Running Back Rankings

1	LaDainian Tomlinson/RB/SD	The Chargers team of ’04 has few differences from last season. They don’t have the best offensive line, they don’t have any veteran receivers for Brees or Rivers to throw too, and their defense is young and inexperienced while playing in a division that has high powered offenses. They do however have the best running back in the National Football League and there is no reason to believe Tomlinson won’t repeat last years numbers making him the top ranked Fantasy option in any scoring format. Despite the fact that San Diego doesn’t have much offensive talent; Tomlinson is the best of the best and is ranked as such in the Finn Factor Cheat Sheet Top #100. player list
2	Priest Holmes/RB/KC	Holmes is the go-to guy in the red-zone for the Chiefs. Priest registered 27 total end-zone runs last year breaking the single season record for touchdowns scored. Holmes isn’t as young as he once was and is a walking bruise every Monday morning. His running style is not only punishing for defenders, it has started taking a toll on his body too. Holmes will be 31 years old in October and well past the Mendoza-age-line for running backs. Unfortunately the time has come when Holmes has to cut back on his touches. Last season Holmes only had two 100-yard games and didn’t have a receiving touchdown the entire season. You still have to consider Holmes as one of the top running backs due to the Chiefs propensity to trust him with the ball in the red-zone. Holmes is going to start moving down in the Fantasy rankings and the young-guns are going to start moving up. Expect Holmes to lead the league in touchdowns this season making him a valuable Fantasy player in every scoring format.
3	Ahman Green/RB/GB	With Packers quarterback Brett Favre entering his golden years the Green Bay offense took on a new look last season with Ahman Green as the primary focus. On many occasions last season Green Bay employed six offensive linemen and ran the football even when opposing defenses stacked the box. The Green Bay offense returns totally intact this season and Green will once again be the featured player in this offense. Green’s 1800 plus-yards on the ground last season was overshadowed by the 2000-yard season from Jamal Lewis, and Green’s 2200 all-purpose yards took the silver medal to Tomlinson 2300-yard gold medal performance. Green is a top five selection in any and every Fantasy scoring format. Don’t be surprised to see him go number-one overall in a few Cheese-head leagues.
4	Shaun Alexander/RB/SEA	It is no secret how I feel about the Seahawks this season. They have talent on both sides of the ball and a healthy Alexander will have a career year for the ‘Hawks this season. Alexander finished the ‘03 campaign with a career-high 1,435 rushing yards and 16 total touchdowns. Expect Alexander to improve his numbers in both rushing and receiving the rock. The NFC West is soft defensively and the Seahawks schedule looks advantageous for Alexander and his owners.
5	Clinton Portis/RB/WAS	Those owners who have one of the top-five selections in their fantasy drafts this season have some decisions to make. Will it be Holmes, Green or Alexander, running backs that play on teams that figure to contend for the playoffs? Or do you take one of the two young studs in Tomlinson and Portis? I think it is important to note that Portis played behind one of the best offensive lines in the league last season with Denver, and now moves east to an O-line that is not nearly as talented. Another Fantasy-downside to this season’s version of Clinton Portis is that Gibbs is unlikely to use him in third and long situations saving him for the fourth quarter ground-round pounding Gibbs is famous for.
6	Jamal Lewis/RB/BAL	Personal issues aside Lewis has that rare combination of speed and power, and is one of the best running backs in the game. It would be shocking if Lewis didn’t suit up this season, but realize this is at least a possibility at press time of these rankings. Lewis is a risky selection for this reason alone. Proceed with caution.
7	Deuce McAllister/RB/NO	McAllister has become a deuce-threat (pun intended) over his short but successful career, and the Saints continue to get him more involved as a receiver out of the backfield each and every game. McAllister suffered a partial tear to the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee in a 20-19 loss to Jacksonville back on Dec. 21 of last season. The knee injury wasn’t serious and did not require surgery leaving concerned McAllister owners in Keeper leagues relieved. Team officials asked McAllister to shed about 10-15 pounds during the off season and the ‘Deuce’ obliged. The lighter weight will reduce the wear on McAllister’s legs and add a step to his breakaway speed this season.
