Power Ranking: Top NFL Running Backs After Week 3

This season has already been full of ups and downs for running backs across the NFL. Currently, there have already been multiple changes at the top of the depth chart for the running back position because of poor performances and injuries.

Early season statistics can be deceiving, especially at the running back position, but here is a look at the best running backs in the game three weeks into the season...

Adrian Peterson

2011 Stats

Carries: 58

Yards: 296

YPC: 5.1

Touchdowns: 3

While A.P. is only in sixth place in rushing yards, one must remember that he is on the 0-3 Vikings who have had no luck moving the ball through the air. He has basically kept drives alive by himself all season long. Right now, he is the best running back in the game.

Darren McFadden

2011 Stats

Carries: 61

Yards: 393

YPC: 6.4

Touchdowns: 3

While I said that Peterson is best running back in the NFL right now, McFadden is close behind. He has been explosive so far this year, and dismantled a tough Jets run defense who only allowed 90 YPG on the ground last year. This was the most impressive performance by a running back so far this year.

LeSean McCoy

2011 Stats

Carries: 57

Yards: 345

YPC: 6.1

Touchdowns: 4

LeSean McCoy has been the most dynamic back in the league so far this year. He also has nine receptions for 49 yards this season with a league-high five total touchdowns. McCoy has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season, thus far, for the Eagles.

Ray Rice

2011 Stats

Carries: 41

Yards: 231

YPC: 5.6

Touchdowns: 1

While some may argue that Ray Rice is the most dynamic back in the league, I would have to counter with the fact that he has been underwhelming in the rushing game. Cam Cameron's offense is surrounded around getting Rice in open space (14 receptions, 178 yards, two touchdowns), and while Rice has put up awesome numbers through in the passing game for a running back, he still falls just short of the man with two more touchdowns. 

Fred Jackson

2011 Stats

Carries: 47

Yards: 303

YPC: 6.4

Touchdowns: 3

Fred Jackson may be the most commonly overlooked player so far this year. The man is averaging a league-best 6.4 YPC and has the Bills off to a 3-0 start. He has proved his worth against some tough run defenses and has the makings of a top-five back this season—especially if the Bills can keep up this hot streak.

Maurice Jones-Drew

2011 Stats

Carries: 66

Yards: 307

YPC: 4.7

Touchdowns: 1

While he has not put up the big stats that some fantasy owners were hoping for, you must remember that he is on a team that can't throw the ball. Their best receiver is a 5'8" Mike Thomas and they are being run by a rookie in Blaine Gabbert. He has a low YPC, but is the workhorse on that team for a reason: MJD is an elite back.

Michael Turner

2011 Stats

Carries: 42

Yards: 234

YPC: 5.6

Touchdowns: 1

Turner has not been relied upon heavily so far this season. The Falcons may want to rethink their strategy. Turner is still an elite running back and Matt Ryan has sputtered out of the gate. Though he only has 42 carries, Turner has still averaged 5.6 YPC. This bowling ball will look to shoot up the rankings as the season wears on.

Ryan Mathews

2011 Stats

Carries: 45

Yards: 207

YPC: 4.6

Touchdowns: 3

Ryan Mathews is finally starting to get the boatload of carries in San Diego. Though Mike Tolbert is a viable option, Mathews has proven that he has the explosiveness to take San Diego's running game to the next level. Though much of the looks have been taken by Tolbert early in the season, Mathews still has 14 receptions and three rushing touchdowns. Looks for him to rise up these rankings as the season wears on as well.

Rashard Mendenhall

2011 Stats

Carries: 49

Yards: 148

YPC: 3.0

Touchdowns: 1

Rashard Mendenhall has yet to produce this year, frustrating Steelers fans and fantasy owners alike. Though he is towards the bottom in most statistical rushing categories so far this, Mendenhall is still a top-five rusher, talent-wise, in the whole NFL. Look for him to bust out of his funk soon.

