RB Tiers of Heaven
[SIZE=+1]Running Back Tiers [/SIZE]
Running backs may not dominate the top three rounds of drafts like usual, but that doesn't make them any less important. While unpredictability is inherent at the position, the key now is to build quality depth, see who emerges, and then trade the surplus. Running backs remain the lifeblood of a fantasy football team. And all the receiver love is pushing some guys too far down the draft board, especially in non-points-per-reception leagues. Don't be the guy who is scrambling to find a reasonable starter every week.
[SIZE=+1]Tier One[/SIZE]
Adrian Peterson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Matt Forte
Much like the 2009 NFL Draft, the top of this year's fantasy draft is less impressive than usual. This trio still projects ahead of the pack for different reasons.
Forte may be the safest pick, guaranteed to have a heavy workload with a lot of receptions in an improving offense. Mo-Jo is the most complete back, a proven touchdown maker, a great receiver, and more explosive than Forte. Don't worry about his leg contusion from his last preseason. Peterson is a freak of nature capable of 2,000 rushing yards.
Peterson is ultimately the choice in standard leagues, but drops to third in PPR formats.
[SIZE=+1]Tier Two[/SIZE]
Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson, Michael Turner, Steve Slaton, Frank Gore
In non-reception leagues, these are the running backs we'd take ahead of any wide receiver. Jackson should contend for the league lead in carries. Johnson's workload is expected to rise and no one is a better big-play threat. Like Jackson, Turner will also be in the mix for most carries in the league, but he's got some red flags: a total lack of receiving ability, inconsistent weekly production and a toughening schedule. His workload from last season also makes him at risk for breaking down.
Slaton was quietly a top-six running back as a rookie, and has everything working in his favor. His total yards will make up for any lack of scores; are we Gore still has the skills to recapture his 2,180-yard form from 2006.
Slaton and Gore may slip to the early second round, but all of these backs have solid first round value.
[SIZE=+1]Tier Three[/SIZE]
Marion Barber, Brandon Jacobs, DeAngelo Williams, LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Westbrook, Clinton Portis, Kevin Smith, Pierre Thomas, Ronnie Brown, Darren McFadden
The first five players in this group almost got their own tier, but there really isn't that huge a gap between someone like Tomlinson and Kevin Smith. Both players are unlikely to be dominant, but they will give every-week starter production. And they will look better in a RB2 slot than as your lead running back.
Barber may see fewer carries than last year, but he's put up huge numbers in a "closer" role before. We love his value in the second round. Westbrook and Tomlinson are in decline; the only question is how far. Westbrook is especially boom-or-bust coming off two surgeries. We'd rather jump off the train a year early than a year late.
Thomas and Smith are emerging, undervalued talents who will slip too far in drafts. Portis is steady, but his body has taken a beating. Jacobs doesn't catch the ball, but his touchdowns make up for it. Williams and Brown have to worry about getting enough carries, but Brown could be primed for a contract year push. McFadden is a little boom or bust, but he has Chris Johnson upside. We love him as a cheap RB2 in PPR leagues.
Depending on your scoring system and draft board, strongly consider taking a receiver or two before this group. There will be value at running back after the first two-to-three rounds.
<!--RW-->[SIZE=+1]Tier Four[/SIZE]
Marshawn Lynch, Ray Rice, Knowshon Moreno, Ryan Grant, Donald Brown, Joseph Addai, Chris Wells, Derrick Ward, Reggie Bush
Tier upside! Ward is the most complete back here and should come at a great value. Only uncertainty in what Tampa's offense will look like like knocks him down this far. Lynch would be a tier higher if he wasn't facing a suspension. Wells, Moreno and Brown could be the next rookie running backs to go for surprisingly good value. Wells may not open as Arizona's starter, but he'll get the job soon enough. Addai is likely to split carries with Brown.
Grant is the safest bet of this group, but we don't love his skill set or talent. Bush would be much higher in PPR leagues. Rice could be the riskiest, but has an all-purpose game on an offense that will run like crazy. Dig him.
Getting a quality RB2 to plug in every week is nice, but you can't count on it. Drafting a high octane RB2/RB3/RB4 group is the way to go. Then see who rises to the top. If you only have one back before this group, make sure to get two here. Otherwise, target your favorites and look for value. Quality backs will still always be good trade chips.
[SIZE=+1]Tier Five [/SIZE]
Thomas Jones, Cedric Benson, Willie Parker, Jonathan Stewart, Larry Johnson, Felix Jones, LenDale White
There are a lot of big names here that may get taken too early, including Parker, Johnson and Thomas Jones. Stewart would be a tier higher if he didn't have another busted training camp. White hoovers touchdowns, but does little else. Felix Jones is fun boom-or-bust pick, while Julius Jones looks headed for 250 carries, however mediocre.
