Part one featured the top five quarterbacks or this year's upcoming fantasy draft, but part two will be slightly different.
A standard league will require two running backs in a starting lineup so we will double our rankings list top 10. Because the position requires so many players, there will be an honorable mention of 10 more.
This is where drafts can be a little fuzzy since running back value has not been what it what was, but in ESPN mock drafts running backs are still getting picked in early rounds.
Once again we will evaluate ESPN's position rankings using 2015 statistics and 2016 projections.
No. 10 running back: Thomas Rawls
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| Thomas Rawls has some large shoes to fill in Seattle. The Seahawks are going from an all-pro in Marshawn Lynch to undrafted, second-year player. Photo from cover32.com |
When he filled in for an injured Marshawn Lynch for six weeks, Rawls was No. 3 in points among fantasy running backs.
Rawls' running style is very similar to Lynch's as he is used mostly between the tackles for power runs, short-yardage downs and goal line situations.
In 2015, Rawls ran for 830 yards and four touchdowns in 147 carries. The receiving numbers indicate Rawls may not be a dual-threat back as he only had nine catches, 76 yards and one touchdown.
The upside is that Rawls has the opportunity to compile 16 games worth of stats for fantasy owners who take a chance on him.
2016 projections show Rawls running for 1166 yards, six touchdowns and getting 174 points. Receiving expectations are still low as Rawls is only projected to get 22 catches for 174 yards and only one touchdown.
In my opinion, the expectations are something that you should not let you dictate if you want RB 1 in Seattle. The Seahawks love to run the ball, and early on Rawls will get his touches. Just monitor his production.
I would not draft him in the first five rounds, but that is just me. I would rather let somebody else take the chance on Rawls.
No. 9 running back: Mark Ingram
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| Saints running back Mark Ingram is the primary back in New Orleans, but how much can he give to fantasy owners if he is on a team that throws the ball as much as it does? Photo from blacksportsonline.com |
After rushing for 769 yards, 6 touchdowns and totaling 143 points, Ingram also happened to catch 50 passes for 405 yards.
There is some value with this potential, but be aware of the risk. Ingram has missed at least three games in four of his five professional seasons.
The 2016 projections are a little more optimistic as ESPN has Ingram running for 984 yards, getting 390 receiving yards, finishing with 10 touchdowns total and racking up 195 fantasy points.
Ingram's ceiling has yet to be reached because of his durability issues, but what makes him valuable is his role as a pass-catching back.
He should be in his physical prime, and he is on a team that loves to throw the ball.
Drew Brees is getting older and throwing downfield is going to be less frequent for him. That is where Ingram can be an attractive back.
He should be available in the third round so, but if you want him that bad to take a back earlier, look elsewhere.
He's a fringe RB 1.
No. 8 running back: Doug Martin
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| Doug Martin has been an attractive fantasy running back since his breakout season in 2012, but injuries have plagued him for half of his young career. Perhaps his value is high in 2016 though. Photo from cover32.com |
2013 and 2014 snuffed him out with nagging injuries, but 2015 was a complete year for Martin as he played all 16 games.
With 1,402 rushing yards and six touchdowns, Martin went on to score 187 fantasy points with the help of 271 receiving yards.
Martin has a nice value for an RB 1, but like almost any good back there is injury risk. Two of his four NFL seasons were full seasons. How reliable is he?
Pretty reliable, but 2016 may not warrant a high pick.
Martin's projections show 1,200 rushing yards, eight total touchdowns, 245 receiving yards and 185 fantasy points.
It is not a surprise these projections expect less from Martin, but one can argue that Martin benefits from having a still very young quarterback in Jameis Winston.
Would I take Martin in the first three rounds? No. But I would think pretty hard about Martin in the fourth.
Once again, proceed with caution.
No. 7 running back: Lamar Miller
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| Lamar Miller is about to embark on his first year in Houston with Brock Osweiler as his quarterback. It could be scary to some fantasy owners, and could be a sleeper to others. Which one are you? Photo from houseofhouston.com |
He does not strike you as a great fantasy back, but he does not miss games, and he gives you solid value.
Miami did not know how to use Miller, but he overcame that with 1,269 yards from rushing and receiving. Miller also saw paydirt a total of 10 times, and ended up with 173 fantasy points.
His situation has improved, but with strings attached.
Houston has an unproven quarterback in Brock Osweiler, and Miller will be looked at to carry the load like Arian Foster was in previous years.
2016 projections have Miller accruing 1,227 rushing yards, 319 receiving yards, seven total touchdowns and 198 fantasy points.
Having a back that can produce nearly 200 points is truly valuable in modern fantasy football.
Miller could actually get more if head coach Bill O'Brien knows how to utilize Miller's talents.
It would not hurt to test Miller's durability by giving him the ball as much as possible and relieve pressure on Osweiler.
If Miller touches the ball more than 250 times, there is no telling what the results could be.
The definition of a sleeper could be Miller this year, but do not let him slip away if you want a steal.
Look to him in the third round if he is available, but any earlier may be a reach.
No. 6 running back: Le'veon Bell
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| The Steelers have a stellar running back in Le'veon Bell, but his off-the-field problems continue, he may be another Aldon Smith. High risk, but high reward. Photo from imageif.com |
A two game suspension and a knee injury killed Bell's 2015 season, and another violation of the league's substance violation policy has put Bell in the four game suspension boat (potentially).
The positive side is Bell had a nice five-game showing with 556 rush yards, 136 receiving yards, three touchdowns and 83 points. In five games.
Bell can be a top RB 1 in fantasy. How many owners are willing to take that risk though?
The positives are that Bell is in a class organization, has an elite quarterback and a playmaker at wide receiver.
