TOP 40 Fantasy Football Picks for Running Backs

I’m releasing my TOP 40 Fantasy Football Picks for Running Backs.  Now this was as of May 2010, so you will need to do due diligence to evaluate injuries and such. I’ve kept these close to my heart as I didn’t want to let the cat out of the bag before my first draft this weekend. Take a look and feel free to build your own cheat sheets from this.  Be sure to sign up for my Free picks and tips at http://JohnnyNFL.com.

1. Chris Johnson/Titans- After last season’s incredible performance, Johnson will be the number one overall pick in just about every fantasy draft, and deservedly so. Johnson is not only a great runner but catches the ball as well, making him a valuable fantasy choice. Let’s face facts, chances are he isn’t going to put up the same kind of numbers as last year, especially since C Kevin Mawae is gone, but Johnson is still good enough to be the top fantasy player of 2010.
2. Maurice Jones-Drew/Jaguars- Much like Johnson, Drew is also a double threat. He is also the one the Jaguars look to when they need a TD inside the 5 yard line, and with an improving offensive line should again be one of the top fantasy players of 2010. He may lose a few carries here and there to 2^nd year RB Rashad Jennings or rookie RB Deji Karim, but he will still see the lion’s share of playing time, making him one of the top fantasy players of 2010.
3. Ray Rice/Ravens- What can you say about Ray Rice? The ex-Rutgers standout does it all and is now the main focal point of the Raven offense. The improvement of the passing game with the addition of WR Anquan Boldin and a couple of highly touted rookie TE’s may bring his numbers down a bit, but with an offensive line that is one of the best in the league and getting better, Rice should again be a dominant fantasy force in 2010, even with Willis McGahee stealing some playing time.
4. Adrian Peterson/Vikings- With the Vikings offensive line still being a force, Peterson should again be a dominant fantasy RB. Rookie RB Toby Gerhart will likely see some action to give Peterson a breather at times, but Peterson has the ability to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. Having Peterson on your fantasy squad will be a great start to your draft.
5. Frank Gore/49ers- Gore is another double threat who can put up outstanding numbers, even with an average offensive line. With the improvement of TE Vernon Davis and WR Josh Morgan, the Niners passing game should open up the run a bit, meaning Gore will have a chance to score touchdowns. Gore is still one of the top fantasy choices for 2010, and can be just as valuable as any of the running backs taken before him.
6. Ricky Williams/Dolphins- Williams could drop down a bit in the rankings depending on if the Dolphins re-sign RB Ronnie Brown. Williams showed last season that he is more than capable of carrying the load for the Dolphins, and if he is entrusted with that responsibility again could be a very valuable fantasy player. Williams pass catching skills are often under-rated, and he still has enough speed to take it to the end zone if the defense misses a tackle or two.  QB Chad Pennington should be back healthy, and the addition of WR Brandon Marshall should improve the passing game and open up the running game. Throw in the fact that Miami’s offensive line is also getting better, and Williams may be one of the top fantasy RB’s of 2010.
7. Jonathon Stewart/Panthers- Carolina has an average offensive line, but that hasn’t stopped Stewart and DeAngelo Williams from running through opposing defenses, and this year should be no different. Stewart is a talented runner who may see more time this season, and with the lack of a consistent passing game the Panthers will likely be running the ball as often as they can, providing Stewart with not only a good number of carries, but a chance to score quite a few touchdowns as well.
8. Michael Turner/Falcons- Coming off an injury plagued season and playing behind an offensive line that is only average at the moment, Turner could have trouble slipping into the top 5 this season. He is still their number one threat on the ground and should score his share of touchdowns, but the emergence of RB Jason Snelling  and a healthy Jerious Norwood could mean Turner’s value as a fantasy RB will still be good, but not as high as it used to be.
9. Rashard Mendenhall/Steelers- With Willie Parker now gone to the Redskins, Mendenhall is now the main RB in Pitt. Mewelde Moore is still a good 3^rd down back, and the offensive line is still only average, but Mendenhall should get a lot of carries this year, enabling him to put up some valuable fantasy numbers in both yards and TD’s.
10. DeAngelo Williams/Panthers- It’s rare that two RB’s from the same team would be in the top 10, but Stewart and Williams aren’t your typical one two punch. Each brings a sensational ability to break tackles and then run away from people, and without a potent passing game they should both be valuable fantasy RB’s again in 2010.
11. Joseph Addai/Colts- While Addai may not be as highly rated as he once was, he is still a scoring machine on a team that scores a lot of points. Addai may not run for 100 yards in a game very much anymore, but he can still catch passes and is still a scoring threat every time the Colts have the ball inside the 10. Addai is a consistent fantasy scorer who can be a strong starter for your fantasy team.
12. Fred Jackson/Bills- Jackson proved last season that he is not only a threat running the ball, but can be a reliable pass catcher as well. There is a possibility Jackson may have to move down in the rankings, however, as Marshawn Lynch will be ready to play a full season and the Bills also drafted rookie RB C.J.Spiller. If Jackson hangs on to the starting job, he could be a very valuable fantasy player as the Bills passing game may be the worst in the league and Jackson will likely see the ball a lot.
