Fantasy Football 2012 Week 1 PPR Running Backs (RB) Rankings and Projections

Mike Shanahan has a way of keeping us off track in the world of fantasy football. Before training camp, it was widely thought that Roy Helu would be the starter in Washington.

Then Shanahan told us that Tim Hightower could be first on the depth chart if he were healthy, only afterwards to find out Evan Royster was running with the first team at the start of camp, not Helu.

Helu would see time in Washington’s first preseason game, but he soon after missed a few weeks because of tendonitis in both Achilles.

Royster also went down with an knee injury, paving the way for rookie Alfred Morris to get a start against the Colts. Morris went on to run for more than 100 yards and a touchdown, and it appeared he had the inside track to start Week 1.

Then Royster and Helu returned to practice, and both played well in the team's fourth preseason game against the Buccaneers.

Shortly after that, the Redskins cut Hightower, even though he was healthy enough to work in third-down packages in preseason Week 3, filling in for Morris.

Today we see the current depth chart, and Royster is on top, Helu second and Morris is now third. Whew!

Only a Shanahan-run team could be this crazy, and we haven’t even kicked off Week 1.

What’s A Fantasy Owner To Do?

I still like Helu as the top fantasy back for the long haul on this roster. The Redskins should be somewhat concerned with his Achilles problems, so expect them to use him in some type of committee all year.

For PPR leagues, he has added value and will eventually be worth a flex-play start as we trudge through the first few weeks of the season and Royster falls out of favor, for whatever reason.

Morris and Royster are worth holding for now, and Royster could be a flex start for you this week against the Saints.

Sean’s Prediction

Scratch everything above. Shanahan is likely to grow frustrated with all three backs, cut them all by October and convince Clinton Portis, Brian Westbrook and a no-talent, never-has-been to join the team and lead the league in rushing. In Shanahan we trust.

1	LeSean McCoy	@ Browns
2	Darren McFadden	Chargers
3	Arian Foster	Dolphins
4	Ray Rice	Bengals
5	Matt Forte	Colts
6	Chris Johnson	Patriots
7	Jamaal Charles	Falcons
8	Steven Jackson	@ Lions
9	DeMarco Murray	@ Giants
10	Fred Jackson	@ Jets
11	Doug Martin	Panthers
12	DeAngelo Williams	@ Bucs
13	Ahmad Bradshaw	Cowboys
14	Peyton Hillis	Falcons
15	Frank Gore	@ Packers
16	Willis McGahee	Steelers
17	Darren Sproles (I)	Redskins
18	Marshawn Lynch (I)	@ Cardinals
19	Rashad Jennings	@ Vikings
20	Reggie Bush	@ Texans
21	Michael Turner	@ Chiefs
22	Stevan Ridley	@ Titans
23	Shonn Greene	Bills
24	Kevin Smith (I)	Rams
25	Donald Brown	@ Bears
26	Mark Ingram	Redskins
27	Trent Richardson (I)	Eagles
28	Cedric Benson	49ers
29	Toby Gerhart	Jaguars
30	Michael Bush	Colts
31	Ronnie Brown	@ Raiders
32	Jonathan Dwyer	@ Broncos
33	Evan Royster	@ Saints
34	Isaac Redman (I)	@ Broncos
35	Ryan Williams	Seahawks
36	BenJarvus Green-Ellis (I)	@ Ravens
37	Beanie Wells (I)	Seahawks
38	Roy Helu	@ Saints
39	Jacquizz Rodgers	@ Chiefs
40	Dexter McCluster	Falcons

Week 1 PPR Rankings – RB | WR | Flex | Start / Sit | Waiver Wire |