For a long time, running backs have been the prized possession in fantasy football. It has only been recently, with most teams shifting to an running back by committee (RBBC) system, that draft philosophy has changed to put less pressure on owners to grab that home run back. Nevertheless, the top-notch backs are still a hot commodity. Here are the Post’s top-10 running backs for 2011:
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1. Arian Foster – Houston Texans
Despite my concern that Foster has Steve Slaton stamped on his forehead, it is very difficult to ignore 2,220 total yards and 18 total TDs. Foster came out of nowhere last season and torched opposing defenses for a league-best 1,616 rushing yards and 16 TDs. The problem with Foster is that the risk is very high. In order to get Foster, you will have to use the No.1 pick in a traditional draft or spend a large portion of your salary in an auction league. Foster has already tweaked his groin during camp and did have 393 touches last season. It’s a high-risk, high-reward pick but I would still proceed with some caution.
2. Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings
Where Foster is a risk, Peterson is the safe pick when it comes to running backs. Critics will point out that Peterson’s yardage has decreased in each of the past three seasons and his carries have dropped significantly as well. What they will fail to note is that Peterson has cured his fumbling problem (one lost fumble in 2010) and has been the most consistent back in the NFL over the past four seasons. Peterson will likely hover around 1,300 yards yet again this season and is almost a lock for 10+ TDs. Most importantly, he does not have the questions surrounding him that many of the other elite backs do.
3. Jamaal Charles – Kansas City Chiefs
Charles may very well be the most explosive running back in the NFL. While on the surface, this claim may sound absurd, Charles averaged 6.4 YPC last season in Kansas City, racking up 1,467 yards on 230 carries. In addition to that, Charles also added 45 receptions for 468 yards and three scores. Charles certainly does post gaudy numbers in some categories, but what is holding him back is the inability to find the end zone. Most of the elite backs will score at least 10 total TDs, but Charles had eight TDs in 2010. Regardless of his TD production, he is still a top-tier back who may not have reached his potential just yet.
4. Chris Johnson – Tennesee Titans
Johnson, last year’s consensus No.1 pick finds himself sitting fourth in our preseason ranks due to off-field issues. Johnson, who has demanded a new contract from the Titans, continues to hold out of training camp and has signaled he will extend his absence into the regular season if necessary. When Johnson does get on the gridiron, he is one of the most dangerous and productive RBs in the game. His production did take a pretty big fall last season, but again he was coming off one of the best years a running back has ever had in NFL history. There’s a very good chance that Johnson will be in a Titans uniform come Week 1, therefore his value is still very high.
5. Ray Rice – Baltimore Ravens
Expectations for Rice were sky-high last year, which led to him being drafted fourth or fifth overall, depending on scoring systems. Rice had a bit of a down year in 2010, as he watched his production drop in every significant statistical category. Sure, Rice still had a productive year with 1,776 total yards and six total TDs, but when you delve deeper, some red flags are raised. Rice carried the ball 307 times for 1,220 yards in 2010 as opposed to 254 and 1,339 in 2009, dropping his YPC from 5.3 to 4.0. While the workload may be lessened a bit due to the Ricky Williams signing, but both Willis McGahee and LeRon McClain are out of town, meaning Rice will remain the feature back in Baltimore and is still capable of top-five production.
6. Michael Turner – Atlanta Falcons
Turner had a bounce-back year in 2010, finishing third in yards (1371) and TDs (12). He did have offseason surgery on his groin but has shown no effects thus far in camp.
7. Rashard Mendenhall – Pittsburgh Steelers
Off-field issues aside, Mendenhall is one talented running back and should improve on what was a very strong 2010 campaign (1,273 yards, 13 TDs).
8. Peyton Hillis – Cleveland Browns
Huge surprise in 2010 (1,177 yards, 11 TDs), but with few other weapons in the Browns offense, will be facing a stacked box more often than not this season.
9. Maurice Jones-Drew – Jacksonville Jaguars
Slight regression for MJD in yardage in 2010 shouldn’t be a big concern. His lack of TDs in 2010 (7 total) and offseason knee surgery, are entirely different stories, however.
10. LeSean McCoy – Philadelphia Eagles
Will look to improve on impressive sophomore season (1,672 total yards, 9 TDs) but may lose some touches to newly signed Ronnie Brown.
