Top 10 Fantasy Running Back Rankings

Top 10 Fantasy Running Back Rankings

The best things come to those who wait. Gridiron Experts has posted our free fantasy draft board this week, but this article was one readers have been waiting for, as it shows exactly who likes what.

Some web sites and magazines like to slap together their ranking lists in the beginning of August, while we tend to watch most practices and or pre-season games before naming our top tens. I can tell you there were definitely different views on players a couple of weeks ago, some of which are nowhere to be seen now, or low on the board.

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Mike Rodriguez: Frank Gore- The Fantasy RB Strength of Schedule is just one reason why I have Gore at the top of the food chain. The 49er’s beefed up their offensive line and have an underrated quarterback who can manage the game. The run first play calling will make Gore a safe reliable fantasy start all season. The X-factor for me is the 49er’s receiving core in 2010. Vernon Davis is a defensive focal point, but the wide-outs are arguably the fastest talent San Fran has seen in years. This will keep defenses honest, respecting all areas of attack.

Although I’m not a fan of offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye, I do believe another year with the same offensive system will improve all areas of the game. Gore is a beast and is ready to roll over the league.

DC: Ray Rice- The Ravens roster is loaded for a playoff push that will not rely on just their defensive unit. In fact, I think the offense may carry this team at times throughout the season. Ray Rice is an all-purpose player who could be involved in every scenario in 2010. This mini-tank can run over players. He has excellent hands with great smarts and vision. Rice shared the work load last season, but got more and more carries each week. Ray Rice should be an elite fantasy star this year.

Diesel: Michael Turner- The Falcons and Michael Turner are flying under the radar on fantasy boards. Injuries played a huge role with many fantasy Falcons last year, but things look to be back on track. Turner still found the endzone 10 times despite the huge drop off in yards in ’09 and his rushing average was still an excellent 4.9 yards per carry. With extra efforts to throw the pass his way this year I have him 3rd on my board.

Matty The Bulldog: Chris Wells- While our head writer Mike Rodriguez might be having second thoughts on his Beanie Wells Break out Season article, after the terrible play of Matt Leinart, my prediction is Derek Anderson will win the job. Wells is a second half type player, he runs north and south and takes advantage of tired defenses. Pre-season is not the place to see him run. He isn’t the current starter but will win the job shortly, Well’s has excellent value for keeper leagues and his goal-line carries should translate into gravy fantasy goodness.

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Ben Hoyt: Frank Gore- Gore is a beast in the backfield. The 49er’s added to their offensive line in the off-season which will open more holes for Gore. He will produce big numbers as he normally does, and will be a good pick up in the middle first round of any fantasy draft.

Christopher Gabel: Maurice Jones-Drew-Much like Chris Johnson (who needs a nickname), his team relies too heavily on him yet he still produces. Lowest injury risk of the consensus top four running backs, and knowing the limited help he had around him last season, he can produce either way. At some point, we’re going to regret giving Reggie Bush so much more credit in college than we gave to Drew the same year, in the same city, at UCLA.

Chris Hall: Adrian Peterson -I’m not really sure if Brett Favre’s situation helps or hurts AP. On one hand, Favre does require some extra cover from the D, taking away some defending linebackers, but AP will get much more offensive attention in an AP only show. He had 18 TD’s in 2009 with Favre, and 1,760 yards in 2008 without him, so neither way is too bad fantasy-wise.

Jody Smith: Cedric Benson- Cincinnati’s additions of Terrell Owens, Jermaine Gresham and possibly Antonio Bryant (injury) to bolster it’s passing game should benefit Benson. Defenses will have to respect the passing game, opening the field for the running backs. There’s little threat for Benson to lose carries to other backs on the Bengals, and he’s playing for a contract.

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