The running back position has long been a cornerstone of football, both fantasy and NFL. While some of the bloom is off the rose with the high flying modern passing attacks, a stud running back will still make or break your season. Everyone wants to find the next Devonta Freeman, Arian Foster, Priest Holmes…etc. While I make no promises about picking a season-winning stud out of nowhere, this list will certainly help get you prepared for the 2016 fantasy football draft.
The Top 10:
LeVeon Bell PIT
Like teammate Antonio Brown, Bell pulls the top spot for his position. The Pittsburgh offense runs through Bell and Brown and with the absence of Martavis Bryant, Bell will be asked to do even more this season. This means more touches, both on the ground and through the air and that translates to lots of points. Aside from an injury (or unforeseen drug suspension), you can’t go wrong drafting LeVeon Bell. Editors note: Bell Likely Out 4 Games
- Todd Gurley LA
Todd Gurley is big time, 2016 is going to be something to see.
I know that he does not have the best team around him, but Gurley DOES have the devastating skill set to carry a team. Even with the defense keying on him, Gurley is going to get the touches to make good on a weekly basis. While the sophomore slump can be a concern, the raw ability here is just too much for me to pass up.
- Devonta Freeman ATL
Last season’s surprise fantasy darling, Devonta Freeman has clearly got the skills to pay the bills. There are many people asking if he can repeat the heroics of last season and of course nobody knows the answer. The same was asked of two other players mentioned in my opening – Arian Foster and Priest Holmes – and fantasy owners were mostly happy with the answers that they received. I think that the Falcons offense and Matt Ryan take a step back in the right direction this season. This may mean a few less touches for Freeman, but I think that he will have more room to run. In the end that should mean things come out even and Freeman comes up big.
- Ezekiel Elliott DAL
Elliott is coming into Dallas on fresh legs and bringing an electric skill set with him. He will have the opportunity to play behind an offensive line that helped Darren McFadden to a 1,000 yard season – DARREN MCFADDEN. Elliott will have every opportunity to put up enormous numbers, especially if a healthy Romo can put the team in a position to be running out the clock on some victories. On paper, the ceiling is almost limitless for Ezekiel Elliott given his talent and situation. He comes in at number 4 because he still needs to go out on the field and prove that he can do it.
- David Johnson ARI
Johnson does not have many strikes against him, but the first tier of running backs are very close for me so he ends up at number 5. Last year Johnson used the end of the season to show fantasy owners that he can carry the mail and rack up huge point totals in doing so. The Cardinals offense put up some prolific numbers last year and there is no reason that they cannot do so again considering their impressive personnel. Johnson will be given every opportunity to excel in 2016 and he should be a safe pick as a RB1.
- Adrian Peterson MIN
Peterson is getting up there in age and at some point he will not be an upper level running back any more. I am banking on one more year of great production, perhaps with Jerrick McKinnon stealing a few more carries per game. Peterson is one of the all time greats and has consistently proved his doubters wrong. If he falls in the draft, I would not be afraid to be the one who catches him.
- Eddie Lacy GB
I know, if you had Lacy on your team last year you’re throwing things at the computer screen, but hear me out. The return of Jordy Nelson is going to open things up for the Packers’ offense and Lacy has something to prove. He has been putting in the conditioning work and looks, dare I say, hungry. This one is a bit risky, but I would be very surprised if the risk did not pay some serious dividends.
- Mark Ingram NO
A slow start to his NFL career has not stopped Ingram from becoming one of the more consistent sources of production in fantasy. He will be part of what should be a solid offense and the coaching staff trusts him with the majority of the carries. Those factors alone are more than most running backs in the league can offer these days. Don’t shy away from Ingram.
- LeSean McCoy BUF
McCoy had an injury plagued first season in Buffalo, but this year will be another story.
Despite missing time due to injury last season, McCoy looked good when he was on the field. The Bills offense was surprisingly good with Tyrod Taylor at the helm and the same should be true in 2016. While Karlos Williams may still take away some carries, McCoy is the man in this offense and he should be in for a big year.
- Lamar Miller HOU
I realize that in some circles Miller is getting hyped in a big way. I am going to take some convincing, even ranking him this high is a stretch for me. While he has had some success in the past, it seems like Miller always finds a way to be underwhelming. He always avoids a true breakout by just a bit. I do think that he will put up some nice numbers this season, but don’t go overboard. Putting all of your eggs in the Lamar Miller basket is a good way to find yourself on the wrong end of the standings.
10a. LeVeon Bell PIT
I am not going drop Bell completely off the radar now that he will be out for the first four games of the season, but it is a huge factor. There is a good chance that he will not be a great value this year and he is also a repeat offender. If there are any more problems with Bell and the drug program he could be looking at missing an entire season. Still, he is a transcendent talent in a great situation. Just make sure to handcuff him to DeAngelo Williams if you take the plunge.
The Rest
- Doug Martin TB
- Jamaal Charles KC
- Dion Lewis NE
- Carlos Hyde SF
- Matt Forte NYJ
- C.J. Anderson DEN
- Thomas Rawls SEA
- Danny Woodhead SD
- Giovani Bernard CIN
- Duke Johnson Jr. CLE
- DeMarco Murray TEN
- Jeremy Langford CHI
- Matt Jones WAS
- Latavius Murray OAK
- Ryan Mathews PHI
- DeAngelo Williams PIT
- Jeremy Hill CIN
- Melvin Gordon SD
- Frank Gore IND
- Charles Sims TB
- Jonathan Stewart CAR
- Rashad Jennings NYG
- Ameer Abdullah DET
- Chris Ivory JAC
- C.J. Procise SEA
- T.J. Yeldon JAC
- Derrick Henry TEN
- Theo Riddick DET
- Jay Ajayi MIA
- Justin Forsett BAL
- Arian Foster MIA
- Tevin Coleman ATL
- Jerick McKinnon MIN
- Javorius Allen BAL
- LeGarrette Blount NE
- Darren Sproles PHI
That is my preliminary list for the running backs. Of course I will update as needed when news comes out during the preseason and such. If you missed it, be sure to check the rankings for quarterbacks and wide receivers. Tight end rankings will be out in the next day or two.