13. Jamaal Charles/Chiefs- This is a tough call because of the signing of ex-Jet RB Thomas Jones, but both players could play a major role in the Chief’s offense this season. Charles can catch the ball out of the backfield, and with an improved defense the Chiefs are likely going to want to play ball control and run the ball as much as possible. The offensive line should be improved with the addition of ex-Colt Ryan Lilja at G, meaning Charles may be an under-valued fantasy commodity in 2010.
14. Steven Jackson/Rams- Jackson may move up in the rankings, but the inability of the Rams offense to score points is a major detriment to Jackson’s value. Jackson is an excellent running back, but with an offensive line that is still trying to come together and a rookie QB at the helm, many defenses number one priority will likely be to stop the running game, leaving Steven Jackson with a limited number of holes to run through. Jackson should still put up some decent fantasy points because of his talent, but the number of TD’s he is likely to score will make him a 2^nd or 3^rd round fantasy choice.
15. Ryan Grant/Packers- Grant is an under-rated RB, but this year his rating may be a bit tougher to figure out. RB Brandon Jackson is still a decent backup but rookie James Starks may be better and may steal some carries away from both Grant and Jackson. Throw in the fact that Green Bay’s offensive line can be inconsistent and the fact that they also have a potent passing attack and you can see why Grant will likely still be a valued fantasy starter, but not valuable enough to be more than a 2^nd or 3^rd round pick.
16. Reggie Bush/Saints- As long as the Saints re-sign RB Pierre Thomas, Bush will again be a premier RB in PPR leagues. His rushing value should go up should the Saints not re-sign Thomas, but considering Bush is such a potent pass catcher he can still provide fantasy value as a flex player or even a number two RB if the rest of your team is strong enough.
17. Thomas Jones/Chiefs- Jones should be part of a two-headed RB tandem with Jamaal Charles that has a chance to put up some good fantasy numbers. Jones has been under-rated almost his whole career, and this year will likely be no different. Don’t be afraid to pull the trigger on Jones and insert him as a flex player in your fantasy lineup.
18. Justin Forsett/Seahawks- Forsett did an excellent job filling in last year, and has a chance to take over as the number one RB this season. Julius Jones may still have some value as a backup, ex-Jet Leon Washington will likely be more of a third down back, and ex-Titan Lendale White could steal some goal line touches, but there is a possibility that he may not even make the team. With an improving offensive line, Forsett could be a pretty good fantasy choice if he can hold on to the starting job. We’ll see how this progresses as the preseason unfolds.
19. Cedric Benson/Bengals- While Benson did have a good year last season, I’m still not convinced that the Bengals offensive line is that good. Benson is their number one back, however, meaning he will have a chance to put up some decent fantasy numbers again in 2010.
20. Brandon Jacobs/Giants- It seemed that Jacobs just couldn’t get on track last season, but don’t let that scare you away from him in 2010. The Giants offensive line is still one of the best in the NFL, and even with the presence of Ahmad Bradshaw, Jacobs should be able to provide value as a 2^nd RB or flex player.
21. Chris “Beanie” Wells/Cardinals- Wells will likely take over this season as the number one RB, but will likely still lose playing time to RB Tim Hightower. With QB Kurt Warner retiring, however, the Cards may want to try and run the ball more, giving Wells a decent value as a fantasy starter.
22. Tim Hightower/Cardinals- Hightower is a good pass catcher out of the backfield and also is counted on to score inside the 5. Hightower and Wells both may put up decent fantasy numbers  this season and could present value to your fantasy roster.
23. Ahmad Bradshaw/Giants- Don’t expect the Giants running game to falter again in 2010. Bradshaw has the capability to be a 1,000 yard rusher and also score some TD’s even splitting time with Brandon Jacobs.
24. (R)Montario Hardesty/Browns- This ranking depends a lot on whether or not the Browns eventually re-sign RB Jerome Harrison. With the way Harrison played at the end of last year, it’s hard to imagine that they wouldn’t want him back, but the longer he is away from the team, the better chance Hardesty will have to take over the starting job. The Browns passing game is still not that good, but with an offensive line that should be pretty good and an ability to also catch the ball out of the backfield, Hardesty could be one sleeper to keep an eye on this season.
25. Matt Forte/Bears- While Forte is still a talented double threat, the addition of ex-Viking RB Chester Taylor will likely mean less playing time. The offensive line and defense should also be improved this season, meaning the Bears will likely want to run the ball more as well. While Forte may not be as valuable as he was his rookie season, he has the chance to move up in the rankings and be a solid fantasy player. This is another ranking that you’ll have to keep an eye on as the preseason progresses.
