BPN's Fantasy Football Files: Picking your Running Backs

By Brett Neal

ESPN's Top 10 RB's

1. Adrian Peterson (1)

2. Arian Foster (2)

3. Marshawn Lynch (3)

4. Ray Rice (4)

5. Doug Martin (5)

6. Jamal Charles (6)

7. C.J. Spiller (7)

8. Trent Richardson (8)

9. Alfred Morris (9)

10. LeSean McCoy (11)

You can't argue with Peterson or Foster, they're both going to make you a very happy fantasy owner. The rest of the order is up for debate. The only reason I think Marshawn Lynch is up there in the three spot is the 67 yard run from the 2011 payoffs. 

That one play left such an impression on viewers, that they forgot Marshawn Lynch had 2 touchdowns in the first 7 games last season. However, Lynch did bounce back nicely rushing for 9 more touchdowns in the last 9 games of the season. Lynch has a pretty good offensive line in front of him, and the Seahawks defense will allow the offense to run the ball a lot more than most other teams. But, I have Lynch as this years 5th best RB. I like Ray Rice at #3, bouncing back from what fantasy owners would call an "off year." Losing Anquan Boldin to the 49ers and Dennis Pitta to injury just means more receptions for the speedy Rice. I guarantee that Jon Harbaugh's number one offensive strategy this year is to get Ray Rice the ball in open field. It seems to work, even on 4th and 29.

My #4 guy could be a surprise for some of you, but I'd take C.J. Spiller of the Buffalo Bills. Like Rice, this guy is lightening fast and the Bills will try to lighten the load for whichever QB Coach Doug Marrone selects. Although it is Marrone's first NFL head coaching gig, he served as the offensive line coach for the NY Jets, who only got Curtis Martin into the NFL Hall of Fame. He then filled the role of Offensive Coordinator for the New Orleans Saints from 2006-2008. Sure they had Drew Brees, but the Saints also rushed for 53 touchdowns in those three years. C.J. Spiller will be utilized, I guarantee it.

With the recent foot injury to Chiefs RB Jamal Charles, I would move him off my draft board. Even if it is just a foot strain, Kansas City isn't very good in the first place, and bad teams don't typically run the ball when losing by multiple scores. Even if Charles foot injury is minor, it happened at practice where guys are taught to "not touch the merchandise." Throw him in a game, where 300 pounders are falling all over him and a  minor injury has the potential to become major. You'll be better off taking Alfred Morris, LeSean McCoy, or Calvin Johnson if Charles is still there late first, early second round. If your draft is this week, I would tread lightly and pass on him. If you have time, monitor the situation. If Charles gets any playing time this preseason, then put him back on the board as my number 10 rated RB.

As for the 2nd tier of running backs, you might as well spin the wheel and hope for the best.     In his first game as an Atlanta Falcon, Steven Jackson did his best Michael Turner impression, gaining 8 total yards on 6 carries. Matt Forte is not named Brandon Marshall, so Jay Cutler will do his best to not give him the ball. Stevan Ridley is in Tom Brady's backfield. Frank Gore might lose the starting running back job to Colin Kaepernick, who will also play quarterback. Maurice Jones-Drew has a bum foot. And Chris Johnson dances more at the line of scrimmage than Billy Elliot. If I were to take any of these guys, it would still probably be Chris Johnson. Although he has been a complete bust the past 2 years, he still has "getting away from the cops speed."

If you don't like any of these names, then go ahead and pick a rookie or first-time feature back. Best case scenario, you've stumbled upon this years Doug Martin. There are plenty to choose from this year, all with reasonable draft value: David Wilson, NY Giants (32). Montee Ball, Denver Broncos (37). Chris Ivory, NY Jets (51). Eddie Lacy, GB Packers (58). Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins (60). And finally, Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers (63). I'd try to snag at least one, maybe two if you took a QB in one of the first two rounds. Maybe stay away from "Fat Eddie." 

BPN's new top 10 RB's

1. Adrian Peterson

2. Arian Foster

3. Ray Rice

4. C. J. Spiller

5. Marshawn Lynch

6. Doug Martin

7. LeSean McCoy

8. Trent Richardson

9. Alfred Morris

1o.... Chris Johnson