RB Current Ranks for 2015:
PPR scoring format:
Rush/Receiving TDs score 6 points.
Rush/Receiving yards score 1 point for every 10 yards.
Receptions score 1 point.
All Turnovers score -1 points.
Updates will be made through August as new info arises.
The RB1s:
These running backs should be the top 12 backs off draftboards:
1 – Adrian Peterson
2015 Status – Upgrade
Adrian Peterson played in just game 1 of last season before his suspension. Although 30 years old now, he does return to the Vikings injury free and rested after essentially having a season off. He is still a physical freak and should have no issues demonstrating this. He should resume his role as the focal point of this offense, but an improved offense around him should take some pressure off of his shoulders.
With the addition of Z receiver Mike Wallace and the return of Charles Johnson at the X, defenses may not have the option of lining up an 8 man box every play, at least until QB Teddy Bridgewater is able to demonstrate that this can be exploited.
Peterson also projects to be involved more in the passing game in OC Nov Turner’s offense which should bode well for Peterson’s PPR prospects. Peterson will easily be a top 3 PPR pick at the position.
2 – Jamaal Charles
2014: Att: 206, Rush Yds: 1,033, Rush TDs: 9, Tgts: 59, Rec: 40, Rec Yds: 291, Rec TDs: 5, FL: 3
2015 Status – Slight Upgrade
Jamaal Charles had a relatively disappointing year compared to 2013 when he ran away with the top PPR fantasy points for the position. Charles’ numbers were down across the board compared to 2013. Most notably the 70 receptions for 693 yards and 7 receiving TDs he posted in 2013 were drastically down the following season.
There is no reason why Charles’ numbers shouldn’t improve from last season but it would be safe to say his numbers could end up somewhere between the 2013 and 2014 stats.
Charles should remain the focal point for the offense, unless Coach Reid inexplicably just doesn’t stick to him, which occasionally occurred last season. Handcuff Knile Davis if you are a Charles owner. Charles should be a top 3 PPR pick for RBs.
3 – Le’Veon Bell
2014: Att: 290, Rush Yds: 1,361, Rush TDs: 8, Tgts: 105, Rec: 83, Rec Yds: 854, Rec TDs: 3, FL: 0
2015 Status – Downgrade
Bell was the top PPR performer and would have easily been the consensus #1 pick if not for his 3 game suspension to start the season. That equates to over 21 fantasy points per game, or over 63 less points than last season assuming identical production this season. That hit drops him down to the rest of the pack.
If the 3 game suspension holds up, he will miss approximately 21% of the regular season assuming a 14 game regular fantasy season. Bell should resume his elite status in this loaded Steeler offense beginning in week 4.
Update: Bell’s suspension has been dropped to 2 games, so bump up accordingly.
4 – Eddie Lacy
2014: Att: 246, Rush Yds: 1,139, Rush TDs: 9, Tgts: 55, Rec: 42, Rec Yds: 427, Rec TDs: 4, FL: 2
2015 Status – No Change
Lacy’s stats should not vary much this season compared to last year. His passing game stats were up from 2013 and his role in this high powered offense is set as the offense returns pretty much the same as last season.
Lacy will be a safe, consistent pick in the top 5.
5 – Marshawn Lynch
2014: Att: 280, Rush Yds: 1,306, Rush TDs: 13, Tgts: 48, Rec: 37, Rec Yds: 367, Rec TDs: 4, FL: 2
2015 Status – No Change
Beastmode was signed to a new contract in the offseason and returns as the focal point in the run first offense. Lynch tied for the league lead in rushing TDs last season with DeMarco Murray at 13, but the addition of TE Jimmy Graham as a red zone threat brings the possibility that his TD total from last season may be towards the ceiling.
Regardless, Lynch will be off boards in the top 5.
6 – C.J. Anderson
2014: Att: 179, Rush Yds: 849, Rush TDs: 8, Tgts: 44, Rec: 34, Rec Yds: 324, Rec TDs: 2, FL: 0
2015 Status – Upgrade
Anderson is poised to have one of the biggest statistical leaps of any of this year’s RBs. There is a lot of upside for C.J. this season.
Anderson’s stat line above is essentially from week 10 thru week 17 (8 games). He didn’t have a game with more than 5 rush attempts and no scores until week 10. Despite this partial year stat line above, he still ended up as the 10th highest scoring PPR RB.
New coach Kubiak is projected to implement more of a rush attack compared to last season, and rely less on Peyton Manning’s arm. The loss of TE Julius Thomas (JAC) eliminates a previous red zone option which opens the door wider for Anderson.
Also, the Broncos defense is stout and provides a nice complement to keeping RBs on the field. No surprise here if Anderson is off the boards in the top 5, with top 3 potential.
