The Fantasy Five: Running Backs

1. Adrian Peterson

            …Alright just kidding I’ll go a little deeper.  But seriously, if you have #1 just draft him. You don’t want people laughing at you...

1. (for real) Frank Gore

            He’s a pretty obvious choice, but once you’re getting down into that muddled, confusing place that is 2^nd RB land, Gore is a guy you want.  Ridley is touchdown dependent, Chris Johnson and Darren McFadden are hit or miss, MJD has injury problems, and other guys are just kind of unproven.  It’s tempting to go for sexier, more exciting players at this point, but if they fell to the second or third round then honestly there is something wrong with them.  Go with the solid guy who has an unbelievably attractive offensive line in front of him, and don’t worry about Kaepernick stealing carries – Frank will be fine.

2. Montee Ball

            Ball is an example of that sort of scary unproven pick I was talking about earlier.  In this case though, if he falls a little bit, the risk is worth it.  Knowshon Moreno is a mess, Ronnie Hillman cannot get the job done (I had him last year, I know), and John Fox is looking to fill a Willis McGahee-sized gap on this all-star studded roster.  The Broncos won’t need to run too much with Peyton slinging the ball to any of 3 pro-bowl receivers, but when they do it will be efficient and effective.  Ball will get his touches and, with everyone watching Peyton’s arm, they will give him tantalizing upon tantalizing opportunity to succeed.  Plus, if there’s one thing the Broncos needed to be able to do last year in Baltimore it was to run down the clock.  Say hello, Montee Ball, to my dear friend garbage time.

3. Lamar Miller

            So Miller is the first back I’ve chosen who is not on a potential Super Bowl favorite.  Still, I think the Miami Dolphins (that’s right, those Miami Dolphins) will be good this year.  Or at least decent.  Above average, let’s say.  Ryan Tannehill to Mike Wallace is a pretty dangerous combo, and he still has other guys like Brian Hartline to mix it around.  Along with a solid defense, all this team needs to start talking about playoff contention is a breakout star rusher.  Reggie Bush is gone, Daniel Thomas is not at all inspiring, and Lamar looks like the guy.  Call it a gut feeling, but I remember when another Florida sports franchise changed its logo and all of a sudden became good (lookin’ at you Rays).  So yeah, I think the Miami Dolphins will leave the Bills and Jets in their wake and become the clear #2 in this division, and Miller is a large reason for it.

4. Ahmad Bradshaw

            This is a late flex pick, but if he stays healthy I think he could be a solid 2^nd RB.  Bradshaw proved with the Giants that he could spark an offense, and with Andrew Luck throwing the ball so much he could be a really valuable and efficient runner.  Vick Ballard is no threat.  Really this pick depends on health, so don’t bet your season on it, but if you can get him he could prove to be a later round value pick that ended up solidifying your flex or 2^nd running back spot to bring you a championship.  Also, if you have read any of my previous posts, you know I think the Colts will have a big year, so he will have his opportunities to come up big time.

5. Fred Jackson, Ben Tate, Jacquizz Rodgers, Michael Bush, Danny Woodhead

            These are late-round bench players.  At this point, you’re not going to get a decent RB so I hope you have gotten at least 2 maybe 3 that you feel good about.  But when you’re thinking about taking a defense, or maybe another receiver, or another tight end, and you can’t really decide, grab one of these guys if they are on the board still.  Because they are all potentially solid plays, or even elite plays in the case of the first three, but they lost out on the starting job.  For these 5, the starter ahead of them is either injury-prone or not very solid.  I’m not saying they will get injured or that you should want them to, but if they do, one of these bench guys could suddenly turn into a number 2, or even number 1 running back.  And if that happens, whether you have a place to slot him in or just feel like trading him to improve at another position, you’ll have a really valuable piece that you could leverage into fantasy championship.