Fbkid's 2010 Draft Rankings: Running Back

Last year’s running back class didn’t have as many impact players compared to recent draft’s but there were plenty of contributors. Knowshon Moreno and Chris Wells both showed flashes in their rookie year and both should see more of an impact on offense in their second year. LeSean McCoy and Shonn Greene didn’t see as much regular season duty but will play huge roles for their team’s this upcoming season. McCoy is now the starter for the Eagles after the release of Brian Westbrook and has a very similar skill set. Greene will look to build off a fantastic postseason while receiving the bulk of the carries with the Jets.

This year’s draft class has many different kinds of backs so it will be interesting to see how big of an impact the group makes on the league.

1. CJ Spiller Clemson: Spiller would have been a first round pick if he declared as a junior and his decision to stay for his senior year paid off. He may not be the kind of back who has 300 carries a year but with elite speed is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He is a very good receiver out of the backfield and was an excellent return man during his time at Clemson. Spiller is the most explosive running back in this year’s class and based on the impact Chris Johnson has had a team could be willing to take him in the top ten.

2. Ryan Mathews Fresno State: Mathews doesn’t have much of a “wow” factor, but he has good size and is able to make people miss and pick up yards after contact. Mathews also played very well against the better competition Fresno State played last year and has the makings to be a very solid contributor at the next level.

3. Jahvid Best California: Best is another big play waiting to happen. He is even faster than Spiller and also has great vision and elusiveness to go with soft hands. However, durability is a huge concern. Best had a very serious concussion last year and with the NFL now being stricter regarding head injuries; Best’s career could be impacted. With that being said, Best is the type of player who needs to get the ball at least ten times a game and could have a role similar to what Felix Jones has done with the Cowboys.

4. Jonathan Dwyer Georgia Tech: Dwyer is a tough player to evaluate after playing in a triple option offense at Georgia Tech where he constantly had large holes to run through. Regardless, he has good size to go along with deceptive speed. Dwyer could start off his career as a goal line back but eventually have a career similar to Falcons running back Michael Turner.

5. Dexter McCluster Mississippi: McCluster doesn’t have the time speed you would expect but he is very quick and runs hard for his size. He is also a very solid receiver and will make a team very happy with his versatility as a change of pace back that could lineup in the slot and help out on returns.

6. Montario Hardesty Tennessee: Hardesty burst onto the scene during his senior year and has continued to shoot up boards during the draft process. He has a solid build and always keeps his legs moving forward. He doesn’t have great speed and durability could be a concern, but Hardesty has the skills to develop into a very solid pro.

7. Anthony Dixon Mississippi State: Dixon has NFL size and is a very hard runner that is light on his feet but will also lower his shoulder or carry defenders for extra yards. There isn’t much hype surrounding Dixon but he had a very productive college career with a limited supporting cast and is an excellent value in the middle rounds.

8. Ben Tate Auburn: Tate had an excellent performance at the combine and has been moving up draft boards ever since. He has very good speed for his size and can make an impact in the receiving game as well. Tate could end up being a very good value for a team in the 2nd or 3rd round.

9. Joe McKnight RB USC: McKnight had large expectations coming into USC with Trojan fans thinking he would be the second coming of Reggie Bush. While he didn’t have the same success in college, McKnight could be a similar player in the NFL. He doesn’t have elite speed but like Bush he has very good vision, can accelerate into second gear and is also a solid receiver. McKnight would be a very good value in the middle rounds as a change of pace back.

10. LeGarrette Blount RB Oregon: Blount has great size and is a good inside runner who also has nimble feet. Going into the year he was regarded as one of the better backs in this draft class until missing the majority of his senior season after punching a Boise State player after a loss on national TV. With that being said character is a major factor for NFL teams but Blount paid his dues by cleaning up his act and eventually played in the final two games of the season. There isn’t much game tape on Blount to go by on but for a team in need of a big back he is definitely worth a chance in the later rounds of the draft.

2010 class grade: C+

Fbkid's 2009 Draft Rankings: Running Back

Last year's draft class was a very strong one for running backs. Jonathan Stewart, Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, Kevin Smith and Steve Slaton all had very big impacts on their teams last year. Darren McFadden, Rashard Mendenhall and Felix Jones should also have big impacts next year as they were slowed down by injuries. While the 2008 draft class could go down as the "Year of the running back", the 2009 class is full of backs that should have an immediate impact on the next level as well. Here are my running back rankings for this year's class.



1. Knowshon Moreno Georgia: Moreno doesn't have great timed speed, but he has an excellent burst and is a very hard runner. He also has very good vision and while Moreno probably won't be able to handle the ball 25 times a game, he should be a very solid back in the NFL.