8	Edgerrin James/RB/IND	If you are outside the top half of your league draft this summer you will have a tough decision to make concerning which game-plan or theory of draft to use. I fully support the Stud Running Back Theory of draft--making the early selections in my drafts easy (running back/running back/running back-receiver). In the late stages of the first round James is likely to be the most consistent runner that remains in the running back pool. James has to be considered in this period (late first round) of the draft simply because he plays in the high-octane Colts offense. James has started to show signs of declining numbers, durability issues, and although chronologically young it is evident he is not the same running back he was in his first two NFL seasons.
9	Fred Taylor/RB/JAC	Taylor is coming off a career-best 1,572 rushing yards, and has tremendously improved his durability rating by played in 32 consecutive games, by far the longest stretch of his NFL career. Jack Del Rio will not be so quick this season to depart from the running game, something the Jags did far too often last year leaving signal caller Byron Leftwich alone on ‘Gilligan’s-rookie-Island. Expect Del Rio and his staff to follow the John Fox philosophy of offense-- run first, run second, run third and throw only when you have too. The Jags have a tough early schedule but expect Taylor to have his best season yet.
10	Corey Dillon/RB/NE	After a two-year hiatus from top running back status--Dillon is once again a first round threat in many Fantasy Football drafts this summer. The alternating running back situation in Foxboro is no longer an issue with the addition of Dillon to the Patriots offense. No longer will Bill Belichick have to substitute for Antowain Smith (no longer with the Patriots) on third-down situations. Dillon has speed, power, instincts, and has a new home and surrounding cast making him a number-one Fantasy option again. Dillon has a history of being durable throughout his eight-year career, and there is every reason to believe that Dillon will thrive in the New England scheme. There is some risk with the 30 year-old running back, but if Dillon stays focused he offers more reward than risk.
11	Rudi Johnson/RB/CIN	Johnson, who rushed for 957 yards and nine TDs in only 13 games (five starts) last season, should easily exceed the 1,000-yard mark as the featured back in Cincinnati. The fact that Marvin Lewis trusted Johnson to take the ball and run on 43 occasions in one game last season (versus the Texans), and more than 20 times in four other starts is a positive indicator of what to expect this season from the third year running back out of Auburn. We can live with 1300 yards and 13 touchdowns from Johnson this season, and so can you.
12	Michael Bennett/RB/MIN	The Vikings are expecting a big season from tailback Michael Bennett now that he is fully healthy. Bennett’s participation in OTA’s and minis this spring have put behind any questions about his health. Bennett is a big play back that will average over five yards a carry, and if Bennett can get 300 carries this season--well, you do the math. Bennett is an accomplished receiver out of the backfield making him a potential number-one Fantasy option in any scoring format. In the past the Vikings haven’t used Bennett enough in goal line situations retarding his Fantasy value, but all of that could change if Bennett stays healthy and shows he is ready to carry the ground load in the Twin Cities. Bennett could be considered a Fantasy-sleeper by definition and a steal as your number two running back this season. The shortage of true number one options at the running back position this season makes Bennett a fringe number one option in most fantasy scoring formats.
13	Domanick Davis/RB/HOU	Domanick Davis makes a big jump in the preseason rankings. Davis was undrafted in most Fantasy drafts last season but appears primed for a banner campaign. David Carr is entering his third NFL season and the Texans offense is blooming. The Texans' line is switching to a zone-blocking scheme, a switch that will do much to enhance the chances of Davis producing like a number one Fantasy option this year. This change puts more responsibility on the offensive lineman, but will allow Davis to utilize his cutback ability in this young but explosive offense. Davis rushed for more than 1,000 yards in just 10 starts last season, and is on the fringe of being a number one running back if you believe in the Houston offense. According to PFSi sources out of Houston Tony Hollings is going to get 12-15 touches a game. The Texans want to get maximum results out of Davis this season and that plan includes sharing a number of carries throughout the season. Davis is not a prototypical size between the tackles back and his durability is a question mark. Even with the shared carries Davis is a fringe number one, and easy number two Fantasy option this year. Houston and Davis start the season against some of the worst defensive units in the league. The Texans open the season at home against San Diego then travel to Detroit and Kansas City. Davis could lead your Fantasy team to a very good start this season.