2016 could be promising as 904 rushing yards, 449 receiving yards, eight total touchdowns and 185 fantasy points could justify drafting Bell.
The question is when. Bell will be highly valued by most owners so it might be in your best interest to look at him in the third round. Just make sure you loaded up so his absence does not hurt.
If you are desperate, he is not the immediate answer.
Do not rely on Bell to be your early-season savior.
No. 5 running back: Devonta Freeman
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| The Falcons have a potential star in Devonta Freeman, but could he be a false fantasy god? Atlanta has to at least try to find out if they want to be contenders. Photo from heavy.com |
Freeman is a dynamic, skilled back who can give so much to any fantasy owner.
He has an impressive workload in both the rushing and passing game.
2015 proved that as Freeman gained 1,056 rushing yards, 578 receiving yards, 14 total touchdowns (11 rushing) and 230 fantasy points.
Freeman has the luxury of coming off of a hot year, and not having much competition in the backfield. He has the job on lockdown; for now.
2016 may have a dip according to ESPN projections, but Freeman's upside is high. Expectations are set for 965 rushing yards, 548 receiving yards, nine total touchdowns (seven rushing) and 203 fantasy points.
That dip is a small projected dip. Freeman may be the back that helps an owner win a league.
Where should he be drafted? The best round for him is probably third, but if you are lacking an RB 1 at that point, take a shot at Freeman.
No. 4 running back: David Johnson
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| Arizona's David Johnson may be the biggest unknown running back of all of fantasy. Having an experienced quarterback, wide receiver and smart head coach will help him immensely. Photo from arizonasports.com |
Johnson displayed a promising talent during his time as RB 1 for the Cardinals during Chris Johnson's injury, and he did not disappoint.
His 2015 campaign brought fantasy owners 164 points from 581 rushing yards, 457 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns from 161 touches.
That is going to make any fantasy owner have googly eyes.
Now that the backfield is completely his, 2016 brings some new pressure and expectations.
ESPN projects a good season from Johnson with 1,121 rushing yards, 521 receiving yards, 11 total touchdowns (eight rushing) and 225 points.
Johnson has Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd as well-respected decoys to assist in not just the passing game but the running as well.
Arizona's offensive line has also been a solid rock making room for runners in the backfield.
This puts Johnson in the elite status, and should make him a highly sought-after running back. He could very well go in the first round, but it may be better to snag him up in the second should he be available.
No. 3 running back: Ezekiel Elliot
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| Ezekiel Elliot has yet to take an NFL snap, but the offensive line that blocks for him makes him a super, attractive commodity. Where he goes only depends on a few things. Photo from bloggingtheboys.com |
Elliot is a very intriguing pick in many ways. He is a rookie, he is a Cowboy, Tony Romo is his quarterback, his offensive line is among the best in the NFL, etc.
The reasons are numerous and fantasy owners are salivating but also scratching their heads as to when to draft this young prospect.
ESPN projections have Elliot running for 1,157 yards, getting 434 receiving yards, 10 total touchdowns (eight rushing) and 215 fantasy points.
I already went over the positive things that make Elliot a great pick for your RB 1, but this is the NFL and health is more important than anything.
Elliot has to prove that he can get things done at this level, and nothing but questions come from him right now.
That does not mean he is not a worthy option in the second or third round, it just means maybe you could go with more proven options.
He is a gamble regardless.
No. 2 running back: Todd Gurley
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| Todd Gurley impressed everyone watching during his rookie season, and his upside is getting better. With a questionable quarterback situation in Los Angeles, Gurley should expect a big workload. Photo from arizonasports.com |
Gurley amazed people when he was a Georgia Bulldog, but his rookie campaign did not let anybody down.
When he started the season on the injury list from an ACL injury in college, few expected anything from him. But he still produced.
Once he became a featured back for St. Louis in week 4, Gurley displayed an amazing prowess as a running back.
1,106 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns and 176 fantasy points later he made everyone a believer that he was an NFL running back.
The receiving part of his game is not his fault solely as the Rams lacked a competent quarterback that could get him the ball in the passing game.
2016 should be more promising as Gurley has proven to his coaches that he can be trusted with the ball.
ESPN projections have Gurley getting 233 fantasy points from 1,364 rushing yards, 311 receiving yards and 12 total touchdowns.
Head coaches with quarterback problems like the Rams have, only think one thing; run the ball.
Gurley will see an increased workload, and it should pay off.
Picking Gurley in the second round is not unreasonable, but how an owner values him is a huge factor. Someone will probably take him in the first round.
He is a fantasy star in the making.
No. 1 running back: Adrian Peterson
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| Adrian Peterson is yet again the king supreme. Fantasy owners still value him as the best running back option in the NFL. The 31-year-old continues to dominate as a rushing threat as the league has evolved into a passing league. Photo from christianpost.com |
Trepidation with Peterson is futile. He plays pretty much every game, and he produces virtually all of the time.
Peterson had 217 fantasy points in 2015 that came mostly from 1,485 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Peterson will not give an owner much in the passing game so it is wise to have a back who gives that production.
ESPN projects Peterson to get 223 fantasy points from 1,422 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns and a little cushion from receiving yards.
Peterson will get the ball on early downs, short yardage plays and goal line situations. He will most likely deliver since he has shown no signs of slowing down.
If there ever was a sure thing as a running back in fantasy football, Peterson is the guy. He may have to go in the first round, but if he is sitting around in the second, do not hesitate.
*Honorable mentions for running backs 11-20 include Eddie Lacy, Jamaal Charles, LeSean McCoy, Jonathan Stewart, Carlos Hyde, C.J. Anderson, Matt Forte, Dion Lewis, Jeremy Hill and Latavius Murray
