Top 8 Running Backs
Most Seasons selecting the Top 8 Running Backs is easy. This year, not so much. The Running Back position has dramatically changed over the last decade. For the most part the requirements they need to become a fantasy stud have remained the same. A workhorse Back who gets 250+ touches. The ability to run & catch. A favourable offensive scheme. Last but not least, durability. Those requirements used to be commonplace. That’s not the case any more. Although there has been a resurgence of featured Backs in the NFL. I’ll divide my Top eight Running Backs into two groups. The first group consists of my Top 4.
David Johnson
David Johnson is the real deal. Strictly based on talent alone. It’s hard to argue against him being the best. Remove David Johnson from the equation, and I can’t even imagine what the Arizona Cardinals offence would look like. He definitely fits the fantasy stud requirements. He went over 2000 yards of total offence last year. That includes 80 receptions. That’s more than most Receivers! In David Johnson you essentially get a Running Back, and a Wide Receiver with a single pick. There’s only one other Running Back in the NFL that can offer you the same.
Le’Veon Bell
In a suspension shortened Season. Le’Veon Bell had 261 carries, with another 75 receptions. Had he played a full Season he would probably have eclipsed David Johnson’s combined total. Where David Johnson is Arizona’s first, second, and third option on offence. Le’Veon Bell is sharing the field with Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, and Eli Rogers on one of the leagues most potent offences. Touchdowns can go to any one of those Players. So predicting Bell’s Fantasy production from week to week is a gamble.
Ezekiel Elliot
Ezekiel Elliot had a ridiculous rookie Season. 322 carries for 1631 yards! He only caught 32 receptions for another 363 yards, but who cares. Oh yeah he reached pay dirt 16 times. Did I say it was ridiculous? Yeah I did. So he isn’t built in the traditional fantasy stud Running Back mold. So what! His numbers resemble that of another Running Back that still managed to lead Fantasy teams to victory, Adrian Peterson. When you can just grind out 1600+ yards on the ground, and get the ball across the goal line. Trust me, that’s all you need. The only thing that worries me is how long he can handle such a heavy workload? We saw what it did to Adrian Peterson, and he qualifies as a superhuman in my books. I’m willing to bet that Zeke can keep grinding out those yards for Dallas for at least a couple more Seasons.
LeSean McCoy
A few years back, if you were to ask me who my favourite Player in Fantasy Football is? I would have answered LeSean McCoy. I’ve been running a Keeper league for years. For at least four of those years LeSean McCoy was one of my Keepers. It took breakout Seasons from Antonio Brown, and Julio Jones plus the move to Buffalo to finally let him go. I still wonder if I made the right decision. McCoy is just special. If he wasn’t a Buffalo Bill he’d challenge for top honors in the Running Back department. His health is a bit of an issue also. At 29 he has used up a lot of tread on those tires. His Offensive Coordinators recognized his talent, and were eager to use it. Although his touches have decreased somewhat over the years. It’s been because of injuries, not careful utilization of this star Running Back.
Now on to the other four Running Backs of my Top 8. Any one of these Running Backs could finish in the Top 3 by Seasons end. They all have the skill, and situation to succeed.
Devonta Freeman
It would probably come as a surprise to most. Devonta Freeman is the NFL’s highest paid Running Back. No way, you’ve got to be kidding right! Well I’m not, and you know what? He deserves it! At only 25 years old his last two Seasons had 1500+ total yards, over 1000 of those rushing, and at least 13 touchdowns. Keep in mind that those numbers are with Tevin Coleman on the roster getting touches, and touchdowns. In other words Freeman doesn’t need to completely carry the load like the previous Running Backs on this list. He’s on one of the most dynamic offences in the league, and fits the scheme perfectly. Atlanta will be looking to get back to the Superbowl, and recognizing that Freeman is a key piece was the first step. I wouldn’t worry about a decrease in performance because he got paid. I actually expect Atlanta to use him more to get their moneys worth.
Melvin Gordon
Melvin Gordon finally showed the ability his high draft price demanded of him last year. In fairness it was his first Season as the undisputed lead Back for the Chargers. That might have been all he needed to free up his conscience, and just focus on the job at hand. If the Chargers are going to get back to having some success in the AFC West. They are going to need to be able to establish a good Running Game. Philip Rivers has to face a murderers row of Pass Rushers in that Division. In order to keep those Defences honest they will have to run the ball, a lot. Sounds like a perfect situation for Gordon right. Well it could be. The Chargers just need to learn how to get out to a lead. Otherwise Gordon’s opportunities could be limited.
DeMarco Murray
Another workhorse Back who gets the majority of the touches on the Offence. The risk here is his health. DeMarco Murray has a history of injuries. He’s been relatively healthy the last few Seasons, but with such a heavy workload. It feels like his next carry could be his last. If he can avoid the injury bug, then Murray is in the perfect situation in Tennessee. He is the key to the offence. Whether it’s running through defenders, or catching balls out of the backfield. Murray has transformed the Titans from an up and coming franchise to a real contender in their division.
Leonard Fournette
I hate doing this. I hate including Rookies in my Top 8 lists. Of course I did it last year, and that worked out. So maybe this will become a habit. First of all Fournette is a beast. He had 300 carries in only 12 games in 2015. He only played in 7 games in 2016 due to injury. That’s probably a blessing in disguise for the Jacksonville Jaguars, because he will begin this Season fresh. There has been a lot of speculation about how high his ceiling is on the struggling Jaguars. Well those same Jaguars were struggling when Maurice Jones Drew was there, and his numbers were relevant. If you are hoping for Ezekiel Elliot type numbers. Just prepare to be disappointed. I don’t expect Fournette to have to carry the Offence on his back. I see him as more of a short yardage, and goal line Back. He’ll also get plenty of first down opportunities to establish the run, and wear down Defences. The addition of Fournette just makes the Jaguars’ Offence better. They might finish the Season as a losing franchise, but it won’t be for a lack of scoring. You can be sure that Fournette will get his fair share.
