ELITE RB1
1. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL - Just getting started and situation looks ideal long-term
2. David Johnson, ARI - Everything Cardinals and FF wanted, offensive rebuild coming, could take a small hit
3. Le’Veon Bell, PIT - Actually younger than Johnson, but can’t put a healthy year together
ELITE TALENT, GUTTER SITUATION
4. Todd Gurley, LAR - Still on upslope of career at 22. Chance of competence in offensive coaching
STRONG/solid RB1 (25 and under)
5. Devonta Freeman, ATL - Only presence of Coleman keeps him from elite
6. Melvin Gordon, LAC - Risk of Woodhead return short-term, but arrival seems legit
7. Jordan Howard, CHI - Hard to argue with outstanding results in poor situation
8. Jay Ajayi, MIA - Draft knee worries in rear view, owns MIA backfield now, needs more pass involement
9. Carlos Hyde, SF - Some durability questions, but none about his talent as runner. Shanahan can’t hurt.
THE EXCITEMENT OF AN UNKNOWN PAYOFF
10. Derrick Henry, TEN - Phenomenal moments in 2016, might require a wait to contribute, but situation perfect
STRONG RB1 (28 and older)
11. LeSean McCoy, BUF - 2016 arguably career-best year as runner, how much left?
BOOM/BUST RB2 (+ CEILING)
12. Tevin Coleman, ATL - Major improvement as receiver, not sold on him as runner. Risk Freeman re-signs in ATL
LOW CEILING RB2
13. Lamar Miller, HOU - Frustrating 2016, didn’t have Miami burst, will it get better? Might be time to sell.
BOOM/BUST RB2 (BEST TO COME?)
14. Isaiah Crowell, CLE - Looked like a beast, but stuck in the zoo. Only 24, FA in 2018. Time to buy?
STRONG RB1 (CLOCK TICKING)
15. Demarco Murray, TEN - Will begin 2017 as start, but what about finish? Win now target, rebuilding teams must deal this offseason
BOOM/BUST RB2 (CLOCK TICKING)
16. Mark Ingram, NO - Finished strong + good situation, but needed benching to hit stride. More than two useful years left?
SOLID RB2 (FREE AGENT UNCERTAINTY)
17. Eddie Lacy, FA - Did anyone else notice Lacy had his career best yards per carry before injury? Free agent market might be harsh, but ability there, only 26.
RBBC BACKS ( + UPSIDE)
18. Ameer Abdullah, DET - Riddick showed value of DET RB roles, but how big will Abdullah’s be?
19. CJ Prosise, SEA - Shined at times in small sample, but durability questions
SOLID RB2 (FREE AGENT UNCERTAINTY)
20. Latavius Murray, OAK - Didn’t make huge leap from 2015, offense did. Competent, but situation-dependent.
RBBC BACKS ( + UPSIDE)
21. Duke Johnson Jr, CLE - Efficient on limited touches, but overshadowed by Crowell
22. Giovani Bernard, CIN - ACL tear a bummer and team didn’t increase usage
TRYING TO GET THEIR GROOVE BACK
23. Thomas Rawls, SEA - Durability, OL quality & 2016 performance concern, but only 23 and had success already.
RBBC BACKS ( + UPSIDE)
24. Kenneth Dixon, BAL - Injury slowed career start and Ravens could draft RB, but set to grow
TRYING TO GET THEIR GROOVE BACK
25. Adrian Peterson, FA - Hard to bet against talent, but team/role unknown
26. Dion Lewis, NE - Flashes of 2015 in playoffs, but White splitting role
LOW RB2 (+ UNCERTAINTY)
27. Rob Kelley, WAS - Should be considered incumbent, but backs like
28. Spencer Ware, KC - Levelled off as a steady but inspiring producer, Charles likely gone, but Chiefs could add competition
TRYING TO GET THEIR GROOVE BACK
29. CJ Anderson, DEN - It’s always something, but still clearly the best on the Broncos roster
30. Jeremy Hill, CIN - Offensive line and Hill’s play pointing in wrong direction, but still only 24
31. Charles Sims, TB - Took a big step back in 2016, but situation could open up
33. Jonathan Stewart, CAR - Still in Carolina plans, but will they draft Fournette?
34. Doug Martin, TB - Release is likely and will have to earn whatever he gets with next team
ONE MORE YEAR?
