Fantasy Football Week 7 Projections: Darren McFadden and Top RBs

Even with the pass-happy trend in today's NFL, running backs are still vital to any fantasy team.

Not only are a handful of running backs piling up a ton of yardage on the ground, they are catching more passes than ever and putting their yards-after-the-catch ability on display.

With Fred Jackson, LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore on a bye, the group of elite fantasy running backs for Week 7 is a bit varied...

Darren McFadden

Despite not totaling over 100 yards in his last three games, there's no need to worry about McFadden. The guy is still averaging 5.5 yards per rush and has caught 18 balls for 151 yards and a touchdown this season.

He'll get to that 100-yard mark this week against a Kansas City Chiefs defense that is allowing nearly 120 yards on the ground per game. As a result, I don't expect Carson Palmer to be relied upon that much in his first game in Silver and Black.

Ray Rice

Rice defines what is known as a "do-it-all" running back. He hides behind blocks on inside runs and always keeps his legs churning. Despite his small stature, he is a vicious pass-blocker and he is terrorizing once he catches dump-off passes from Joe Flacco.

He receives around 30 touches in each game and makes the most of each one of them.

The Jaguars run defense is one of the more stout in the league, but I don't see it being a problem for the bouncy Rice.

Adrian Peterson

By looking at the numbers, you'd think Adrian Peterson is definitely not a top fantasy back this week against the Packers.

Green Bay is only allowing 83 yards per game, which ranks 4th in the NFL.

However, the reason they appear to be such a strong unit is because teams know that they can throw the football with a high rate of success against them.

They're 30th in the league in passing defense.

The Vikings coaching staff won't rush Christian Ponder into a game in which he has to throw the ball 40 times. They will lean on Peterson who could have a monster game against his divisional rival.