2012 Fantasy Football Week 3: Running Backs (RB) Rankings / Projections

Hopefully you were patient enough to stick with Trent Richardson in your lineup last week because it paid off, big time. Richardson flashed the ability that had many of us hopeful he was ready for RB1 production coming into training camp. But a second surgery to his knee, and failing to play in the preseason was cause for concern.

Playing against the Bills this week I’m moving Richardson up as a RB1, but he will have harder matchups vs. teams like the Ravens and Steelers as the season progresses. Richardson is a workhorse back, and unlike Chris Johnson he has no problem with contact.

What Did We Learn From Week 2

- Chris Johnson continues to look soft. Sure, the rest of the offense isn’t doing him favors, but the offensive line is giving him some opportunities. While Johnson is conditioned this season, he continues to be an avoid contact player, and it was nice of him to throw his teammates under the bus after the game. At best he’s a flex play start at this point.

- Reggie Bush was terrific against the Raiders, but Oakland did a poor job wrapping up at the second level. Not only did Bush have a few big touchdown runs but rookie Lamar Miller came in clean up duty and torched them as well.

Bush is a RB1 at this point, but expect him to face stiffer competition this week against the Jets.

- Ryan Williams has struggled early on and his key fumble against the Patriots has opened the door for Wells to take on a majority of the Cardinals touches in the backfield. For now, Wells should be considered the option to start in fantasy leagues.

Sean’s Week 3 Watch List

- Andre Brown was solid as he filled in for Ahmad Bradshaw. Rookie David Wilson will be worked into this running game at some point, but he’s made some poor decisions on the football field thus far, and won’t be trusted as a starter week three.

- Mikel Leshoure is back and the Lions are reportedly working out veterans this week for depth. I still like Smith as the starter, unless we hear word of an injury or a demotion. While some believe Leshoure will start, I’m not buying that he will see a majority of the touches.

Leshoure has seen little time on the field, and this is basically his rookie year coming off an Achilles injury.

1	C.J. Spiller	@ Browns
2	Arian Foster	@ Broncos
3	Ray Rice	Patriots
4	Maurice Jones-Drew	@ Colts
5	Trent Richardson	Bills
6	Reggie Bush	Jets
7	LeSean McCoy	@ Cardinals
8	DeMarco Murray	Bucs
9	Marshawn Lynch	Packers
10	Doug Martin	@ Cowboys
11	Michael Bush	Rams
12	Jamaal Charles	@ Saints
13	Darren McFadden	Steelers
14	Ryan Mathews	Falcons
15	Stevan Ridley	@ Ravens
16	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	@ Redskins
17	Frank Gore	@ Vikings
18	Adrian Peterson	49ers
19	Darren Sproles	Chiefs
20	Steven Jackson (I)	@ Bears
21	Alfred Morris	Bengals
22	Willis McGahee	Texans
23	Ben Tate	@ Broncos
24	Mark Ingram	Chiefs
25	Donald Brown	Jaguars
26	DeAngelo Williams	Giants
27	Andre Brown	@ Panthers
28	Kevin Smith	@ Titans
29	Shonn Greene (I)	@ Dolphins
30	Beanie Wells	Eagles
31	Jonathan Stewart	Giants
32	Chris Johnson	Lions
33	Isaac Redman	@ Raiders
34	Michael Turner	@ Chargers
35	Peyton Hillis	@ Saints
36	Cedric Benson	@ Seahawks
37	Jonathan Dwyer	@ Raiders
38	Dayrl Richardson	@ Bears
39	Mikel Leshoure	@ Titans
40	Kendall Hunter	@ Vikings

Week 3 Standard Rankings – QB | WR | TE | Flex | D |