Fantasy Football 2012: The NFL's Top 20 Running Back Combinations

The following slideshow details fantasy football's 20 best running back combinations (standard-scoring leagues), or 1-2 punches, heading into the 2012 season.

To complete a painfully subjective exercise like this demands a criteria that rewards past accomplishments and honors tailback projections for the upcoming fantasy season. So, here are the benchmarks of eligibility:

1. The players named must currently be listed on that team's active roster (no room for trade speculation).

2. The players named must rank as the No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 running back on that team's depth chart.

3. Both tailbacks either averaged 12 touches per game last year (192 for the season) or stand as good bets to eclipse the 192 threshold this year, barring injury.

For example, Chris Johnson may be a top-six back in my world, but Javon Ringer doesn't get the ball enough to garner consideration for this countdown. Hence, the Johnson/Titans exclusion. See how this works?

Even with a thorough assignment like this, there are bound to be omissions (or snubs). But ultimately, it was difficult to incorporate the Browns (Trent Richardson/Montario Hardesty), Bengals (BenJarvus Green-Ellis/Bernard Scott) or Jaguars (Maurice Jones-Drew/Rashad Jennings) into this survey.

As a consolation prize, this listing is subject to change throughout the summer.

Enjoy the show!

20: Michael Turner/Jacquizz Rodgers, Atlanta Falcons

Heading into his age-30 season, we already know that Michael Turner (1,508 total yards, 11 TDs in 2011) will have little impact on the Falcons' passing game and won't break off too many long touchdown runs (last year's 81-yarder against Tampa Bay was the exception to the rule).

But when you're a good bet for 1,350 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, it's easy to look past Turner's unblemished record of under-20 catches for every NFL season.

That's where Jacquizz Rodgers and his immense upside in the passing game enter the picture.

Yes, Rodgers (393 total yards, two TDs) was only targeted 27 times during the regular season; but he also drew six targets in the Falcons' playoff loss to the Giants. As first-year players go, that's a decent progression.

Bottom line: I could have, and probably should have, listed Donald Brown/Delone Carter (Colts) or Maurice Jones-Drew/Rashad Jennings (Jaguars) at this slot; but I'm sticking with my gut here. Rodgers has the tools to evolve into the next Darren Sproles. He just needs time to fulfill that prophecy.

19: Stevan Ridley/Joseph Addai, New England Patriots

There's a reason why the Patriots invested a third-round "luxury" pick on Stevan Ridley in the 2011 draft, and there's a reason why BenJarvus Green-Ellis (1,919 total yards, 24 TDs from 2010-'11) was allowed to sign with the Bengals during the offseason, free and clear.

Ridley can be the next great feature back for an offense that, at least in the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick era, hasn't had a classic workhorse back for multiple seasons. (Green-Ellis probably matched that criteria more than any other Pats runner.)

Joseph Addai (526 total yards, one TD with Indy last year) has plenty of experience in the lead back role. He understands the dynamic of a committee approach, as well.

At age 29 and plagued by injuries the last two seasons, Addai may be nearing the end of his rope as a primary rusher. Conversely, it's fair to wonder if Addai hasn't been this fresh entering an NFL season since 2006 (his rookie year).

I'll side with the latter response for now. From my vantage point, Addai still has the speed, explosion and hands to be a rushing/receiving factor with New England.

18: Willis McGahee/Ronnie Hillman, Denver Broncos

Willis McGahee (1,250 total yards, five TDs last year) deserves some props here, even though the Broncos' new approach to the running game may be drastically different from 2011.

Luckily for McGahee, his greatest competition for consistent touches comes in the form of veteran Knowshon Moreno (rehabbing from an ACL tear) and explosive rookie Ronnie Hillman.

As predictions go, I have McGahee as a comfortable lock for 1,025 total yards and seven touchdowns.

Here's the Hillman scoop: He has decent NFL size (listed at 5'10", 190 pounds), superb hands, game-breaking speed and the versatility of Darren Sproles or Ray Rice.

Verdict: Nonexistent track record in the pros aside, I wouldn't feel comfortable letting Hillman slide past Round 13 in standard-scoring drafts. For PPR setups, bump that notion up to Round 12.

As for Moreno, he might prove to be fantasy football's most accomplished undrafted tailback by season's end. But for now, the focus is on McGahee and Hillman.

17: LeSean McCoy/Dion Lewis, Philadelphia Eagles

If Dion Lewis weren't stuck behind one of the NFL's premier backs on the Eagles depth chart, I truly believe he'd be a 1,100-yard back for another franchise. His likeness to McCoy—both in the pros and at the University of Pittsburgh—is uncanny.

