2012 PPR Fantasy Football Week 6: Running Backs (RB) Rankings

Targets is my focus for this weeks PPR running back article. While the usual suspects are towards the top of the list for running backs like Darren Sproles, Ray Rice, LeSean McCoy and Ryan Mathews, we have some players who might surprise you that aren’t getting the looks we would hope for.

C.J. Spiller Needs More Targets

Sustaining drives is a good way to get both Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller back on track, let alone the obvious need to play with a lead.

When Jackson was out of the lineup it was understandable that the Bills would focus Spiller’s workload towards the ground game rather than the passing attack. That said, with Jackson back in action over the past two weeks, I’m disappointed Spiller’s targets haven’t gone up.

This was a problem last year, and for whatever reason head coach Chan Gailey continues to do a poor job of keeping Spiller active enough (only eleven targets on the season) when Jackson is in.

What is most troubling is the fact that the Bills have played from way behind in recent games, obviously a sign for more passing, yet Spiller hasn’t had a game with more than three targets.

This could be in part, because Spiller’s shoulder injury from week three is still a problem and Buffalo’s coaching staff is concerned about overworking him.

Who knows, but for Spiller’s fantasy prospects going forward, we need to see him touching the football at least five times in the passing game a week, to hold RB2 status with Jackson splitting time in the backfield.

Gore Continues To See Little In Passing Game

While Frank Gore is having another solid start to the season his nine targets through five games suggest his value will take a hit in PPR leagues, when compared to standard leagues.

This was a problem for Gore last year and since head coach Jim Harbaugh has come to town, it is obvious that he wants to limit Gore’s touches to keep him fresh. In case you were hoping for a bounce back season in the passing game, it’s time to squash those thoughts and expect more of the same.

Reggie Bush Limited Since Knee Injury

The Dolphins are keeping Bush on a pitch count in recent weeks since his Week 3 knee injury. Through the first two weeks Bush was averaging five targets a game, but over the past three contests the veteran has only four total targets.

This could be a problem for the rest of the season, as the coaching staff must realize he has a long history of knee problems.

It seemed like a good idea to get him the football in the passing game early, as Ryan Tannehill had little to work with at receiver. With Brian Hartline and Davone Bess proving to be reliable options, perhaps this trend of light work in in the passing game will continue.

1	LeSean McCoy	Lions
2	Ray Rice	Cowboys
3	Arian Foster (I)	Packers
4	Trent Richardson	Bengals
5	Jamaal Charles	@ Bucs
6	Ryan Mathews	Broncos
7	Adrian Peterson	@ Redskins
8	Alfred Morris	Vikings
9	Marshawn Lynch	Patriots
10	Darren McFadden	@ Falcons
11	Willis McGahee	@ Chargers
12	Reggie Bush	Rams
13	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	@ Browns
14	Frank Gore	Giants
15	Michael Turner	Raiders
16	Ahmad Bradshaw	@ 49ers
17	Rashard Mendenhall	@ Titans
18	Doug Martin	Chiefs
19	DeMarco Murray	@ Ravens
20	C.J. Spiller	@ Cardinals
21	Mikel Leshoure	@ Eagles
22	Steven Jackson	@ Dolphins
23	Stevan Ridley	@ Seahawks
24	Bilal Powell	Colts
25	LeGarrette Blount	Chiefs
26	Kendall Hunter	Giants
27	Fred Jackson	@ Cardinals
28	William Powell	Bills
29	Alex Green	@ Texans
30	Chris Johnson	Steelers
31	Vick Ballard	Jets
32	Brandon Bolden	@ Seahawks
33	Jacquizz Rodgers	Raiders
34	Shonn Greene	Colts
35	Ben Tate (I)	Packers
36	Larod Stephens-Howling	Bills
37	Joique Bell	@ Eagles
38	James Starks	@ Texans
39	Danny Woodhead	@ Seahawks
40	David Wilson	@ 49ers

Week 6 PPR Rankings – RB | WR | Flex | Waivers | Start / Sit |