RUNNING BACKS
TIER ONE
1. Adrian Peterson, MIN | Age: 24.5 | Value Score: 100
Simply the most talented player on the field.
TIER TWO
2. Steven Jackson, STL | Age: 26.1 | Value Score: 93
3. Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX | Age: 24.4 | Value Score: 92
On pace for his usual 14-15 touchdowns and 45-50 receptions despite splitting carries behind an O-Line in shambles.
4. #Frank Gore, SF | Age: 26.2 | Value Score: 92
5. Chris Johnson, TEN | Age: 23.9 | Value Score: 90
Kudos if you got onboard The Hype Train for this special playmaker back in August. The league's top rookie RB is as important to the Titans offense as Brian Westbrook is to the Eagles.
6. Matt Forte, CHI | Age: 23.7 | Value Score: 88
Ranked No. 1 right now in many PPR leagues.
7. Marshawn Lynch, BUF | Age: 23.4 | Value Score: 87
8. #Marion Barber III, DAL | Age: 26.3 | Value Score: 86
9. Brian Westbrook, PHI | Age: 30.0 | Value Score: 85
TIER THREE
10. DeAngelo Williams, CAR | Age: 26.4 | Value Score: 77
A change of pace back wouldn't have three 100 yard performances in the last five games. It's time to consider him a feature back.
11. Clinton Portis, WAS | Age: 28.0 | Value Score: 76
Portis presents quite the conundrum. At 117 rushing yards per game, contenders need to ride the hot hand this season. Builders, on the other hand, owe it to themselves to move a RB who will be 28-years-old, coming off a possible 370-carry season, and a career-long history of heavy workloads and violent collisions.
12. Michael Turner, ATL | Age: 27.5 | Value Score: 75
13. Ronnie Brown, MIA | Age: 27.7 | Value Score: 73
His Ricky Williams problem isn't going away until 2010.
14. #Brandon Jacobs, NYG(U) | Age: 27.2 | Value Score: 72
15. Jonathan Stewart, CAR | Age: 22.5 | Value Score: 71
Still an elite talent, but it's becoming more obvious that owners will be waiting until 2010 for him to realize his full potential.
TIER FOUR
16. Steve Slaton, HOU | Age: 23.7 | Value Score: 63
17. Reggie Bush, NO | Age: 24.5 | Value Score: 62
Missing a stretch of games with a knee injury for the second year in a row.
18. #Joseph Addai, IND | Age: 26.3 | Value Score: 61
Addai's stats in the 15 games since last November 11th: 650 rushing yards on 202 attempts for a 3.2 average. What we have here is far from a RB1, but loyal readers already knew that. Right?
19. Darren McFadden, OAK | Age: 22.0 | Value Score: 60
He's gone from obvious buy-low to major doubts about whether he can stay healthy at the NFL level.
20. Pierre Thomas, NO | Age: 24.7 | Value Score: 59
2008 fantasy playoff MVP?
21. LaDainian Tomlinson, SD | Age: 30.2 | Value Score: 58
22. #Ray Rice, BAL | Age: 22.7 | Value Score: 57
Showing off a fine all-around game and giving his coach reason for pause in turning back to Willis McGahee. The future in Baltimore belongs to Rice, not McGahee.
23. [#]Rashard Mendenhall, PIT | Age: 22.2 | Value Score: 55
Is it too early to wonder if he's a bust? He couldn't get on the field until Willie Parker's injury, and now he's roster fodder until 2009.
TIER FIVE
24. Ryan Grant, GB | Age: 26.7 | Value Score: 45
Not only are the big plays gone, but more problematic is that he's slipped to the point where he doesn't even catch passes anymore. Steer clear of running backs with no role in the passing game.
25. Kevin Smith, DET | Age: 22.7 | Value Score: 44
Rod Marinelli runs his team like a high school football coach, which means it took the freshman nine games to "earn" the spot from the senior.
26. [#]Felix Jones, DAL | Age: 22.3 | Value Score: 43
27. Thomas Jones, NYJ | Age: 31.0 | Value Score: 41
28. Larry Johnson, KC | Age: 29.8 | Value Score: 40
29. Willie Parker, PIT | Age: 28.8 | Value Score: 39
This is why Parker has never had stability as a Dynasty asset: he's not a true workhorse. Every time the Steelers realize this, they start taking away responsibilities, first passing game work, then short-yardage work, and eventually the starting job.