14	Kevan Barlow/RB/SF	Barlow only started four games and had just over 200 carries last season for San Francisco. With Garrison Hearst gone, the load at running back falls squarely on Barlow legs. Barlow has a tendency to fumble and hasn’t shown enough skill in picking up blitzing linebackers so far in his career, but the yards per carry during his short tenure with the Niners and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield make him a number two running back in most formats. Despite the fact he has little talent around him, Barlow must be considered a number two Fantasy option out of the backfield. If Barlow can get 300 carries and 50 receptions this season he will have a positive effect on your fantasy roster.
15	Stephen Davis/RB/CAR	The plan in Carolina this fall is for DeShaun Foster to share carries with Stephan Davis. Carolina's offensive philosophy is to have a strong running game and wear down opposing defenses. That's not going to change this season, but there will be some tinkering in the offensive scheme using the pass more as an extension of the running game. The Carolina offense primarily uses one-back sets and since neither Davis or Foster are effective blocking backs you will likely see Delhomme throw more swings and dumps using Foster’s receiving abilities out of the backfield. Davis had eight games last season in which he carried the ball 23-times or more, and in the last month of the season he didn’t rush for more than 81-yards while scoring only one touchdown during that span. Davis hit the proverbial wall late last season and the Panther coaching staff wants to make sure that doesn’t happen again this year. Davis was a workhorse in 2003 but all of this will change in ’04 to help keep him fresh late in the season. Look for Carolina to give Foster more carries and use his speed combined with Davis' power to keep defenses off balance. With a healthy Foster countering carries with Davis expect less yardage production from Stephan but an increased touchdown total to his portfolio this year. As a result, Davis' shouldn’t be considered a number-one fantasy running option, but will be a solid compliment to a top-10 back in most fantasy scoring formats this season.
16	Travis Henry/RB/BUF	Henry is the Bills number-one running back going into training camp this summer and despite all the McGahee talk will remain the featured back this season baring injury. Travis has scored 26 times over the past two seasons and is a durable, tough and elusive runner. Despite a torn rib cartilage and a cracked bone in his foot Henry suited up and laced them on playing through the pain and injury for much of last season. Count on new Bills coach Mike Mularkey turning up the running game in Buffalo with the talented RB duo on this Buffalo roster. Willis McGahee’s presence downgrades Henry in these early season rankings. Henry is a number two Fantasy running back in 12-team leagues, and those owners who are on the backside of their league draft might very well have to use Henry as their number one RB this season. Expect Henry to improve on last seasons numbers and remain the man in the Bills offense.
17	Tiki Barber/RB/NYG	Barber is a talented and motivated NFL running back, and at the age of 29 still has a lot to offer the Giants offense. He is effective as a pass receiver and can get tough yards on short-yardage plays in spite of his slight stature. The fact that Tom Coughlin intends on using Ron Dayne in relief of Barber doesn’t take away from his Fantasy status. Fresher legs might help Barber cut down on his problem of fumbling and bumbling with the ball, a problem that will not be tolerated by Coach Coughlin and his staff. Barber will get his share of carries and will improve his reception total out of the backfield this season. Count on Barber scoring more than last seasons two touchdown total and being a compliment as a solid number two running back.
18	Chris Brown/RB/TEN	The Titans released Eddie George opening the door for Brown to be the team's starting running back. Although Brown now moves up in the RB rankings please keep your enthusiasm tempered. Brown is not going to leap into an elite group of running backs, not yet at least. Remember that Brown has been injury prone and struggled with hamstring problems with the Titans in the past. A. Smith will get 6-10 touches a game in relief of the second year tail, but Brown is a solid number three option for your Fantasy roster that can be had in the middle rounds of your draft. Tennessee will throw the football this season more than at any time during the Fisher regime. Brown moves up and gets a chance to be the man in Tennessee.
19	Brian Westbrook/RB/PHI	The Eagles list Westbrook ahead of Correll Buckhalter on the depth chart and for good reason. Buckhalter hasn’t looked comfortable in Andy Reid’s complex WC offensive system, and will mop up for Westbrook this season. Westbrook is a threat to score running, receiving and for those of you in leagues that reward return yardage Westbrook will get action as a return man. Defensive coordinators are going to have tough decisions to make this season. Do they commit a spy to keep tabs on McNabb, while also trying to commit an extra defensive back to stay with Owens, leaving Westbrook more room to get loose underneath coverage in the secondary? The Eagles are going to have to score points to win this season, and Westbrook is a number-two Fantasy running back you can count on.
