RB RANKINGS 49-64
Auction...............$15
Bye Week.............6
Thomas is coming off one of his better statistical seasons, posting over 1,000 scrimmage yards with five total touchdowns while in a committee with Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram. He also led all running backs in receptions (77), which made him even more valuable in PPR formats. He'll remain in a shared backfield that now includes Ingram and Khiry Robinson, and his PPR value should remain high with Sproles no longer in the mix. Unfortunately, Thomas' value in standard leagues isn't as high simply because he's not going to be guaranteed to see consistent carries on a week-to-week basis. In a best-case scenario, he'll be a top 25-30 runner in such formats while holding RB2 potential if you get points for catches.
Auction...............$12
Bye Week.............12
Once ranked among the top running backs in fantasy football, Williams has seen his stock decline in recent seasons. In fact, he's failed to rush for even 900 yards in each of the last four seasons. He did rank a respectable 22nd in fantasy points among running backs this past campaign, but Williams also saw an increase in touches due to the absence of Jonathan Stewart -- his 201 carries were his highest total since 2009. With Stewart back in the mix, Mike Tolbert stealing carries and entering his age-31 season, Williams will be tough to trust in a prominent fantasy role. In fact, he's best served being drafted as a No. 4 fantasy runner at this point in his NFL career. Look for him to be picked in the late rounds.
Auction...............$14
Bye Week.............7
Sproles is one of the most talented pass catchers at the running back position, recording at least 71 receptions and 600-plus receiving yards in each of the last three seasons. Of course, part of that success had to do with playing in a high-octane offense in New Orleans with a superstar quarterback under center in Drew Brees. He's a great fit for the offense of coach Chip Kelly in Philadelphia, but Sproles is almost guaranteed to see a decrease in backfield touches with LeSean McCoy ahead of him on the depth chart. Where he should shine is in the pass attack, though, as the Eagles released DeSean Jackson and will lean on Sproles as a receiver quite often. That makes him a viable No. 2 runner in PPR formats.
Auction...............$14
Bye Week.............10
Woodhead proved last season that he was more than just a product of the New England Patriots offense, posting career bests in receptions, receiving yards and total touchdowns with the Chargers. One of the more underrated players at his position, Woodhead also ranked 19th in fantasy points among runner in standard leagues. In PPR formats, he finished fewer than nine points behind Adrian Peterson! Not bad for a player who wasn't even drafted until the middle to late rounds. He'll continue to be a valuable option in an offense that lacks reliable pass catchers, making Woodhead a potential draft bargain once again. Look for him to come off the board in the middle rounds.
Auction...............$13
Bye Week.............10
There were more than a few running backs who flopped in the stat sheets last season, and Ridley was one of them. A year after scoring 12 touchdowns and finishing 11th in fantasy points among running backs, Ridley fumbled his way into coach Bill Belichick's doghouse and ultimately saw declined numbers across the board. In fact, LeGarrette Blount became a better fantasy option down the stretch. In a confusing backfield where anything can happen, Ridley looks to be in a committee situation where he could be the first option ... or the third. When you also consider the fact that he has ball-control issues, and Ridley becomes even more of a risk-reward player. He should be seen as a viable No. 3 or 4 back in drafts.
Auction...............$12
Bye Week.............11
Pierce is coming off a disappointing 2013 campaign that saw him average an awful 2.9 yards per carry while rankings 52nd in fantasy points among running backs. He also needed an operation to repair shoulder damage, though he's expected to be fine for the start of training camp. He's going to be a nice fit for the zone-blocking system of new OC Gary Kubiak, but Pierce is still second on the depth chart behind Ray Rice who has recieved a suspension for the first two games of the season. So while he has upside, especially for the first two weeks, it's tough to draft Pierce as more than a handcuff or reserve with Rice's return a bit earlier than previously expected.
Auction...............$10
Bye Week.............5
Another season, another ailment for McFadden. The talented but brittle runner once again hurt fantasy leaguers due to his proneness to injuries, as he missed six games with a bum ankle. It was the third straight season McFadden has missed at least four games and the second time in three years he's missed six or more. He'll remain with the Raiders after signing a one-year deal in the offseason, but he'll share work with Maurice Jones-Drew. That means fantasy owners shouldn't be investing much in McFadden, as he's a virtual lock to miss time based on the career trend he's established. If you don't decide to avoid him altogether, the veteran shouldn't be seen as more than a No. 4 runner in fantasy drafts.
Auction...............$10
Bye Week.............4
West was a tremendous statistical runner in D-IAA, rushing for over 4,800 yards and 84 touchdowns at the collegiate level. Compared to Alfred Morris, he's compared favorably to a running back in the 2014 class. Ben Tate remains the favorite to take over lead back duties for the Browns, but West is in great position to land second on the depth chart and earn handcuff status in fantasy drafts. When you consider Tate's proneness to injuries at the pro level, West could be considered a deep sleeper in the late rounds of re-drafts.