30. #Willis McGahee, BAL[x] | Age: 27.9 | Value Score: 36
Losing carries to Ray Rice and in line for a new address in 2009.
31. Derrick Ward, NYG(U) | Age: 29.1 | Value Score: 34
Could be starting in another city in 2009 if Giants feel comfortable with Bradshaw taking over his role.
32. [#]Laurence Maroney, NE[x] | Age: 24.5 | Value Score: 32
The shoulder injury closes the books on his 2008 season, and he heads into 2009 as an injury-prone committee back with no role in the passing game.
TIER SIX
33. Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG | Age: 23.5 | Value Score: 24
34. Jamaal Charles, KC | Age: 22.7 | Value Score: 22
35. Le'Ron McClain, BAL | Age: 24.7 | Value Score: 21
36. LenDale White, TEN | Age: 24.7 | Value Score: 19
Chocoate chip pancakes.
37. Jerious Norwood, ATL | Age: 26.1 | Value Score: 17
38. Brandon Jackson, GB | Age: 23.9 | Value Score: 13
39. Leon Washington, NYJ | Age: 27.0 | Value Score: 12
40. Jamal Lewis, CLE[x] | Age: 30.0 | Value Score: 11
Time to explore younger options.
TIER SEVEN
41. Darren Sproles, SD(U) | Age: 26.3 | Value Score: 8
Unrestricted free agent after 2008 season.
42. Chester Taylor, MIN | Age: 30.0 | Value Score: 8
43. Tashard Choice, DAL | Age: 24.8 | Value Score: 8
44. [#]Ryan Torain, DEN | Age: 23.1 | Value Score: 8
45. Fred Jackson, BUF | Age: 28.6 | Value Score: 8
46. Kevin Jones, CHI(U) | Age: 27.0 | Value Score: 7
47. Mewelde Moore, PIT | Age: 27.1 | Value Score: 7
Never gets a starting gig, but in two separate trials he's shown that he can be a very productive NFL running back.
48. Dominic Rhodes, IND(U) | Age: 30.6 | Value Score: 7
May work his way back into a timeshare with Addai.
49. Justin Fargas, OAK | Age: 29.6 | Value Score: 7
Stinks. Doesn't catch the ball, doesn't receive consistent carries, is in danger of losing his job, and is frequently injured. I've never understood the love here.
50. Tim Hightower, ARI | Age: 23.3 | Value Score: 6
51. [#]Peyton Hillis, DEN | Age: 23.7 | Value Score: 6
52. Warrick Dunn, TB | Age: 34.7 | Value Score: 6
53. [#]Earnest Graham, TB | Age: 29.7 | Value Score: 6
54. Sammy Morris, NE | Age: 32.5 | Value Score: 6
55. Ladell Betts, WAS | Age: 30.0 | Value Score: 5
56. Jerome Harrison, CLE | Age: 26.5 | Contract: Thru 2009 | Value Score: 5
57. Ricky Williams, MIA | Age: 32.3 | Contract: Thru 2009 | Value Score: 5
58. Cadillac Williams, TB | Age: 27.4 | Contract: Thru 2010 | Value Score: 5
59. Cedric Benson, CIN(U) | Age: 26.7 | Contract: UFA | Value Score: 5
TIER EIGHT
60. Maurice Morris, SEA(U) | Age: 29.7 | Value Score: 3
61. LaMont Jordan, NE(U) | Age: 30.8 | Value Score: 3
62. P.J. Pope, DEN | Age: 25.6 | Value Score: 3
63. [#]Fred Taylor, JAX[x] | Age: 33.6 | Value Score: 3
See Edge. The one-time "Fragile Freddie" is thru as a fantasy factor.
64. Julius Jones, SEA[x] | Age: 28.0 | Value Score: 3
65. J.J. Arrington, ARI[R] | Age: 26.7 | Value Score: 3
66. Correll Buckhalter, PHI(U) | Age: 30.9 | Value Score: 3
67. Kevin Faulk, NE | Age: 33.3 | Contract: Thru 2010 | Value Score: 3
68. Selvin Young, DEN | Age: 25.9 | Value Score: 3
He's clearly a committee back – the part of the committee that never gets in the end zone.
