With maybe the best RB draft class since 2008 on tap and a free agent market flush with veteran talent, consider this list to have an expiration date of about one week. Running back continues to be the most mercurial position in fantasy football.
1. LeVeon Bell - PIT - King of the mountain. Well ahead of the pack and might get even better.
2. Eddie Lacy - GB - At the top of his game and young. Draft durability concerns fading
3. DeMarco Murray - DAL - At career peak and potential downgrade in situation coming
4. LeSean McCoy - PHI - 2014 dropoff in passing game was unexpected. Healthy OL could help
5. Jamaal Charles - KC - still performing at high level, but for how long?
6. Jeremy Hill - CIN - Young and high weekly ceiling but lower weekly floor than other backs this high
7. Matt Forte - CHI - Maybe the last year he’ll be considered elite but produced thru turmoil
8. Arian Foster - HOU - stud when he plays, but will that be less frequently in future?
9. Adrian Peterson - MIN(?) - Likely still a strong RB1, but clock is ticking. Could land in jackpot spot like DAL, IND
10. C.J. Anderson - DEN - Either slightly undervalued or wildly overvalued, I lean former.
11. Carlos Hyde - SF - Poised to take over, but possible Gore retention may delay take off.
12. Marshawn Lynch - SEA - Could retire, could be a stud RB1 for two more years (or more)
13. Lamar Miller - MIA - Finished 2014 strong and should get shot for more in 2015
14. Andre Ellington - ARI - Size/durability could limit role, but still more explosive than 2014 showed
15. Giovani Bernard - CIN - Stuck in an early career Reggie Bush role, but has some Westbrook in him
16. Alfred Morris - WAS - lacks PPR punch, but still a good RB in his prime
17. Christine Michael - SEA - I still believe in his talent. Only 24. Stuck behind near HOF level RB.
18. Isaiah Crowell - CLE - Talent to become guy Browns commit to, but they haven’t done that yet
19. Tre Mason - STL - One-dimensional and fared similar to Stacy from FF point of view
20. Jonathan Stewart - CAR - Very troubling injury history but set up for RB2 numbers
21. Doug Martin - TB - Recovered a little, but lost a lot of luster and team likes Sims
22. Mark Ingram - FA - Would actually benefit from return to New Orleans. Situation uncertain
23. Latavius Murray - OAK - Physical gifts and a likely opportunity to run with the job in Oakland, but I’m not 100% sold.
24. Joique Bell - DET - Workmanlike but was borderline RB1. Hope DET doesn't take RB early.
25. Justin Forsett - FA - Either back in Baltimore or elsewhere, should get lion's share of work in 2015.
26. Devonta Freeman - ATL - Falcons will add a back or two, but Freeman will get some sort of role to prove himself in Shanahan run game.
27. C.J. Spiller - FA - Future uncertain, big value leap if he ends up reunited with Chan Gailey on the Jets.
28. Jerick McKinnon - MIN - Whether it’s Adrian Peterson or someone else, McKinnon looks like a time share back and not a receiver on Ellington/Bernard level.
29. Chris Ivory - NYJ - Ivory has stayed healthy and looked good, but the Jets offense is brutal.
30. Ryan Mathews - FA - Mathews didn’t end his rookie contract on a high note, but could be signed to start somewhere in free agency.
31. Ray Rice - FA - Rice looked like he was back to his old self physically before his release last year. Boom/bust dynasty commodity.
32. Denard Robinson - JAX - Got hot last year before getting hurt, but still still a timeshare back
33. LeGarrette Blount - NE - Could resume role as drive and game finisher next year
34. Stevan Ridley - FA - Knee injury could keep him on market a while, but better talent than reputation suggests.
35. Knile Davis - KC - Stuck behind Charles, but more opportunity could be coming soon.
36. Bishop Sankey - TEN - Rookie year couldn’t have gone much worse. Titans should add RB
37. Theo Riddick - DET - Poised to take over Reggie Bush role
38. Shane Vereen - FA - Role ceiling capped and could fade outside of NE
39. Robert Turbin - SEA - Good all-around back, but likely never anointed as starter somewhere
40. Charles Sims - TB - Will have some PPR punch, but RBBC back in any scenario
41. Branden Oliver - SD - Showed a lot on his audition, but still likely a secondary back
42. Rashad Jennings - NYG - Chance for one more year of solid RB2 production
43. Frank Gore - FA - Chance for one more year of solid RB2 production
44. Ryan Williams - DAL - Cowboys like him and could play a role in 2015, even a big one
45. Khiry Robinson - NO - If Saints don’t add a better back, could get Ingram role in 2015
46. Roy Helu - WAS - Has flashed here and there could get opportunity in FA
47. Chris Polk - PHI - Eagles like him and usage could start to trend up
48. Montee Ball - DEN - Anderson showed us just how ordinary Ball is in NFL RB terms
49. Andre Williams - NYG - Didn’t look like more than a backup level power back in 2014
50. Terrance West - CLE - Clearly outplayed by Isaiah Crowell, value dropping
51. Alfred Blue - HOU - Just an Arian Foster handcuff, but that could have temporary value in 2015
52. Toby Gerhart - JAX - serviceable all-around back, but missed his chance to emerge
53. Joseph Randle - DAL - Looked improved in 2014, but off-field issues and DAL likes Williams
54. Fred Jackson - BUF - Energizer bunny could give you one more RB2 season
55. Knowshon Moreno - FA - Looked good in limited action, but little interest in FA last year
56. Ahmad Bradshaw - FA - Could move up this list in right role. Can still play
57. Reggie Bush - FA - Fading fast, but looked amazing 16 months ago
58. Darren Sproles - PHI - Stuck at “what the heck flex” but Chip knows how to use him
59. Danny Woodhead - SD - Still under contract, but how big will his role be with Oliver emergence?
60. Pierre Thomas - NO - Not what he used to be, but could return to backfield of middling talents
61. Daniel Herron - IND - Functional at end of season, but will have company vis FA/draft
62. Jonas Gray - NE - Can he get past LeGarrette Blount? Looked good vs IND
63. Lorenzo Taliaferro - BAL - Looked like a plodder, but Ravens cap could mean only modest additions to backfield
64. Darren McFadden - FA - Didn’t look bad last year and some team may think they can fix him
65. Bryce Brown - BUF - Great physical talent, but underwhelms
66. Anthony Dixon - BUF - Has connection with new OC, but limited ability as runner
67. James White - NE - Has theoretical shot at receiving back role, but far from sold on him
68. Ronnie Hillman - DEN - Played the best ball of his career in 2014, but got hurt at wrong time
69. Zac Stacy - STL - Better than his tarnished reputation, but likely stuck at backup
70. KaDeem Carey - CHI - Looked like just a guy in limited action
71. Matt Asiata - RFA - Showed his usefulness even with limited physical talent. RFA.
72. Bobby Rainey - TB - Has proved he belongs in league, but not as starter
73. Lance Dunbar - RFA - Flashed some burst but couldn’t get purchase in DAL backfield
74. Antone Smith - FA - One trick pony, but what a trick
75. Benny Cunningham - STL - third down back, but better pro than expected
Offseason Watch List:
Lache Seastrunk, TEN - Breathtaking open field runner, but not endearing himself to teams. TEN Last chance?
Tyler Gaffney - NE - Sneaky Pats stashed size/speed RB when CAR tried to waive/IR
Chris Thompson - WAS - Spiller-esque back with chance for larger role
Tim Hightower - NO - Will vie for roster spot in wide open productive backfield