2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs

Wondering when you should draft your favorite NFL running backs in your upcoming fantasy football draft? Continue reading our 2010 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings to find out…

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2010::

TIER 1

1. Chris Johnson - Tennessee Titans (Bye: 9)

Johnson was nearly unstoppable in 2009, setting and smashing records, while displaying an amazing ability to score from just about anywhere on the field. The former first-round pick from East Carolina emerged as one of the league’s top offensive stars. Johnson became only the sixth player in NFL history to reach 2,000 rushing yards and also set an NFL-record 2,509 yards from scrimmage.  With his blistering speed and big-play ability, he became the only player in NFL history to record three career touchdown runs of 91, 89, and 85 yards, and the first player to achieve six consecutive games of 125-plus rushing yards. His final rushing stats were impressive: 358 carries for 2,006 yards and 14 touchdowns. Johnson also proved to be an important asset in Tennessee’s passing game, catching 50 balls for 503 yards, and two touchdowns. He accrued 329 fantasy points (64 points more than Adrian Peterson) and finished as the No.1 overall fantasy running back. Johnson single-handedly led many fantasy football owners to their championships.

His blockbuster sophomore season catapulted Johnson into the class of elite running backs. The question of whether he has a shot at matching or topping his 2009 campaign is a constant debate in fantasy circles. History tells us no, no, no – yet there are many reasons why we shouldn’t count him out. The third-year back turns 25 during the season, has no injury history, and rarely fumbles. He runs behind an outstanding offensive line that gives him every chance to succeed. Once thought to be too small and light to be an every-down back, Johnson plays nearly every down, gets goal-line carries, and catches balls out of the backfield. He goes into the 2010 season with an active streak of 11 games of 100-plus rushing yards. Expect Johnson to get off to a fast start and remain the Titans’ primary offensive weapon for as long as he stays healthy and productive. Johnson is a virtual lock to see 20-25 touches a game and score double-digit touchdowns. Even if Johnson doesn’t top the 2,000 rushing yards total, he should get there in total yardage. If you land the first pick in your fantasy draft, you simply have to consider the game’s most explosive player as the No. 1 overall pick in all fantasy formats.

2. Adrian Peterson - Minnesota Vikings (Bye: 4)

Adrian Peterson was the consensus No. 1 fantasy pick heading into last season and when it was over, he didn’t quite have the year that many expected. The Brett Favre-led Vikings ran a more balanced offense and as a result, Peterson carried the ball 50 fewer times in 2009 than in 2008. Peterson’s rushing totals were eclipsed by the Titans’ Chris Johnson, and he averaged a career-low 4.4 yards per carry. He also had just three, 100-yard games. Peterson had trouble hanging onto the ball, fumbling six times during the regular season and several times in postseason play.  Nevertheless, when you look at his numbers overall, the explosive Peterson posted near elite fantasy totals. He finished the year with 314 carries for 1,383 yards and a career-high 18 touchdowns. Peterson also set new records in receiving stats, with 43 receptions for 436 yards.

TIER 1

3. Maurice Jones-Drew - Jacksonville Jaguars (Bye: 9)

4. Ray Rice - Baltimore Ravens (Bye: 8)

5. Michael Turner - Atlanta Falcons (Bye: 8)

TIER 3

6. Frank Gore - San Francisco 49ers (Bye: 9)
7. Steven Jackson - St. Louis Rams (Bye: 9)

TIER 4

8. Rashard Mendenhall - Pittsburgh Steelers (Bye: 5)
9. DeAngelo Williams - Carolina Panthers (Bye: 6)
10. Ryan Grant - Green Bay Packers (Bye: 10)

See the rest of our Running Back Rankings here... 2010 RB Rankings