34. LeGarrette Blount, NE - Ridiculous touchdown totals, but efficiency falling off
35. Jamaal Charles, FA - Could have resurgence as PPR specialist, but decline is on
GROWTH POTENTIAL
36. Ty Montgomery, GB - True slash player who looked good running out of shotgun
37. Paul Perkins, NYG - Giants starter for now, limited ceiling
38. DeAndre Washington, OAK - Murray will test market, finished with best game in Week 16
39. T.J. Yeldon, JAX - Still only 23 and had 50 receptions in 2016
40. Jalen Richard, OAK - Outshined Washington at times, more touches coming
LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITY
41. Bilal Powell, NYJ - Seems to pull away from Forte, but will be RBBC again
42. Jerick McKinnon, MIN - Last man standing at RB for Vikings, but will get company
43. Theo Riddick, DET - Big role due to injuries, but couldn’t hold up under increased load
44. Devontae Booker, DEN - Did we see his best already? Was banged up, but debut not promising
45. Rex Burkhead, CIN - Finished as best RB on Bengals roster, FA presents a big unknown
46. Zach Zenner, DET - Impressed in December, but Lions still a messy RBBC
47. James White, NE - Finished on high note, but still likely a limited ceiling specialist
48. Danny Woodhead, FA - Still has PPR juice at 32
HOLD and HOPE
50. Karlos Williams, PIT - Top talent, but career cratered in 2016
52. Wendell Smallwood, PHI - Had his moments, but Eagles likely to restock at RB
51. Andre Ellington, FA - Flashed early in career, could get receiving back role in FA
52. Matt Jones, WAS - Was producing before fumbles cost him job
53. Peyton Barber, TB - Room to grow and RB job likely vacant
54. Terrance West, BAL - Solid back, but likely below line of FF relevance
55. Jonathan Williams, BUF - Team held after DUI, projects as three-down back
56. Dwayne Washington, DET - Size/speed combo fizzled, but rookie year exceeded expectations
YEAR TO YEAR
57. Frank Gore, IND - 3.5 million is reasonable, but Colts will bring in help
58. Chris Ivory, JAX - Had flashes, but dinged up and terrible running game
59. Matt Forte, NYJ - Faded by season end, role shrinking
60. Jacquizz Rodgers, FA - Proved some worth, could have value if Tampa brings him back
61. Ryan Mathews, PHI - Release coming? Turning 30 this year
BENCH PPR DEPTH
62. Chris Thompson, WAS - Role static, could help in a pinch
HOLD AND PRAY
63. Alex Collins, SEA - Played better in December, injury prone players ahead of him
64. Cameron Artis-Payne, CAR - Stewart sticking around, hasn’t distinguished himself
65. Kenyan Drake, MIA - Left in dust by Ajayi
66. Tyler Ervin, HOU - Didn’t make impression or overtake Akeem Hunt on depth chart
YOU NEVER KNOW
67. Corey Grant, JAX - Jaguars running game a mess, but had a huge Week 17
68. Daniel Lasco, NO - Sparq freak could be Ingram’s backup with room to grow
69. Tyler Gaffney, NE - Outside shot at Blount role this year
70. Mike Gillislee, BUF - RFA, has always looked good in limited work
71. Kapri Bibbs, DEN - Was on verge of more opportunity before injury
72. Keith Marshall, WAS - Injuries derailed rookie year, once vaunted prospect
73. Josh Ferguson, IND - Could get a shot if Colts don’t make strong addition at RB
74. Branden Oliver, LAC - Dual threat back could play Woodhead lite role
75. Damien Williams, MIA - Versatile, could be Ajayi primary backup again
76. Kerwynn Williams, ARI - Looked good in December, Johnson’s backup as of now
77. Lance Dunbar, FA - Receiving ability, burst was impressive pre-injury
78. Mike Davis, SF - Can Shanahan get something out of him, still hanging around
79. Malcolm Brown, LAR - Hard-nosed inside runner, Gurley’s backup with Cunningham FA?
80. Darius Jackson, CLE - Sparq freak slipped away from Dallas, speculative long-term hold
BENCH DEPTH?
