Fantasy Football Forecast: RB Edition
With the football season less than fifty days away, its time to start writing down your “dream teams”, and participating in Mock Drafts. Over the next few days, I’ll be ranking the top 12 players at each position. Where better to start than at the most important position on the (fantasy) field?
RUNNING BACKS:
1.) Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings
Despite suffering personal losses, Adrian still managed to put together a productive season. He averaged over 90 yards per game, and totaled 10 touchdowns. Whether he’s scoring or not, he’s the most productive fantasy option at this position. Simply the best.
2.) Matt Forte – Chicago Bears
Forte had the best season of his career in 2013, running for 1,339 yards and 9 touchdowns. The extremely offensive minded HC Marc Trestman has put a tremendous amount of faith in Forte, and that’s only going grow with increased familiarity in his system.
3.) Marshawn Lynch – Seattle Seahawks
Beastmode is in full effect this year. Despite the off-season question marks, Lynch is a guaranteed to be highly productive. He scored 12 touchdowns last year (more than our #1 RB) and amassed for 1,257 total yards. Additionally there’s rumor Pete Carroll has been experimenting with more spread formations which would undoubtedly boost production.
4.) LeSean McCoy – Philadelphia Eagles
Shady could’ve, should’ve and would’ve been our number one running back this year if it weren’t for the addition of ‘Mighty Mouse’ Darren Sproles. LeSean averaged over 100 yards a game in 2013 and flourished under Chip Kelly’s system. Expect production to drop significantly this year, though.
5.) Jamaal Charles – Kansas City Chiefs
What a shock last year. Charles was always a productive back, but he really seemed to flourish with Alex Smith underneath center and Andy Reid calling the shots. Expect an even bigger season from this stud with his increased confidence, and weaker schedule.
6.) Eddie Lacy – Green Bay Packers
Lets face it, the NFC North isn’t what it once was. The Minnesota Petersons aren’t likely to make a playoff push. Chicago might’ve gotten Jared Allen, but their overall defense is soft. Detroit has likely the toughest D-Line in the league however, and Lacy’s bruising style of play matches up well with them. With the organization’s growing faith in Lacy, expect more ground and pound. It will take the pressure of ARodg.
7.) Reggie Bush – Detroit Lions
This will come as a surprise to many of you out there in fantasy land. Lets take a look at his last season though. Playing in only 14 games, Reggie amassed for over 1000 rushing yards, then tacked on an additional 500+ in receiving. Now more comfortable in Detroit and with his team mates – expect new, offensive minded HC Jim Caldwell to call on Reggie’s number a lot.
8.) Demarco Murray – Dallas Cowboys
Demarco has been pushing on the edge of greatness for the first few years of his career. He’s undoubtedly showed flashes of brilliance exploding out of gaps. With elite speed and new big men up front, Bill Callahan will insist Romo hands it off to Murray more heavily this season.
9.) Arian Foster – Houston Texans
This was tough. Adrian has been injury prone lately but is just far too talented for me to deny him a spot in the top 10. Houston’s remaining offensive weapons aren’t great options, afterall. Surefire HOFer Andre Johnson’s future with the organization looks bleak at best. With the absence of Ben Tate, and Ryan Fitzpatrick now under center, expect BIG numbers from Foster.
10.) Giovani Bernard – Cincinnati Bengals
What a playmaker! Bernard took the fantasy world by storm in his rookie season. The 22 year old has a lot left in the tank. Running backs rarely endure sophomore slumps. The Bengals have made the playoffs more consistently as of late and with the feeling of this being a “Make or Break” year for Andy Dalton, expect him to rely on Bernard heavily within a significantly weakened AFC North.
11.) C.J. Spiller – Buffalo Bills
The Clemson grad has been phenomenal in an otherwise woeful organization. With EJ Manual getting more familiar with the NFL game, don’t be surprised if you start seeing more read-option from the Bills. CJ has explosive speed, and has put up tremendous numbers despite being teammates with another offensive dynamo in Fred Jackson. Spiller ran for over 1200 yards in 2012 and still over 900 last year with a new QB under center.
12.) Le’veon Bell – Pittsburgh Steelers
The last guy on this list I’ve dubbed as Beastmode #2. Bell was an animal at Michigan State, and after overcoming early injury in his pro career, he didn’t disappoint the die-hard fans of Steeler nation.. As with other rookies, becoming more familiar with NFL speed and power will undoubtedly equate to more production in his sophmore season. Pittsburgh needs it!
