Fantasy Football 2012: Running Back Rankings and Tiers

As offenses in the NFL shift their focuses to the passing game at an increasing rate and teams switch to two-back systems, productive fantasy running backs are becoming more and more difficult to find.

Fantasy leagues tend to require at least two running backs to start per team, and running backs tend to be more consistent than their receiving counterparts.

Consistently good is better than consistently bad, so fantasy teams with productive running backs have a decided advantage over teams without good rushers.

Because of that, I think running back is still the most important position in fantasy football.

It should be treated accordingly.

Here’s what my draft board looks like.

Tier 10: Handcuffs/Bench Options

Any player in this tier has the opportunity to rip off at least a solid game or two if injuries strike the guys ahead of them on the depth chart (or if they heal up from some injuries of their own).

But I doubt they’ll incite confidence as starters in the first month of the fantasy season.

Unless they are drafted as handcuffs, the following guys will likely be selected very late, or will be available on the waiver wire following your draft.

65. Dion Lewis, Philadelphia Eagles

64. Joe McKnight, New York Jets

63. Brandon Jacobs, San Francisco 49ers

62. Ronnie Hillman, Denver Broncos

61. Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins

60. Mike Tolbert, Carolina Panthers

59. Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions

58. James Starks, Green Bay Packers

57. Isaac Redman, Pittsburgh Steelers

56. Roy Helu, Washington Redskins

Tier 9: Depth Options

If one of these running backs is on my team, I’m expecting him to be my No. 5 or No. 6 fantasy running back. Most, if not all, of these rushers should be around in the late rounds of your drafts.

55. Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys

54. Daniel Thomas, Miami Dolphins

53. Mike Goodson, Oakland Raiders

52. Stevan Ridley, New England Patriots

51. LaMichael James, San Francisco 49ers

50. Rashad Jennings, Jacksonville Jaguars

49. Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions

Tier 8: Low Risk, Medium Reward

Each running back listed below should also be found in late rounds of drafts. Each is still a handcuff, on pass-oriented teams (Cedric Benson) or has a younger rusher breathing down his neck (Beanie Wells).

If one of the players on this list is on my team, I’m looking for him to be my No. 5 running back. They should also be available in the late rounds of your drafts.

48. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints

47. Ronnie Brown, San Diego Chargers

46. Jacquizz Rodgers, Atlanta Falcons

45. Cedric Benson, Green Bay Packers

44. Tim Hightower, Washington Redskins

43. Beanie Wells, Arizona Cardinals

42. Isaiah Pead, St. Louis Rams

41. Phillip Tanner, Dallas Cowboys

Tier 7: Tandem Options, Part 1

Upon drafting the running backs in this group, I would expect for them to be my No. 4 or No. 5 fantasy rushers. They’ll be available in the middle-to-late rounds.

40. Michael Bush, Chicago Bears

39. David Wilson, New York Giants

38. Shane Vereen, New England Patriots

37. Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints

36. Mikel Leshoure, Detroit Lions

35. Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers

34. LeGarrette Blount, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tier 6: Tandem Options, Part 2/Matchup Plays

I like the members of this tandem group a bit more. Shonn Greene qualifies as a tandem rusher as he has a non-zero chance of sharing the backfield with Tim Tebow.

I wouldn’t mind having any of these players as my No. 4 fantasy rusher in leagues that allow only two starters at running back. I’m not interested in starting any of them in the immediate future, however.

The following running backs should be available in the middle rounds.

33. Ryan Williams, Arizona Cardinals

32. Peyton Hillis, Kansas City Chiefs

31. Evan Royster, Washington Redskins

30. Shonn Greene, New York Jets

29. Ben Tate, Houston Texans

Tier 5: Tandem Options, Part 3/Flex Options

The players in this list would be fantastic No. 4 fantasy running backs or decent No. 3 options.

They would be solid bye week plays and if the questions around their backfield situations dissolve, they have the potential to deserve more playing time in your fantasy lineup.

I’m looking for the following players in Rounds 6 or 7.

28. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers

27. Toby Gerhart, Minnesota Vikings

26. Willis McGahee, Denver Broncos

25. C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills

24. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers

Tier 4: Low-End Starters

The running backs listed below have fewer questions surrounding their roles than most of the preceding players. I would like having them as number three options on my own team, and would look for them starting around Round 5.

23. Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts

22. Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants

21. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cincinnati Bengals

20. Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers

Tier 3: No. 2 Options

Any back in this list would be a fine No. 2 fantasy running back for most teams, and will likely be drafted accordingly.

But these are the guys that I would rather have as my No. 3 backs.

The following players should be around in the third or fourth rounds.

19. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers

18. Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

17. Reggie Bush, Miami Dolphins

16. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons

15. Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints

14. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills

Tier 2: No. 1 Options

The running backs listed here will most likely be drafted as some team’s fantasy bell cow.

All of them have tremendous upside.

All of them have questions, but any of them could be the top fantasy rusher.

If you miss out on the players in Tier 1, you’ve got to get one or two of these guys. They should be available in Round 2 or 3.

13. Trent Richardson, Cleveland Browns

12. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

11. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

10. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

9. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

8. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks

7. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

Tier 1: Absolute Must Haves

I want two of these running backs.

Even if I have to spend each of my first two picks, I will get two of these running backs.

Even if I had the first two picks of the draft, I will get two of these running backs.

The position is that important.

6. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams

5. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

4. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

3. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

2. Arian Foster, Houston Texans

1. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles

Feel free to pick apart my rankings below, and be sure to check out my 2012 Wide Receiver Rankings!