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By Derek of The Sportmeisters
Hello Football Fans! It’s July, and that means OTA’s and minicamps are all but over and actual training camp is around the corner. Preseason games start on Aug. 13, and boy oh boy I can’t wait.
Now, what I am here to discuss today are my preseason, pre-training camp fantasy rankings for the running backs. Remember, these rankings are based on the player lasting a full 16 games. I am not projecting injuries, but I will tell you who your injury risks are.
Obviously, my rankings are likely to change, but here are my first projections of the year.
1. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings)
Projection: 330 carries, 1600 yards, 13 touchdowns, 25 receptions, 225 yards, one touchdowon
All Day Adrian Peterson is one of the most exciting players in football today, and that translates into a premier fantasy back.
He has 23 touchdowns, 3500 total yards, and 40 receptions in two years. He has the potential to break any play for a big touchdown and had 10 100-yard games last year.
He will probably go No. 1 overall in most drafts, but if he falls into the top five, don’t hesitate to grab him.
2. Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons)
Projection: 330 carries, 1475 yards, 14 touchdowns, six receptions, 50 yards
The Burner proved last year that he has the talent to be a No. 1 running back in the NFL after being a backup for five years. He had 1699 yards and 17 touchdowns last year and looks to do the same this year.
Atlanta is a run-first team, and Turner should get near the same amount of carries as last year (377).
Watch out for a possible breakdown due to the workload, but rumor has it the Falcons want to get Jerious Norwood more involved in the offense. That may mean a few less carries for Turner, which could be a good thing.
He will be a top five pick in all drafts.
3. Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Projection: 265 carries, 1150 yards, 10 touchdowns, 65 receptions, 575 yards, three touchdowns
MJD finally gets his chance to be the No. 1 guy this year after the release of Fred Taylor.
He has piled up 38 touchdowns in three years, not including his two return touchdowns.
Now that he is the No. 1 guy, you can expect more carries and more yards, not to mention his receiving ability.
He will be a first-round pick in most drafts.
4. LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers)
Projection: 275 carries, 1245 yards, 11 touchdowns, 45 receptions, 375 yards, two touchdowns
Most people say that LT is on the decline or that he won’t return to his fantasy greatness.
I disagree.
I think he was hurt more than he let on last year, and now that he is healthy and that Philip Rivers has proven that he can beat a defense, he will be much more effective. He will lose carries to Darren Sproles, but not as many as you may think.
He should remain a first-round pick, but most people will pass on him, leading to the second round. If you can land him in the second round, you just may get the steal of the draft.
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