20	Kevin Jones/RB/DET	Steve Mariucci's offensive theme uses more two-back sets than traditional West Coast systems which will help Jones in his rookie season. He will have help in his blitz pickup and will be the featured back considering the competition in Detroit. Many organizations cooled on Jones when he didn’t flash 4.4 or 4.5 speed at the Combine this winter. Jones has good hands, is a better than average and improving receiver, and has football speed on the field. Jones is a nice fit into the Stud Running Back theory of Draft, and he could be the third of your first three picks this year, all running backs.
21	Marshall Faulk/RB/STL	Mike Martz is reporting that Faulk looks as good as he ever has in a Rams uniform. Faulk never has been one to share information on his injuries with the media, so his iffy injury status in the past has created a nightmare for Fantasy owners when lineup deadlines are due on Sunday mornings. Be very skeptical of the Martz statements coming out of mini-camp this spring on the reflection that Faulk looks better than he ever has in the last five years. That in itself is a bold and reaching statement for a back that has been a Fantasy MVP. Faulk will soon be 31-years-old and there is a strong downhill pattern to his last three statistical seasons. Decline in production with more games missed to injury is what you should expect from Faulk this year and the rest of his career. If you gamble on Faulk in the early rounds of your draft, it better be as a number two running back in a “Stud Running-Back theory of Draft.” Faulk is still a name that resonates ’Stud’ in Fantasy circles so you can count on an inexperienced Fantasy owner over-valuing the aging Faulk and selecting him in the late stages of the first round. The Rams play only six games on natural grass this year and the turf in the EJ Dome is the hardest artificial surface in the league. Let other owners deal with Faulk, his bad knees, and flattening feet. Faulk is a number two running back at this stage in his career and should be drafted as such.
22	Duce Staley/RB/PIT	Duce Staley makes the change from an Eagles system that fit his playing style perfectly, to a Steelers system that wants to grind the ball between the tackles. Staley moves from the Andy Reid West Coast offense to the Pittsburgh ground-round attack, or should we say-- hopeful return to the rushing scheme on the other side of Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh’s plans to recommit itself to the running game doesn‘t seem believable if you know anything about Duce Staley. Staley is a good runner and receiver, which made him a key cog in the West Coast scheme in Philadelphia. The addition of Duce to the Pittsburgh roster this off-season makes one believe he will be, and should be the featured back over Jerome Bettis. But, two and two don’t add up to four in Pittsburgh, not when referring to Staley and the rushing game in Steelerland. Staley is most dangerous in an offense that is willing to feature him as a receiver out of the backfield. The Steelers are on record stating they will work their offense around Staley and even cater to his strengths. If this is the case then Pittsburgh is not committed to the running game this season. Pittsburgh needs a back that is a threat on the ground first and as a receiver second. Staley doesn't have the body lean or the power to be an effective back between the tackles 10-15 carries a game. He doesn’t scare defenses with his speed allowing the opposing secondary personnel to cheat-up at the line of scrimmage, and Duce hasn’t shown he is durable enough to take a Sunday beating for a full 17-week schedule. The 29-year old Staley should be considered a number-three Fantasy running back at best this season. If Pittsburgh has some success on the offensive line allowing Maddox time to throw the football give Duce in the neighborhood of 1,500 total yards from the line of scrimmage this season. Again, the shortage of running backs, solid feature options makes running backs an early must during your draft plan. The Steelers are going to run the football, try as they might, and Staley is the main option for Pittsburgh this season.
23	T. J. Duckett/RB/ATL	Duckett isn’t a perfect fit in the new Atlanta offensive scheme, but his ability to pick up the important yards between the tackles will enable him to win the starting running back position in Atlanta this summer. Because Dunn continues to rehab torn ligaments at the base of his left foot, T.J. Duckett has the upper hand entering training camp. Duckett proved last season that he is the running back that will get the goal line carries--and the all important touchdowns for the Falcons this year. Duckett should be considered a number three Fantasy running especially if Dunn gets healthy this season and shares carries with T.J.