But with LeSean McCoy just entering his prime years as a signature back, Lewis' only recourse is to hope head coach Andy Reid fulfills his offseason declaration of limiting McCoy's touches.

Offseason wishes aside, McCoy is not likely to replicate his 20 total touchdowns from last year, but he is an excellent candidate to eclipse 1,624 total yards—which included 11 games of 100-plus total yards.

In fact, I'll be shocked if "Shady" comes in under the 1,750-yard threshold; a testament to his entrenched role in the Eagles offense.

16: Isaac Redman/Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers

Let's start with a qualifier: I have serious reservations about Rashard Mendenhall (torn ACL in January) being at 100 percent to start the season and have subsequent concerns about Mendy resembling his old, dynamic self any time before November.

So, that will put a lot of pressure on Redman (142 total yards vs. Denver in the playoffs last year) and No. 3 tailback Jonathan Dwyer (113 total yards in Week 5)—especially with the pass-happy Steelers preaching the need for offensive balance throughout the offseason.

Bottom line: It's imperative for Redman (above), Dwyer and Mendenhall to make the most of their touches, just like it's vital for new offensive coordinator Todd Haley to maximize the trio's capabilities, especially in the red zone.

15: LeGarrette Blount/Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Blount (929 total yards, five TDs last year) may have outperformed my 2011 comparison to Earnest Graham, but his per-game numbers (67 total yards, 0.40 TDs) weren't anything to brag about, either.

Cue the arrival of Doug Martin, the explosive Boise State rookie who some draft experts labeled as another Ahmad Bradshaw-type runner.

That should immediately strike a chord with points-per-reception league owners in search of a pass-friendly back in Round 5, although the summertime hype machine for Martin (1,554 total yards, 18 TDs with Boise State last season) may ultimately push him into Round 4.

Either way, Martin will likely share the touches with Blount this year before exploring Bradshaw-type fantasy numbers in 2013.

14: Roy Helu/Evan Royster/Tim Hightower, Washington Redskins

It's uncanny how Helu (above) and backup RB Evan Royster are essentially the same size (6'0", 210 pounds), boast commensurate speed and explosion and yield similar production when given a chance to lead the Redskins' rushing attack.

And for the purposes of this countdown, I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

The highly versatile Helu racked up 1,039 total yards and three touchdowns off only 200 touches last year (5.02 yards per touch) and should be an easy candidate for 1,300 yards with 55-to-60 more touches (conservative estimate).

Royster, in turn, rolled for 302 total yards in Washington's final two games, demonstrating his worth when pressed into extended duty.

And then there's the ultimate wild card, Tim Hightower, who was well on his way to becoming a top-25 tailback last year before a serious knee injury curtailed his season and boosted the roles of Helu and Royster. From my vantage point, it's way too early to declare Hightower as the No. 3 back or starter heading into training camp.

Put it all together, and it'll be interesting to see if Helu and Royster are treated like premier tandem backs this year, or secondary table-setters for Hightower and new QB Robert Griffin III (already deemed the club's starter).

13: Beanie Wells/Ryan Williams, Arizona Cardinals

It's a shame that Ryan Williams incurred a serious knee injury last preseason. His presence might have been enough for the Cardinals to earn an NFC wild-card berth.

But hope springs eternal for Beanie Wells (1,099 total yards, 10 TDs last year) and Williams this time around, as the pair joins forces with receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd to form a fantastic Big Four in Arizona.

Yes, the hard-hitting, star-driven 49ers deserve all the preseason spoils of a defending division champ; but at the same time, don't be surprised if the Cardinals match their NFC West foes, man for man, pound for pound, playmaker for playmaker.

Also, don't be surprised if Williams is logging the majority of between-the-20s carries by season's end. He's a potential star in the making.

12: Ahmad Bradshaw/David Wilson, New York Giants

It'll be fascinating to see how Bradshaw (926 total yards, 11 TDs last year) handles the responsibility of being top dog in New York now that Brandon Jacobs has bolted to San Francisco.

No more partial suspensions in Dallas due to team rules violations.

No more games of under-20 touches (nine last year).

The fate of the Giants' rushing attack—at least until David Wilson finds his rookie legs—rests in Bradshaw's hands...as scary as that sounds.

It's a good thing Bradshaw is a viable candidate for 1,450 total yards and seven touchdowns.

