Power Ranking the Top RBs for Fantasy Football 2012

There's no denying that the National Football League has become a passer's paradise, and you need look no further than the fact that more quarterbacks threw for over 5,000 yards last year than ever before in the NFL.

The changing winds in the NFL have been reflected in fantasy football as well, with the first round of drafts now peppered with quarterbacks, wide receivers and even a tight end or two.

However, if you want to hoist your fantasy football league's trophy at season's end you're going to need a strong stable of running backs, and in order to help you pick the best of the bunch here's a look at my top 25 fantasy running backs for 2012 in point-per-reception (PPR) leagues.

The Studs

1. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens: Rice topped 2,000 total yards last year, has averaged over 70 catches a season the past three years and hasn't missed a game over that stretch.

2. Arian Foster, Houston Texans: The fourth-year pro led all running backs in fantasy points per game in 2011, but be sure to add backup Ben Tate as a "handcuff."

3. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles: As dangerous as they come as both a runner and receiver, but his 20 touchdowns from last year will be hard to replicate.

4. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears: There's a significant drop-off after the "big three" backs, but Forte has gained at least 1,200 total yards in each of his four NFL seasons.

5. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs: Charles racked up over 1,900 total yards in 2010, and the 25-year-old seems to be fully recovered from last season's ACL tear.

Solid RB1s

6. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans: Johnson's struggles to find running room in the preseason are a concern, but he's still a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball.

7. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings: Given his ACL tear last December, Peterson is likely the riskiest pick among the top 10 running backs, but he also possesses top-three upside if he's healthy.

8. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders: McFadden is as talented as they come when he's on the field, but the fifth-year pro has yet to play 16 games in a season.

9. Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints: The eighth-year veteran totaled over 1,300 yards last year and set an NFL record for yards from scrimmage, making him a monster in return yardage leagues.

10. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys: Murray exploded into prominence last year with 253 rushing yards against the Rams and is an interesting upside play for teams that wait to draft a RB1.

High-End RB2 Types

11. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams: No active running back in the NFL has more career carries than Jackson, but the 29-year-old has topped 1,400 total yards each of the past four years.

12. Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers: Mathews was a top-five running back before fracturing his collarbone in the exhibition opener and could be a steal here if he doesn't miss much time.

13. Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The 2012 season's top rookie ball carrier appears to have secured the starting job in Tampa Bay and is a capable runner and receiver.

14. Trent Richardson, Cleveland Browns: Knee surgery has sidelined the third overall pick in April's draft for the entire preseason, but the former Alabama star is expected to be ready for Week 1.

15. Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants: Brandon Jacobs' departure leaves Bradshaw as the unquestioned lead back in the Big Apple for now, but rookie David Wilson waits in the wings.

Risk/Reward RB2s

16. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers: The 29-year-old has topped 1,200 total yards in six consecutive seasons, but the possibility of a reduced role makes Gore something of a risky play.

17. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills: Fred Jackson was a top-five fantasy back in points per game before breaking his leg a year ago, but at 31-years-old and with C.J. Spiller also in Buffalo he might not see enough action for a repeat.

18. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks: No back in the NFL ran harder than Lynch in the second half of last season, but lack of usage in the passing game and off-the-field gaffes are question marks.

19. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars: Jones-Drew led the NFL in rushing a year ago, but the 27-year-old is embroiled in a nasty holdout and hasn't even reported to camp yet.

20. Reggie Bush, Miami Dolphins: For the first time in his career Bush rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2011, but backing that season up may be difficult given the state of the Miami offense.

Borderline Starters

21. Willis McGahee, Denver Broncos: Age and wear-and-tear are concerns, but McGahee rushed for nearly 1,200 yards in 2011 and showed up for camp in outstanding shape.

22. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers: The 25-year-old injured his ankle in Carolina's third preseason game, but the injury isn't thought to be overly serious.

23. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons: The ninth-year bruiser has scored double-digit touchdowns each of the last three years but may find himself the odd man out in Atlanta's new high-flying offense.

24. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cincinnati Bengals: Green-Ellis doesn't exactly scream fantasy upside, but he should see a boatload of carries for the run-first Bengals.

25. Peyton Hillis, Kansas City Chiefs: Hillis isn't technically a starter for the Chiefs, but there should be enough carries to go around for both he and Jamaal Charles to be fantasy factors this season.