24	Curtis Martin/RB/NYJ	There will be many Fantasy owners who still need a running back in the early stages of the third and fourth round, and your best option still available in that spot could be Curtis Martin. Martin, 31, has lost a step or two, but he remains an effective runner in the Pennington offense. The Jets coaches were ecstatic about Martin's physical condition in the spring minis, saying they’ve never seen him so fresh in the off season. The fact that Lamont Jordan gets the red-zone carries in New York leaves Martin as a number-three running back in the world-wide fantasy network.
25	Thomas Jones/RB/CHI	The Bears added Jones to the Chicago roster via free agency, and they expect him to play a very important part in the Terry Shea offense this season. Anthony Thomas is a Neanderthal in the spread offense Chicago will run this year while Thomas Jones is the dual threat needed to make it work. Jones doesn’t have the best NFL test sample but has to be considered a number three Fantasy running back under Shea and his staff.
26	Quentin Griffith/RB/DEN	If you are going to spend a draft pick on a running back in the Denver offense then it should be Griffith. Griffith is a tad small to be a red-zone or goal line back but if he secures the job as the Broncos starting running back this summer you know he will get a chance to both run and catch the ball. A late rounder that could end up having a huge impact in the Fantasy world this season. This early pre-season prognostication rests on PFSi sources in Denver. Shanahan is famous for his ability to make the right decision at running back, and that player seems to be Griffith this year.
27	Charlie Garner/RB/TB	Garner is a dual threat that creates match-up problems for defensive coordinators on each and every Sunday. Garner can hurt you both as a pass-catcher and a runner, and is a perfect fit once again for Jon Gruden. Garner is a durability risk and will lose goal line carries to the big back (whomever that might be) in the Tampa scheme this year. Garner should be considered a number-three running back in most Fantasy scoring formats.
28	William Green/RB/CLE	You will find and read statements in Fantasy publications like “Lee Suggs looks to be the better back,” and “Green doesn’t have what it takes mentally to be successful in the NFL,” but don’t always believe what you read and/or hear because it isn’t always based on fact or merit. William Green is not only the best running back in Cleveland, the coaching staff knows this, and he will have every opportunity to win the starting job this season. Green will in fact win that job and surprise a few so called Fantasy experts, but not PFS. Green is bottomed out in these rankings and can’t go anywhere but up. In fact don’t be surprised to see Green reinvent the wheel and end up being a solid number two Fantasy option. Green is a serious threat to help a team win the league championship if he is still on the board in the sixth round. Take a chance on Green if you can get him on the backside of your league draft.
29	Julius Jones/RB/DAL	Bill Parcells is known for finding a workhorse back and using him until the wheels fall off. Parcells is also known for being fickle with little patience for rookies. Like his brother Thomas who was a first round bust in Arizona, Julius is a risky selection before the fifth round of your fantasy draft. Jones doesn’t have the speed or the vision to succeed in an NFL run oriented ground game, and even if Jones gets 200 carries this season Ritchie Anderson will be the third-down and goal line player Parcells trusts and leans on. Jones will have his opportunities this season but expecting more than 1000-yards and six touchdowns is simply asking too much from a rookie that was selected to early in the NFL draft. Jones won’t be a total bust, but in relation to where most Fantasy owners are taking him you have better options
30	DeShaun Foster/RB/CAR	Foster is almost as big as Stephen Davis but is younger and much faster. Foster is the running back future in Carolina. The Panthers plan on using Foster more this season and will trust Delhomme to find Foster out of the backfield in third down situations. Davis will be asked to do a lot again this year, but if for any reason he finds himself in street clothes he could end up being the NFL Wally Pip of the ‘04 NFL season. Foster is a must have in Keeper leagues and a handcuff for those who draft Davis. Foster is a solid choice with a huge upside and a number-three running back on draft day this season.
31	Travis Minor/RB/MIA	Minor has transformed his style of running and has gained more of a powerful posture carrying the ball over the last three seasons. As he has matured, and strengthened, and so has his style of rushing. However, there should be no mistaking his power style with that of the recently retired Williams. Minor had the advantage the last few seasons of taking on defenses when they had already been wore down by the bruising punishment that 'Big Ricky' administered. Minor has a nice combination of size and speed and if given the chance could easily gain 1000 yards and cross the goal line 6-8 times this year. Minor could make a productive third back or a flex player in your league if the Dolphins do indeed feature him this season.
