NFL Fantasy Football Updated Week 6 Rankings: Top 40 Running Backs

We’ve gotten some more definitive word on some of the injured running backs around the league, so let’s take a look at how our rankings are shaken up:

1. Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings – at Chicago
2. Darren McFadden – Oakland Raiders – vs. Cleveland
3. Fred Jackson – Buffalo Bills – at New York Giants
4. Ray Rice – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Houston
5. LeSean McCoy – Philadelphia Eagles – at Washington
6. Matt Forte – Chicago Bears – vs. Minnesota
7. Frank Gore – San Francisco 49ers – at Detroit
8. Maurice Jones-Drew – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Pittsburgh
9. Arian Foster – Houston Texans – at Baltimore
10. Michael Turner – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Carolina
11. Cedric Benson – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Indianapolis
12. Ahmad Bradshaw – New York Giants – vs. Buffalo
13. Daniel Thomas – Miami Dolphins – at New York Jets
14. Peyton Hillis – Cleveland Browns – at Oakland
15. Steven Jackson – St. Louis Rams – at Green Bay
16. Rashard Mendenhall – Pittsburgh Steelers – vs. Jacksonville
17. Shonn Greene – New York Jets – vs. Miami
18. BenJarvus Green-Ellis – New England Patriots – vs. Dallas
19. Ryan Torain – Washington Redskins – vs. Philadelphia
20. Darren Sproles – New Orleans Saints – at Tampa Bay
21. James Starks – Green Bay Packers – vs. St. Louis
22. Jahvid Best – Detroit Lions – vs. San Francisco
23. Felix Jones – Dallas Cowboys – at New England
24. Earnest Graham – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. New Orleans
25. DeAngelo Williams – Carolina Panthers – at Atlanta
26. Delone Carter – Indianapolis Colts – at Cincinnati
27. Stevan Ridley – New England Patriots – vs. Dallas
28. Tim Hightower – Washington Redskins – vs. Philadelphia
29. LaDainian Tomlinson – New York Jets – vs. Miami
30. Pierre Thomas – New Orleans Saints – at Tampa Bay
31. Michael Bush – Oakland Raiders – vs. Cleveland
32. Jonathan Stewart – Carolina Panthers – at Atlanta
33. Ryan Grant – Green Bay Packers – vs. St. Louis
34. Carnell Williams – St. Louis Rams – at Green Bay
35. C.J. Spiller – Buffalo Bills – at New York Giants
36. Reggie Bush – Miami Dolphins – at New York Jets
37. Montario Hardesty – Cleveland Browns – at Oakland
38. Kendall Hunter – San Francisco 49ers – at Detroit
39. Danny Woodhead – New England Patriots – vs. Dallas
40. Bernard Scott – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Indianapolis

Thoughts

With LeGarrette Blount out there definitely is some appeal for Earnest Graham. Granted, the game could break down into a shootout, which would ordinarily limit a running backs value, but not Graham. He has actually been targeted 27 times so, if you add in a few extra carries, you have a potentially viable option. He’s a risk, but if you are desperate there’s value there.

Delone Carter is averaging 3.0 yards per carry, including a poor 12 carries for 22 yards and 1 TD in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Considering that the Bengals are among the best teams stopping the run thus far this season, the matchup doesn’t do him any favors. Throw in Curtis Painter, who is looking better and better in the pocket, and Carter is nothing more than a FLEX option, at best, and that’s because of his potential opportunity.

While there appeared to be a threat of BenJarvus Green-Ellis missing Sunday’s game, he is currently listed as questionable. He did practice on Friday, which makes it appear likely that he plays (though time will tell). Monitor the news and be prepared to make a move if necessary. If Green-Ellis does miss the game, Stevan Ridley would gain a lot of value.

Brandon Jacobs has already been ruled out for Sunday’s game with the Bills. Before we get excited that Ahmad Bradshaw is going to get the bulk of the carries, both Chris Snee (the Giants' best offensive lineman) and fullback Henry Hynoski have also been ruled out. As it is, the Giants are averaging 3.2 yards per carry—second worst in the league. The matchup with the Bills is alluring, but I wouldn’t move Bradshaw up in the rankings based on the injury news and the team’s struggles.

Tim Hightower is listed as questionable on the Redskins injury report due to a shoulder issue.  Does it really matter? Ryan Torain is the more favorable option at this point.

Make sure to check out the rest of Rotoprofessor’s Week 6 information:

Top 25 Quarterbacks
Top 50 Wide Receivers
Top 20 Tight Ends
Top 15 Kickers 
Top 15 Defenses