ICYMI: NFL Fantasy Football Preview: Tier 1 Running Backs
Ok, thank God I’m back. I had a nightmare that if I didn’t get to you guys this week with the start of a RB preview for fantasy football that you all would start looking for your rankings on some other website and everybody would end up drafting Chris Johnson in the 1st round of your drafts this year. Let me just tell you now, that kind of blatant disregard for your fantasy teams will not be tolerated on this website. He’s a 4th round pick at best. (Mock Draft 1.0?)
All right enough of that, let’s talk about Running Backs. Let’s talk about all the good things (Return of the MJD, Martin Mania, and a possible Action Jackson remake) and the bad things (Browns and McCoys (and Jones?) and Ridley’s Believe it or Not) that may be. Throughout the summer I will take time to break down a couple of the issues but for now I’m going to start and deliver my rankings in sets of 10 giving you a list of the Top 30 RB’s in fantasy going into the 2013 season. Sound good? Of course it does.
Tier 1
Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Packers 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
1. Adrian Peterson- You’re unanimous number 1 pick in this year’s draft. No questions asked. But what about his proneness to inj… shut your mouth. Don’t be afraid to win your league this year by passing on the most talented player in the draft because you forgot he has a reconstructed knee.
May 20, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) during organized team activities at the Methodist Training Center at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
2. Arian Foster- Although there is a lot of talent in the top 5 at RB this year in your fantasy drafts, Arian Foster has to be considered the second best bet in the first tier of RB’s taken in this year’s draft. As a matter of fact, Foster has been the best bet over the last 3 seasons since his sudden emergence in 2010. He is absolutely lethal in the red zone and the Texans seem primed for another season of success so he should have ample opportunities to possibly increase his TD total from last season (15).
Dec 30, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) stiff arms Atlanta Falcons strong safety Chris Hope (24) during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 22-17. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
3. Doug Martin- Believe the hype. The unself proclaimed “Muscle Hamster” will look to have a a follow-up campaign to his elite rookie season in fantasy and should have little problem doing so. His ability to break big plays and catch the ball out of the backfield make him possibly even more versatile and even more valuable than even Ray Rice. In each of the Buccaneer’s 7 wins last season, Martin had over 100 yards from scrimmage (total). If the Buccaneers continue to be a team on the rise again this season, there’s no question we’ll see another career year out of Doug Martin.
Dec. 30, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) runs the ball while being defended by New York Jets free safety LaRon Landry (30) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
4. C.J. Spiller- Now, were you expecting somebody else? Of course you were. Though instead of talking about why Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch isn’t in my top 5, I’ll stay focused on why Spiller maybe the biggest risk in my top 5 but also has the most unrealized potential of all my 1st tier RB’s. Last season Spiller averaged 6.0 yards a carry on 200 touches from the backfield. Not too shabby but it gets even more impressive when you start talking about his 10.0 yard average per reception. Am I done yet? Nope. C.J. Spiller also averaged 2.0 yards after contact, making him one of the toughest RB’s to bring down in the NFL. So with 2013 approaching, if Spiller can stay on the field the entire season and get 300 carries and 100 receptions you are starting to talk about a guy who could total almost 3000 yards from scrimmage. If that happens, look out, Adrian Peterson might have some stiff competition for Fantasy MVP next season.
Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) celebrates with running back Ray Rice (27) against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
5. Ray Rice- He really seems to be poised for another Top 3 NFL Fantasy season in 2013. After a somewhat disappointing 2012 campaign despite his teams success in the playoffs, Ray Rice was initially given a backseat in Cam Cameron’s new offense that was supposed to make Joe Flacco the next elite NFL QB. Well Cameron’s out now as offensive coordinator in Baltimore and this season everyone should expect to see a lot of the RB from Rutgers.