Week One seems like a distant memory and it's only Wednesday. I have gotten several emails and we have gotten a ton of running back questions in the forum regarding who to pick up and who to dump this week. Even though many players, like Browns RB Peyton Hillis, disappointed, it's still too soon to gauge how good or bad a player is going to be this year.
Below are my running back rankings going into Week Two.
TOP FIVE WEEK-TWO MATCHUPS (MUST START)
1. Ray Rice (BAL) @ Tennessee: Rice was a top-5 running back going into Week One, but I didn't think he would explode against, what is supposed to be, a strong Steelers run defense. Rice is the top guy this week going against a Titans Defense that had some trouble containing Maurice Jones-Drew.
2. Adrian Peterson (MIN) vs. Tampa Bay: AD had a so-so Week One mainly due to the fact that Donovan McNabb and the passing game couldn't get anything going. Peterson should do better this week at home.
3. Darren McFadden (OAK) @ BUF: Jamaal Charles averaged 5.6 yards a carry against the Bills Defense last week. Add McFadden's performance Monday night against Denver and we have the makings of two-straight strong fantasy outings
4. LeSean McCoy (PHI) @ Atlanta: As expected, McCoy was heavily used in both the running game and passing game against the Rams. Playing indoors will have an impact on his Week-Two performance. I expect to see him duplicate his numbers from last weekend. And I think we can finally say Ronnie Brown isn't going to be a bigger part of the offense after he carried the ball four times for seven yards.
5. Peyton Hillis (CLE) @ Indianapolis: Hillis only ran for 57 yards against the Bengals, but he did chip in six receptions. The Colts Defense made Ben Tate look like a stud. I fully expect Hillis to bounce back this week.
|
Rank |
Player |
Information |
| 6. | Matt Forte (CHI) |
@ NO: Should have no problem, but Marion Barber lurks. |
| 7. | Jamaal Charles (KC) | @ DET: Was the best player on KC's offense Sunday. |
| 8. | Chris Johnson (TEN) |
vs. BAL: I actually got a "Do I cut Chris Johnson?" email this week. |
| 9. | Rashard Mendenhall (PIT) |
vs. SEA: Steelers should be embarrassed by that Ravens game. Shame. |
| 10. | Michael Turner (ATL) |
vs. PHI: Eagles Defense made even Cadillac look good. |
| 11. | Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG) |
vs. STL: Should get more touches this week. |
| 12. | Cedric Benson (CIN) | @ DEN: A good performance in Week One should lead to another against a very leaky Broncos Defense. |
| 13. | Felix Jones (DAL) | @ SF: Felix should have an easier time this week. |
| 14. | Tim Hightower (WAS) | vs. ARI: Exceeded expectations last week. Faces old team. |
| 15. | Frank Gore (SF) | vs. DAL: I no longer trust Gore as an RB1. PPR will help his numbers. |
| 16. | Beanie Wells (ARI) | @ WAS: As expected Wells started off hot. Even caught passes. |
| 17. | Jahvid Best (DET) | vs. KC: Fred Jackson destroyed the Chiefs last week. |
| 18. | Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX) | @ NYJ: Came out of Week One healthy, but faces a tough D. |
| 19. | Fred Jackson (BUF) | vs. OAK: Will need the score to be close to keep getting carries. |
| 20. | James Starks (GB) | @ CAR: Panthers had trouble with Beanie last week. |
| 21. | Cadillac Williams (STL) | @ NYG: As of this writing, Steven Jackson is expected to sit. |
| 22. | A. Foster/Ben Tate (HOU) | @ MIA: Foster practiced Wed, but keep Tate handy. |
| 23. | Mike Tolbert (SD) | @ NE: Was a PPR machine last week. |
| 24. | Joseph Addai (IND) | vs. CLE: Should see more running room this week. |
| 25. | Ryan Mathews (SD) |
@ NE: Had a solid all-around fantasy outing, but will lose GL touches. |
| 26. | Reggie Bush (MIA) | vs. HOU: Strong PPR option, but a touchdown would help. |
| 27. | Mark Ingram (NO) | vs. CHI: Disappointed, but Michael Turner ran on the Bears D. So there is hope for Ingram is week. |
| 28. | LeGarrette Blount (TB) | @ MIN: Five Carries!?! Are you kidding me?!? |
| 29. | BenJarvus Green-Ellis (NE) | vs. SD: Lost touches to Danny Woodhead, but did score. |
| 30. | Shonn Greene (NYJ) | vs. JAX: Jags held Chris Johnson in check and Greene struggled against the Cowboys. |
BEST OF THE REST:
| 31. DeAngelo Williams (CAR) vs. GB: Packers looked strong against the run last week. If the Panthers can open up the passing game again, Williams has a small chance. |
| 32. Darren Sproles (NO) vs. CHI: Better as a flex-PPR option and as a guy to look at in return-yardage leagues. |
| 33. LaDainian Tomlinson (NYJ) vs. JAX: Led the Jets in receiving with 73 yards off six catches. Decent PPR option. |
| 34. Danny Woodhead (NE) vs. SD: A flex option at best. Strong Week-One outing, but Woodhead isn't reliable every week. |
| 35. Ryan Grant (GB) @ CAR: Use him while you can because he will continue to lose more and more touches. |
THE BOTTOM FEEDERS:
| 36. Jonathan Stewart (CAR) vs. GB: Not much value while sharing the ball with DeAngelo. |
| 37. Marshawn Lynch (SEA) @ PIT: Goes against a Steelers Defense that was embarrassed last week. |
| 38. Derrick Ward (HOU) @ MIA: If Foster plays, Ward won't see many touches. |
| 39. Dexter McCluster (KC) @ DET: Saw some touches on the ground and through the air against the Bills, but is not an every-week flex option unless there is an injury. |
| 40. Knowshon Moreno/Willis McGahee (DEN) vs. CIN: Moreno looked awful before leaving the Oakland game with a hamstring injury. McGahee couldn't get anything going near the goal line. |
I wish everyone the best of luck this week. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post below.