2007 Fantasy Football RB Rankings (Update 2) – 5/7/2007
What a difference a month makes! Four weeks, a few blockbuster trades, and an NFL Draft later, and the running back rankings, along with fantasy football itself, have been turned upside down. We now know where Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch will play this year and where they fall in the list, but what about Chris Henry and Brandon Jackson – do they make the top 32 after being drafted by RB hungry teams? Naturally, the big loser in the ranking is Chester Taylor, after the Vikings chose Adrian Peterson as the number 7 overall pick in the draft, but who are the big winners? Does Edge get a bump up after the Cards drafted a big body to anchor the line? Jamal Lewis is a happy man since Cleveland passed on AP, but how about Rasta Maroney? Is his value negatively affected after the Pats trade for Randy Moss - is there enough touches for everyone in NE? The answers to these questions and more are only a few inches away. The following rankings are based on standard scoring PPR leagues Behold the list:
(rk, prev rk, player, tm, comment)
1 (1) Ladanian Tomlinson, SD - No more Marty-ball, but Norv gets the most out of his RBs, just ask Frank Gore.
2 (2) Steven Jackson, STL - He did most of his damage last year without Orlando Pace, and 90 receptions!
3 (3) Larry Johnson, KC - Stud who needs another 400 carries this year. Potential to be #1.
4 (5) Frank Gore, SF - Norv is gone, but plays SEA, AZ, and STL D twice a year – not exactly '85 Bears
5 (4) Brian Westbrook, PHI - This guy is consistently undervalued, but all he does is put up numbers.
6 (6) Joseph Addai, IND - He’s “The Man” in Indy now that Poppie Rhodes is gone.
7 (7) Willie Parker, PIT - Would be top 5 in a non-ppr league – but only 31 catches last year.
8 (8) Rudi Johnson, CIN - He’ll never be the top RB, but he’s consistently in the top 10.
9 (9) Reggie Bush, NO - He’s sharing time, but he had 89 rec’s last year, and tore it up in 2nd half of season.
10 (19) Laurence Maroney, NE - Moss and Stalworth on the outside makes opposing D's easier to gash w/ the run and short pass.
11 (11) Ronnie Brown, MIA - Was having a decent year until Thanksgiving day injury, should bounce back nicely.
12 (14) Shaun Alexander, SEA - Last year he missed first significant action of career – a sign of things to come?
13 (10) Clinton Portis, WAS - Supreme talent, but skins are sup-par offensive team; Betts 3rd down back at least.
14 (23) Travis Henry, DEN - Taco Tatum gone, could be a poor-man’s Frank Gore if Satan Shanahan sticks w/him.
15 (17) Edgerrin James, ARI - Down last yr., but got good news in the draft with addition of OT Levi Brown.
16 (12) Maurice Jones Drew, JAX - Umpah Lumpa can play! Fred still there, but MoJo is 3rd down and goal-line back.
17 (15) Willis McGahee, BAL - Needs to prove himself in new surroundings; will improve on last year’s numbers.
18 (16) Thomas Jones, NYJ - Great move by the Jets to bring Jones in for bargain basement price.
19 (20) Cadillac Williams, TB - Needs to get back to rookie form. Gruden’s future with Bucs may depend on it.
20 (28) Marshawn Lynch*, BUF - He's already listed as the starter on Bills website
21 (18) Adrian Peterson*, MIN - Look for at worst a 50-50 split with Chester; whatever, he'll make the most of it.
22 (24) Deuce McAlister, NO - Bush should get more action, but Deuce will still be loose on occasion.
23 (25) Cedric Benson, CHI - Will finally get a chance to prove himself with T. Jones gone.
24 (21) Ahman Green, HOU - Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme fits Green well, but Dayne lurking as goal-line vulture.
25 (26) Tatum Bell, DET - Assuming K. Jones is not ready, Taco Tatum should be productive in Martz’s system.
26 (27) Brandon Jacobs, NYG - Will improve rushing yds., 11 TDs is about right, but Droughns will be in between 20s.
27 (30) DeAngelo Williams, CAR- Deshaun Foster still a nuisance, but little Napoleon should beat him out.
28 (13) Chester Taylor, MIN - Wow! He's in a free fall thanks to AP.
29 (29) Warrick Dunn, ATL - Here’s betting Dunn will hold off J. Norwood 1 more year.
30 (22) Marion Barber, DAL - May not be the starter in DAL, but more valuable than J. Jones.
31 (-) Chris Henry*, TEN - If Lenwhale comes in a few twinkies over 250, this rook should win the job.
32 (-) Jamal Lewis, CLE - If this guy tip toes anymore they're going to put a too-too on him, but he is the starter.
*Denotes Rookie
***NEXT UP WR RANKINGS***