Fantasy Football Preseason Predictions: RB Edition

Top 40 Runningbacks: (Last updated: 8-3-15)

Which Running back(s) not on this list gain the most value by being in PPR (Point(s) Per Reception) leagues?

Shane Vereen, Reggie Bush, Danny Woodhead, and Darren Sproles

Two guys that always benefit from being in leagues that reward you for catching passes are Shane Vereen and Reggie Bush. This year they are playing for new teams and have had their values drop in all formats, but their PPR values are still good enough to be mid-to-late round steals. In non-PPR leagues they are extremely late picks, whereas, in PPR leagues they should be top bench options. Danny Woodhead and Darren Sproles are guys that haven’t changed teams and are usually PPR threats, and that should remain the same. They are also good options to have on your bench or possibly even in your flex spot if you are in a very deep league.

Which Running back(s) on this list gains the most value by being in PPR (Point(s) Per Reception) leagues?

Matt Forte, Joique Bell, Gio Bernard, and Duke Johnson

Out of the first round caliber guys, Matt Forte is definitely a guy who year after year dominates points per reception fantasy leagues. In a standard league, Forte is a late first, early second round pick. In PPR leagues, he is a top six pick. Out of the guys in the middle of this list, Joique Bell and Gio Bernard are guys who gain value in PPR leagues. Bell is finally the main back in Detroit, so consider him a mid-to-late second rounder in PPR leagues. Bernard could be picked as early as the fifth round in PPR leagues. Duke Johnson is another guy whose value boosts in PPR leagues. At the University of Miami, he did everything for the Hurricanes from rushing to receiving out of the backfield to returning, and that is why he was able to lead the ACC in yards from scrimmage in his final season.

Which rookie Running Back will make the most noise (fantasy-wise) during his first season?

Melvin Gordon

This RB class has the potential to be as good as last year’s WR class, which is saying a lot considering one of them is already considered a top 5 WR in the NFL and several others were hugely successful. There are as many as five RB’s that could be superstars in this draft class, but the one that will have the best rookie campaign is Melvin Gordon. Gordon is going into a good situation, with a team that will be fighting for a wild card spot, he won’t have much competition for the starting job, and he showed in college that he is a stud. The Chargers averaged the second worst yards per carry last year but sharpened up their offensive line by adding Orlando Franklin. Gordon is an upgrade from Ryan Mathews, so the Chargers should be running the ball at a much better rate this year.

Which Running Back is going to fall down the rankings this season?

LeSean McCoy

Last year McCoy got off to a bad start but regrouped and finished strong. That was behind one of the NFL’s best offensive lines. Now he’ll be running behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines in Buffalo. The Bills have great receiving weapons in Sammy Watkins, Percy Harvin, Robert Woods, and Charles Clay, but they are relying on Matt Cassel, Tyrod Taylor, or EJ Manuel to pass to them, so defenses will be looking for the Bills to run it with McCoy, Harvin, or veteran running back Fred Jackson.

Which Running Back is going to rise up the rankings this season?

Dallas RB’s

Whoever is running the ball for the Cowboys, will be rising up the rankings this season. Pay attention to who is winning the running back battle between Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle during training camp and that player will be in the driver’s seat to have a huge fantasy season. Keep in mind, however, that McFadden seems to always be injured, so if McFadden wins the training camp battle, but you can pick Randle as your fourth or fifth running back, go ahead and do so. He will probably get his chance at some point.

Is Le’Veon Bell still a first rounder despite his two-week suspension?

Absolutely

If you have a late pick in the first round and Le’Veon Bell is still available, pick him. Although he is going to miss two weeks due to his suspension for his marijuana arrest, Bell will still finish amongst the tops in the end of season fantasy rankings. Even though your team might get off to a rocky start, by not having your first round pick for two weeks, you will be grateful for the pick come fantasy playoff time. Last year he finished the season second in rushing yards, tied for eighth in rushing touchdowns, and third in carries. If you end up with Bell on your team, it is key to grab DeAngelo Williams who is now a member of the Steelers. For the first two weeks, Williams will be a solid option at the flex spot or possibly even a RB spot, since Bell is suspended. Keep in mind that Bell is injury prone, so keeping Williams as your fourth or fifth option at RB is a solid move.

What is one bold prediction for the 2015 season at this position?

Minnesota Vikings running back and 2014 almost-year-long-suspended, Adrian Peterson will rush for 2,000 yards for the second time in his career.

Although Peterson’s image off the field has completely gone downhill in the past year, he is still an all-time great running back. And this year he will use those running back skills to attempt to make people forget about 2014 Adrian Peterson and fall in love once again with a future hall of fame running back. 2,000 yards is a lot, but they call it a bold prediction for a reason.

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