Assessing a Fantasy Football Grade for Every Starting NFL RB Through Week 13

Running backs are some of the biggest surprises in Fantasy Football. We have seen major injuries to a few that broke out last year. Then, because of injury, some others have broken out. 

The usual beasts have stuck around and getting into game shape after holding out seems to finally be coming around for Chris Johnson. 

This slideshow will assign a Fantasy Football grade to every starting running back in the NFL.

Dallas Cowboys: Demarco Murray C+

The third round draft pick has been slated as the starter since his breakout performance of 253 yards and one touchdown against the St. Louis Rams. He gets a C+ because for those that played Demarco Murray during that week they reaped the benefits. But since then he has rushed for over 100 yards only twice and only one touchdown since then.

In recent weeks he has struggled and Dallas primarily looks to score in the red zone via the passing game, so the fantasy value of Murray goes down. He has played well, but not great and has lacked consistency this year. If he can continue to improve Murray can improve his great tremendously, especially if we see more 200+ yard performances. 

New York Giants: Ahmad Bradshaw C

A regular starter in a majority of leagues, his recent foot injury has caused many fantasy owners anguish. He doesn't cut a B because he hasn't reached over 20 carries in more than one game. That's not great fantasy value and until he can reach that he won't increase his grade much. 

The Giants have given an increased role this season to Brandon Jacobs who has almost matched Bradshaw in carries. Once Bradshaw can secure more carries and nurses his foot back to health he can raise his grade. 

Washington Redskins: Roy Helu C-

Helu comes in as the 33rd highest point scorer in the league and right now is about the only Washington Redskin you would want on your fantasy team. After starting the season hot the Redskins have trailed off but Helu's production has gone way up.

He didn't start the season as the starter so his fantasy grade goes down a lot, but that's because of lack of carries and not fantasy potential. He is making his grade rise but for now deserves the C- because of the lack of production in the middle of the season.  

Philadelphia Eagles: LeSean McCoy a

LeSean has been the fantasy bright spot for the Eagles. He leads all running backs in fantasy points scored. 

This is due to his already 1100 yards and 15 total TD season. When in doubt the Eagles have handed it off to their running back who has kept the team alive thus far. He's been the best fantasy running back of the year and no doubt the most reliable. He was ranked pre-season anywhere from 6-10 but has established himself as one of the best in the league.

He deserves the A for leading the league in points scored and have a consistent amount of carries at his disposal. 

Green Bay Packers: Ryan Grant D+

Ryan Grant has under performed this year and is the 57th ranked running back in total points. That just doesn't cut it and he shouldn't even make most fantasy teams at this point. 

If he can establish himself as the main running back in Green Bay maybe he can improve his grade to a C. But it would be very hard with the running back situation in Green Bay and the fact that FB John Kuhn has more fantasy points on the year than Grant. 

With Aaron Rodgers playing like he is, any fantasy running back on the Packers is at a disadvantage, and Grant deserves the D+ grade. 

Chicago Bears: Matt Forte a-

One of the pleasant fantasy surprises on the season, Forte is the seventh ranked running back in points and has given those who drafted him a few rounds deep big dividends for their team. He has carried the Bears offense and with his injury that will keep him out it definitely hurts owners very badly.

Right now though he has played as one of the best in the league, The grade asses him through Week 12 and up to this point he has been nothing but stellar. The A- is a very deserving grade for one of the biggest steals of the draft. 

Detroit Lions: Maurice Morris D

Maurice Morris is the slated starter in Detroit and has played well when given the carries, but deserves his grade of a D because he has very little fantasy value except the chance of a large upside play. 

He's the 40th ranked running back in points and offers little to fantasy owners that can't be found elsewhere. If he emerges as the top back and doesn't have to fight for carries as much his grade can increase. But with little showing that he will increase production and a lack of production thus far, a D is all Morris can suffice. 

Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson B+

Adrian Peterson has hurt owners the past few weeks but beyond that has been the same old Adrian Peterson that fantasy owners have come to deeply love. He has been arguable the most consistent fantasy player over the last few years and this year has proved just as reliable. 

He ranks fifth in running back fantasy points and is second in touchdowns. He has been the reliable beast as always, but the current injury hurts his grade and lowers him to a B+.

New Orleans Saints: Darren Sproles B

Darren Sproles has been a very pleasant pickup for many fantasy owners. He has become what fantasy owners originally thought Reggie Bush would become (more on Bush later). Sproles is the 15th ranked running back in a system that gives four running backs opportunities. 

Sproles makes the most of his opportunities and if you're in a league that counts special teams, then Sproles has been even more valuable of a pickup. 

He is deserving of his B and has surprised many with his great fantasy production in 2011. 

Atlanta Falcons: Michael Turner a-

Michael Turner gets an A- in my grading for living up to the year of expectations. He had a strong year last year and this year has ended up at number eight in fantasy points for running backs. 

Atlanta has gone through a rough patch this season but Michael Turner has been the most consistent fantasy option from that team and with Turner establishing himself as one of the better fantasy backs of the league he deserves his A-.

