Fantasy Football Grades for Every Starting NFL Running Back

When it comes to assigning grades to starting running backs from a fantasy football perspective, what are the most important factors to analyze?

Of course you want to see yards gained, either by rushing the ball or as a pass receiver coming out of the backfield. You want to see touchdowns, either by run or pass, and the ability to play every week, and playing with pain helps fantasy owners to know that their guy will be reliable and dependable.

Then we start to look at some other less vital factors, but ones that are important to the overall evaluation. How often do they fumble, how many yards do they average per game, and how often are they able to break off a long run?

On the second slide, we will break down the numbers to detail how and why we assign the grades that we did. Please note that this presentation is only going to address the current leading rusher for every NFL team.

Otherwise, the number of slides would be out of control. As a result, you will not see Darren McFadden, Ben Tate, Darren Sproles or Jamaal Charles. But, I suspect you already have an idea of how good or bad each of them are for your fantasy football team.

How We Assigned Our Grades

Total Yardage - Seeking total yards from scrimmage. If a back doesn't gain that much on the ground but makes up for it in pass receptions, that has to be factored in.

Average Rush Per Carry - We expect to see a minimum average of 4.0 yards gained per rush. That is the NFL perceived cutoff of acceptability. If the average is at 5.0 yards or above, bonus points. If it is 3.9 or lower, negative points.

Touchdowns - We would expect the leading running back to be scoring the majority of rushing touchdowns for his team. If he is not, and someone else is vulturing those away from him, his score will be graded accordingly.

Two-dimensional Back: We expect the running backs to be well-rounded, and to demonstrate that they are a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. The more passes you catch, the more yards you gain from receptions and the more touchdowns you catch, the higher the grade. For the opposite end of the spectrum, the lower your score will be.

Breakaway Ability - For running backs that are in the upper echelon of number of carries netting at least 20-plus yards, we will assign bonus points, due to the potential for scoring on longer runs. 

Taking care of the ball - For running backs that fumble more than their peers, we will subtract some points.

Average Yardage Per Game - this category takes into account the average yards you produce on the ground every week. For running backs that had to sit out a game or two due to injury, the higher average per game is a way to make up for having less total yards.

We are assigning letter grades and when needed will use a plus or minus to either increase or decrease a grade accordingly, looking at the big picture.

We also used the current fantasy points registered by the running backs in the standard ESPN Fantasy Football guide. For a link to that list, click here. We will start out with our lowest grades and work our way to the "A" running backs.

Peyton Hillis

Total Yardage - In seven games, rushed for 346 yards in 101 carries. Caught 18 passes for 124 yards.

Average Rush Per Carry - 3.4 average per rush and 6.9 average per catch

Touchdowns - scored two of the Browns three rushing touchdowns. No receiving touchdowns.

Two-dimensional Back: Has only been targeted with 24 passes. Not much of a threat.

Breakaway Ability - Has only one rush this year of at least 20 plus yards./

Taking care of the ball - one fumble on the year.

Average Yardage Per Game - 49.4 average rushing yards per game is weak.

Analysis: The Madden Curse is alive and well. Cover boy Peyton Hillis has let down many fantasy owners this year. He might need a change of scenery.

Fantasy Football Grade: F

Jackie Battle

Total Yardage - rushed for 504 yards in 125 carries. Caught eight passes for 61 yards.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.0, barely NFL-level acceptable.

Touchdowns - has one of the three Chiefs rushing touchdowns on year. No receiving touchdowns.

Two-dimensional Back: Been targeted with only 10 passes. Not much of a threat out of backfield.

Breakaway Ability - has three rushes of at least 20 plus yards.

Taking care of the ball - no fumbles on the year.

Average Yardage Per Game - 38.8 rushing yards average per game knocks down his worth.

Analysis: The Chiefs don't run the ball that well. Battle isn't a good receiver, and his lack of touchdowns means he is a weak fantasy option.

Fantasy Football Grade: F

Donald Brown

Total Yardage - 99 rushes for 425 yards, to go along with 11 catches for 56 yards.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.3 yards per rush

Touchdowns - has four of the Colts seven rushing touchdowns. Has no receiving touchdowns.

