Fantasy Football Mock Draft 2011: 10 RBs Sure to Be Taken First in Your League

There was a time not too long ago when running backs were taken with essentially every pick in the first round of a fantasy football draft. While backs still comprise the majority of the first few rounds of most drafts, quarterbacks like Michael Vick and Aaron Rodgers and wide receivers like Andre Johnson have infiltrated the first round.

Still, running backs are what make the fantasy world go around and they generally represent the most consistent scorers. There is nothing wrong with exploring and implementing exotic draft strategies that involve taking quarterbacks and wide receivers early, but it's important to have at least one back you can count on weekly.

While impact rushers are found in the mid-to-late rounds every season, your safest bets are generally found sprinkled throughout the first and early second rounds. If you have one of the league's top 10 fantasy backs then you're in good shape, but if you have two then you're way ahead of the game.

Here are 10 running backs who are sure to go off the board quickly in your fantasy league, so if you want any of them be prepared to spend a first-round pick.

10. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers

Once considered among fantasy's elite backs, the San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore appears to be on the decline. That's not to say that he won't still be an effective fantasy starter, though. Gore was on pace for a very solid season in 2010 as he had 853 yards rushing, 46 receptions and five touchdowns through 11 games.

A fractured hip cut Gore's season short, and while he appears to be healthy now, injuries have always been a concern for the former Miami Hurricane. As long as he can hold up over the entire season, Gore will get more than his fair share of touches. Alex Smith leads a fairly inept passing game, meaning Gore will be heavily relied upon.

Gore also has the benefit of playing the NFL's weakest division. St. Louis, Seattle and Arizona all have fairly suspect defenses, meaning the 49ers are likely to be involved in some shootouts. While I probably wouldn't spend a first rounder on Gore at this juncture of his career, he is well worth an early second and makes for a decent RB1 and top-notch RB2.

9. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

After a pair of pedestrian seasons to begin his NFL career, Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden was being written off by fantasy gurus and NFL experts alike. McFadden did his best zombie impression in 2010, however, and seemingly came back from the dead.

McFadden finished among the elite fantasy backs last season as he rushed for 1,157 yards, reeled in 61 receptions and scored 10 touchdowns. Most impressively, he did all that in just 13 games. Like Gore, injuries are a concern with McFadden, but at age 24 he should be able to handle the rigors of an entire NFL season.

The departure of tight end Zach Miller means that quarterback Jason Campbell has no proven targets to throw to, and that could have a positive effect on McFadden's receiving and rushing numbers. The Raiders seem to committed to running the ball and stopping the run, and McFadden is their workhorse. Even with the burly Michael Bush behind him, McFadden will get plenty touches and chances to score this season.

8. Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers

Say what you will about the Pittsburgh Steelers evolving into a passing team with Ben Roethlisberger throwing to the likes of Mike Wallace, Hines Ward and Emmanuel Sanders, but make no mistake that the Steelers are still a smash-mouth team at heart. Consider the fact that no back had more touches last season (including playoffs) than Rashard Mendenhall.

Mendenhall is far from the sexiest running back selection, but he is certainly effective. Mendenhall proved that his break out in 2009 wasn't a fluke when he followed it up last year with 1,274 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Mendenhall was a favorite of offensive coordinator Bruce Arians near the goal line, making him extremely valuable in fantasy terms.

One drawback is Mendenhall's scarce involvement in the passing game as he caught just 23 passes last season, but every indication is that he has the talent to do more in that area. Mendenhall will certainly benefit from being in an incredibly well-balanced offense. Mendenhall may not give you too many huge games, but he's very consistent and can be counted on to hit paydirt most weeks.

7. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

Prior to last season, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew was firmly in the conversation for top overall pick in fantasy along with Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson. While most backs would have been thrilled with Jones-Drew's production in 2010, he was ultimately regarded as a disappointment.

The biggest reason for that was the fact that Jones-Drew suffered from a painful knee injury. Rather than get surgery, Jones-Drew decided to play through it and it eventually developed into a bone-on-bone ailment, causing him to miss the season's final two games. Despite all that MJD still went for 1,324 yards on the ground and seven total touchdowns.

Jones-Drew is reportedly ready to go, but knee injuries in running backs are always worrisome. Regardless, MJD possesses elite talent and could be a steal as a late-first-round pick. With Jacksonville's cupboard barren in terms of receivers, Jones-Drew should be a consistent receiver as well, making him a nice mid-level RB1.

6. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles

Tabbed as a possible breakthrough candidate last season, Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy certainly didn't disappoint as he was an all-around fantasy stud. A perfect fit for the Eagles' fast and athletic offense, there is little reason to believe that McCoy won't repeat his performance this season.