2. Chris Wells Ohio State: Wells has great size and has very good feet and vision for a runner his size. He is very good at getting yards after contact and has the speed to finish runs. The only question is if Wells can stay healthy.

3. LeSean McCoy Pittsburgh: McCoy is a very shifty runner who is great at making defenders miss. He is also a good receiver out of the backfield and has a chance of being selected late in round one.

4. Donald Brown Connecticut: Brown is flying up draft boards and while he doesn't have that "wow" factor, he has excellent run instincts and vision. Brown also proved that he can carry a full work load as he had 367 carries for the Huskies last year. Brown should be an excellent value pick in round two but don't be surprised if he sneaks past McCoy and is picked late in the first round.

5. Rashad Jennings Liberty: Coming from Liberty, Jennings isn't known by most casual fans but he certainly has talent. Jennings was the starting running back at Pittsburgh his freshman year before transferring and then went on to have a very good career at Liberty. Jennings is a hard runner who gets better as the game goes on and is a solid receiver out of the backfield. Don't be surprised if he's this year's Matt Forte.

6. Andre Brown NC State: Brown was a highly coveted player out of high school but injuries plagued his career at NC State. He is a very hard runner and is a solid receiver out of the backfield. Due to the facts he looked healthier towards the end of his senior year and he hasn't taken that much of a pounding in college, Brown has the potential to be a much better pro than college player.

7. Gartrell Johnson Colorado State: Johnson is a converted fullback and it shows in his running style. He is the definition of a thumper and is a very hard runner inside. Because of this, Johnson is quicker than you would think and while he doesn't have excellent timed speed, he can get past defenders in the open field. Johnson could have a career very similar to that of Jaguars fullback Greg Jones as he has is a good blocker and could fill in at running back in a pinch.

8. James Davis Clemson: Davis has a solid build and a nose for the endzone as he left Clemson as their all time touchdown leader. He was never a full time back but could be very effective complementary runner like the way LenDale White is used with the Titans.

9. Mike Goodson Texas A&M: Goodson could be the fastest back in the class as he has the ability to score every time he touches the ball. He has very good vision and is hard to bring down. Goodson also due to his athleticism has the ability to really help in the return game even though he was hardly used at Texas A&M. He could be a very good back in a zone blocking scheme and has the potential to be this year's Steve Slaton.

10. Shonn Greene Iowa: Greene was one of the most productive running backs in all of college football last year but he has some things going against him at the next level. He will be a 24 year old rookie and isn't as physical a runner as most would think. On the bright side, he has very good size and waits for the holes to open up. Greene is big enough to complement a speed back and could have a few very good years if forced to carry the load and could end up having a similar career to Rudi Johnson who at one time was arguably one of the best backs in the league.

2009 class grade: B-

Fbkid's Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Running Backs

With the regular season approaching, it's time to get ready for fantasy football drafts. Here are the running backs I recommend you target in your draft. The number next to them is their bye week so you can get a reliable backup for when one of your starters isn't playing.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson Chargers 9
2. Brian Westbrook Eagles 7
3. Adrian Peterson Vikings 8
4. Joseph Addai Colts 4
5. Steven Jackson Rams 5
6. Clinton Portis Redskins 10
7. Marshawn Lynch Bills 6
8. Frank Gore 49ers 9
9. Marion Barber Cowboys 10
10. Ryan Grant Packers 8
11. Larry Johnson Chiefs 6
12. Willie Parker Steelers 6
13. Jamal Lewis Browns 5
14. Maurice Jones-Drew Jaguars 7
15. Willis McGahee Ravens 10
16. Brandon Jacobs Giants 4
17. Laurence Maroney Patriots 6
18. Michael Turner Falcons 9
19. Thomas Jones Jets 5
20. Darren McFadden Raiders 5
21. Ronnie Brown Dolphins 4
22. Reggie Bush Saints 9
23. Earnest Graham Bucs 10
24. Edgerrin James Cardinals 7
25. Fred Taylor Jaguars 7
26. Matt Forte Bears 8
27. Julius Jones Seahawks 4
28. Kevin Smith Lions 4
29. LenDale White Titans 6
30. Selvin Young Broncos 8
31. Chris Johnson Titans 6
32. Ray Rice Ravens 10
33. DeAngelo Williams Panthers 9
34. Rudi Johnson Bengals 8
35. Chester Taylor Vikings 8
36. Felix Jones Cowboys 10
37. Deuce McAllister Saints 9
38. Ricky Williams Dolphins 4
39. Pierre Thomas Saints 9
40. Rashard Mendenall Steelers 6

Fbkid's fantasy football top ten running backs

Most years running backs are the highest scoring players in all of fantasy football. That is why it is important to pick up a top running back early in your draft as most of them will be gone by the 3rd round. These players are all worth targeting in your draft but you better do it early, because all of them will be off the board by the middle of the second round.


