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2012 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

By on July 25, 2012

Running back rankings can be pretty nit picky in the top five. But once we get out of the top 5 RB you really have to think about why players are ranked in certain spots. Take RB, DeMarco Murray for example, I have him ranked at #7. In the previous years, Joe Philbin would pass the ball much more than run the ball when inside the 20. But the new OC, Tom Clements, has a history for running more in the red zone. Read more about this coaching change.  Also look at RB, Chris Johnson, whom I ranked at #6, the Titans added LG Steve Hutchinson which is a major upgrade, he’ll also bring nastiness, attitude and leadership to the offensive line. And don’t forget, he is an every-down back, which is hard to come by when drafting.

You can get customized ranking, setup to your leagues scoring settings, with value based draft projections in our 2012 Draft Guide!

Also see, 2012 Quarterback Rankings.

Rank  Player Name  Team  Player Notes
1 Arian Foster HOU He just produces, I trust him, like MJD but on a better team.
2 Ray Rice BAL
3 LeSean McCoy PHI
4 Ryan Mathews SD
5 Darren McFadden OAK DMAC is the man, even if he only gets me a full 14 games.
6 Chris Johnson TEN To many good things coming out of camp, and the O-line is improved this year. Looking for a big bounce back season.
7 DeMarco Murray DAL  The OC will run more in the red zone, bank on that.
8 Maurice Jones-Drew JAC
9 Matt Forte CHI
10 Trent Richardson CLE Can he beat all those stacked boxes in Cleveland? Please, he face Baltimore and Pitt twice and the Bengals defense did well last year keeping games low scoring.. I’m not feeling him until the Browns find a passing game.. at least not with his current ADP.
11 Marshawn Lynch SEA
12 Jamaal Charles KC More of a PPR back, plus coming of ACL.. I’m not feeling it this year. Play it safe. Oh and Peyton Hillis is in da house.
13 Ahmad Bradshaw NYG No more Jacobs, no more tears.
14 Adrian Peterson MIN I hope his ADP stays this low… he’s a freak of nature, his knee will be fine, worth the gamble IMO.
15 Steven Jackson STL
16 Darren Sproles NO
17 Doug Martin TB His ADP is low, but you’ll see him produce like a top 20 back. Tampa has made huge improvements by signing Carl Nicks, maybe the best OL in the league. Look for Doug to “smoke” Blount and take over the 1 spot in short order.
18 James Starks GB #1 RB on top 3 offense.. with an ADP OF 32 Really (as of this posting). Coordinator Tom Clements indicated the Packers are “hopeful” that James Starks is in store for a breakout season as the feature back.
19 Fred Jackson BUF
20 Frank Gore SF He’s have a dialed back roll to keep him fresh and healthy. Still the best running back on the team.
21 Reggie Bush MIA
22 Jahvid Best DET He should be “over” the concussions, and if he is, he’s a steal at his current ADP.. especially in PPR leagues.
23 Shonn Greene NYJ
24 Willis McGahee DEN Peyton should use him as well as open even more up for him.
25 Jonathan Stewart CAR
26 Roy Helu WAS You could be looking at a 1,000 yard rushing 8 to 10 TD producing late round sleeper.
27 Michael Turner ATL His age, declining production, and the fact that we’re hearing his role will be reduced, has forced me to drop him in the rankings.
28 BenJarvus Green-Ellis CIN He and Bernard Scott hurt each others fantasy value, but BGE will get the goal line work for sure.
29 Isaac Redman PIT Will have a solid first half of the season.
30 DeAngelo Williams CAR
31 Stevan Ridley NE
32 Mark Ingram NO
33 David Wilson NYG If and when Bradshaw gets hurt, he’s a steal at this ADP – grab him late and you’ll thank me.
34 C.J. Spiller BUF
35 Daniel Thomas MIA
36 Chris “Beanie” Wells ARI Mr. Injury bug…
37 Jacquizz Rodgers ATL Will spell “Turner” a lot this year, but not enough to count for more than anything that a bye week filling waiver wire hopeful.
38 Pierre Thomas NO
39 Ryan Williams ARI Could surpass Wells as the season progresses.
40 Donald Brown IND
41 Tim Hightower WAS Already pronounced the starter?? Really? Helu should lead in carries.
42 Peyton Hillis KC The new Jamal Charles Vulture, you’ll hate him if you own Charles.
43 Bernard Scott CIN
44 Michael Bush CHI
45 Ben Tate HOU
46 Mikel Leshoure DET
47 Toby Gerhart MIN If you have AP, you need to draft Toby, which is why I won’t draft AP.
48 LeGarrette Blount TB
49 Ronnie Hillman DEN
50 Rashard Mendenhall PIT
51 Felix Jones DAL
52 Shane Vereen NE



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