Two-dimensional Back: Only had 13 pass targets all year.

Breakaway Ability - two rushes of 20 plus yards all year.

Taking care of the ball - no fumbles

Average Yardage Per Game - 32.7 rushing yards per game.

Analysis: Colts offense is a mess. Brown isn't thrown to out of backfield. Average yardage per game is anemic as is four touchdowns for the year. Pass.

Fantasy Football Grade: F

James Starks

Total Yardage - 127 rushes for 565 yards. Also has 28 catches for 210 yards.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.4 average, which is good.

Touchdowns - one rushing touchdown out of 11 for the team, which is terrible. No receiving TD's.

Two-dimensional Back: Averages 7.5 yards per catch, but Rodgers has so many weapons to throw to.

Breakaway Ability - has five rushes of at least 20 plus yards this year.

Taking care of the ball - one fumble for year.

Average Yardage Per Game 47.1 average rushing yards per game is not very good.

Analysis: Due to Packers ability to throw ball, and sharing carries with Ryan Grant, Starks' fantasy value is quite low. The most troubling part is the one rushing touchdown out of 11 for the team. Starks has as many touchdowns as B.J. Raji.

Fantasy Football Grade: F+

Roy Helu

Total Yardage - 124 rushes for 582 yards. Caught 44 passes for 315 yards.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.7 per rush and 7.2 yards per reception.

Touchdowns - has two of the seven Redskins rushing touchdowns and no receiving touchdowns.

Two-dimensional Back: Been targeted 53 times. Redskins like to throw him the ball.

Breakaway Ability - has four rushes of at least 20 yards.

Taking care of the ball - two fumbles on the year.

Average Yardage Per Game 44.8 average yardage per game, very low number.

Analysis: Helu's value is higher lately, but for the overall year, it is not very good. Only two touchdowns on the year helps to depress his value.

Fantasy Football Grade: D-

DeAngelo Williams

Total Yardage - 126 carries for 656 yards, and 12 catches for 97 yards. Has played in all 13 games.

Average Rush Per Carry - 5.2 average yards per rush is outstanding. Averages 8.1 yards per catch.

Touchdowns - Panthers have 20 rushing touchdowns but Williams only has four of them. No receiving TD's.

Two-dimensional Back: Been targeted 19 times on the year.

Breakaway Ability - has eight rushes for at least 20 plus yards.

Taking care of the ball - no fumbles

Average Yardage Per Game  50.5 rushing yards per game, still not very strong number.

Analysis: While Cam Newton is great for the Panthers, he has robbed Williams of most of his fantasy value due to scoring 13 rushing touchdowns. As long as Newton is such a viable threat in the red zone, Williams will have to be downgraded for as long as he stays in Carolina.

Fantasy Football Grade: D-

Mark Ingram

Total Yardage - 122 rushes for 474 yards, along with 11 catches for 46 yards. Has played in 10 games.

Average Rush Per Carry - 3.9 yards per rush is below acceptable level

Touchdowns - Saints have 13 rushing touchdowns, Ingram has five of them. No receiving touchdowns.

Two-dimensional Back: Only 13 targets in 10 games. Drew Brees is not throwing him the ball.

Breakaway Ability - only two rushes for at least 20 yards out of 122 rushes.

Taking care of the ball - one fumble on the year.

Average Yardage Per Game 47.4 rushing yards per game.

Analysis: Tough rookie year due to sharing the workload with Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas. Of the three backs, Ingram has the lowest average per rush, and is scoring fewer than half their rushing touchdowns. All of these factors combine to downgrade his fantasy value.

Fantasy Football Grade: D

BenJarvus Green-Ellis

Total Yardage - 161 rushes for 618 yards, and six catches for 74 yards.

Average Rush Per Carry - 3.8, which is not good enough

Touchdowns - Patriots have 11 rushing touchdowns. BJGE has eight of them. No receiving touchdowns.

Two-dimensional Back: With all of Brady's weapons, has only been targeted with 10 passes all year.

Breakaway Ability - no 20-plus yard rushes for the year. This is a big downgrade for me.