Carolina Panthers: DeAngelo Williams C-

He's technically the starting running back, but now receives fewer carries and subsequently has less fantasy points than Jonathan Stewart. DeAngelo has played well, but in a system where Cam Newton receives many red zone carries and actually leads the league in rushing touchdowns, his production has a very low ceiling.

He deserves the C- because he is the third red-zone option and hasn't given fantasy owners much to talk about this season. He is an explosive back but with Cam Newton as mobile as he is, Williams grade takes a big hit.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Lagarrette Blount D+

Lagarrette Blount was expected by most fantasy experts to be a top 10 running back, but currently finds himself shy of 100 points in standard leagues and the 28th ranked running back. After a very good 2010 many owners wasted a second or third round pick on the back who has been injury prone and overall not the same we say in 2010. 

Blount has the capability to increase his grade, but nothing he has shown us thus far is deserving of anything better. He has had a few good games that have compensated for his lack of showing up in many of his games, leaving fantasy owners out to dry. 

San Francisco: Frank Gore B

After a few average seasons, Gore has made his way into the top 15 once again and was a very good draft choice for those that took the risk. He has been injury prone in recent years but the 49ers have surged this year and will compete down the stretch.

Gore has carried the offense through the year and has been a consistent fantasy option this year. He gets a B for being above average, but not really great. He has been a good fantasy option and will continue to be one this year.

Seattle Seahawks: Marshawn Lynch a-

Seattle will potentially end up with the same amount of wins this year, but won't be making the playoffs. This is due to the play of Marshawn Lynch, he has become a top 10 running back who is known for putting the team on his back and making miraculous plays. 

He is one of the biggest surprises of the year and the Seattle offensive line has improved greatly from last year, Lynch can be very explosive and he has saved some seasons in fantasy. He is deserving of the A- because he has been very, very good this year and continues to get better. 

If Seattle can continue to upgrade their line via the draft, Lynch will be a top 10 back in the next few years as well. 

Arizona Cardinals: Beanie Wells a-

Beanie Wells has been the fantasy bright spot for the Arizona Cardinals. He edges out the top 10 backs in total fantasy points. Wells has had a few especially explosive games that have given numerous owners an edge in the matchup. Wells was projected to be good, but not this good this year and has well exceeded expectations thus far. 

He has been really good with the opportunities that have been given to him and he will continue to live up to his grade the rest of the season as long as he stays uninjured. 

St.Louis Rams: Steven Jackson B+

Steven Jackson deserves his B because he has created a good number of points for fantasy owners and has exceeded expectations from where people drafted him. He gets the plus because of the horrible situation he plays in. With Sam Bradford having issues in St. Louis, coaches game plan specifically around the star RB in St. Louis and that hurts his production. 

For him to be producing those numbers while being one of the only facets of offense is very surprising and the reason Steven Jackson deserves a B+.

New England Patriots: BenJarvus Green-Ellis B-

BenJarvus Green-Ellis has had solid fantasy production thus far and that is surprising because of the Bill Belichick model of using a committee of running backs. Green-Ellis has been solid too in a system that has one of the elite quarterbacks of the league who is the go to option in the red-zone. 

Green-Ellis deserves a B because of his decent production, above average numbers for the situation he is in, and the minus comes from the lack of consistency week in and week out. This can't fully be attributed to him but Coach Belichick and will continue to hurt him as long as he is in New England.

New York Jets: Shonn Greene B-

Shonn Greene still hasn't established himself as the consistent back that we thought we'd be seeing but definitely does have very good weeks and still deserves his B- grade because he has had decent numbers this season.

Greene has been explosive some weeks causing close matchup's to go one way or the other. This high upside play gives owners a good reason to keep him playing and once consistency can be established, his grade will only rise. 

He comes in as number 20 on the top list of running back total points, and after last weeks breakout performance will only continue to rise.

Buffalo Bills: Fred Jackson A

Fred Jackson is still the sixth ranked back in total fantasy points even though he has been on injured reserve for a few weeks. Although he isn't the starting running back right now, he was and whoever the BIlls will put in will not perform as well as Jackson.

The division III to NFL story was performing very well this year and was one of the most dynamic backs. It's sad that his season is over because he was the fantasy draft choice of the year for many people and now that playoff time has arrived he will be a non factor. 

If Fred Jackson picks up where he left off last year he should be a first round choice. 

Miami Dolphins: Reggie Bush B+

Reggie Bush has been one of the surprises of the second half of the season so far and snuck in to the top 20 running backs and is only increasing. His fantasy value has skyrocketed after Miami has learned how to use their offense in a very productive way. 

The offense has caught fire for Miami and Bush is reaping the full benefit of it. If he continues and finishes the season strong he could have a profound impact on the playoffs. He is deserving of the B+ for the way he has adapted and allowed himself to become a fantasy player in the situation he is in.

Baltimore Ravens: Ray Rice A

Ray Rice has been one of the most productive fantasy backs of the year. He ranks second in total points and has taken care of the ball with only one lost fumble. He has been phenomenal for owners and has kept many of them in the playoffs. 