Chris Johnson

2011 Stats

Carries: 46

Yards: 98

YPC: 2.1

Touchdowns: 0

Like Mendenhall, Chris Johnson has been a nightmare for his fans thus far. He has been hurt by poor offensive line play and an over-performing Matt Hasselbeck. I think all that money might have gone to his head; look for him to rebound soon.

Frank Gore

2011 Stats

Carries: 59

Yards: 148

YPC: 2.5

Touchdowns: 1

Frank Gore has been a disappointment so far in 2011. Yes, the 49ers offense has failed at moving the ball, but that does not excuse a pitiful 2.5 YPC. Gore better get his head on straight or Kendall Hunter will be taking more and more carries away. 

Matt Forte

2011 Stats

Carries: 35

Yards: 119

YPC: 3.4

Touchdowns: 0

Matt Forte has been explosive in the passing game so far this season. He leads all backs with 22 receptions for 287 yards. The only thing keeping him back on this list is his underwhelming rushing numbers.

Ben Tate

2011 Stats

Carries: 66

Yards: 301

YPC: 4.6

Touchdowns: 1

Ben Tate is showing why he was the No. 1 running back going into the season last year for the Texans before an injury ended his season. The 66 carries, which leads the league, shows you just how much confidence the Texan coaching staff has in Tate. If Foster is unable to perform at a high level, look for Tate to continue receiving the bulk of carries in Houston.

Cedric Benson

2011 Stats

Carries: 58

Yards: 244

YPC: 4.2

Touchdowns: 1

Cedric Benson is another running back that has fallen victim to a horrible offense. Andy Dalton has struggled through the air, leaving Benson rushing into boxes stacked with defenders who aren't afraid of Dalton's arm. Benson's 58 carries are good for sixth in the league and will continue to get a lot of work in Cincinnati.

Tim Hightower

2011 Stats

Carries: 59

Yards: 209

YPC: 3.5

Touchdowns: 1

Though his YPC is not very high, Hightower is ranked 10th in the league with 209 yards. He also may be the best blocking running back in the NFL. That is good enough for 15th on this list. Helu has been taking away some looks, but as long has Hightower can block, he will be in on the majority of plays.

Ahmad Bradshaw

2011 Stats

Carries: 43

Yards: 189

YPC: 4.4

Touchdowns: 1

Though Brandon Jacobs is taking away more carries than last year, Bradshaw is still the No. 1 back. He has not started strong, but he will get things going as Eli Manning continues to open up the passing game. 

Beanie Wells

2011 Stats

Carries: 32

Yards: 183

YPC: 5.7

Touchdowns: 2

Before he was inactive for Week 3, Wells had eclipsed 100 total yards and scored a touchdown in both of the Cardinals' first two games. If he can get over this lingering hamstring problem, look for Wells to be a top-10 back very soon.

Daniel Thomas

2011 Stats

Carries: 41

Yards: 202

YPC: 4.9

Touchdowns: 0

Since taking over for Reggie Bush as the featured back, Daniel Thomas has been just short of amazing. He has averaged over 100 yards in both games that he has played. The rookie has the makings of a top-10-12 back in the NFL this season if his offensive line, led by Jake Long, can continue to dominate at the point of attack.

Peyton Hillis

2011 Stats

Carries: 44

Yards: 151

YPC: 3.4

Touchdowns: 2

Peyton Hillis is doing nothing to grab the hype from his magical 2010 season and Madden cover honors. Yes, he is on a bottom-five team in the league with a rookie quarterback, but he hasn't proven much by posting a 3.4 YPC. This touchdown machine, one-hit-wonder running back looks to be slowing down.

Felix Jones

2011 Stats

Carries: 40

Yards: 184

YPC: 4.6

Touchdowns: 1

Felix Jones has fallen victim to a slow-starting Cowboys offense. The lack of depth at the wide receiver position has allowed defenses play run heavy and take away Jones' home run threat ability. He is most dangerous when he gets in space, which the Cowboys have failed to put him in so far in 2011.