32	Correll Buckhalter/RB/PHI	Westbrook is a good fit in the Andy Reid offense, and the downside to Westbrook is Buckhalter’s upside. Last season Philadelphia had 13 rushing attempts when they were less than four yards to pay dirt and Westbrook got zero of those carries. The same situation will play itself out again this season in Philadelphia making Buckhalter the better option when short-yards are needed between the tackles. Buckhalter is a Fantasy bench jockey for those owners who draft Westbrook. Buckhalter is a number-three running back in Fantasy format that have more than 12 teams.
33	Eddie George/RB/DAL	George falls into a number three Fantasy option by default. You know Billy P. will run the football in Dallas and George will straggle home with 8 touchdowns this season making him that number three option you can stash on your bench.
34	Warrick Dunn/RB/ATL	Dunn is entering the end of his chronological prime, 29 years of age, and is coming off a seasoning ending ‘03 injury. Dunn will get some opportunities in the Atlanta backfield, but he will need to prove he is healthy and will have to impress the new coaching staff in Atlanta. Duckett has the upper hand going into training camp leaving Dunn with Fantasy value only in deep leagues or as Duckett’s back up this season.
35	Steven Jackson/RB/STL	Marshal Faulk has missed at least two games in each of the past two seasons and comes into training camp with serious issues about the health of his knees. The Rams have the only original fake turf left in the NFL and the E.J. Dome has taken its toll on the future Hall of Fame running back. This means that Steven (spelled correctly) Jackson will get a chance to contribute this season in the Mike Martz scheme. As the first running back taken in this years amateur draft Jackson will play a different role than Kevin Jones when the regular season begins in September. Jackson will be backing up the often injured Marshall Faulk. Jackson has a terrific upside and is a perfect fit in the Mike Martz/St. Louis Rams offensive scheme. Jackson has that special combination of power/deceptive speed and is at his best between the tackles. Jackson is a much different animal than Marshall Faulk and could eventually be a high fantasy selection in years to come as the Rams featured tailback. Jackson is a terrific receiver which makes him an immediate Fantasy commodity as a Rams running back. The Rams selection of Jackson significantly reduces the fantasy value of Lamar Gordon this season. Arlen Harris will make the move to fullback this summer depleting his fantasy value in most standard scoring formats. If you plan to draft or presently own Marshall Faulk in any fantasy league format you will want Jackson as insurance.
36	Willis McGahee/RB/BUF	McGahee has yet to get an official NFL carry, but that will change in September. Expect to see a number of variables in the Bills backfield this season, including two back sets with Willis playing fullback. McGahee has a nice upside but for now Henry is the starting running back in Buffalo making McGahee a middle to late round selection at best.
37	Lee Suggs/RB/CLE	Ricky Williams set a Dolphins team record in carries for two years in a row and if anyone is a candidate to break down this season, it’s Big Ricky. If Minor is asked to fill in for the injured Williams his Fantasy value would sky-rocket, as is--Minor will contribute in a minor (no pun intended) way. If you have Ricky Williams on your roster this season you better have Minor too.
38	Justin Fargas/RB/OAK	The Raiders are going to run the ball this season and of all of the options the Raiders have at running back Wheatley and Fargas appear to be the best two options between the twenties. Fargas has good size and is an effective running back between the tackles. His ability to keep his cleats on for a full season is the biggest question mark surrounding this second year running back out of USC. Fargas is sleeper candidate and a late rate round selection at best.
39	Lamont Jordan/RB/NY	Jordan enters his fourth season in the National Football League ready to begin his running back career in the NFL. The Jets however still want to use Jordan in a back-up role and feature the over-used and aging veteran Curtis Martin. Jordan will once again get the goal line carries in the Jets offense this year. Jordan is fast and has great leaping ability making him a goal-line weapon for the J-E-T-S, Jets Jets Jets. If you rely on Curtis Martin as one of your two top running backs this season it will be a good idea to roster Jordan as well.
40	Tony Hollings/RB/HOU	The latest news out of Houston is that Texans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer wants to get Hollings 12-15 touches a game. Palmer and Capers want to keep Davis’ workload to a maximum of 20 carries a game making Hollings a consideration in what could be an explosive Houston offense this year. Hollings is worth more than a late choice under these circumstances and should a handcuff for Domanick Davis. Consider Hollings a strong sleeper and a wait and see pre-season watch player.