7 – Arian Foster
2014: Att: 260, Rush Yds: 1,246, Rush TDs: 8, Tgts: 59, Rec: 38, Rec Yds: 327, Rec TDs: 5, FL: 2
2015 Status – Slight Upgrade
Foster, again, will be the focal point for this run first offense whose production is solid, when healthy.
The biggest risk with Foster are the previous health issues, as he missed 3 games last season and 8 in 2013. When on the field, his near 23 touches per game bring consistent production and his rush TDs from last season should be more of a floor baseline.
UPDATE: On the first day of padded practice, Foster injured his groin and will require surgery. His likely designation is I.R./return which may make him eligible to return by week 10. Houston is now trying out a bunch of free agents to fill his role. Remove him from draft boards accordingly.
8 – Matt Forte
2014: Att: 266, Rush Yds: 1,038, Rush TDs: 6, Tgts: 130, Rec: 102, Rec Yds: 808, Rec TDs: 4, FL: 2
2015 Status – Downgrade
Forte was the 3rd highest PPR scoring back last season, largely due to his 102 catches and 808 receiving yards, which were ranked 1 and 2 respectively for RBs.
However, Chicago overhauled their front office and coaching staff. The new offensive replacements are HC John Fox, and OC Adam Gase. Gone is Marc Trestman, now the OC in Baltimore.
That last paragraph is the potential reason why Forte’s PPR production could fall off a cliff. Forte should still be the focal point of this dysfunctional Bears offense, but it would not be surprising if his receiving stats dropped 40% or more. Forte’s 3.9 rush yard avg. is the lowest in his past five seasons. This will need to improve, a lot.
Forte turns 30 years old this year and is in a contract year. The Bears’ management, at this point, have not given any indication that they will extend him.
Forte will probably be drafted in the top 10 but it may not be shocking if his actual PPR production fell out of it.
9 – Justin Forsett
2014: Att: 235, Rush Yds: 1,266, Rush TDs: 8, Tgts: 59, Rec: 44, Rec Yds: 263, Rec TDs: 0, FL: 0
2015 Status – Upgrade
Forsett ranked the 8th highest PPR RB last season, and potentially could improve upon that this season. On top of his outstanding 5.4 yards per carry avg. behind a solid Ravens O-line, Forte’s loss could be Forsett’s gain with the new addition of OC Marc Trestman.
Forsett’s receiving stats under Trestman’s system could jump up a great deal. Forsett has good hands and is their every down back. However, he will turn 30 this year and is an undersized back at 5’8” and under 200 lbs. Despite his size, he managed well last season.
Forsett has potentially a very high ceiling that could easily return solid top 10 stats.
10 -LeSean McCoy
2014: Att: 312, Rush Yds: 1,319, Rush TDs: 5, Tgts: 37, Rec: 28, Rec Yds: 155, Rec TDs: 0, FL: 3
(with Philadelphia)
2015 Status – No Change/Slight Downgrade
Shady by default will be the focal point of the offense and will have plenty of opportunities for touches in HC Ryan’s ground and pound scheme.
However, the Bills’ passing game will garner little respect from opposing defenses so McCoy can expect consistently stacked boxes. Also, PFF graded out the Buffalo’s O-line as the 2nd worst unit in the league last season. Another concern is that the AFC East sports the strongest D-lines of any division.
McCoy is more a space runner than a ground and pounder and the multiple adversities facing the Bills’ run game should temper expectations here. McCoy should see improved receiving stats as he may be the Bills’ top 2-3 receiving threat.
McCoy was the 12th ranked PPR back last season and that rank now feels more like a ceiling than a floor.
11 – DeMarco Murray
2014: Att: 392, Rush Yds: 1,845, Rush TDs: 13, Tgts: 64, Rec: 57, Rec Yds: 416, Rec TDs: 0, FL: 5
(With Dallas)
2015 Status – Downgrade
Murray was the 2nd ranked PPR RB last season that carried a tremendous workload behind Dallas’ elite O-line. That massive workload is expected to take a big dive with the Eagles.
The Eagles have depth at the RB position with the new addition of Ryan Mathews expected to see some touches and with Darren Sproles manning the spot on passing third downs. Murray’s stats should drop across the board this upcoming season, especially his receiving stats.
Mathews would be a nice handcuff if the wheels start falling off of Murray.
12 – Jeremy Hill
2014: Att: 222, Rush Yds: 1,124, Rush TDs: 9, Tgts: 32, Rec: 27, Rec Yds: 215, Rec TDs: 0, FL: 2
2015 Status – Upgrade
Hill was last season’s 11th ranked PPR back in a partial starting role as a rookie. Hill took over the starting job the last half of the season and delivered. The starting job is now his with Gio Bernard in on 3rd downs.
