2013 RB Fantasy Football Rankings
It’s never too early to get a glimpse of the 2013 RB Fantasy Football Rankings, even though we are only a few days past what could have been the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. But as the 49ers regroup and reload for another run next season, and with the Ravens still celebrating their second Super Bowl victory in the last 13 years, now is the time for fantasy football owners to start looking at their own dynasty teams, keeper league teams or just to prepare for 2013 in general. Like I always say, it’s never too early to get a start on Spring/Summer leagues.
Below is a list of the Top 40 Running Backs for 2013. Like I wrote in my 2013 NFL Free Agency piece, offseason moves will change this list quickly. So once the official 2013 offseason begins, we’ll keep you up-to-date on all the players who could be playing for new teams in the new season. There has already been a big change after the Giants released Ahmad Bradshaw Wednesday to save $2.75 million in cap space and also paving the way for former first-rounder David Wilson to lead the way in 2013. Wilson moves up, but Bradshaw’s value is in current limbo until free agency begins.
The Giants releasing of Ahmad Bradshaw on Wednesday is just the beginning of, what figures to be, a very busy offseason for all 32 teams once the new season begins.
1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings (There will be plenty of debate as to whether or not AP or Foster should be No. 1 going into the summer.)
2. Arian Foster, Houston Texans
3. Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills
5. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens
6. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
7. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles
8. Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins
9. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs (Could have even bigger PPR value under Andy Reid.)
10. Trent Richardson, Cleveland Browns
11. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
12. Stevan Ridley, New England Patriots
13. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars
14. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
15. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
16. David Wilson, New York Giants (Value moves way up with only Andre Brown to contend with at the moment.)
17. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans (Expected to stay with the Titans, despite his 2013 salary.)
18. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders (OC Greg Knapp and the zone-blocking scheme are gone, which helps. Needs to stay healthy in order to maintain value.)
19. Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints (Ingram could be in for a bigger role in 2013, but Sproles is too good to push down any lower. The big question is if Sproles will get more carries.)
20. Reggie Bush, Miami Dolphins (Bush is entering free agency, but a move out of Florida could be just what the fantasy doctor ordered.)
21. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams (The wild card of the list. Jackson will take his time on deciding whether or not he wants to use his 2013 club option and stay on as a Ram for another year. If not, his value greatly depends on where he winds up signing. Green Bay has been linked to Jackson ever since the trade deadline.)
22. Willis McGahee, Denver Broncos
23. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cincinnati Bengals (BGE is coming off the best season of his career, but the Bengals have made it known they want someone new at backup who can push the Law Firm for carries. Value could drop.)
24. Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers
25. Mikel Leshoure, Detroit Lions
26. Ahmad Bradshaw, Free Agent (There could be a couple teams that still view Bradshaw as a featured back. If his rehab from foot surgery is looking good, he could find himself in the perfect fantasy situation.)
27. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers (Could move up if A. DeAngelo Williams is cut. B. The team finally addresses the offensive line.)
28. Vick Ballard, Indianapolis Colts
29. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills
30. Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints
33. Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos (Played above expectations when McGahee went down, but will Knowshon be able to push McGahee for more playing time? He didn’t when McGahee was healthy.)
32. Jonathan Dwyer, Pittsburgh Steelers (Moves to the forefront with Rashard Mendenhall hitting free agency, but I predict the team’s 2013 starter isn’t on the roster yet.)
33. Jacquizz Rodgers, Atlanta Falcons (Owners shouldn’t be hoping for a push towards a starting job.)
34. Shonn Greene, New York Jets (Also entering free agency, but I don’t give him much hope in regards to a big role somewhere else.)
35. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons (Could wind up out of a job this offseason.)
36. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers (With Dave Gettleman now in as the new GM, Williams’ status as a Panther is in serious limbo.)
37. Bilal Powell, New York Jets (Moves to No. 1 on the depth chart with Greene’s departure, but I’d be shocked if the Jets stayed with Powell through the summer.)
38. Bryce Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (Showed tremendous ability during his short stint as the Eagles’ starter, but fumble issues will need to be addressed.)
39. Beanie Wells, Arizona Cardinals (Wells is on the last year of his rookie deal, but his roster spot is far from safe. Due to the coaching overhaul in Arizona, Wells could be another release candidate. Bruce Arians could blame most of Wells’ problems on an atrocious offensive line.)
40. Joique Bell, Detroit Lions (Bell pushed LeShoure hard for work last year. The Lions could be on the lookout for a pass-catching upgrade like a Reggie Bush, so Bell’s status as the No. 2 is far from a sure thing.)
For more fantasy rankings, make sure to check out our early QUARTERBACK and WIDE RECEIVER rankings