Taking care of the ball - no fumbles.

Average Yardage Per Game 47.5 average rushing yards per game.

Analysis: He is good for some short-yardage touchdowns, but that is about it. Very little pass receiving points and the lack of any long runs limits the upside as a ball carrier.

Fantasy Football Grade: D

DeMarco Murray

Total Yardage - 164 rushes for 897 yards and 26 catches for 183 yards. Played in all 13 games so far.

Average Rush Per Carry - an outstanding 5.5 yards per rush and 7.0 average yards per reception.

Touchdowns - Cowboys only have four rushing touchdowns for year. Murray has two of those. No receiving touchdowns.

Two-dimensional Back: Been targeted 35 times. Good receiver out of backfield.

Breakaway Ability - had seven rushes of at least 20 plus yards

Taking care of the ball - one fumble

Average Yardage Per Game 69 average rushing yards per game.

Analysis: The key stat is that he averages 5.5 yards per carry. If the Cowboys feature him in 2012, his fantasy value goes up, but the Cowboys need to score more rushing touchdowns. As long as Murray is only scoring one touchdown for every 95 times he touches the ball, his value will be depressed.

Fantasy Football Grade: C-

LeGarrette Blount

Total Yardage - 167 rushes for 737 yards and 12 catches for 134 yards. Played in only 11 games.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.4 yards per carry

Touchdowns - Bucs have eight rushing touchdowns, Blount has five of them. No receiving touchdowns.

Two-dimensional Back: Been targeted 21 times this year. About two throws per game.

Breakaway Ability - four rushes of at least 20 plus yards. Not that many for 167 carries.

Taking care of the ball - three fumbles. That is not scoring him any points.

Average Yardage Per Game 67 average rushing yards per game.

Analysis: Not much of a threat catching passes out of the backfield and not very many long runs, either. Scoring once every two games helps to keep his value depressed.

Fantasy Football Grade: C-

Cedric Benson

Total Yardage - 222 rushes for 883 yards and 11 catches for 53 yards. Played in 12 of 13 games.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.0 average per rush and 4.8 average per catch. Nothing special here.

Touchdowns - Bengals have seven rushing touchdowns, Benson has five of them. No receiving TD's.

Two-dimensional Back: Not really, only 15 targets for the year.

Breakaway Ability - has four rushes of at least 20 plus yards.

Taking care of the ball - no fumbles

Average Yardage Per Game 73.6 average rushing yards per game. Decent number.

Analysis: The average yards per rush and catch show that Benson is more of a grinder now. Getting one touchdown every two games, or one touchdown every 47 touches means you can do better elsewhere.

Fantasy Football Grade: C-

Willis McGahee

Total Yardage - 199 rushes for 920 yards and 12 catches for 51 yards. Played in 12 of 13 games.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.6 average yards per rush and 4.3 average yards per catch.

Touchdowns - has four of the Broncos seven touchdowns. Is vulturing touchdowns from Tim Tebow. Has one touchdown as a receiver.

Two-dimensional Back: Only 17 targets for the year. With Tebow there, passing game is minimal.

Breakaway Ability - has eight rushes of at least 20 plus yards.

Taking care of the ball - three fumbles so far hurts his cause.

Average Yardage Per Game 76.7 yards per game on ground is a healthy number.

Analysis: Denver will be running the ball more than passing it, but with Tebow around, McGahee will have limited chances in the red zone to score. That hurts his overall value.

Fantasy Football Grade: C -

Rashard Mendenhall

Total Yardage - 187 rushes for 710 yards and 13 catches for 87 yards. Played in 12 of 13 games.

Average Rush Per Carry - 3.8 average per rush is not very good.

Touchdowns - Has eight of the nine Steelers rushing touchdowns.

Two-dimensional Back: Caught only 13 of 22 targets. Not the greatest receiver as a running back.

Breakaway Ability - Only two rushes for 20 plus yards out of 187 tries. Not very impressed.

Taking care of the ball - one fumble on the year.

Average Yardage Per Game 59.2 average rushing yards per game.