Hill’s stats should increase across the board, except for maybe his receiving stats. Hill should take the lead offensive role for the Bengals and should see as many touches as he can handle.
The following backs will be targeted as PPR RB2s:
13 – Frank Gore
2014: Att: 255, Rush Yds: 1,106, Rush TDs: 4, Tgts: 19, Rec: 11, Rec Yds: 111, Rec TDs: 1, FL: 2
(with San Francisco)
2015 Status – Upgrade
Gore should improve upon his 21st PPR ranking with the 49ers last season as an obvious upgrade in the backfield compared to what the Colts had last year. Gore will have greater scoring opportunities in the pass first high-octane Colts offense near the end zone and should easily surpass his paltry 5 total TDs from last season.
Gore, at 32 years of age, looks to have some gas in the tank still and is the Colts’ every down back. His 11 rec./111 rec yards should at the minimum triple up as his snap count opportunities and almost opposite offensive scenario with the Colts would allow for this.
14 – Mark Ingram
2014: Att: 226, Rush Yds: 964, Rush TDs: 9, Tgts: 36, Rec: 29, Rec Yds: 145, Rec TDs: 0, FL: 1
2015 Status – Slight Upgrade
Ingram was the 15th highest scoring PPR back last season and enters this season expecting a more balanced offensive attack than the Saints have been previously known for with the departures of TE Jimmy Graham and WR Kenny Stills.
1,000+ rushing yards and double digit rush TDs should not be a surprise. New Orleans selected OT Andrus Peat with their first pick of round one and should be an immediate starter which could help Ingram’s cause.
Ingram’s ceiling may be limited by the new addition of C.J. Spiller, who projects as the passing third down back.
15 -C.J. Spiller
2014: Att: 78, Rush Yds: 300, Rush TDs: 0, Tgts: 22, Rec: 19, Rec Yds: 125, Rec TDs: 1, FL: 1
(With Buffalo)
2015 Status – Upgrade
Spiller’s last season in Buffalo was a waste as he dealt with ankle injuries and basically wasn’t schemed for.
Coming to the Saints as the lone offensive skill position addition, Spiller should reprise the old Darren Sproles’ role and should be peppered with targets by Brees who led the league in targets to running backs last year.
Expect the Saints to own this category again, making Spiller a very viable PPR RB2.
16 – Lamar Miller
2014: Att: 216, Rush Yds: 1,099, Rush TDs: 8, Tgts: 52, Rec: 38, Rec Yds: 275, Rec TDs: 1, FL: 3
2015 Status – No Change
Miller was the 9th ranked PPR back last season and holds the Dolphins’ every down back role.
A positive for the position are the improvements Miami made on both sides of the ball. The off-season changes look to have improved the receiving game and the addition of Ndamukong Suh obviously upgrades the defense, all of which will help Miller.
A negative for Miller is that he will face the rest of the AFC East defensive front sevens which caps any perceived ceiling in those games.
17 – Melvin Gordon
2015 Status – Rookie
Gordon starts in the two down back role with Danny Woodhead coming in on third downs.
Gordon could get a bump in red zone action for the Chargers, with red zone target TE Antonio Gates suspended for the first four games.
18 – Alfred Morris
2014: Att: 265, Rush Yds: 1,074, Rush TDs: 8, Tgts: 26, Rec: 17, Rec Yds: 155, Rec TDs: 0, FL: 0
2015 Status – No Change
Morris was the 18th ranked PPR back last season. Washington used the 5th pick of round 1 on OT Brandon Scherff who should immediately start somewhere along the O-line which should help some anyways.
Morris resumes his two down role and nothing indicates his stat line from last season should fluctuate much.
19 – Jonathan Stewart
2014: Att: 175, Rush Yds: 809, Rush TDs: 3, Tgts: 31, Rec: 25, Rec Yds: 181, Rec TDs: 1, FL: 1
2015 Status – Upgrade
Stewart ranked as the 25th highest PPR back last season, but his stat line came with DeAngelo Williams in the mix and missing three games due to injury.
Stewart now owns the three down back role to himself with Williams off to Pittsburgh. His main ceiling cap for red zone TDs will be the usage of QB Cam Newton.
Stewart’s stat line should bump up across the board.
20 – Latavius Murray
2014: Att: 82, Rush Yds: 424, Rush TDs: 2, Tgts: 23, Rec: 17, Rec Yds: 143, Rec TDs: 0, FL: 0
2015 Status – Upgrade
Murray will handle two down work with new addition Roy Helu in on third downs. Unlike the mess in Oakland last season running behind ineffective backs Darren McFadden (Dallas) and Maurice Jones-Drew (retired), Murray’s scenario is much better without the RBBC and the youth movement taking over in Oakland.
Oakland’s pathetic receiving corps from last year will have two new starters in rookie Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree.
