Rookie Running Backs That Will Help You Win Your Fantasy Football League

With the devastating news from last night's preseason game that Cardinal's runner and breakout candidate, Ryan Williams will be out for the 2011 with a torn patella tendon, the search for fresh legs for Fantasy Football owners in Dynasty Leagues just got that much harder.  Last week, Detriot's promising 2nd round pick Mikel Leshoure was put on the shelf as well leaving only three running backs picked in the first 2 rounds for owners to choose from - the Saint's Mark Ingram, the Pat's Shane Vereen, and the Dolphin's Daniel Thomas. Of those, only Ingram and Thomas are drawing any real fantasy consideration in 2011 so far. Vereen lasted all of one practice in Foxboro, Ma before he went to the sideline with a minor injury, which doesn't bode well for Vereen's fantasy value with the plethora of running backs in New England to compete with right now.

So does a high pick make a running back?  Not necessarily. Let's look at the backs that are left right now and see who is making a splash so far:

1. Mark Ingram, RB, Saints - Everyone knew that Ingram was talented but he just continues to turn heads with his speed and power.  Reggie Bush will be a distant memory if he continues to excel the way he has been so far.  All the Saints needed on offense was a decent ground game and it looks like Ingram will be able to deliver on that.  Great situation for a young man to walk into.

2. Daniel Thomas, RB, Dolphins - Certainly having a good preseason.  Reggie Bush is going to split time, but the Miami staff will grind both of these guys into dust with all the carries they're going to give.  Plenty of upside and opportunity.

3. Roy Helu, RB, Washington - The big kid out of Nebraska that Mike Shanahan tabbed in the 4th round continues to look very good in Washington.  He rumbled for 100+ yards in his preseason audition this week, but still needs to unseat Tim Hightower and Ryan Torain to get the job.  He looked much faster on the field than his stats indicate and he ran with the kind of authority that reminded me of another Shanahan pick - Terrelle Davis.  Remember him?

4. Stevan Ridley, RB, Patriots - Most people thought Shane Vereen was going to be the shifty, speed back that took over for Kevin Faulk this year in New England, but so far its been Stevan Ridley who has been making headlines.  He has constant drive and speed and has been picking up the offense quickly.  In the two preseason games, he certainly looks like the best running back on the Patriots.  He brings an amount of elusiveness that BenJarvis Green-Ellis does not have while losing none of the power in his game.  Its a long shot that Ridley would unseat the proven veteran, but keep an eye on this.  He'll likely be the real handcuff to Law Firm.

5. DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys - Still only valuable as a handcuff to Felix Jones, but has some real potential.  Jones has yet to prove he can carry the load, which may leave Dallas eyeing Murray as the bell cow.

6. Kendal Hunter, RB, 49ers - Has looked solid when given a chance to run the ball and valuable in leagues that reward special teams yardage.  Frank Gore is always an injury scare and Anthony Dixon is a change of pace back.  It will be interesting to see how Harbaugh uses Hunter in the rest of the preseason.

7. Jordan Todman, RB, Chargers - Despite proving to be a solid inside runner in the preseason, Todman's value is likely as a 3rd down back on the Chargers this year.  He's too talented to keep off the field, but he has Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert ahead of him on the depth chart.  If he continues to develop as a receiver, he'll add value in PPR formats and could push Mathews as the speed back if he continues to disappoint.

8. Tawain Jones, RB, Raiders - The kid can flat out fly, but Mike Bush came back in amazing shape and will be RunDMC's primary alternate.  Keep an eye on him, but probably not draft worthy in anything but the deepest leagues.

To see where these RBs sit in Gridiron-Guru's fantasy football rankings - check out our 2011 PPR Cheat Sheet and our standard 2011 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet

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