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 Preview 8/17

Players to Watch

New York Giants vs. Carolina Panthers

The New York Giants can certainly be characterized as one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl this year, with a superb defense and potentially potent offense. The main question: can the Giants rookie receivers step up early and help to replace the production of departed WR Plaxico Burress? Look for Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden to carve out specialist roles in an attempt to make up for this loss of production. Hakeem Nicks (who was one of my personal favorite receivers coming out in last year's draft) is a very capable possession receiver, in the mold of Anquan Boldin, who should be able to provide a solid option for Eli on short-to-intermediate routes. Ramses Barden, a 6'6 225 receiver, should provide value as a redzone option while he works on the finer points of being an NFL receiver. Domenik Hixon and Mario Manningham should constitute Eli's most reliable deep threats. There are no true number 1 options, but if all these receivers can perform well in specific roles, they should be effective as an overall group. Eli Manning once again comes into the year as a fringe-starting quality fantasy option who has the talent for more, but also has deficiencies- i.e. throwing interceptions- which make him better suited as your backup QB. The fact remains that the Giants are a run-heavy offense, so until further notice, Manning's primary role is as a game manager. At running back, Brandon Jacobs is the clear number one and looks poised to have a big year. However, Jacobs is somewhat injury prone and the Giants like to use multiple backs. The departure of Ward, combined with the season ending injury of promising rookie RB Andre Brown, means that Ahmad Bradshaw may be in line for a big year as well.

The Carolina Panthers also are a run-heavy offense and have arguably the best tandem of running backs, D. Williams and J. Stewart, in football. Both should be able to put in solid seasons this year- with the potential to be great if one of the RB's happens to get injured. The overall success of this offense hinges on Jake Delhomme- who is undoubtedly on the downside of his career. If he can turn back time, and put in a solid season, everyone- especially Steve Smith- will benefit and be in line for big year's. If he falters throughout preseason, you might want to move Steve Smith down a bit relative to other enticing receivers like Roddy White, Reggie Wayne, and Greg Jennings. So needless to say, Delhomme is the most important player to watch throughout the preseason.

Miami Dolphins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

For the Miami Dolphins, the success of there offense depends on the effectiveness of Ronnie Brown. Is his fantasy value completely dependant on how effective he can continue to be in the wildcat. Or can he finally blossom into the type of 3 down traditional workhorse that his talent suggests he can be. Ted Ginn represents the next best fantasy option, but the weak armed Chad Pennington is not doing him any favors by not having the arm to exploit Ginn's speed on deep routes. Pat White might have some value by performing a multitude of roles in the wildcat as a QB and as a receiver in a traditional offensive formation. His effectiveness bares watching.

The Jaguars have many questions coming into the year. Can David Garrard bounce back? can Jones-Drew hold up as the primary back? does Torry Holt have anything left? I'm inclined to answer those questions as yes, probably, and probably not. These preseason games should be able to give you some better insight into those answers.

(Note: for more complete fantasy previews of the Jaguars and Panthers, access the blog archives)