It's even better news that Wilson is an NFL-ready back who could average 80 total yards and 0.4 TDs per outing, if/when pressed into full-time duty.

11: Reggie Bush/Daniel Thomas, Miami Dolphins

Most people recall that Reggie Bush (1,393 total yards, seven TDs) had four straight 100-yard rushing games to close out the season (519 total).

But most forget that Daniel Thomas tallied 249 total yards and one touchdown in his first two pro games (Week 2 vs. Houston, Week 3 at Cleveland)—a fantastic two-outing audition that, at the time, signaled the end of Bush's brief tenure as Miami's franchise back.

But Bush (above) hung in there, waiting out Thomas' injury absence before posting the first 1,000-yard rushing campaign of his receptions-driven career. Incredibly, he had only two games of 50-plus receiving yards.

With the Dolphins under new leadership (head coach Joe Philbin) and without a franchise receiver (you-know-who doesn't count), the versatile services of Bush and Thomas should be in great demand this season.

Bush is a healthy lock for 1,250 total yards and seven touchdowns. Thomas is a lock for 90 total yards—in games where Bush isn't healthy.

10: Jahvid Best/Mikel Leshoure, Detroit Lions

If Leshoure had never ruptured an Achilles during training camp last year and if Best (677 total yards, three TDs in six games last year) had not been shelved for the season after a Week 6 concussion, the Lions' pairing would rank considerably higher here.

But injuries are a gruesome reality in the NFL, and it's not easy to strike a balance between the players Best (above) and Leshoure can be—especially compared to how dire Detroit's running situation would be with more injury absences.

At peak form, few defenders can match Best's top-end speed in the open field, making him an excellent Round 4 candidate in PPR drafts. On the other hand, Leshoure should be dynamite within short-yardage and red-zone situations; something the Lions desperately needed last season.

Bottom line: It's not a reach to suggest 10 touchdowns for the second-year "rookie."

9: Frank Gore/Brandon Jacobs, San Francisco 49ers

If third-string tailback Kendall Hunter was playing for the Bengals, Broncos, Buccaneers or Lions, I would love his season-long prospects as a potential No. 1 or 1A asset.

But with Frank Gore (1,325 total yards, eight TDs last year) and Brandon Jacobs (an absolute beast in short-yardage situations) blocking his path to stardom in San Francisco, he's just another back lost in a crowded backfield.

The same likely holds true for speedy rookie LaMichael James, the No. 4 tailback on the 49ers' depth chart.

What an embarrassment of rushing riches for a club that's genuinely thinking "Super Bowl or Bust" in 2012.

Gore has posted six consecutive seasons of 1,300 total yards (while averaging 8.17 TDs), and Jacobs is a reasonable candidate for 550 total yards and eight touchdowns in a customized role.

8: DeMarco Murray/Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys

From Weeks 7-12 last year, Murray (above) amassed 915 total yards (and two touchdowns)—the second-most prolific six-game stretch of any NFL running back in 2011 (behind Ray Rice).

In the last two seasons (spanning 28 games), Jones amassed 2,046 total yards and three touchdowns.

Whether separate or working together, Murray and Jones have proven to be explosive, versatile talents in both rushing and receiving.

But it's also fair to demand that each back morphs into a better red-zone closer—a major prerequisite for maintaining a top-eight ranking here.

Five or six combined touchdowns just won't cut it. It might even be enough to scare prospective owners from taking Murray in Round 2 or 3 of standard-scoring drafts.

7: Darren Sproles/Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints

Sproles (above) was a surprise top-10 back last season; but it's fair to wonder if he can replicate the 1,300 total yards or 86 receptions (a career high) without Saints head coach Sean Payton calling the plays or setting the general tone of the offense.

To be honest, I cannot wait to see how the New Orleans coaches (and QB Drew Brees) utilize Sproles this time around, knowing defenses will be ready for him.

There should be no confusion with Mark Ingram's role in year two of his development. Sure, he tallied 97 total yards and/or one TD in his six of his 10 games last season, but I also expect him to take another leap from that production, barring injury.

Given the great depth of the Saints rushers (Pierre Thomas, Chris Ivory), Ingram really cannot afford to be a middling contributor in 2012.

6: Jamaal Charles/Peyton Hillis, Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are the only team in this countdown to boast top-five rushing talents from the 2010 season—Jamaal Charles (1,935 total yards, eight TDs) and Peyton Hillis (1,654 total yards, 13 TDs with Cleveland).