There is potential for a breakout season for Murray in Oakland’s new power scheme.
21 – Andre Ellington
2014: Att: 201, Rush Yds: 660, Rush TDs: 3, Tgts: 64, Rec: 46, Rec Yds: 395, Rec TDs: 2, FL: 2
2015 Status – Downgrade
On paper, Ellington is the Cardinals starting three down back but his scenario has RBBC written all over it. The smallish Ellington missed the last four games due to a multitude of injuries as his body couldn’t take the workload that was given to him.
Arizona used their third round draft pick on RB David Johnson who has a similar skill set to Ellington but is 25 lbs. heavier.
Expect Ellington’s stat line to decrease across the board as he shouldn’t come close to getting last year’s volume.
22 – Carlos Hyde
2014: Att: 83, Rush Yds: 333, Rush TDs: 4, Tgts: 16, Rec: 12, Rec Yds: 68, Rec TDs: 0, FL: 1
2015 Status – Upgrade
Hyde takes over the two down role with the departure of Frank Gore (Colts) and new addition Reggie Bush will handle passing third downs.
It is hard to envision Hyde producing a stat line much more than what Gore put up last season.
23 – Todd Gurley
2015 Status – Rookie
At this time, Gurley’s return timetable from ACL surgery is completely unknown and may not be known well into pre-season. Tre Mason is currently penciled in as the two down back with Benny Cunningham as the third down back.
The Rams drafted O-linemen with their 2nd and 3rd picks to help shore up this weakness.
24 – Joseph Randle
2014: Att: 51, Rush Yds: 343, Rush TDs: 3, Tgts: 5, Rec: 4, Rec Yds: 23, Rec TDs: 0, FL: 2
2015 Status – Upgrade
Randle takes over the two down role from departed DeMarco Murray (Eagles) with Lance Dunbar penciled in for third down work.
Randle now runs behind the best run-blocking O-line in the league. The Cowboys will look to run the ball as much as possible and it will be interesting to see if Randle can handle the work load or when he starts to fall off because of it.
25 – Tevin Coleman
2015 Status – Rookie
It will be difficult to tell how the Atlanta backfield situation works out for now but Coleman may lead in snaps. This may turn out to be a committee situation with Devonta Freeman in a pass-first offense.
26 – Ameer Abdullah
2015 Status – Rookie
Similar to the situation in Atlanta, Detroit’s backfield scenario isn’t written in stone. Abdullah, whom the Lions invested their second round pick, should emerge as the starter here at some point in time, eventually replacing Joique Bell.
Even if this were the case, Bell may retain goal-line duties.
Current ADPs for both players are nearly identical as early seventh round picks.
27 – T.J. Yeldon
2015 Status – Rookie
Yeldon starts as an every down back so there is no uncertainty here, which is the good news.
The bad news is this is Jacksonville, perhaps the leading contender to land the #1 pick in next season’s draft. That scenario is unappealing for any fantasy player, especially for RBs who rely on TOP for an opportunity to score points.
28 – Rashad Jennings
2014: Att: 167, Rush Yds: 639, Rush TDs: 4, Tgts: 41, Rec: 30, Rec Yds: 226, Rec TDs: 2, FL: 1
2015 Status – Slight Downgrade
The injury prone Jennings will handle the two down role and goal line duties with new addition Shane Vereen in on third downs.
Jennings stat line from last season is for the 11 games he appeared in. Jennings receiving stats are expected to take a hit with Vereen taking those looks.
29 – Giovani Bernard
2014: Att: 168, Rush Yds: 680, Rush TDs: 5, Tgts: 59, Rec: 43, Rec Yds: 349, Rec TDs: 2, FL: 0
2015 Status – Downgrade
With Jeremy Hill entrenched as the starter, Gio’s defined role is the third down back. His rushing stat line will surely drop across the board, barring injury to Hill.
Gio’s situation puts him in flex territory but is still currently drafted as a fringe RB2.
NYG back Shane Vereen and Gio share similar situations, but give Gio a slight edge as he will also serve as Hill’s handcuff.
30 – LeGarrette Blount
2014: Att: 125, Rush Yds: 547, Rush TDs: 5, Tgts: 12, Rec: 10, Rec Yds: 54, Rec TDs: 0, FL: 1
(with Pittsburgh and New England)
2015 Status – Upgrade
Blount will miss week 1 due to suspension. Blount starts as the two down back and has proved to be effective with his time in New England. However, this is New England and he could be just a fumble away from exile…or not.
You know New England. They matchup scheme for opponents. Blount will have his bell cow days and then there will be the aerial days. Blount will have to face the front sevens of Buffalo, Jets, and Miami twice this season and those three may be the top three front sevens in the league.
He would project to be a weekly matchup play depending on how deep your RB bench can extend.
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