If you don't have three backs before this tier, make sure to get one here. You are ahead of the game if you get four backs from the top five tiers.
Note: To get complete projections and analysis for all the players above, check out Rotoworld's Online Draft Guide. Last time we'll plug before the season starts!
[SIZE=+1]Tier Six [/SIZE]
Fred Jackson, Ahmad Bradshaw, Julius Jones, Earnest Graham, Jerious Norwood, Darren Sproles, Leon Washington, Chester Taylor, Willis McGahee, LeSean McCoy, Laurence Maroney, James Davis, Tim Hightower
The most exciting backups or bounce back candidates. Jackson will start the first three weeks of the season, giving him extra value. We see Mendenhall, Bradshaw and Maroney having the highest ceilings of this group. Leon Washington has moved up the ranks lately, while McCoy and Norwood have extra value in PPR leagues. Julius Jones could get 250 carries, however mediocre. Davis looks like the most valuable Browns running back and has skyrocketed late in training camp.
One mistake new owners make is failing to build their quality running back depth. Players in this tier will wind up starting for many teams.
[SIZE=+1]Tier Seven [/SIZE]
Jamaal Charles, Rashard Mendenhall, Michael Bush, Ricky Williams, Ladell Betts, Shonn Greene, Jamal Lewis, Edgerrin James, Fred Taylor, Glenn Goffee, LeRon McClain
The best backups, handcuffs and lottery tickets. These players should all be drafted in most leagues. Greene, Bush and Coffee are among our favorites because of their touchdown potential. Coffee is a must-handcuff.
[SIZE=+1]Tier Eight[/SIZE]
Sammy Morris, Jerome Harrison, Peyton Hillis, Tashard Choice, DeShawn Wynn, Justin Fargas, Kevin Faulk, Greg Jones, Bernard Scott, Correll Buckhalter, Maurice Morris, Mewelde Moore, Brandon Jackson
These are deep league options and players to watch on the wire. For the rest of Rotoworld's complete rankings at each position, head to the Rotoworld Online Draft Guide</B>.
http://www.therxforum.com/showthread.php?t=705202
[SIZE=+1]Running Back Tiers [/SIZE]
Running backs may not dominate the top three rounds of drafts like usual, but that doesn't make them any less important. While unpredictability is inherent at the position, the key now is to build quality depth, see who emerges, and then trade the surplus. Running backs remain the lifeblood of a fantasy football team. And all the receiver love is pushing some guys too far down the draft board, especially in non-points-per-reception leagues. Don't be the guy who is scrambling to find a reasonable starter every week.
[SIZE=+1]Tier One[/SIZE]
Adrian Peterson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Matt Forte
Much like the 2009 NFL Draft, the top of this year's fantasy draft is less impressive than usual. This trio still projects ahead of the pack for different reasons.
Forte may be the safest pick, guaranteed to have a heavy workload with a lot of receptions in an improving offense. Mo-Jo is the most complete back, a proven touchdown maker, a great receiver, and more explosive than Forte. Don't worry about his leg contusion from his last preseason. Peterson is a freak of nature capable of 2,000 rushing yards.
Peterson is ultimately the choice in standard leagues, but drops to third in PPR formats.
[SIZE=+1]Tier Two[/SIZE]
Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson, Michael Turner, Steve Slaton, Frank Gore
In non-reception leagues, these are the running backs we'd take ahead of any wide receiver. Jackson should contend for the league lead in carries. Johnson's workload is expected to rise and no one is a better big-play threat. Like Jackson, Turner will also be in the mix for most carries in the league, but he's got some red flags: a total lack of receiving ability, inconsistent weekly production and a toughening schedule. His workload from last season also makes him at risk for breaking down.
Slaton was quietly a top-six running back as a rookie, and has everything working in his favor. His total yards will make up for any lack of scores; are we Gore still has the skills to recapture his 2,180-yard form from 2006.
Slaton and Gore may slip to the early second round, but all of these backs have solid first round value.
[SIZE=+1]Tier Three[/SIZE]
Marion Barber, Brandon Jacobs, DeAngelo Williams, LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Westbrook, Clinton Portis, Kevin Smith, Pierre Thomas, Ronnie Brown, Darren McFadden
The first five players in this group almost got their own tier, but there really isn't that huge a gap between someone like Tomlinson and Kevin Smith. Both players are unlikely to be dominant, but they will give every-week starter production. And they will look better in a RB2 slot than as your lead running back.
