2011 NFL Fantasy Football Week 7: Running Backs Rankings and Projections

 Earnest Graham vs Bears:

Back in 2008, Earnest Graham unselfishly volunteered to play full back as the Buccaneers were in need, and blew open some holes for then running back Warrick Dunn. Little did we know that, while Graham had run the football well when given the chance up to that point, it was the death of his fantasy relevance as a player.

Well at least until last week. LeGarrette Blount suffered a knee injury that could keep him out for awhile, and Graham has received the starting job once again.

Graham went on to rush 17 times for 109 yards in a victory over the New Orleans Saints. Look for Graham to continue his feature back ways this week, as the Buccaneers head out to Wembley Stadium in London, England and face a Bears run defense that has had some problems this year.

Graham should be viewed as a respectable flex play starter as long as Blount remains on the sidelines.

DeMarco Murray vs. Rams:

While the Cowboys may never pull the trigger on trading Tashard Choice, fantasy owners should view rookie DeMarco Murray as the clear favorite for touches this week.

Felix Jones continues to disappoint fantasy owners as his body just can’t hold up to the rigors of being a feature back in the NFL. First a dislocated shoulder and now a high ankle sprain he suffered in Week 6 is sure to keep him out of the lineup in future weeks.

   Murray has a great matchup against a Rams defense that has been torched both in the pass and run game. If Sam Bradford is out this week because of his own problems with a high ankle sprain, the Cowboys will likely play it conservative in the second half by running the football. So get the rookie out of Oklahoma in as a nice flex play start.

Bye Week Teams: Bills, Bengals, Patriots, Giants, Eagles, 49ers

More Week 7 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE |Flex | K/D

1	Darren McFadden	Chiefs
2	Matt Forte	@ Buccaneers
3	Ray Rice	@ Jaguars
4	Ryan Mathews	@ Jets
5	Adrian Peterson	Packers
6	Arian Foster	@ Titans
7	Michael Turner	@ Lions
8	Chris Johnson	Texans
9	Rashard Mendenhall	@ Cardinals
10	Maurice Jones-Drew	Ravens
11	Willis McGahee	@ Dolphins
12	Beanie Wells	Steelers
13	Ryan Torain	@ Panthers
14	Steven Jackson	@ Cowboys
15	Earnest Graham	Bears
16	Shonn Greene	Chargers
17	Daniel Thomas (I)	Broncos
18	Marshawn Lynch	@ Browns
19	Jackie Battle	@ Raiders
20	DeMarco Murray	Rams
21	DeAngelo Williams	Redskins
22	Montario Hardesty	Seahawks
23	Mark Ingram	Colts
24	Darren Sproles	Colts
25	Maurice Morris	Falcons
26	Jonathan Stewart	Redskins
27	Roy Helu	@ Panthers
28	James Starks	@ Vikings
29	Thomas Jones	@ Raiders
30	Delone Carter	@ Saints
31	Michael Bush	Chiefs
32	Mike Tolbert	@ Jets
33	Donald Brown	@ Saints
34	Reggie Bush	Broncos
35	Knowshon Moreno	@ Dolphins
36	Ryan Grant	@ Vikings
37	Pierre Thomas	Colts
38	Tashard Choice	Rams
39	Ben Tate	@ Titans