Auction...............$10
Bye Week.............6
Ingram, a first-round pick in 2011, has been a disappointment both for the Saints and fantasy owners. He's finished no better than 33rd in points among backs and has averaged fewer than four rushing touchdowns a season. He could see more work in 2014, but it's still a crowded situation with both Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson now in the mix. When you also consider his aforementioned failures at the NFL level, it's hard to see Ingram suddenly making a major impact for the Saints or fantasy owners.
Auction...............$8
Bye Week.............8
Williams, a rookie out of Boston College, will be in the hunt for depth-chart position during training camp. While Rashad Jennings appears to be the clear-cut favorite to start, Williams could push him way into the top three running backs ... and even further if David Wilson's status is in question after offseason neck surgery. A player to watch during the summer months, he's well worth a late-round flier in standard re-drafts but has more value in dynasty leagues.
Auction...............$8
Bye Week.............8
Hyde was a star at Ohio State, rushing for over 3,100 yards and 37 touchdowns. His skill set projects to a potential lead role at the NFL level, but it won't happen in 2014. In fact, Hyde is entering a crowded backfield with Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter and Marcus Lattimore. That's going to hurt his value in re-drafts, though Hyde could earn a greater role in the offense as soon as 2015. Should he move into the second spot on the depth chart during camp, Hyde will be worth a late-round look. Otherwise, his value will be limited.
Auction...............$8
Bye Week.............5
Moreno is coming off the best statistical season of his career, posting close to 1,600 scrimmage yards with 13 total touchdowns while finishing an impressive fifth in fantasy points among running backs. Unfortunately, he's going to be hard pressed to duplicate those numbers in Miami. The veteran didn't have a breakout campaign before playing in the same backfield as Peyton Manning, and Ryan Tannehill is a massive downgrade from Manning. The Dolphins also had the seventh-worst run offense in the league last season, and the offensive line is questionable at best. While Moreno was the favorite to start ahead of Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas, it was recently reported that he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and will be sidelined for about a month which means he could miss part of training camp. Don't reach for him as more than a RB4 or RB5 until he's back on the field.
Auction...............$7
Bye Week.............4
Hill was considered one of the better running backs in the 2014 rookie class, rushing for over 2,100 yards and 28 touchdowns in two seasons as the lead runner for L.S.U. Unfortunately, he landed in a less-than-desirable situation for his potential fantasy stock in 2014. Giovani Bernard is a lock to see a prominent role out of the backfield, while BenJarvus Green-Ellis is in the mix for early-down and goal-line work. If Hill can move past the Law Firm on the depth chart during camp, he'll be worth a look in the late rounds.
Auction...............$7
Bye Week.............11
Ivory finished his first season in the Big Apple with career bests in carries and rushing yards, but he also finished a mere 37th in fantasy points among running backs. That was due in large part to the fact the he missed time due to injuries, not to mention the use of Bilal Powell as a third-down runner in what became a backfield committee. A bruising back who is entering his age-26 season, Ivory still has some upside in an offense that will no doubt look to lean on the run. However, the addition of Chris Johnson all but shrunk the chances of him repeating even the totals is posted last season. While he's still worth a middle-to late-round look in most leagues, Ivory is now just a fantasy reserve this year.
Auction...............$6
Bye Week.............6
Robinson didn't post huge numbers as a rookie, but he did show some flashes of potential here and there. Heading into 2014, though, he will be allowed a chance to see a much bigger role in the Saints offense. A bruiser who fits well with coach Sean Payton's desire to run more of a drive-sustaining offense, Robinson could lead the team in carries despite the presence of both Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram. The West Texas A&M product would have even more draft appeal if he earned goal-line opportunities, which should be plentiful with a superstar like Drew Brees under center. Robinson is definitely someone to keep tabs on this preseason and will no doubt be listed among the bigger sleepers in fantasy football.
Auction...............$6
Bye Week.............9
A slow, plodding runner who has a pair of 1,000-yard seasons on his resume, Greene experienced an expected decline in statistics in his first season behind Chris Johnson in Tennessee. Not only did he miss five games with a bum knee, but he also saw a massive decline in carries and overall touches. That could change in 2014, though, as the Titans released Johnson and will look for Greene to make a bigger impact in the backfield. If he is able to earn a starting role, the Iowa product will be in the conversation as a potential No. 4 fantasy runner. Just keep in mind that he isn't going to be a true featured back with Dexter McCluster also in the mix. Consider him somewhere in the late rounds as a fantasy reserve.
RB RANKINGS 49-64