Analysis: If it weren't for all of the rushing touchdowns, he would be downgraded even more. Just an average back in the NFL compared to the cream of the crop.

Fantasy Football Grade: C-

Reggie Bush

Total Yardage - 169 rushes for 770 yards and 40 catches for 264 yards. Played in all 13 games.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.6 average yards per rush and 6.6 average yards per reception.

Touchdowns - Has five of the Dolphins€' 10 rushing touchdowns and has one receiving touchdown.

Two-dimensional Back: With 48 targets, Miami likes to throw Bush the ball. That helps his overall value.

Breakaway Ability - has five rushes for at least 20 plus yards on the year.

Taking care of the ball - three fumbles is not very good.

Average Yardage Per Game 59.2 average yards per game on the ground is okay, but not great.

Analysis: Is getting a higher percentage of touches with the Dolphins. The offense still is not very good and until they get more weapons and can score more points, Bush will be in the middle of pack for running backs from a fantasy perspective.

Fantasy Football Grade: C-

Shonn Green

Total Yardage - 207 carries for 868 yards and 26 catches for 191 yards. Played in all 13 games so far.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.2 average rush and 7.3 average yards per catch.

Touchdowns - Jets have 13 rushing touchdowns and Greene has six of them. No receiving touchdowns.

Two-dimensional Back: With 31 targets on the year, getting about 2.5 passes per game. Not great.

Breakaway Ability - only four rushes of 20 plus yards, comes out to less than one for every 50 tries.

Taking care of the ball - one fumble on season.

Average Yardage Per Game - 66.8 yards per game on the ground. Okay, but nothing special.

Analysis: Would help his fantasy value if he received more of the rushing touchdowns, but less than half of his team's total is helping to depress his value.

Fantasy Football Grade: C

Ahmad Bradshaw

Total Yardage - 130 rushes for 490 yards to go with 27 catches for 226 yards. Played in only nine games.

Average Rush Per Carry - 3.8 yards per rush is weak. 8.4 yards per catch is much better.

Touchdowns - Giants have 13 rushing touchdowns, Bradshaw has five. Has one TD as a receiver.

Two-dimensional Back: With 35 targets, Giants throw him the ball four times per game. Not bad.

Breakaway Ability - Only two rushes of 20 plus yards in 130 attempts. When did the Giants forget how to run the ball?

Taking care of the ball - no fumbles

Average Yardage Per Game 54.4 average rushing yards per game. Not very special.

Analysis: Sharing the workload with Brandon Jacobs brings down his value. As well as the Giants throw the ball, that also brings down his value. Giants also getting away from running game, again brings down his value.

Fantasy Football Grade: C

Jahvid Best

Total Yardage - 84 rushes for 390 yards and 27 catches for 287 yards. Played in only 6 games in 2011.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.6 average yards per rush is quite good. Average catch is 10.6 is also very good.

Touchdowns - Lions have eight rushing touchdowns. Best has just two of them. One TD as a receiver.

Two-dimensional Back: 41 targets in six games equates to seven passes per game. Really like to see that stat.

Breakaway Ability - has two rushes of at least 20 yards. Okay, could be better.

Taking care of the ball - no fumbles so far.

Average Yardage Per Game 65 average yards per game on the ground. Okay, but can improve.

Analysis: His fantasy value could have been better but missed too many games due to injury. We are looking at reliability and durability issues. Like the receiving component of his game.

Fantasy Football Grade: C

Chris Johnson

Total Yardage - 217 rushes for 875 yards and 45 catches for 315 yards. Played in all 13 games.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.0 average per rush is weak for him. 7.0 average yards per catch.

Touchdowns - Has four of the Titans seven rushing touchdowns. No receiving touchdowns.

Two-dimensional Back: With 60 targets, is seeing 4.6 passes per game. Like to see some of those catches being converted into touchdowns.

Breakaway Ability - Has nine rushes of at least 20 plus yards. Sleeping giant is waking up.

Taking care of the ball - Three fumbles is not very good.

Average Yardage Per Game 67.3 yards is a disappointing number compared to what we have been used to in the past.

