Position Profile: Running Backs

Examing the Running Back Position

A good football team is built on a good running game. Same is true for fantasy football. Running Backs are workhorses that can be Pro-Bowlers one season and Kyle Bollers the next. That's why they're the scariest position to draft early. Every year you look at the top-10 ranked preseason Running Backs; 4 had great seasons, 2 were so-so, 2 landed on IR, and 2 were thrown into a Running Back by committe.

I don't care what pick I have, drafting a RB in the 1st scares me. There's plenty of RB's I love going in rounds 3-7, that I almost feel safer drafting than some of the top-end talent. I'm going to examine the Top-Tier of RB's and than give you the names of sleepers, you must be aware of draft day.

Upper-Echelon Backs

Best Bets:

Matt Forte-I love him. I would come close to considering taking him 1st overall, and if I owned the 2nd pick, he would be my guy. He's going to catch a ton of balls this year, and has the speed and ability to make big plays. Forte doesn't have anyone looking over his shoulder, and he's probably the only player Jay Cutler won't alienate this season.

Adrian Peterson-Peterson's goal is 2000 yards this year, and I believe in him. Forget the Vikings QB Soap Opera and look at what Brett the Jet did for Thomas Jones. Adrian Peterson is the only playmaker Favre and the Vikes have to work with. All Day will do more than live up to his #1 pick status.

Steve Slaton-Slaton is available at the end of the 1st round, early 2nd. How nice would it be to get a combo of Calvin Johnson and Slaton at picks 12,13. Not a bad consolation prize for picking last. Slaton got the full-time gig in Houston and never looked back. Schaub is back, and that will open up the field even more for Slaton. Listen, are you really worried about Chris Brown vulturing TD's? It's not even a concern for me.

Buyer Beware:

Steven Jackson-When Jackson is healthy and on the field, he has one of the best per-game fantasy production of any player. That is despite playing for the league's worst team, and Marc Bulger and countless OL starters continually hurt. When S-Jax is healthy, he can be the best fantasy back. If your not someone who likes to roll the dice, stay away.

Frank Gore-Basically the same as above, but Frank Gore can never stay healthy. Even in college. The good thing for both Gore, and S-Jax they play in a pretty weak division and offer plenty of good matchups during playoff time.

Fantasy Player Consensus:
LaDanian Tomlinson-LT's best days are behind him. Darren Sproles is poised to take a lot of carries, and LT isn't worthy of a 1st round draft pick.

My Verdict-No way. LT pissed off a lot of Fantasy Owners who owned the 1st overall pick, myself included, but the fact is at the end of the day LT was the 6th best fantasy RB last year. Not too bad. He hears the grumblings, and is motivated for another good season. He may not be Adrian Peterson, but he's perfect capable of last years numbers, which despite the perception are not bad.

Chris Johnson-CJ is falling out of the Top 5 now, because Lendale White, surprisingly, is impressing his coaches. Lendale White is back to vulture Chris Johnson's TD's.

My Verdict-Who cares about Lendale White? CJ put up double-digit TDs as a rookie, even with Lendale vulturing. Tennessee has had all off-season to start designing an offense designed around Johnson's insane talent. Johnson will put up double-digit TDs, again, easily.

Mid-Round Backs

Love:

Ray Rice-He's the primary back in Baltimore. Cam Cameron is an offensive genious, and Baltimore's training camp has been full of screen plays and short passes to get the ball to Rice in space.

Leon Washington-He's going late in drafts. He may be the best offensive player in the AFC East not named Brady or Moss. The Jets will utilize his talent even more this year.

Knowshon Moreno-There isn't talent close to Moreno of Denver's roster. Don't give me the Denver RB nonsense.

Ahmad Bradshaw-Derrick Ward put up 1,000 yards last year behind Brandon Jacobs. Ahmad Bradshaw will be that guy.

Darren McFadden-The Raiders offense won't be as inept as people think. McFadden is a game-breaker and will be the guy in Oakland this year.

Lesean McCoy-He was a stud at Pittsburgh. I'm thinking Westbrooks TD vulture, and a great bench player to hold onto for the 3-4 games Westbrook misses.

Hate:

Willie Parker-Can we stop calling him 'Fast Willie'? Mendenhall and even Mewelde Moore will get looks in the redzone.

Jamal Lewis-He's hit his 30's. The Browns will be the AFC's worst team by far, and they still don't know who their QB is, except in 2o10 it'll be Sam Bradford.