26. Knowshown Moreno/Broncos- Moreno had a decent rookie season, and should be able to put up comparable numbers this year. The presence of RB Correll Buckhalter still hurts his overall value, but the loss of WR Brandon Marshall will likely translate into running the ball more, which could help. The offensive line is still no better than average, however, which is why Moreno is not ranked higher.
27. Darren Sproles/Chargers- Sproles will likely split time with rookie RB Ryan Matthews, but will still have some value as a receiver out of the backfield. While Sproles may not be an every down back, he can still be a decent fantasy player that will be an asset, especially in PPR leagues.
28. Marion Barber/Cowboys- It’s hard to believe that Barber has not held up to his high ranking the past two seasons, but RB’s Felix Jones and Tashard Choice have had a lot to do with that. All three of these RB’s have proven to be an important part of the Cowboys offense. With one of the top 5 offensive lines in football, Barber should again be a decent fantasy player, but the presence of Jones and Barber makes him nothing more than a decent flex player or third RB.
29. LeSean McCoy/Eagles- This is a player who may move up in the rankings shortly, but for now has to be considered a risky number 2 RB. The Eagles still have an above average offensive line, which will help, but the Eagles have become a pass first team and how well McCoy will be able to catch the ball on a consistent basis will determine if he moves up in the rankings.
30. Kevin Smith/Lions- Smith is not a bad fantasy choice, but is nowhere near as good as other “experts’” had him touted the previous two seasons. The Lions still have no better than an average offensive line, and their passing game is likely better than their rushing attack. Smith can still catch some passes and have some value running the ball, but the addition of rookie RB Jahvid Best will likely cut into his playing time and keep him from being a top fantasy option.
31. (R)Ryan Matthews/Chargers- Matthews will likely take over for the departed LT, but putting up the kind of numbers Tomlinson did in his early years will likely be tough. The Chargers may want to get back to a run first offense this season, but the offensive line, while not horrible, is not near what they used to be in LT’s premier years. Throw in the fact that Darren Sproles will also likely see a lot of playing time, and you can see why I think Matthews should not be very highly rated.
32. Willis McGahee/Ravens- While the passing game will be better and Ray Rice will still see the field a lot, McGahee could still provide value to your fantasy roster. Willis has a nose for the end zone, and is the type of player who can score from more than 20 yards out. The offensive line is also pretty good, meaning McGahee will still be able to put up double-figure fantasy points for a good portion of the fantasy season.
33. Felix Jones/Cowboys- Running the ball or catching the ball, Jones is a threat to score every time he touches it. With a good offensive line and a passing game that also has to be protected against, Jones presents a better fantasy value than most 2^nd team RB’s.
34. Correll Buckhalter/Broncos- While not as fast as Felix Jones, Buckhalter is also a reliable runner and pass catcher. He will likely again split time with Moreno, but can still be a decent backup for your fantasy squad.
35. Kevin Faulk/Patriots- Faulk is one of the most under-rated players in the league. He is one of Brady’s favorite targets when he gets in trouble and can also be effective when given the chance in the running game. Lawrence Maroney is only one or two fumbles away from being in the doghouse again, Sammy Morris always seems to have injury problems, and Fred Taylor has likely seen better days, meaning Faulk may present the best fantasy value of any Patriots RB.
36. Carnell Williams/Bucs- Williams was impressive after coming back from surgery last season, but is still not a RB that is going to be productive for 15 or 16 games. The Bucs still have no passing game, and even with an above average offensive line it will likely be tough to run the ball when defenses are stacking the line. Throw in the fact that RB Derrick Ward will also see playing time and RB/FB Ernest Graham should also get some touches and you can see why Williams will likely be nothing more than a good bench player to have as someone who can fill in when the matchup is right.
37. Shonn Greene/Jets- This is one RB that could move up considerably. The Jets have the best offensive line in football, and the passing game will likely be better as well, but with the addition of Ladainian Tomlinson, Greene may not see as much playing time as originally thought. We’ll see how the preseason progresses, as Greene could become a quality fantasy player if he is on the field often.
38. (R)Ben Tate/Texans- While the Texans have become known for throwing the ball, the presence of Tate could make teams have to play the run as well. If Tate can beat out Steve Slaton and Arian Foster, he may be a decent sleeper for your fantasy team in 2010. Tate is not only fast but powerful as well, making him a quality late round pick that could end up being a fantasy steal.
39. LaDainian Tomlinson/Jets- Tomlinson once again will be running behind an excellent offensive line, and while Shonn Greene may still be the starter, there’s no reason to believe that Tomlinson won’t score some touchdowns and catch some passes as well. He may not be the best fantasy player in the league anymore, but he could provide some value as a late round fantasy pick.
40. Julius Jones/Seahawks- While the Seahawks passing game should improve, the improvement in their offensive line will mean they will likely want to run the ball more. Jones may not be a reliable number one RB, but he still has the chance to score some TD’s and put up some points as their number two RB. The Seahawks RB situation is one to keep an eye on as the season progresses, and Jones will move up or down depending on how things progress.

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