NFL Daily Fantasy Football 2015: Projecting Top DraftKings Performers at RB

"Real life" running back value has plummeted over the past ten seasons. In 2005, according to NFL.com, three running backs were selected in the top five. From 2013-15, just two running backs were selected in the entire first round! 

But every year, the first round of fantasy football drafts is peppered with running backs. Right now, Fantasy Football Calculator shows six running backs going in the first round of 12-team points-per-reception (PPR) leagues.

Why the dichotomy? 

Well, the league has figured out that running back is the position most dependent on others—namely the offensive line and quarterback. Other than a few studs, most of the league's running backs are (relatively) replaceable. That, in turn, puts a premium on the top five-to-ten ball carriers in fantasy football. Because if you're not a stud, you're easily replaced. 

So which guys will be top-five selections this season? My guess is as good as yours. Well, hopefully it's better.

Let's get into it!

1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

OK, I'm not going out on a huge limb here. Adrian Peterson has been the best running back in the league since the day he first stepped onto the field in 2007. He is a straight-up beast. Peterson has averaged 98 yards per game on 5.0 yards per carry throughout his career.

His only downfall has been a plethora of lackluster weapons around him. Yes, Peterson enjoyed one year with peak Brett Favre and part of one year with weak Brett Favre. He's also lined up behind Tarvaris Jackson, Gus Frerotte, old Donovan McNabb and Samantha Ponder's husband, Christian Ponder.

Now he gets Teddy Bridgewater! There are weapons around him. Charles Johnson? Check. Mike Wallace? Check. There's a sizable chance he won't be running against eight-man fronts. 

Now, this probably won't be Peterson's best season (that belongs to 2012), but 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns is well within reach.

2. Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers

Everyone wants a piece of this Steelers offense. From Week 7 through Week 17, Pittsburgh averaged 31.2 points and 419.8 yards per game.

Le'Veon Bell? Yeah, he was a pretty massive part of that production. The second-year back ran for 1,361 yards and caught 83 balls for 854 more yards. Bell should put up another monster stat line, provided he stays healthy.

He did, however, get suspended for the first two games of this season, per NFL.com's Marc Sessler. So if you're drafting Le'Veon, or buying him in an auction draft, you have to close your eyes and hope for a 1-1 start to the season—because 0-2 is a big hole to emerge from if you're planning on making the playoffs. 

3. C.J. Anderson, Denver Broncos

I bet you thought I was going chalk all the way through. 

Nope! The Broncos' C.J. Anderson, currently going sixth among running backs according to Fantasy Football Calculator, checks in at number three on this list. 

Why? 

Well, from Week 10 through Week 17, Anderson ran for 805 yards, eight touchdowns, and caught 30 balls. It's a small sample size, but C.J. is the Broncos' starter entering this season. Historically, the running back in any Peyton Manning-led offense will be a massive fantasy performer. 

From Edgerrin James to Joseph Addai to Knowshon Moreno, every RB that has lined up behind No. 18 has piled up stats. This season, C.J Anderson will not buck that trend. 

4. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

As evidenced by the above clip, Jamaal Charles is really, really fast. He's also agile, smart and just durable enough. Last year, Charles missed a little more than a game, and the extremely capable Knile Davis stepped in and performed. 

This year, if Charles can stay healthy throughout the season, Davis won't see much of the field. Charles is the perfect back for Kansas City's system. Their quarterback, Alex Smith, is the king of screens and short throws. Charles has caught 110 balls in the past two years with Smith as his distributor. 

As for the receiving game, hopefully recently acquired Jeremy Maclin and a healthier Travis Kelce will help keep defenses from jamming the line of scrimmage. If Charles faces fewer eight- and nine-man fronts, he'll likely top five yards per carry for the eighth-straight season.

5. Joseph Randle, Dallas Cowboys

Before you freak out, here's DeMarco Murray's 2014 stat line courtesy of NFL.com: 392 attempts, 1,845 yards, 4.7 yards per attempt, 57 receptions, 416 receiving yards, 13 total touchdowns.

Let's assume Joseph Randle, who'll be running behind the same offensive line in the same offensive scheme with the same quarterback, get's 75 percent of the touches Murray got. Let's also assume he isn't as dominant and averages just 4.5 yards per carry. 

Here's his line with those projections: 294 attempts, 1,323 yards, 4.5 yards per carry, 43 receptions, 312 receiving yards, 10 total touchdowns. That is a huge season!

Though Randle is the projected starter, nothing is set in stone. The Cowboys did bring in Darren McFadden to challenge Randle. They also have the squirrely and sure-handed Lance Dunbar available to take over some of the third-down duties. 

The fact is, whoever emerges as Dallas' No. 1 ball-carrier should be in for a monster season. Right now, that person is Joseph Randle.