Deep Sleepers

James Davis-I originally loved Jerome Harrison to take over for Jamal Lewis, but James Davis has been a beast this preseason. Unfortunately his name is getting out there, but he has big-time potential.

Jamaal Charles-His skill-set fits Todd Haley's offense much better than Larry Johnson. Larry Johnson has a ton of mileage on him, and he's a headcase. Charles might get an opportunity to become a solid Flex Play.

Rashad Jennings-He's dinged up right now and losing a valuable chance to be the backup to MJD, but I love his pedigree. He's got the size and speed to be an effective NFL running back.

Preseason Football

Preseason Games 8/13
For those in keeper leagues, there is nothing exciting about preseason football. These days if you get out of Training Camp and Preseason with only 1 season-ending injury to a starter, it's a blessing. However, preseason does offer much more than a few heart attacks and your favorite teams punter battle. Tonight, there are 4 games on the slate, and in each game I have one player that could make an impact on your fantasy team this season. Preseason stats and records are meaningless, but player performance can elevate them on the depth chart and the fantasy scene.

Players to Watch
Washington Redskins vs. Baltimore Ravens
Look for a detailed review of this game, later tonight.
Demetrius Williams- This shouldn't be a big surprise, 'D-Will' is my sleeper pick for the Baltimore Ravens this season. Williams has been sidelined for much of training camp, again, but is expected to play tonight. With Mason playing it cautious and sitting out tonight with a jammed finger and Clayton out until week 1, Williams becomes the Ravens #1 receiver for time being. Williams was a 3rd round pick in 2006, who's flashed immense potential, but has spent more time in trainers room than the field. Williams has great hands, athleticism, size and speed. Physically he's the total package, and the Ravens have been hoping he's the deep threat they've sorely lacked. In his short, injury-riddled NFL career Williams has scores from 70 and 77 yards. This is valuable time for him to make his case, and steal Mark Clayton's spot away, and with Joe Flacco's arm strength, keep your eye out for Demetrius Williams.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
A rematch of one of the best Superbowl's in recent memory. The only thing I'm concerned about for the Arizona studs is their health. We know what Boldin, Warner and Fitzgerald can do.
Rashard Mendenhall- The grumblings from Pittsburgh, not the ones from Roethlisberger's stomach, are that Mendenhall has been unimpressive in training camp again, and may be in jeopardy of losing his backup role to Mewelde Moore. This is why preseason is important to fantasy football. Willie Parker is out tonight with back spasms, and my guess is he'll be limited throughout preseason. Mendenhall is getting the nod to start tonight, and will get a ton of work throughout preseason. If he continues to unimpress, don't be surprised to see him become the 3rd RB for Pittsburgh. He's a player to watch, he has sleeper potential; but a bad preseason makes him completely irrelevant.

New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Andy Reid said his starters may play 1.5 quarters tonight, and Bill Belichek, well said nothing. The Eagles appear to have a potentially potent offense. McNabb, Westbrook (health permitting), and Desean Jackson are all interesting fantasy plays this year, but I don't expect to get a read on them preseason game 1.
Lesean McCoy-Westbrook's health concerns are well documented, which always made Buckhalter a great pickup 2-3 games a year. Now, McCoy's that guy. McCoy was highly touted RB out of the University of Pittsburgh, and was taken 53rd overall in this past draft. McCoy is a touchdown beast. Last season, McCoy had 23 rushing TDs, despite not being the prototypical redzone back, he may be a touchdown vulcher for the Eagles.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Oakland Raiders
It will be interesting to see how Tony Romo will perform without T.O. The Cowboys offense features a lot of good fantasy prospects outside of Romo; Witten, Williams, Barber. and Felix Jones. The Raiders, ehh not so much. The Raiders brought in Jeff Garcia, for now, to backup former #1 pick Jamarcus Russell.
Jamarcus Russell- The Raiders QB situation is intriguing to watch as a football fan, and fantasy player. This is a former #1 pick playing for the craziest man in the NFL, being backed up by Jeff Garcia. It's a bind for the Raiders; If they think the supporting cast is good enough to reach the playoffs, Garcia has the proven track record; but, essentially, that would be throwing the white flag in on Russell and setting the franchise back even farther into a black hole (you like that). Zach Miller and Heward-Bey could be fantasy players to look out for, but only if Russell can start living up to the billing. McFadden is immensely talented, and ready to make an impact this year. It'll be hard for him to put up numbers, seeing 9-man fronts or 21 point deficits by halftime.