81. Darren Sproles, PHI - Fantasy relevant at 34?
82. Tim Hightower, FA - Will Saints bring him back to pair with Ingram again?
83. Darren McFadden, FA - Could be a solid backup somewhere in age 30 season
84. Shane Vereen, NYG - Third-down back if healthy
YOU NEVER KNOW. WELL MAYBE YOU DO
85. Jeremy Langford, CHI - Left in dust by Howard
86. Khiry Robinson, FA - Has some juice, but trouble avoiding injuries
87. DeAngelo Williams, FA - Could catch on as a backup somewhere, value up if PIT
88. Chris Johnson, FA - Could return as David Johnson’s backup, still has something left
89. Alfred Morris, DAL - A dud as Zeke’s backup, Cowboys should add a back
90. Christine Michael, GB - At least he’s landing on active rosters after release now
91. Rashad Jennings, FA - Likely just passing-down back at best, if that
92. Andre Williams, LAC - Signs of life? RFA might be retained
SPARE PARTS
93. Matt Asiata, FA - Ideal third back, could have value if injuries take out players above him
94. Charcandrick West, KC - Profiles as a third back after solid start to career in 2015
95. Alfred Blue, HOU - Has proven he can hold up under big in-game workload, that’s about it
96. Robert Turbin, FA - Best case scenario is return to Colts to be GL vulture/backup
97. Ka’Deem Carey, CHI - Left in dust by Howard
98. Javorius Allen, BAL - Big receiving back barely hung on roster
99. Lorenzo Taliaferro, BAL - Big sluggish back barely hung on roster
100. Terron Ward, ATL - Hanging around as #3 in Atlanta
LONG SHOTS FOR VERY DEEP LEAGUES
101. Brandon Wilds, NYJ - Might stick as #3 behind two older backs
102. Mack Brown, WAS - Kelley/Jones far from entrenched
103. Elijhaa Penny, ARI - Opportunity behind Johnson, big back with good hands, great preseason Wk 4
104. David Cobb, CHI - Solid all-around back having trouble sticking on a roster
105. DJ Foster, NE - WR/RB tweener, blocked by Lewis/White
106. Terrell Watson, PHI - Backfield wide open, got callup at end of 2016
107. Kenneth Farrow, LAC - Proved he belonged on NFL field in 2016
108. Troymaine Pope, SEA - Org seems to like him
109. Bishop Sankey, KC - Measureables keep him on roster, some give on depth chart
JUST HOW DEEP IS YOUR LEAGUE?
110. Shaun Draughn, SF
111. Akeem Hunt, HOU
112. Orleans Darkwa, NYG
113. Fitzgerald Toussaint, PIT
114. Benny Cunningham, FA
115. Darrin Reaves, KC
116. Russell Hansbrough, TB
117. CJ Spiller, KC
118. DuJuan Harris, FA
119. Stepfan Taylor, FA
120. Travaris Cadet, FA
121. Kenjon Barner, PHI
122. Byron Marshall, PHI
123. Jonathan Grimes, FA
124. Denard Robinson, FA
125. Bobby Rainey, FA
126. Cedric Peerman, FA
127. Juwan Thompson, DEN
128. Fozzy Whittaker, FA
129. Dexter McCluster, FA
130. James Starks, FA
131. Knile Davis, FA
132. Ronnie Hillman, FA
133. John Crockett, GB
134. George Atkinson, CLE
135. Taiwan Jones, OAK
136. Don Jackson, GB
137. Aaron Green, LA
138. David Fluellen, TEN
139. Brandon Burks, NYJ
140. Terrence Magee, SEA
141. Trey Williams, PIT
142. Dreamius Smith, PIT
143. Gus Johnson, PIT
144. Rajion Neal, CHI
145. Bronson Hill, JAX
146. Kelvin Taylor, SEA
147. Jalen Simmons, CAR
148. CJ Ham, MIN
149. Tre Carson, CIN
150. George Farmer, SEA
