Week Seven Fantasy Rankings: Top 35 Running Backs

Let’s take an early look at how the running backs stack up for fantasy owners in Week Seven.  Is Adrian Peterson No. 1?  Where does the returning Frank Gore slot in?  These will be updated throughout the week, so make sure to keep checking back for the latest:

1. Michael Turner - Atlanta Falcons - at Dallas
2. Adrian Peterson - Minnesota Vikings - at Pittsburgh
3. DeAngelo Williams - Carolina Panthers - vs. Buffalo
4. Ryan Grant - Green Bay Packers - at Cleveland
5. Cedric Benson - Cincinnati Bengals - vs. Chicago
6. Ronnie Brown - Miami Dolphins - vs. New Orleans
7. LaDainian Tomlinson - San Diego Chargers - at Kansas City
8. Clinton Portis - Washington Redskins - vs. Philadelphia
9. Steve Jackson - St. Louis Rams - vs. Indianapolis
10. Steve Slaton - Houston Texans - vs. San Francisco
11. Brian Westbrook - Philadelphia Eagles - at Washington
12. Brandon Jacobs - New York Giants - vs. Arizona
13. Marion Barber - Dallas Cowboys - vs. Atlanta
14. Matt Forte - Chicago Bears - at Cincinnati
15. Frank Gore - San Francisco 49ers - at Houston
16. Marshawn Lynch - Buffalo Bills - at Carolina
17. Rashard Mendehall - Pittsburgh Steelers - vs. Minnesota
18. Thomas Jones - New York Jets - at Oakland
19. Pierre Thomas - New Orleans Saints - at Miami
20. Joseph Addai - Indianapolis Colts - at St. Louis
21. Carnell Williams - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - vs. New England
22. Sammy Morris - New England Patriots - at Tampa Bay
23. Ricky Williams - Miami Dolphins - vs. New Orleans
24. Jonathan Stewart - Carolina Panthers - vs. Buffalo
25. Ahmad Bradshaw - New York Giants - vs. Arizona
26. Darren Sproles - San Diego Chargers - at Kansas City
27. Larry Johnson - Kansas City Chiefs - vs. San Diego
28. Jamal Lewis - Cleveland Browns - vs. Green Bay
29. Michael Bush - Oakland Raiders - vs. New York Jets
30. Tim Hightower - Arizona Cardinals - at New York Giants
31. Donald Brown - Indianapolis Colts - at St. Louis
32. Tashard Choice - Dallas Cowboys - vs. Atlanta
33. Leon Washington - New York Jets - at Oakland
34. Fred Jackson - Buffalo Bills - at Carolina
35. Jamaal Charles - Kansas City Chiefs - vs. San Diego

Quick Thoughts

• It was just last week where I said Peterson had to be the top rated RB, no matter what. Well, I need to revise that statement. The Steelers are the second best running defense in the league, so while Peterson should still put up solid numbers, the chances of him putting up the biggest and best numbers of the week appears to be a long shot. Let’s just say that Peterson should be the top running back almost every week.
• The Bills defense has been very prone to the rushing touchdown. We all know that DeAngelo Williams is a touchdown magnet. That seems like the perfect situation, doesn’t it?
• Frank Gore is expected to return this week, but how much of the load is he going to shoulder? Glen Coffee should continue to get looks, meaning Gore’s value could be hindered a bit.
• I know, LaDainian Tomlinson seventh? Really? It may change as the week progresses, but for now he easily could get healthy rushing against the porous Chiefs defense.
• I’d rank Steve Jackson higher, but the potential of the Rams getting into a shootout with the Colts has to lower his value a bit for the upcoming week.
• Rashard Mendenhall was the main back in week six and appears primed to shoulder the load over Willie Parker. That makes him a solid play in all formats.
• Donald Brown could be a good option as a FLEX back this week.  Who else likes the chances of the Colts in a romp?

What are your thoughts?  Who was left off the list?  Who should be higher?  Who should be lower?

Other Week Seven Rankings:

• Quarterbacks
• Wide Receivers

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