2010 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings: Part 2

Welcome to part 2 of 2010 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings. So you have seen how the fantasy football mock drafts results had some very different result after round 4 (If not see part 1). You have to wonder who the heck took Felix Jones in the first round? Gotta love them Cowboy fans! OK, let’s throw together a list of running backs I might target, what round and why. Remember this is based on a 14 team league. So if you are in a 10 team league adjust accordingly.

Round 1

1. Chris Johnson – Ten: No brainer! Look picks 1-6 are pretty solid, you can’t go wrong with any of these fantasy studs.
2. Adrian Peterson – Min
3. Maurice Jones-Drew – Jac
4. Ray Rice – Bal
5. Michael Turner – Atl
6. Frank Gore – SF
7. Rashard Mendenhall – Pit: This is where I probably pass on an RB in the 1st round. I rather take one of the top rated QB’s at this point in the 1st round. Mendenhall fumbled all last year and has fumbled twice in training camp this year.
8. Ryan Mathews – SD: I probably pass here as well. Unless I am in a keeper league. He will probably be very good, but not sure if this rookie is worth my #1 pick. Now should Mendenhall or Mathews slip to the 2nd rounds, then I might pull the trigger.

Round 2

1. Shonn Greene – NYJ: is the first running back I will target for the 2nd round. Jones is gone, LT won’t do much. Greene will be a monster!
2. DeAngelo Williams – Car: The next running back I will target, BUT if I got a premier running back in the first round I will probably see if Brees or Rodgers are available here, if not grab Williams. He is a year removed from a campaign year. But if he can improve on even last year somewhat he is a solid pick.
3. Ryan Grant- GB: I pass here. Overrated.

Round 3

1. Pierre Thomas – NO: Thomas is a steal in the 3rd round, otherwise I fill my WR slots. You might even grab him as high as the end of the second as you’ll be able to get a top WR in the 3rd near the turn.
2. Jamaal Charles- KC: I think this kid has awesome talent. But I think KC got Thomas Jones for a reason, and thats to save Charles of a workload that will save him for next year. Let someone else gamble on a breakout season.
3. Steven Jackson – StL: Great value pick for the 3rd round.
4. Beanie Wells- Ari: I pass on Wells every time unless he slips to the 6th round or later. I’ll let someone else overpay.
5. LeSean McCoy- Phi: I really like McCoy. I want him and I think he is an OK value in round 3, but I am nervous of his size as the feature back. New QB in Kolb should be fine, Andy Reid should be able to put together a scheme that McCoy can succeed in.
6. Knowshon Moreno – Den: A lot of people are touting him as the sleeper of the draft. I have no idea. All I know is…you never draft a Denver running back. But that was under Shanahan. If I already have two backs I pass. I still might pass for a higher ranked WR or QB. I rather seem him slip into the 4th.
7. Jahvid Best – Det: If this is a keeper league, then maybe I grab him. Otherwise, I just don’t see any running back being very good in the Detriot lineup.

Round 4

1. Cedric Benson – Cin: Great value pick in round 4, should be the featured man.
2. Jonathan Stewart – Car: If Williams goes down, Stewart will be money. But if I own DeAngelo it’s hard to take a handcuff in round 4. Williams is the yardage guy and Stewart likely gets goal line touches. So, taking Stewart here has upside.
3. Matt Forte – Chi: Forte not getting enough love, good pick in round 4
4. Ronnie Brown – Mia: Grrr! Ronnie Brown has screwed me in fantasy playoffs so many times. Can he stay healthy. Will he perform huge in a contract year? I don’t know, I think I finally look elsewhere…UNLESS Brown slips into round 7…then I gamble…again.
5. Brandon Jacobs – NYG: If for some reason I do not have my 2nd running back yet. I jump on Jacobs now. He could slip to round 5 or even 6 where I drafted him in the mock draft. But why risk it. His knees are healthy and he has a chip on his shoulder to prove his and the entire Giants are better than the 8-8 team they were last year.
6. Joseph Addai – Ind: I pass. Never liked him much. Could be he really screwed me as my overall top pick on ’08. I actually want to target Donald “DUCK!” Brown in some later rounds.

Round 5

1. Felix Jones – Dal: Speedster who can rip one off to the endzone any play. Slight health risk? Depends on who all is available here, but worth a look.
2. Reggie Bush- NO: Why does anyone draft this guy? He seems to have such inconsistent fantasy relevance. I pass always.
3. Marion Barber – Dal: Could return to top form, but Dal has a three-headed monster in Barber, Jone and Choice. Touches will be an issue. Definitely worth considering here though.
4. C.J. Spiller – Buf: Tremendous back with play-making skills. Can he overcome a bad O-line and poor passing game? Depending on how soon my next pick is and who else is available will determine how I go here. By no means though am I targeting this guy high though.

After this point I better have at least two solid running backs, and possibly three. There are very few guys I will be targeting from here on out so I’ll just list the player and what round I hope he is available in but not before.

Remaining Rounds

1. Michael Bush – Oak: Maybe just maybe in the 6th if he stands out as the best option for your fantasy team.
2. Jerome Harrison – Cle: If I am desperate for a 3rd back, I’ll grab him in round 7. Otherwise wait for 8 or even 9 if you think he’ll last.
3. Ricky Williams – Mia: I’ll take him in round 8 if he is the best available, round 9 or later would be nicer.
4. Steve Slaton – Hou: He was great in ’08. If he stays healthy, can be a real sleeper in round 8 or later.
5. Ahmad Bradshaw – NYG: Surgery on both feet, so watch closely any reports. But he has prolific speed and could be pined for a comeback year. 10 th or later.
6. Donald Brown – Ind: I’m targeting this guy for sure, I’ll probably reach if available in the 9th or later.
7. Tim Hightower – Ari: The probably goal line back available in round 10. Possible starter too.
8. Willis McGahee – Bal: I don’t particular like him, but he will likely get the goal line touches. Might wait for 11th, 10th if in need of running back depth.
9. Ben Tate – Hou: He is injured right now, so a possible complete pass in the draft. However, if he returns to camp worth a late round selection.
10. If LT and Clinton Portis make it past the 9th rounds, hey give a look at least! =)

In part 1 we talked about strategies to be taken into consideration, don’t get too caught up in this. In my experience, if you have prepared, researched and come to the draft with a realistic group of players you will target in each round. Then you will be fine, never panic and use you instinct. It’s more fun this way. One staple of advice is to always try and draft the handcuff to one of your top 2 starting running backs. A handcuff is the next player on the depth chart. This will protect your investment. Also, keep an eye on bye weeks. I don’t know how many times I have drafted all of one position and all my guys have the same bye week. Man that’s frustrating! Remember to try and keep your emotions out of it as much as possible. If you are going to drink while drafting, try and be moderate. Keep updated on your targeted players all the way up to the day of the draft. Sucks to draft an injured guy. I will do my best to post one final quick list of rankings per position in the waning weeks of most drafts to compensate for injuries and what not! Other than that, get a good nights rest, have fun and goodluck. Draft day doesn’t have to be a make or break event for you. Shoot us a comment or email if you have any specific questions!