Fantasy Football Rankings Week 3: Running Backs

After three weeks of NFL football, the fantasy landscape is looking a little clearer. As of now, three of the top eight fantasy football running backs are expected names, while the other five are a bit of a surprise. The season is young, and things can definitely change, and Maurice Jones Drew, Ray Rice and DeAngelo Williams owners, all hope for some big changes. Here is the list of Top Eight Fantasy Football Running Backs through week 3. 

1. Arian Foster

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans rushes against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Reliant Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Arian Foster announced himself in a big way on Week 1, as he led his team to a victory against the defending AFC Champions. He continues to impress in Houston's high scoring offense, and as long as Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson continue to perform at a high level, Arian Foster will have plenty of opportunities to break free while opposing defenses gear to stop the pass. 

502 Yards, 3 TDs

2. Adrian Peterson

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball around C.C. Brown #39 of the Detroit Lions for a touchdown during the second half at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on September 26, 2010 in Minneapolis,

Adrian Peterson is a machine. Last year Brett Favre took over and turned the Vikings into a pass-first offense. Without Sidney Rice, and with Percy Harvin's migraines, and Brett Favre's rusty body, AP is once again the man in Minnesota. As a bonus to teammates and fantasy owners, Peterson has also figured out how to hold onto the ball. There is no surprise he is high on the list as he was the unanimous number two fantasy prospect at the beginning of the year, and in all likelihood he'll remain here all season long.  

477 Yards, 3 TDs

3. Jahvid Best

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DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 19: Jahvid Best #44 of the Detroit Lions scores on a 75 yard pass from Shaun Hill #14 during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Ford Field on September 19, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip

Jahvid Best was a sleeper in the preseason, but he has woken up quickly. Best had two touchdowns in his first game, and came back with three in his second game. Detroit's offense is still looking to find its identity, and with Matthew Stafford out, it'll be a couple more weeks before we get to see it hit its stride. As for now, defenses are sure to be keying on the rookie sensation, but once the down-field passing game gets back in order, look for Best to continue his hot streak, and put up numbers that will have him in the debate for Rookie of the Year. 

307 Yards, 5 TDs

4. Chris Johnson

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 26: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans runs the ball past Justin Tuck #91 of the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on September 26, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Titans beat the Giants 29 - 10. (P

Chris Johnson broke out in a big way last year, amassing over 2,000 yards on the ground. He set his goal high this year, very high, at 2,500 yards. It doesn't look like he'll be able to reach that goal, but CJ owners should be happy that he is reaching for the sky. Tennessee's offense goes the way of Vince Young, and if he can bring some balance and stability to the Titans, then look for Johnson to run wild again. So far, so good. 

328 Yards, 4 TDs

5. Darren McFadden

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: Runningback Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders rushes the football past Paris Lenon #51 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 26, 2010 in G

Run DMC was supposed to be second string, but with a wrist injury to Michael Bush, Darren McFadden stepped into the feature role just fine. Bush has been relegated to backup duty, and for good reason, McFadden leads this list in total yards from scrimmage. The Raiders are struggling, but they almost pulled out a win against the weak Cardinals in Arizona. McFadden's future prospects are up in the air, but if he's on your team, let him run, let him run. 

425 Yards, 2 TDs

6. Frank Gore

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Frank Gore #21 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The 49ers were supposed to be the class of the NFC West... wait, does that make sense, I don't think that 'class' and NFC West should go together. Anyways, the 49ers were supposed to walk away with the division, but after an 0-3 start it looks like running back Frank Gore is the only positive thing going on in San Francisco. The offensive coordinator just lost his job, but that shouldn't affect Gore much, as he will continue to be fed the ball all game long. 

396 Yards, 2 TDs

7. LeSean McCoy

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DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 19: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores on a 46 yard touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 19, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Eagles defeated the Lions 35-3

This is McCoy's first season as the featured back in Philly, and if last season was any sign, then things didn't look good for McCoy in the fantasy world. But the real world has brought us some interesting things in Philadelphia, as Michael Vick has taken over at QB, and the Eagles offense is among the highest scoring in the league. McCoy has benefited from Vick, and has hit pay dirt four times in three games. His yardage totals aren't too high, but scoring is scoring and we'll see if he is the real McCoy. 

273 Yards, 4 TDs

8. Matt Forte

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 19: (L-R) Running back Matt Forte #22 and Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears celebrate a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter at Cowboys Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald

If we were talking about rushing yards then Chicago running back, Matt Forte would be somewhere near the bottom of the pile, similar to where he ended last year. However, in Mike Martz' system, Matt Forte plays the Marshall Faulk role perfectly. Forte has gained most of his yards through the air. He still has his speed, and he will get plenty of dump-offs and mismatches, and look for him to have a big gain or two nearly every game, just don't expect those rushing numbers to go up.

310 Yards, 3 TDs