2010 Fantasy Football Top 40 Running Backs: Preseason Week One Fallout

With preseason games underway, there are some significant changes to the running back injuries.  Let’s take a look at whose value has taken a hit, and who is on the rise.

1. Chris Johnson - Tennessee Titans
2. Adrian Peterson - Minnesota Vikings
3. Maurice Jones-Drew - Jacksonville Jaguars
4. Ray Rice - Baltimore Ravens
5. Frank Gore - San Francisco 49ers
6. Steven Jackson - St. Louis Rams
7. Michael Turner - Atlanta Falcons
8. DeAngelo Williams - Carolina Panthers
9. Ryan Grant - Green Bay Packers
10. Rashard Mendenhall - Pittsburgh Steelers
11. LeSean McCoy - Philadelphia Eagles
12. Jonathan Stewart - Carolina Panthers
13. Knowshon Moreno - Denver Broncos
14. Beanie Wells - Arizona Cardinals
15. Ryan Mathews - San Diego Chargers
16. Cedric Benson - Cincinnati Bengals
17. Jamaal Charles - Kansas City Chiefs
18. Shonn Greene - New York Jets
19. Pierre Thomas - New Orleans Saints
20. Ronnie Brown - Miami Dolphins
21. Matt Forte - Chicago Bears
22. Felix Jones - Dallas Cowboys
23. Arian Foster - Houston Texans
24. Clinton Portis - Washington Redskins
25. Joseph Addai - Indianapolis Colts
26. C. J. Spiller - Buffalo Bills
27. Brandon Jacobs - New York Giants
28. Ahmad Bradshaw - New York Giants
29. Jahvid Best - Detroit Lions
30. Marion Barber - Dallas Cowboys
31. Darren McFadden - Oakland Raiders
32. Thomas Jones - Kansas City Chiefs
33. Jerome Harrison - Cleveland Browns
34. Justin Forsett - Seattle Seahawks
35. Cadillac Williams - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
36. Montario Hardesty - Cleveland Browns
37. Chester Taylor - Chicago Bears
38. Ricky Williams - Miami Dolphins
39. Fred Jackson - Buffalo Bills
40. LaDanian Tomlinson - New York Jets

Thoughts:

• Ben Tate’s season has ended before it started, having suffered a broken ankle in the preseason’s first game.  With Steve Slaton fumbling, a problem that haunted him in 2009, Arian Foster could be primed to be the RB1.  He was impressive in the preseason opener with four rushes for 31 yards.  He seems like a lock to get the bulk of the carries at this point.
• Ryan Grant suffered a concussion in the preseason opener.  His spot in the rankings isn’t dropping yet, but it certainly is possible depending on the severity and if he’s forced to miss time.
• Fred Jackson broke a bone in his hand and may miss the opening to the season.  That opens the door for C.J. Spiller to emerge right away, and he may never look back.  Jackson hangs on the rankings, but as nothing more than a late round flier now.  He should still get carries upon his return, but his role could be reduced if Spiller grabs hold of this opportunity.
• There are rumblings that Ahmad Bradshaw could overtake Brandon Jacobs as the Giants' RB1.  I’m not putting much stock in Bradshaw’s start against the Jets, either.  I’ll believe the change when I see it, but if you are going to draft one, you would be best served to have them both to protect yourself.
• Could the Chiefs actually give Thomas Jones more carries then Jamaal Charles?  I’m not buying it, and not moving Charles down from my rankings.  The news that Thomas could start does bump him up a few spots, however.
• Knowshon Moreno’s hamstring injury drops him a few spots, but don’t be deceived.  My stance on him is unchanged.  I still consider him a huge breakout candidate for 2010 (click here for my thoughts, which were written prior to the injury).
• I recently took a closer look at Darren McFadden, concluding that he was definitely worth drafting as a depth option.  To find out why, click here for my thoughts.
• Rashard Mendenhall has moved into my Top 10, almost by default, but I don’t view him as a first round talent.  Click here to find out why.
• People may be overvaluing Ryan Mathews, but he certainly looked impressive in his first professional action.  He rushed the ball nine times for 50 yards, while adding a pair of receptions.  He gets a slight boost in value.
• Is Beanie Wells a Top 25 player?  Click here to find out why I don’t think so.
• Brian Westbrook has joined the San Francisco 49ers, where he will assume the backup role after Glen Coffee retired abruptly.  Depending on how much playing time he gets behind Frank Gore will determine if he ultimately sneaks onto the list.

What are your thoughts on these rankings?  Who is ranked too high?  Who is ranked too low?

Make sure to check out Rotoprofessor’s other 2010 rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 60 Wide Receivers
• Top 20 Tight Ends
• Top 15 Kickers

Also, make sure to check out our recent rookie rankings:

• Top 5 Rookie RB
• Top 5 Rookie QB
• Top 5 Rookie WR
• Top 3 Rookie TE

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