We continue our rankings with running backs. These rankings are for 12-team leagues, and a scoring system consisting of 6 pts per rushing TD, 1 point per 10 rushing yards and .5 points per reception. We combined our own individual rankings into one unified cheatsheet. Our personal player rankings are listed after each name.
Dalton = The first number listed after each name
Jeff = The second number listed
Robby = The last number listed
1. Larry Johnson (1, 1, 1)
2. Shaun Alexander (2 ,2, 2)
3. LaDainian Tomlinson (3, 3, 3)
4. Clinton Portis (4, 5, 5)
5. LaMont Jordan (5, 4, 7)
6. Tiki Barber (6, 6, 4)
7. Ronnie Brown (7, 8,8)
8. Edge James (8, 9, 9)
9. Steven Jackson (10, 11, 6)
10. Rudi Johnson (11, 7, 10)
11. Cadillac Williams (9, 12, 11)
12. Domanick Davis (13, 10, 12)
13. Willis McGahee (15, 15, 13)
14. Julius Jones (12, 16, 16)
15. Willie Parker (19, 17, 14)
16. Kevin Jones (20, 14, 17)
17. Reggie Bush (17, 20, 15)
18. Brian Westbrook (14, 19, 19)
19. Chester Taylor (16, 21, 18)
20. Tatum Bell (18, 22, 20)
21. Jamal Lewis (21, 13, 26)
22. Reuben Droughns (23, 18, 23)
23. Joseph Addai (22, 29, 22)
24. DeShaun Foster (29, 24, 21)
25. Thomas Jones (25, 25, 24)
26. Warrick Dunn (24, 26, 25)
27. Corey Dillon (27, 23, 28)
28. Dominic Rhodes (30, 27, 29)
29. Ron Dayne (26, 37, 27)
30. Deuce McAllister (33, 30, 30)
31. DeAngelo Williams (28, 28, 38)
32. Frank Gore (31, 31, 33)
33. Cedric Benson (34, 35, 31)
34. Curtis Martin (32, 32, 37)
35. Fred Taylor (35, 34, 32)
36. LenDale White (37, 33, 36)
37. Chris Brown (NR, 36, 35)
38. Dee Brown (NR, NR, 34)
39. Greg Jones (NR, 38, 39)
40. Laurence Moreny (36, NR, NR)
41. Ahman Green (39, NR, 40)
42. Samkon Gado (38, NR, NR)
43. Kevan Barlow (NR, 39, NR)
44. Marion Barber (NR, 40, NR)
45. Chris Perry (40, NR, NR)
Dalton Says: The only reason I have Alexander over LT is the playoff schedule. Alexander matches up against the Cardinals, 49ers and then plays LT’s Chargers at home, which pushes him slightly over LT, who I think is going to have a better overall year than Alexander, especially in points per reception leagues. There’s nowhere to go but down for Alexander, who had his career year last year. Even while winning MVP and scoring a record-breaking 28 TDs, Alexander only outscored LT by 10 total points in PPR leagues. Alexander had 430 rushes last year, his team lost the Super Bowl and Steve Hutchinson, he got paid a huge contract and worst of all, has to deal with the Madden Curse. LT played through cracked ribs and showed that 1,800 yards and 20 TDs is his downside. Actually, I might be changing LT to my No. 2 spot before long.
I’m higher on Julius Jones than just about everybody else. He’s admittedly injury-prone, but Bill Parcells always backs him up – something rare when it comes to him and injured players (read: Terry Glenn). Parcells does this because Jones has talent. The offensive-line failed miserably last year but looks much-improved this time out. Combine that with Owens opening up the box, and Jones will provide tremendous second round value. Just make sure you draft Marion Barber.
Another one of my guys is Brian Westbrook, especially in PPR leagues. If he somehow played a full season, a run at 100 catches isn’t out of the question. His numbers were suppressed last year because from week 10 on he either had Mike McMahon as his QB or he didn’t play. Just make sure to grab Ryan Moats.
I’d treat Kevin Jones the same way I would an ex-girlfriend – avoid him.
I can’t remember a class of young RBs so large and full of uncertainty: DeAngelo Williams, Laurence Maroney, Joseph Addai and LenDale White all have potential to pay big dividends, but also are currently behind veterans on the depth chart. I’m not sure who, but at least one of these guys will become a starter early on. I suggest you come away with at least one of this group – wait and see which one falls and grab the back who presents the best value.
Jeff Says: I expect bounce back years from Jamal Lewis and Kevin Jones. Lewis no longer has to spend training camp in the clink, and Mike Martz will play to Jones’ strengths by getting him the ball in space. Both should make fine RB2s.
Rookies DeAngelo Williams and LenDale White will get plenty of touches as the season wears on, not to mention they both play behind injury-prone starters. I like White to rack up plenty of goal line opportunities, and DeAngelo Williams reminds me of a young Thurman Thomas. Grab and stash these guys, and you could have top-20 starters come playoff time.
With an improved offensive line in front of him, I like Reuben Droughns to put up good yardage numbers and increase his touchdown totals. With that being said, his playoff schedule frightens me (at Pit, at Balt, TB).
LaMont Jordan will benefit from a retooled offensive line in Oakland. He is durable as well as versatile and will continue to make a name for himself in 2006. I envision around 1,300 yards rushing, 500 yards receiving and 13 total touchdowns.
In deep leagues, keep an eye on some unranked players such as Ryan Moats and Chris Perry. Both play in powerful offenses and serve as third down backs. Should injuries strike Westbrook or Rudi Johnson, Moats and Perry owners will hit the jackpot respectively.
Robby Says: Running back is far and away the most important position in fantasy as well as the most tenuous. Position battles are sure to shake up these rankings more than any other between now and fantasy draft day, and I expect the uncertainty to carry well into the season. If I could break out a crystal ball to determine the fates of various backfields, I would be sure to check out Indianapolis, Denver, Chicago, New Orleans and Tennessee…in that order.
Mike Shanahan broke up the Denver stud running back dynasty with a brutal platoon last year, and I don’t expect things to change much this season. Tatum Bell may not start but he has more value than Dayne. If Bell’s 5.3 YPC ever translates into more than 10-12 carries a game, watch out.
Furthermore, my money is on Addai, at least late in the season when it counts. I’ll give Jones a slight edge over Benson, Bush a significant one over McAllister and am staying away from Tennessee, thank you very much. Then again, I’ll get back to you in six weeks.
While there is clearly a precipitous drop after the top three backs, I also think the top-12 stands alone as well; the gap between Double-D and McGahee is significant in my mind.
I’m pretty high on Steven Jackson. He was viewed as a disappointment last year but still put up solid numbers in a pass-happy offense. Still only 22 years old, I expect Jackson to break out big.
I also like Chester Taylor, and a successful preseason could propel him into my top-15. He could have some big receiving numbers.
Dee Brown is one of my favorite backups if only because he plays on KC. If Larry Johnson goes down, Brown instantly becomes a top-five back. Then again, it’ll probably take an elephant gun to bring LJ down.
Kevin Jones, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice. . .
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