1. LaDainian Tomlinson Chargers: If you have the first pick, there is no reason to think about picking anybody else other then LT. Tomlinson is a lock to have at least 15 touchdowns and is durable as he has only missed one game in his career. Plus, he has around 55 receptions a year so you will get receiving yards. If healthy, there is no reason to believe that Tomlinson will have a bad year so expect around 1700 total yards and 18 touchdowns.


2. Brian Westbrook Eagles: Many people would select Adrian Peterson with the number two pick, but Westbrook is consistent and you don't have to worry about injuries. Westbrook last year only had 7 rushing touchdowns, but he more than made up for that by catching 90 passes for 771 yards. Plus, unlike Tomlinson, Westbrook will be playing meaningful games in week 16 and 17 as by then the Chargers probably would have locked up the division. That's important because in most leagues, that is when the playoffs are and you aren't going to win if your best player is sitting on the bench while his backup gets the carries. Expect around 1800 total yards and 12 touchdowns.

3. Adrian Peterson Vikings: If not for durability issues, Peterson possibly could have been number one on the list. Peterson had a great rookie season with 1341 yards and 12 touchdowns. But lots of those numbers came from two big games. If you take away his stats from those games, Peterson had 821 yards and 6 touchdowns on the year. That isn't top fantasy back material. Plus, when Peterson's team needed him the most during a playoff push, he had 144 yards in his last 4 games. Those aren't the numbers you need to win in the playoffs. But Peterson has great potential and if he stays healthy and continues his success, he could be number one on the list next year. Expect around 1600 total yards and 10 touchdowns.

4. Joseph Addai Colts: Addai is a great fantasy back as he gets lots of touchdown opportunities from playing in a high powered offense. He showed that last year by getting 12 touchdowns in 15 games. The touchdowns alone make him a valuable fantasy back but when you add in 1072 rushing yards and 40 receptions, you have a top 5 fantasy back. Expect around 1600 total yards and 12 touchdowns.

5. Steven Jackson Rams: With a bad offensive line and injuries, Jackson was considered one of the biggest fantasy disappointments last year. But he still ended up with 1000 rushing yards. This year, the Rams have a new offensive coordinator in Al Saunders who was with the Chiefs when Preist Holmes was the talk of the fantasy football world. Now with Jackson in the same role, he could be in for a huge year. Expect around 1900 total yards and 10 touchdowns.

6. Frank Gore 49ers: When Mike Martz joins teams, most running backs lose touches. But that may not be the case for Gore. Gore has excellent hands and with the lack of receivers the 49ers have, could have around 80 catches. His rushing totals may go down but Gore could have an even better fantasy season then he did a few years ago. Expect around 1900 total yards and 9 touchdowns.

7. Marshawn Lynch Bills: Lynch had a great rookie season last year and if not for Peterson, would have won offensive rookie of the year. But now, Lynch is the every-down back for the Bills and should have an even better year. He only had 18 catches last year, but he should have around 35 this year. Plus fantasy owners have to love the fact he plays the Jets and Dolphins a combined 4 times this year. There is no reason not think that Lynch could have a huge year. Expect around 1600 total yards and 9 touchdowns.

8. Clinton Portis Redskins: Portis last year ended up having a great season last year as he had 1262 yards and 47 catches. There is no reason that he can't do it again. Portis may not get the yards like he did in Denver, but he has proved overtime that he is one of the best fantasy backs. In a new offense, this could be a off year fantasy wise for Portis. But you shouldn't worry about that as you will still get great numbers. Expect around 1700 total yards and 8 touchdowns.

9. Marion Barber Cowboys: For the past few years, Barber has been one of the most valuable backs in all of fantasy football as he is a touchdown machine. But now that Julius Jones is gone, he is the starter for the Cowboys. But not so fast, the Cowboys will still use a two back system as they drafted Felix Jones in the first round of this year's draft. Barber should get more yards but don't expect an increase in touchdowns. Either way, Barber is a top fantasy back and should be picked up late in the first round. But the Cowboys hype machine could force an owner to take him in the top 8 picks. Expect around 1400 yards and 13 touchdowns.

10. Ryan Grant Packers: With Aaron Rodgers now taking over for Brett Favre, Grant is the focal point of the offense. At times he showed what he is fully capable of as almost had 1000 yards while starting only half of the year. But until Rodgers proves himself, it could be tough running for Grant as he will have to face 8 defenders in the box on many occasions. If you draft him, don't be worried about a slow start. You will be rewarded by the end of the season. Expect around 1500 total yards and 8 touchdowns.