Barber may see fewer carries than last year, but he's put up huge numbers in a "closer" role before. We love his value in the second round. Westbrook and Tomlinson are in decline; the only question is how far. Westbrook is especially boom-or-bust coming off two surgeries. We'd rather jump off the train a year early than a year late.
Thomas and Smith are emerging, undervalued talents who will slip too far in drafts. Portis is steady, but his body has taken a beating. Jacobs doesn't catch the ball, but his touchdowns make up for it. Williams and Brown have to worry about getting enough carries, but Brown could be primed for a contract year push. McFadden is a little boom or bust, but he has Chris Johnson upside. We love him as a cheap RB2 in PPR leagues.
Depending on your scoring system and draft board, strongly consider taking a receiver or two before this group. There will be value at running back after the first two-to-three rounds.
<!--RW-->[SIZE=+1]Tier Four[/SIZE]
Marshawn Lynch, Ray Rice, Knowshon Moreno, Ryan Grant, Donald Brown, Joseph Addai, Chris Wells, Derrick Ward, Reggie Bush
Tier upside! Ward is the most complete back here and should come at a great value. Only uncertainty in what Tampa's offense will look like like knocks him down this far. Lynch would be a tier higher if he wasn't facing a suspension. Wells, Moreno and Brown could be the next rookie running backs to go for surprisingly good value. Wells may not open as Arizona's starter, but he'll get the job soon enough. Addai is likely to split carries with Brown.
Grant is the safest bet of this group, but we don't love his skill set or talent. Bush would be much higher in PPR leagues. Rice could be the riskiest, but has an all-purpose game on an offense that will run like crazy. Dig him.
Getting a quality RB2 to plug in every week is nice, but you can't count on it. Drafting a high octane RB2/RB3/RB4 group is the way to go. Then see who rises to the top. If you only have one back before this group, make sure to get two here. Otherwise, target your favorites and look for value. Quality backs will still always be good trade chips.
[SIZE=+1]Tier Five [/SIZE]
Thomas Jones, Cedric Benson, Willie Parker, Jonathan Stewart, Larry Johnson, Felix Jones, LenDale White
There are a lot of big names here that may get taken too early, including Parker, Johnson and Thomas Jones. Stewart would be a tier higher if he didn't have another busted training camp. White hoovers touchdowns, but does little else. Felix Jones is fun boom-or-bust pick, while Julius Jones looks headed for 250 carries, however mediocre.
If you don't have three backs before this tier, make sure to get one here. You are ahead of the game if you get four backs from the top five tiers.
Note: To get complete projections and analysis for all the players above, check out Rotoworld's Online Draft Guide. Last time we'll plug before the season starts!
[SIZE=+1]Tier Six [/SIZE]
Fred Jackson, Ahmad Bradshaw, Julius Jones, Earnest Graham, Jerious Norwood, Darren Sproles, Leon Washington, Chester Taylor, Willis McGahee, LeSean McCoy, Laurence Maroney, James Davis, Tim Hightower
The most exciting backups or bounce back candidates. Jackson will start the first three weeks of the season, giving him extra value. We see Mendenhall, Bradshaw and Maroney having the highest ceilings of this group. Leon Washington has moved up the ranks lately, while McCoy and Norwood have extra value in PPR leagues. Julius Jones could get 250 carries, however mediocre. Davis looks like the most valuable Browns running back and has skyrocketed late in training camp.
One mistake new owners make is failing to build their quality running back depth. Players in this tier will wind up starting for many teams.
[SIZE=+1]Tier Seven [/SIZE]
Jamaal Charles, Rashard Mendenhall, Michael Bush, Ricky Williams, Ladell Betts, Shonn Greene, Jamal Lewis, Edgerrin James, Fred Taylor, Glenn Goffee, LeRon McClain
The best backups, handcuffs and lottery tickets. These players should all be drafted in most leagues. Greene, Bush and Coffee are among our favorites because of their touchdown potential. Coffee is a must-handcuff.
[SIZE=+1]Tier Eight[/SIZE]
Sammy Morris, Jerome Harrison, Peyton Hillis, Tashard Choice, DeShawn Wynn, Justin Fargas, Kevin Faulk, Greg Jones, Bernard Scott, Correll Buckhalter, Maurice Morris, Mewelde Moore, Brandon Jackson
These are deep league options and players to watch on the wire. For the rest of Rotoworld's complete rankings at each position, head to the Rotoworld Online Draft Guide</B>.
http://www.therxforum.com/showthread.php?t=705202