McCoy was particularly valuable in PPR leagues last season as he added 78 receptions and 592 receiving yards to 1,080 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. His straight-line speed and cutting ability are both impeccable, meaning he could go all the way every time he touches the ball. With so many weapons on the Philly offense, opposing defenses have to take a pick-your-poison approach.

When considering who to select early in fantasy drafts, the best policy is usually to look for consistent performers. McCoy's ceiling is so high, though, that he is absolutely worth a high first-round pick despite having just one great year on his resume. Whatever the format, McCoy is sure to be a fantasy hit once again in 2011.

5. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice burst onto the fantasy scene as a starter in 2009 when he ran for over 1,300 yards and racked up nearly 80 receptions. Due to his youth and unique skill set, Rice looked like he would be a fantasy stud for years to come. Rice was a consensus top-five pick last year, and while he was solid, he certainly didn't live up to his magical 2009 campaign.

Rice racked up over 1,200 yards on the ground, as well as 63 catches and six touchdowns. He was certainly valuable in every format, but more so in PPR leagues. His rushing effectiveness was sapped a bit down the stretch as he dealt with a knee sprain and averaged just four yards per carry as opposed to the 5.3 he put up in 2009.

With Rice's injury behind him and Willis McGahee no longer on board to vulture touchdowns, Rice should be closer to his 2009 numbers than his 2010 ones this season. Provided Ricky Williams doesn't develop into a short-yardage back, Rice should get more goal line work and develop into one of the more complete backs in the league.

4. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

The case of Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles was an interesting one last season. Despite being the best back on the team by a wide margin, veteran Thomas Jones received the majority of the starts and carries for the Chiefs. Despite being kept down by the man, Charles exploded and was the league's second leading rusher.

With Jones seemingly assuming the role of backup this season, the Chiefs backfield belongs to Charles and Charles alone. It is scary to think what Charles might do with a full allotment of touches. On just 230 carries last season Charles ran for 1,467 yards, good for a sterling yards-per-carry average of 6.4. He also caught 45 passes for 468 yards and scored eight times.

Charles upside is through the roof, though it remains to be seen whether he can truly be a bell-cow back. Regardless, Charles' big-play ability makes him too attractive to pass up. Once the automatic backs like Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson are off the board, Charles is certainly somebody to heavily consider.

3. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

Just last week fantasy owners were wary of spending on early pick on the Tennessee Titans' Chris Johnson. With his murky contract situation finally settled, however, it is now safe to select CJ2K. While Johnson didn't match his incredible 2009 season last year, he was still a high-end RB1.

Johnson received plenty of touches last season and produced to the tune of 1,364 rushing yards, 44 catches and 12 touchdowns. It's understandable why some fantasy owners were disappointed with those numbers, though, as Johnson rushed for 2,006 yards and scored 16 total touchdowns the previous season.

With that said, outside of Adrian Peterson there is no more reliable back in football than CJ. Offensively the Titans don't have much of a passing game, but the addition of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck should be enough to take some pressure of Johnson. The struggles of Kerry Collins and Vince Young under center last season allowed teams to key exclusively on Johnson and shut him down at times. That should be less prevalent in 2011, and Johnson should make for an excellent selection.

2. Arian Foster, Houston Texans

In retrospect it's easy to say that you saw the incredible 2010 breakout campaign of the Houston Texans' Arian Foster coming from a mile away, but nobody could have predicted that Foster would lead all running backs in fantasy points. Foster was a popular sleeper pick last year, but his production was beyond anyone's wildest dreams.

Flash forward to this year and it's obvious that owners will have to pay a much steeper price to land Foster. With 1,616 yards, 66 receptions and 18 touchdowns, Foster was like Priest Holmes-lite in 2010. Normally that type of production would make Foster the unquestioned top pick, and while I would take him first personally, the consistency of Adrian Peterson wins out in most people's minds.

Foster should be a consensus top-three pick, but a preseason hamstring injury has made some shy away. It appears as though the injury is minor and Foster is expected to play Week 1, though. With a great run-blocking line in front of him and an effective passing game supporting him, Foster is in an ideal situation to put up huge numbers once again in 2011.

1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

A top-three fantasy back in each of the past four seasons, the Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson is as consistent as they come. Peterson may be the only back in the NFL who is a virtual lock for 1,500 total yards and double-digit touchdowns each season. Last season was no different for AP as he continued to punish opposing defenses.

Peterson didn't quite match his outstanding 2009 campaign last season, but he was fantastic nonetheless. Peterson rushed for 1,298 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns. He also continued to get more involved in the passing game as he reeled in 36 passes last season, which was a nice bonus for his owners.

Whether you're an owner who is averse to risk or one who is looking for an explosive performer, Peterson is the pick for you. Peterson may not finish as the top fantasy back, and in fact he hasn't over the past couple seasons, but a top-three finish is virtually guaranteed and that makes him an ideal top fantasy pick.