Rice has had a great 2011 so far and if you own him, you should be in your leagues playoffs. He hasn't had any holdups this year and may be fantasy player of the year if he continues as this level. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashard Mendenhall B-

Rashard Mendenhall has played well this but injuries have kept him on the bench for a few weeks and that hurts his grade significantly. He has been explosive on a team that started slow but has come on very strong. 

He is a good member to any fantasy team heading into the playoffs as he is number 19 in total fantasy points for running backs. He has had a few good performances lately and will continue to do so. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Cedric Benson B-

Suspension seems to hurt his fantasy value every year, it's a sad fact for the running back who is very good fantasy choice and has performed well this year. He's been suitable for a flex play since coming back from his suspension this year.

Cincinnati has surprised a lot of people this year. Andy Dalton has become what he has because of a running game they can rely on in Cedric Benson. If Benson continues at this rate he can raise his grade by the end of the year, but for now it will stay at B-.

Cleveland Browns: Peyton Hillis F

The only failure on the list, the Madden 12 coverboy has failed anyone that has drafted him. He has a little bit over 50 points in standard leagues. We expected him to be in the top 10 backs after he exploded onto the scene last year. 

Hillis has dealt with hamstring injuries, strep throat, and apparently contract issues.He fails because he has killed fantasy owners that have wasted an early round pick on him and expected great production. Hillis is a good back but with all the issues this year deserves an F.

Houston Texans: Arian Foster A+

Arian Foster is in my opinion the fantasy running back of the year. He may only rank third in points by running backs but that was after his early season injury. He exploded one week for a near 40 point performance that is the fantasy performance of the year next to last weeks by Cam Newton. 

Foster has been a beast all year and has put his hamstring injury behind him. He is my vote for fantasy player of the year. My vote for fantasy player of the year, Arian Foster gets an A+ for coming back from his injury perfectly. 

Tennessee Titans: Chris Johnson No Grade

I'm not going to assign a grade to Chris Johnson because the jury isn't out yet on the running back. After holding out for his large contract, Johnson started the season very slow and was traded very low early in the season. But those that took the risk have received their reward as Johnson has exploded the last few weeks.

As of this week its hard to know if Johnson is going to continue at this rate the rest of the season. If he plays the rest of the year like the beginning he will sink to a D but has the possibility to rise to a B+ with the performances of the previous few weeks.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Maurice Jones-Drew A

One of the elite backs of the league is elite once again, even with a horrid team around him. Jones-Drew is ranked 4th in total fantasy points for running backs and leads the league in total rushing yards, but has had trouble finding the endzone this year.

The Jaguars have one of the worst scoring offenses and that has taken a toll on his production, but with him being the 4th ranked back, there isn't much to complain about which earns Jones-Drew an A.

Indianapolis Colts: Joseph Addai D-

Not much was expected for Joseph Addai, but his season has been plagued by injuries and he is the third ranked Colts running back on the winless team. He has fewer than 50 fantasy points and has been a little disappointing.

There are two better options on the Colts for running back, who are winless at this point with an offense that has struggled heavily. He deserves his D- for his lack of reliability and lack of production this year.

Denver Broncos: Willis McGahee B

Willis McGahee has been brilliant this year and his fantasy stock has gone way up since the Broncos have transitioned their offense to a very run heavy offense because of the needs of Tim Tebow. He's received 15 or more carries eight times, that's something that has contributed to his success.

He gets a B with good stats, but because he has performed way better than his average draft position shows. He's the 18th ranked running back but was pre-season ranked in the high 20s or low 30s. McGahee deserves his B.

Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden C

Darren McFadden has been great while he has played, but the fact is that he hasn't been playing recently and that hurts his grade tremendously. He comes in with a little over 100 points in standard leagues which isn't bad for how much he has played.

Michael Bush his backup has played very well in his absence though. If Bush were to be graded it would be an A. He has come from backup to be the 12th ranked fantasy running back. He has been the second best waiver pickup to Cam Newton, but Bush has propelled many owners into the playoffs. 

When McFadden is back next year at full health he can easily improve this grade. 

Kansas City Chiefs: Jamaal Charles F

The biggest and saddest bust of fantasy football 2011, Jamaal Charles tore his ACL early in the season and killed many fantasy owners. He returned from a 2000 yard season and was poised to have another when this season ending injury came way to early to a top five pick in almost every fantasy league. 

His backups have been great at times, but not what Charles was last year. Jackie Battle, Dexter McCluster and Thomas Jones all have been decent. They share too many carries and their fantasy grades would probably all be in the C- to C+ range for their performances. 

San Diego Chargers: Ryan Matthews a-

Last but not least, Ryan Matthews is just out of the top 10 at number 11, he has been highly productive this year especially because he shares carries with the tank of a running back Mike Tolbert, who is over 100 fantasy points on the year.

Matthews is very productive with the amount of opportunity he has and has established himself as one of the better fantasy running backs of the league. He is deserving of the A- with his almost top 10 points, making the best out of what opportunity he has, and being in-line with where he was drafted.