69. [#]Ahman Green, HOU[x] | Age: 32.5 | Value Score: 3
70. Edgerrin James, ARI[x] | Age: 31.1 | Value Score: 3
I think he comes up just short of the NFL Hall of Fame, but Edge is a first ballot fantasy HOFer. So this is how it ends, not with a bang but with a whimper?
71. Jalen Parmele, BAL | Age: 23.7 | Value Score: 2
72. Xavier Omon, BAL | Age: 24.6 | Value Score: 2
73. [#]Mike Hart, IND | Age: 23.4 | Value Score: 2
74. [#]Kregg Lumpkin, GB | Age: 25.3 | Value Score: 2
75. Gary Russell, PIT | Age: 23.0 | Value Score: 2
76. Jacob Hester, SD | Age: 24.3 | Value Score: 2
77. DeShaun Foster, SF | Age: 29.7 | Value Score: 2
78. Danny Ware, NYG[R] | Age: 24.6 | Value Score: 2
79. Tatum Bell, DEN(U) | Age: 28.6 | Value Score: 2
80. Chauncy Washington, JAX | Age: 24.4 | Value Score: 2
TIER NINE
81. Antonio Pittman, STL | Age: 23.7 | Value Score: 1
82. Lorenzo Booker, PHI | Age: 25.3 | Value Score: 1
83. Rudi Johnson, DET(U) | Age: 29.9 | Value Score: 1
84. Deuce McAllister, NO[x] | Age: 30.7 | Value Score: 1
85. Chris Perry, CIN[x] | Age: 27.7 | Contract: Thru 2009 | Value Score: 1
86. Benjarvus Green-Ellis, NE | Age: 24.2 | Value Score: 1
87. Kenny Watson, CIN | Age: 31.6 | Value Score: 1
88. Michael Bush, OAK | Age: 25.3 | Value Score: 1
89. #DeShawn Wynn, GB | Age: 25.9 | Value Score: 1
90. [#]Andre Hall, DEN | Age: 27.1 | Value Score: 1
91. [#]Michael Pittman, DEN | Age: 34.1 | Value Score: 1
92. [#]Kolby Smith, KC | Age: 24.8 | Value Score: 1
93. Najeh Daveport, IND | Age: 30.6 | Value Score: 1
94. Michael Bennett, SD | Age: 31.0 | Value Score: 1
95. Michael Robinson, SF | Age: 26.5 | Value Score: 1
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Running Back Rankings | December 11, 2008
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2 comments:
What's happening Chris, haven't posted in a while, but just wanted to let you know that Steve Smith saved my ass and single-handedly put me in the Super Bowl this week.
Consider me reformed (I'm the guy who could't stop wanting to trade him earlier in the year).
I could use a littl help regarding my RBs this week. I have:
Westbrook
Chris Johnson
M. Barber
D. Rhodes
My match-ups of course are BRUTAL this week, and I'm thinking of taking some drastic moves.
As you might remember, I'm in a keeper league, and Barber's gotta go back in the pool this year as I've kept him for the max 3 years.
I'm thinking of dropping Barber and picking-up D. Foster in case Gore is out this week (where's some info on that, BTW??!!)
I don't think Barber's gonna do much even if does get more snaps than he did last week. Maybe I was seeing things, but it sure did look like he aggrevated his injury late against the Giants. I know Wade says know, but this Cowboys fan knows what he saw.
What would ya think about dropping Barber for Foster. The owner I'm facing is in RB trouble, too, so it'd be a block of sorts, too.
Any help from anybody would be great.
Thanks again for the GREAT WORK this season, Chris. Keep it up.
I don't see any problem with dumping Barber if you're just going to lose him for nothing regardless. I agree that he's not worth starting this week with the Ravens on the sked, Choice earning a role, and Barber's injuries not clearing up.
Make sure you check Addai's status before Thurs. night's game. Obviously you'll want Rhodes in your starting lineup if Addai is held out again.
Oh, and I hear ya on the lack of info regarding Gore. I had the news shift this morning, and turned the San Fran papers inside out looking for an update (I have Gore in 3 title games this weekend). No luck. Check Rotoworld this afternoon. Evan Silva always has the practice reports up quickly and with good analysis of what it all means. There's nobody better on the fantasy injury beat.
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