Analysis: Whether it is the holdout, the play of the offensive line, Johnson losing a step or not trying as hard since he has his money, the end result is that this season is a disappointing one for Johnson and his fantasy owners. Scoring one TD for every 65 touches is not acceptable for his speed and talent. Am expecting a better return in 2012.

Fantasy Football Grade: C

Frank Gore

Total Yardage - 234 rushes for 1,054 yards and 16 catches for 101 yards. Played in all 13 games. 

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.5 average per rush is healthy number. 6.3 average yardage per catch.

Touchdowns - 49ers have 10 rushing touchdowns, Gore has six of them. No TD's as a receiver.

Two-dimensional Back: With only 28 targets, averaging two per game, not even a consideration.

Breakaway Ability - with 11 rushes of at least 20 plus yards, Gore is one of the few backs to hit double digits in this category.

Taking care of the ball - two fumbles on the year.

Average Yardage Per Game - averages 81.1 yards per game on the ground. Good solid number.

Analysis: Solid enough year as a running back, but scoring only one touchdown every other game, and being a non-factor in passing game is what brings his overall game down to this level.

Fantasy Football Grade: C

Michael Bush

Total Yardage - 196 carries for 764 yards; 26 catches for 319 yards. Played in all 13 games.

Average Rush Per Carry - only 3.9 yards per rush, not up to standard. 12.3 yards per catch is excellent.

Touchdowns - Raiders have 15 rushing touchdowns and Bush has seven of them. Has one receiving TD.

Two-dimensional Back: 34 targets combined with the 12.3 average means he can rack up receiving points for you.

Breakaway Ability - five rushes for at least 20 plus yards.

Taking care of the ball - only one fumble.

Average Yardage Per Game 58.8 average yards per game on the ground. That number is down due to games where he sat while Darren McFadden got most of the carries. 

Analysis: As long as Bush shares the same backfield with McFadden, his numbers will be depressed. He is a good guy to handcuff to McFadden, but as far as a stand-alone back, he will be playing in the shadows of McFadden.

Fantasy Football Grade: C

Steven Jackson

Total Yardage - 202 carries for 895 yards and 30 catches for 222 yards. Played in 12 games this year.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.4 yards per carry and 7.4 yards per catch.

Touchdowns - Jackson has all five of the Rams rushing touchdowns. He is one of two NFL backs that have scored every one of his team's rushing touchdowns. Also has one receiving touchdown.

Two-dimensional Back: 43 targets means he is getting about four passes per game. Good average.

Breakaway Ability - has five rushes of 20 plus yards so far.

Taking care of the ball - only one fumble.

Average Yardage Per Game 74.6 average rushing yards per game. Good number.

Analysis: Jackson's fantasy value will improve when the St. Louis Rams offense improves. While the team is struggling, it keeps down Jackson's value as he is only scoring one touchdown every two games.

Fantasy Football Grade: C+

Beanie Wells

Total Yardage - 216 rushes for 943 yards and eight catches for 34 yards. Played in just 12 games.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.4 average per rush and 4.3 average per catch.

Touchdowns -  Wells has nine of the 10 Cardinals rushing touchdowns. No receiving scores.

Two-dimensional Back: Is basically a non-factor in the passing game.

Breakaway Ability - has five rushes for at least 20 plus yards.

Taking care of the ball - four fumbles is tied for the most in our presentation with Ryan Mathews.

Average Yardage Per Game - 78.6 average yards per game on the ground. Decent number.

Analysis: The nine touchdowns helps to propel Wells into the B- area of our grading scale. He could have been even higher, but the four fumbles and lack of receiving numbers keeps him where he is.

Fantasy Football Grade: B-

Michael Turner

Total Yardage - 254 carries for 1,068 yards and 11 catches for 128 yards. Played in all 13 games.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.2 yards per carry and 11.6 yards per catch.

Touchdowns - Has eight of the 10 Falcons rushing touchdowns. No receiving touchdowns.

Two-dimensional Back: Not really. Only has 19 targets on the year. 

Breakaway Ability - nine rushes of 20 plus yards or more. This is a real positive number.

Taking care of the ball - three fumbles; that is too many.

Average Yardage Per Game - 82.2 average rushing yards per game. Solid number.

