The running back. How important is this position in fantasy football? Does it still have relevance when there’s some quarterbacks and wide receivers going ham and getting close to the same amount of points? Out of the top 20 spots in fantasy last year, 5 of them were running backs, 12 were QBs, 2 wide receivers, and 1 tight end. That’s 12 QBs, and even more come out of the woodworks and into prominence later on. Running backs are still special, because they touch the ball more than anyone except the QB, and the best running backs are dual threats – they’re effective wide receivers and are also beastly runners. Time to check out which 5 running backs you should draft in 2012.
1. Ray Rice – Baltimore Ravens
Ray Rice went absolutely nuts last year. Finally, being the only worthy back for the first time on a team that specializes on the ground and pound game. He had no running back committee, and it showed, with Rice exploding for 15 total touchdowns, 1300 rushing yards, and 700 receiving yards. In PPR leagues Rice is simply king adding 76 receptions. 76?! That’s more than most wide receivers get all year! We can definitely see this again with Ray Rice, seeing as he still has no competition in the backfield. (Bonus: he’s only 25!)
2. Lesean McCoy – Philadelphia Eagles
McCoy was a fantasy stud. He was #1 up until the final two or so games where he was injured, and with the Eagles going nowhere, he was benched so he wouldn’t aggravate or make his injury worse. Despite the injury, he only finished 16 points behind Ray Rice, getting only 14 touches in the last two games. Needless to say, he wound up with 1300 yards rushing to go along with another 300 in receiving and totaling 20 touchdowns. Also a PPR beast, McCoy’s touchdowns should decrease, as it’s pretty hard to put up those numbers back to back, but no doubt, he’s still a fantasy stud.
3. Arian Foster – Houston Texans
I might have put Arian Foster higher up in this list if Ben Tate wasn’t involved in the mix. Needless to say, even after missing the majority of the first 3 games (totaling 12 touches), he still managed to finish 4th in the RB category. 1200 yards rushing, 617 yards receiving to go along with 53 receptions for you PPRs, Foster would have been the #1 running back in 2011 if he had been healthy and had no Ben Tate. In fact, Foster might have been close to a 1000/1000 season. Foster’s a very smart, patient back, with explosive athletic ability, and if you wanted to pick him #1, I wouldn’t blame you.
4. Matt Forte – Chicago Bears
Forte has always been a great running back despite his low number of touchdowns in each year. Why? He’s been the Bears best offensive weapon over the past few years, being an incredible agile yet powerful runner, and probably the best receiver on the Bears team. Injured with 4 GAMES LEFT, Forte h ad 997 rushing yards, 500 receiving yards, 52 receptions, and 4 total touchdowns. The touchdowns for Forte don’t matter as long as he puts up those ridiculous receiving numbers. There is cause for concern though – Michael Bush joins him in the backfield, a known touchdown vulture. The emergence of Brandon Marshall might take away Forte’s receiving touches. The most concerning is Forte’s contract, and if he holds out, then this pick is a bust.
5. Ryan Mathews — San Diego Charges
This is a risky pick. I’m picking a back who’s had so much promise, but the risk of injury taking out some of his games and the crowded backfield limited his play. His first year, he had Darren Sproles and Tolbert to worry about. Last year, it was more Tolbert. This year, he has a washed up Ronnie Brown. Guess who’s poised to have a breakout season? Mathews finished last year #9 in RBs, with 1091 rushing yards, 455 receiving yards, 50 receptions and 6 total touchdowns. With no threat of a running back stealing his carries, Mathews should be a top 5 running back, barring any catastrophic injury.
Honorable mentions: Darren McFadden, Maurice Jones-Drew, Marshawn Lynch, Stephen Jackson, Chris Johnson, Frank Gore. (Adrian Peterson, we await your return)
Be sure to check out my top 5 QBs for the 2012 Fantasy Football season!
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