think he will be better this year than last year with the addition on T.O. He will stretch the field and open up the box for Marshawn. Second Round.

7. Darren McFadden - Before his injury last season McFadden was well on his way to becoming a premiere back in this league. The offense is old school. They are a ground and pound, run to set up the pass, bootlegging type team. And he is the center of it. Yet another back coming off an injury. As long as he returns to form solid pick. First Round.

6. Chris Johnson - CJ2K, Mr. 2000 himself is going to do copious amounts of work this season. People forget about him because his numbers dropped last year. 2nd year in a new offense with training camp and OTAs he will be ready. The Titans offense is in flux. They don't know what to do at the quarterback position. Kenny Britt is an idiot, and their best receiver is either a rookie or their tight end. FEATURE BACK. First Round.

5. Adrian Peterson - Only Adrian Peterson could come back from a major knee surgery in such a short amount of time and no one be worried about it. He is a physical specimen. The Lebron James of the NFL. He is the man in an offense without a true number one receiver and a young quarterback. This team passes about as much as the Patriots run the ball. If healthy solid pick. First Round.

4. Maurice Jones-Drew - Don't worry guys MJD isn't going to disappoint this year. This contract situation is tough to deal with but he will still be one of the top guys in fantasy this year. He is too big of a fantasy fan to let his numbers slip. Young QB, new deep threat WR equals a big year for MJD. First Round.

3. Ray Rice - He is the best player on the Ravens offense. They find ways to get him in space. He has great hands and the screen game is a huge part of this offense. He was 2nd in receiving yards among RBs and took 3 of those in the endzone. Top 5 pick.

2. Arian Foster - He is the top rated player on both ESPN and Yahoo boards. He is the Running back in an offense that features the run to set up the play action pass. Even with missing time early in the season with an injury he finished strong with 1200 yards rushing and 600 receiving with 12 total TDs. There were times last year where he put the Texans on his back. Without health being a concern he will have the same success this year. Top  3 Pick

1. LeSean McCoy - No one had more Rushing TDs last year that LeSean McCoy. He seems to be the most consistent player in the Eagles offense. He has speed on the outside so he always has clean running lanes. He catches passes out of the backfield. He is their go to man in Goal and short situations. Top 3 Pick.

A few sleepers?

Cedric Benson- A new team, a fresh start, and a quarterback that strikes fear in an opponents defense would be any running back's dream. Most people say he won't get carries and touches because Green Bay doesn't run the ball a lot. But they haven't had a back this good in a while. Only owned in 42% of leagues typical going 10 or later rounds.

Donald Brown - He will be the feature back in an offense that has a rookie QB. He will have a very solid year because the best way to protect a rookie QB is the run game and the screen game. Only owned by 60% in yahoo leagues. Going 10 or later rounds.

Darren Sproles  - The Saints are running back by committee team. But of that committee he managed to lead all running backs in receiving yards and touchdowns with 710 and 7 respectively. In a PPR he is a dream. 4th or 5th Round.

I wouldn't draft these guys....

Ryan Matthews - Many have taken Ryan Matthews first round, and many have cursed the Fantasy Gods. This guy cannot stay healthy to save his life. Hurt yet again this preseason. Could be out until October. I just don't trust it. Let some one else take a chance on that.

Doug Martin - Who? Yeah he is a rookie running back from The New York Football Giants. Not sold on him as high as he is rated. Also Ahmad Bradshaw isn't just going to hand the job over to him. At best he is splitting carries. There are far better options unless he falls.

Stephen Jackson- Beast of a running back. Will get a lot of carries and yards. but he doesn't score TDs. His offense is garbage and he can't do everything. At the end of the day unless your league gives bonuses for 100 yard games the name of the game is touchdowns. He doesn't see the endzone often enough for how high he is rated.

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