Fantasy Football: Running Back Rankings

Whether they are in a tandem or not, running backs are still going to dominate the top of the draft board in fantasy football leagues.

If you’re lucky enough to be in the one of top spots, the decision is much easier than when you get into the back half of the draft. As you look at this list, realize that there are several drops in overall talent when you hit certain levels.

Also, this year more than any other, there are going to be players taken in the first round that aren’t running backs. They’re going to go early, so be prepared for that to happen as well.

So, here's what the ‘Table sees as the top backs. And, no, the beer goggles were not on for this one.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson

Even in a bad year, he still was one of the top fantasy performers. You can count on him for 20 touchdowns, in some form, and 1,500 yards.

Just pencil it in every year. Even better, he’s been durable. Make sure you draft his handcuff, once they figure out who that is.

2. Adrian Peterson

Not going to lie, this doesn’t feel quite right. Peterson is coming off a stellar rookie campaign, but is basically without a quarterback. He’s going to be counted on to provide a major bulk of the offense and defenses will be keying on him to make the Vikings throw. Not a great combination.

3. Brian Westbrook

The 'Table can't get past putting Brian Westbrook in the three spot. Westbrook has had his own share of injury issues, and you can count on being held hostage up until kickoff at least once this season. He’s still the best combo back in terms of running and pass-catching in the league.

4. Steven Jackson

He’s got some competition in terms of rookies behind him, but Jackson should be just as solid this year. It was probably unfair last year to peg him as the number two pick, but that was almost by default. Jackson still fits the bill as an every-down back that will be required to carry the load.

5. Joseph Addai

Another every-down back that will thrive in Indy because of the need for defenses to stop Peyton Manning. Addai has no injury history in his past that should concern you and is probably the “safest” of the top-five backs.

6. Frank Gore

This is where it gets tricky. Gore is the horse in San Francisco, but he has very few weapons to help him out.

7. Marshawn Lynch

Obviously, this depends on his, ahem, legal situation. But if Lynch is in camp and working hard, he’s another one of the more reliable backs you can ask for.

8. Clinton Portis

This one would make me nervous as an owner. He’s another guy that can be substituted on the whims of his coach and has struggled with injuries as well. I like Portis, but I don’t know about how he’ll adapt, and how quickly his offensive line will adapt, to a new system.

9. Marion Barber

He’ll get most of the carries now in Dallas and has proven his value even when Julius Jones was around to steal touchdowns. Beware of another Jones stealing carries, but Barber is still solid.

10. Larry Johnson

I feel like we’re saying this a lot, but, if healthy, Johnson is a one of the best in the game. He just hasn’t been healthy enough to show it.

The rest of the backs break down like this:

11. Willis McGahee
12. Willie Parker
13. Maurice Jones-Drew
14. Ryan Grant
15. Laurence Maroney

Another break in talent here. These five should make you feel good right? Well, McGahee forgot where the end zone was for a solid portion of last season and that hurt a lot of teams.

Willie Parker could have his own battle with rookie Rashard Mendenhall in camp. Make sure you handcuff him to Parker.

Jones-Drew adds value in the return game and is always a big play waiting to happen. But until there is no Fred Taylor, you always need to be aware.

Ryan Grant burst on to the scene last season, but needs to be able to take the punishment over an entire campaign. Not an easy task.

And Maroney, well, you never know what the Patriots are going to do. If he’s good, he’ll run the ball. If not, they’ll start pulling people out of the stands.

16. Jamal Lewis
17. Ronnie Brown
18. Reggie Bush
19. Darren McFadden
20. Rudi Johnson

Just last season, Rudi Johnson was a top-round pick. What happened? In essence, nothing. Johnson was hurt and couldn’t compete for the job. He’s certainly a player that could end up with more value than his draft position.

Ronnie Brown is coming back from a devastating knee injury, has to deal with Ricky Williams behind him, and still has no quarterback.

Reggie Bush should be higher than this, but has done nothing to prove himself to the Saints or fantasy owners. We don’t draft on hype, we draft on facts. Bush, so far, has been hype.

Darren McFadden could give the Raiders the speed in the backfield they’ve been looking for. He’s down this low because of his rookie status as much as anything else.

Recommending Jamal Lewis just makes me nervous. If Derek Anderson can repeat his season, then Lewis will be able to repeat his.

21. Brandon Jacobs
22. Michael Turner
23. Edgerrin James
24. Thomas Jones
25. Earnest Graham

Ok, now we’re in the danger zone. Brandon Jacobs is fine. Should be a solid pick, but don’t jump on him too quickly, there are people waiting in the wings and Jacobs will not see all the carries.

Edgerrin James hasn’t run well since he left Indy, likely because he hasn’t had a quarterback that can take enough of the pressure off. His yards per carry have been awful.

Michael Turner has only ever done it as a backup. It’s asking a lot for him to step in and be an offensive leader around a rookie quarterback and untested coach.

Earnest Graham wasn’t heard of until last year and the Bucs have as many running backs as Denver under contract.

Thomas Jones is probably my favorite of this group. It’s a feeling.

26. Matt Forte
27. Julius Jones
28. Kevin Smith
29. Selvin Young
30. Fred Taylor

Julius Jones should win the job in Seattle, with T.J. Duckett a necessary handcuff.

I like Kevin Smith as a sleeper in Detroit.

Selvin Young, well, you know the risk of drafting in Denver.

Matt Forte could surprise some people if he ends up with the job in Chicago.

Fred Taylor is a necessity if you own Jones-Drew. He won’t be bad in his own right either if you play the matchups.

There are plenty of wildcards here. Shaun Alexander still doesn’t have a home, but will certainly play in the mix once he signs on.

Kevin Jones is going to throw a monkey wrench into the mix in Chicago as well.

Carolina will have to make a decision at starter between DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Both will have value, but it really depends on how they are used. It’s a tough situation to be involved with.

Sleeper picks? Look at the two backs in Carolina, Chris Brown and LenDale White.

Top Rookie? Darren McFadden, but look out for Jonathan Stewart, Rashard Mendenhall, and Fred Jackson.

Biggest Bust Potential? Clinton Portis and Jamal Lewis.