Analysis:Turner is scoring one touchdown every 33 touches, which is a far greater ratio or percentage than some of the earlier backs we addressed. His average per catch suggests that Falcons should throw to him a little more than they do.

Fantasy Football Grade: B-

Marshawn Lynch

Total Yardage - 225 carries for 969 yards and 22 catches for 178 yards. Played in 12 games this year.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.3 average rush and 8.1 average per catch.

Touchdowns - Has nine of the Seahawks' 11 rushing touchdowns. Has one receiving touchdown.

Two-dimensional Back: 33 targets, so is catching 2/3 of passes thrown. Receiving game is part of what keeps him from upper echelon.

Breakaway Ability - only four rushes of 20 yards or more is not great. Another detraction.

Taking care of the ball - three fumbles on the year is another negative.

Average Yardage Per Game 80.8 yards average in ground game is a positive number.

Analysis: Laid out all his positives and negatives. Has really been coming on strong of late. Too bad he didn't start out the year this way.

Fantasy Football Grade: B

Ryan Mathews

Total Yardage - 185 carries for 943 yards and 45 catches for 420 yards. Played in 12 games this year.

Average Rush Per Carry - 5.1 average per rush is very strong. 9.3 average per catch is also a big positive number.

Touchdowns - Chargers have 12 rushing touchdowns, Mathews has only four of those. No receiving TD's.

Two-dimensional Back: Big time. 53 targets on the year allows him to see more than four passes per game. Good pass receiving totals.

Breakaway Ability - has eight rushes of at least 20-plus yards this year. Good total.

Taking care of the ball - four fumbles is tied for the most in the presentation.

Average Yardage Per Game 78.6 average rushing yards per game.

Analysis: Not crazy about the fumbles, but the biggest drawback is lack of touchdowns. Everything else is very solid and says that he has a bright future.

Fantasy Football Grade: B

Matt Forte

Total Yardage - 203 carries for 997 yards and 52 catches for 490 yards. Played in 12 games this year.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.9 average per rush is very good and 9.4 average yardage per catch is also very solid.

Touchdowns - Only has three of the Bears 10 rushing touchdowns. One receiving touchdown.

Two-dimensional Back: One of the best in the league. Had 76 targets so far. Cutler likes to throw him the ball.

Breakaway Ability - 12 rushes of at least 20 yards or more is second in the NFL to LeSean McCoy.

Taking care of the ball - one fumble for the year.

Average Yardage Per Game 83.1 rushing yards per game. Very solid average.

Analysis: Forte is one of the most complete backs in the NFL. The biggest issue with him is the lack of touchdowns. One touchdown out of every 64 touches is not going to win many fantasy championships. It would help Forte is the Bears could improve the overall offense.

Fantasy Football Grade: A-

Maurice Jones-Drew

Total Yardage - 277 rushes for 1,222 yards and 35 catches for 348 yards. Played in all 13 games.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.4 average per carry and 9.9 average yardage per catch.

Touchdowns - Has scored all seven of the Jaguars rushing touchdowns and has three receiving touchdowns.

Two-dimensional Back: 49 targets. Sees just under four passes per game. Great average of almost 10 yards per catch.

Breakaway Ability - has six rushes of at least 20 plus yards.

Taking care of the ball - three fumbles so far. Could take better care of the ball.

Average Yardage Per Game 94.0 average rushing yards per game. Getting into the 90s is a serious barrier to cross.

Analysis: 10 touchdowns and over 1,500 yards from scrimmage. What is there not to like about Jones-Drew? Too bad the rest of the offense is so putrid around him, or he would be off the charts.

Fantasy Football Grade: A

Adrian Peterson

Total Yardage - 186 rushes for 872 yards and 16 catches for 125 yards. Played in just 10 games.

Average Rush Per Carry - very solid 4.7 yards per rush and 7.8 yards per catch.

Touchdowns - Has 11 of the 15 rushing touchdowns for the Vikings. Has one receiving touchdown.

Two-dimensional Back: Not so much anymore. Only has 19 targets in 10 games, so sees less than two passes per game.