But the same could not be said for the 2011 campaign (injury for Charles; injury and personal conflict for Hillis), which may explain why Kansas City doesn't warrant a higher ranking here.

Call it the What-Have-You-Done-For-Me-Lately Effect, or whatever, but Charles (above) and Hillis—potentially one of the NFL's best inside/outside combos—must work together to win back their owners' full support in fantasy circles.

(On a personal note, I've been weighing the pros and cons of keeping Charles or San Diego's Ryan Mathews all summer, knowing the non-keeper won't be available in the re-draft.)

5: DeAngelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers

Of the 40-plus backs prominently mentioned in this countdown, no other one-two combo takes on the Doublemint Gum Twins look more than Williams (left—971 total yards, seven TDs last year) and Stewart (1,174 total yards, five TDs).

Even the adjacent photo captures their uncanny symmetry!

If either Williams or Stewart were given a full-time role in the Carolina offense, they'd be reasonable bets for 1,400 total yards and 10 touchdowns (even with Cam Newton siphoning red-zone opportunities).

But in a time-share agreement, where the backs are randomly featured from week to week, their successful partnership simply serves the greater good.

Both assets should be drafted in Round 5 or 6, depending on your personal preference.

4: Matt Forte/Michael Bush, Chicago Bears

Forte and Michael Bush are essentially the Jamaal Charles/Peyton Hillis of this offseason, using last year's stellar progress (with Chicago and Oakland, respectively) to fuel an elite ranking for the 2012 campaign.

And just like Charles and Hillis, it's fair to wonder if outside factors (contract disputes/adjusting to a new offense) might sidetrack Forte and Bush from maximizing their individual and collective potential.

In a perfect world, Forte (1,487 total yards, four TDs in 12 games last year) and Bush (1,395 total yards, eight TDs) would take their talents to another level and earn the No. 1 spot in next year's countdown.

In an imperfect world, Forte's contentious relationship with Bears management might lead to him wearing a different NFL jersey next spring.

3: Adrian Peterson/Toby Gerhart, Minnesota Vikings

This ranking is a bittersweet accomplishment for the Minnesota rushers.

If Peterson had never suffered a devastating knee injury (torn ACL in Week 16), Gerhart (per-game averages of 90.3 total yards, four TDs in 10-touch games last year) likely wouldn't have accrued enough touches to be known as an elite handcuff.

By extension, Peterson (1,109 total yards, 13 TDs in 12 games last year) would be classified as a "workhorse" back in fantasy circles and would be an easy top-five selection during the August drafts (standard-scoring).

Instead, he'll have to share the limelight with Gerhart while recovering from an injury that will likely bump him into the 31-to-40 range on draft day.

Bottom line: This may be the most important draft-day handcuff. With no more injury setbacks, Peterson and Gerhart are both reasonable targets for a minimum of 1,000 total yards and six touchdowns (with AP garnering substantially more yards and TDs).

2: Arian Foster/Ben Tate, Houston Texans

Time will tell if Arian Foster (1,841 total yards, 12 TDs in 13 games last year) can justify the hype of being the top-ranked running back (and No. 1 overall talent) in the August fantasy drafts.

Time will tell if Ben Tate (1,040 total yards, four TDs) can replicate his eight games of 90 total yards and/or one TD from last year if given the chance for significant touches (with or without Foster on the field).

The key to it all: Don't over-draft Tate in Round 5 or 6. The Foster/Tate dynamic does not mirror Priest Holmes/Larry Johnson from 2005. It's more of a Darren McFadden/Michael Bush thing, where injuries will likely determine the pairing's true value by season's end.

One more thing: Foster is due for 15 games of injury-free bliss. The fantasy gods will grant that request.

1: Fred Jackson/C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills

Fred Jackson (1,376 total yards, six TDs) was the AFC's leading rusher at the time of his season-ending injury (foot); a setback that helped perpetuate the Bills' late slide in 2011.

In Fred's stead, particularly Weeks 15-17, C.J. Spiller racked up 405 total yards and four touchdowns (per-game average of 135 yards/1.33 TDs), reinforcing the notion that he was finally ready to carry the Buffalo offense.

With both backs healthy and ready to lead the Bills to their first playoff berth since the 1999 season, the duo has a realistic shot at 215 combined yards per game. Both runners also have the capacity to rank in the top 15 by season's end.

Bottom line: The true definition of a duo's preseason worth lies with their summertime stock. Citing numerous mock drafts and Average Draft Position rankings, Jackson and Spiller (above) have consistently been the first pairing off the board.

The numbers don't lie.