Breakaway Ability - six runs of at least 20 plus yards this season.

Taking care of the ball - fumbling problems are thing of past. One fumble on the year.

Average Yardage Per Game 87.2 average rushing yards per game. Very good number.

Analysis: Scoring 12 touchdowns in 10 games is the kind of return a fantasy player needs to win his league. Peterson continues to be the main man in Minnesota. If he caught more passes, I would boost him up to A+.

Fantasy Football Grade: A

Fred Jackson

Total Yardage - 170 rushes for 934 yards and 39 catches for 442 yards. Played in just 10 games in 2011.

Average Rush Per Carry - Outstanding average of 5.5 yards per rush and an even better average of 11.3 yards per catch.

Touchdowns - Jackson scored six of the Bills' nine rushing touchdowns. No receiving touchdowns.

Two-dimensional Back: Jackson is one of the most complete backs in the NFL. Underrated but solid in every phase.

Breakaway Ability - 10 rushes of at least 20 plus yards. Averaged one big run per game.

Taking care of the ball - two fumbles on the year.

Average Yardage Per Game 93.4 average rushing yards per game. Close to 100 yards per game.

Analysis: Terrible shame that he suffered broken leg in Week 11, as he was headed to his first Pro Bowl game. Jackson took a major step up this year, and proved that he can be a very reliable, productive back who can score many points as a runner and/or receiver. Jackson is averaging about 137 yards in rushing and receiving per game.

Fantasy Football Grade: A+

Arian Foster

Total Yardage - 239 rushes for 957 yards and 45 catches for 543 yards. Played in only 11 games.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.0 average per rush and 12.1 average per catch. The average catch number helps to compensate for the less than stellar rushing average.

Touchdowns - Foster has eight of the Texans 15 rushing touchdowns. Also caught two touchdown passes.

Two-dimensional Back: 63 targets in 11 games. That is at least five passes per game, so he can really score major points as a receiver.

Breakaway Ability - four rushes of at least 20 plus yards.

Taking care of the ball - two fumbles this year.

Average Yardage Per Game - 87.0 average rushing yards per game. Very solid figure.

Analysis: It helps Foster that he has Ben Tate to keep him fresh throughout each game and over the course of the year. Would like to see the average per rush figure come up, but scoring an average of one touchdown per game and generating at least 135 yards in rushes and receptions per game is the kind of guy you want on your fantasy team.

Fantasy Football Grade: A+

Ray Rice

Total Yardage - 234 carries for 1,029 yards and 62 catches for 593 yards. Played in all 13 games.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.4 average rush and 9.6 average per catch.

Touchdowns - Rice has 10 of the Ravens' 13 rushing touchdowns and has two receiving touchdowns.

Two-dimensional Back: Big time! His 62 catches is the most of any back on the slide show.

Breakaway Ability - has six rushes of at least 20 plus yards.

Taking care of the ball - two fumbles on the year.

Average Yardage Per Game 79.2 rushing yards per game.

Analysis: Rice has 12 touchdowns in 13 games. Combine that with a 1,000-yard running back, and almost 600 yards in receptions, and you are going to be winning the running back battle most weeks.

Fantasy Football Grade: A+

LeSean McCoy

Total Yardage - 242 rushes for 1,172 yards and 45 catches for 310 yards. Played in all 13 games.

Average Rush Per Carry - 4.8 average yards per rush and 6.9 average yards per catch.

Touchdowns - McCoy leads all NFL backs with 14 rushing touchdowns. Eagles have 15 as a team. He also has scored three touchdowns as a receiver. 

Two-dimensional Back: 65 targets means he is getting five passes every game. Those receiving points can add up.

Breakaway Ability - he leads the NFL with 13 rushes of at least 20 plus yards.

Taking care of the ball - all those touches and no fumbles on the year. That is amazing.

Average Yardage Per Game - 90.2 rushing yards per game average. Have to enjoy anything 90 or above.

Analysis: McCoy is another must-have running back on your fantasy football team. He is averaging a ridiculous one touchdown for every 16.8 touches. That is the kind of player that wins your league championship for you.

Fantasy Football Grade: A+