Runningback Rankings: Top 25 for 2008

August 9th, 2008 by Drew Smith

1) Knowshon Moreno – Georgia: A case could be made for several backs to hold down the #1 spot but for me Moreno projects out as the top back. He ran for 1,334 yards and 14 TDs in what amounted to starting only 5 games. It is true that the Bulldogs have some other talented backs as do most big programs so you should not get too caught up in that game. Moreno has become the face of the Bulldogs as everyone wants to compare him to Herschel Walker. I expect to see Georgia makes sure he gets his touches as they make a push for the National Title.

2) Harvey Unga – BYU: Unga being the #2 ranked back might cause some people to do a double take as he ran for only 1,227 yards and 13 TDs as the full starter last year. However, that does not include the 655 yards and 4 TDs receiving. The nice thing about a RB that catches as many balls as Unga is that he is very consistent on a weekly basis because if defenses attempt to over-load on stopping the rush, he is still part of the offense in the passing game. Unga is represents one of the safer 1st round picks.

3) Ian Johnson – Boise State : Johnson had a disappointing season despite running for 1,041 yards and 16 TDs as he never seemed to be 100% healthy. Johnson is a TD machine playing in one of the most prolific offenses in a conference that thinks defense is over-rated. I would not be shocked if Johnson ends up being the top fantasy running back this year but he has a tad too much risk with him to rank over Moreno and Unga.

4) LeSean McCoy – Pittsburgh : McCoy shared the carries the first few games which held back his stats. Yet he still finished with 1,328 and 14 TDs. He is the work-horse that head coach Dave Wannstedt loves and I expect to see him get about 325 carries this season and make a push for 20 TDs.

5) Luke Lippincott – Nevada : Lipincott shared the load for the first 5 games of the season before taking over as the full-time starter after his break-out during the fantasy game of the year, a 69-67 loss to Boise State . The Wolfpack return starters on the offensive line plus Colin Kaepernick at QB which should allow Lippencott to easily exceed his 2007 numbers of 1,715 yards and 18 TD combined rushing/receiving.

6) Chris Wells – Ohio State : I love Chris Wells as a running back and is the guy I am predicting to win the Heisman this season. I also believe that Ugna and Wells are the two safest first round picks in the draft. However, from a fantasy standpoint, Wells gets hurt by not getting any receiving yards as last year he had 5 catches for 21 yards. I am projecting Wells to improve his numbers but not being part of the passing game will most likely prevent him from cracking the Top 5.

7) Eugene Jarvis – Kent State : Jarvis gets a bad rap because he stands at just 5′-5″, 170lbs which leads people to assume he can not withstand a full season as an every down back. The fact is that he carried the ball 279 times and added another 23 touches in receptions last season as his total offense was 1,975 yards and 13 TDs. This season the schedule gets a little easier with Delaware State replacing Ohio State .

8) Damion Fletcher – Southern Miss: Most people are excited about Larry Fedora becoming the new head coach for the Golden Eagles as he is known for running a wide-open high octane offense. While this will surely add excitement and make the passing game relevant to us fantasy players, it also worries me somewhat with regards to Fletcher. These offenses are not always fantasy running back friendly and even when a back finishes the season with decent stats, it is often from a couple of huge games. With all that said, it is rare that new coaches will make huge radical changes the first season so I suspect that Fedora will lean on Fletcher this first year. Be aware of the risks.

9) DeMarco Murray – Oklahoma : Murray is one of these players that could potentially make or break your team this year if you select him in the 1st round. He is a tremendous talent running behind perhaps the best offensive line in the country. He also has a QB that will make defenses pay if the safeties begin to cheat towards the line. So why the concern? Some people do not believe Murray can be the work-horse for Oklahoma and they will end up giving carries to back-up Chris Brown and uber-recruit Jermie Calhoun. I think the Sooners will give him every opportunity to succeed so talk up Chris Brown and steal Murray in the 2nd round.

10) Marlon Lucky – Nebraska : Lucky quietly had a solid fantasy season last year when he ran for 1,019 yards, 9 TDs while adding 705 yards and 3 TDs receiving. The offense is expected to remain similar despite defensive minded Bo Pelini taking over as head coach. I suspect they will run the ball even more this year. Lucky will be the sole benefit of this as he attempts to finish his college career on a high note.

11) Javon Ringer – Michigan State : Ringer had a great season last year when he averaged 5.9 ypc on his way to 1,447 yards and 6 TDs rushing. It was the lack of TDs that prevented him from being an elite fantasy back as Jehuu Caulcrick snaked most of the TDs from Ringer (he scored 21 TDs). Caulcrick has graduated and Ringer should be given the opportunity to punch the ball in the endzone more this year.

12) PJ Hill – Wisconsin : Hill had a frustrating season as he battled some nagging injuries in the middle of the season before missing several games at the end of the season. Hill lives in the endzone as he still managed to score 14 TDs and had 1,212 yards on basically 2/3 of a season. A healthy Hill will make a push for 20 TDs but like Chris Wells, his lack of receiving stats will hold him back slightly.

13) Jahvid Best – California : Are you a gambler? Does drafting a player with a career 221 yards and 2 TDs excite you as opposed to scaring you? If this is the case, then Best is the player for you. He was the one of the top running backs coming out of high school and plays for one of the best fantasy running back systems in the country with no clear challengers to steal carries from him. Best has as much upside as any running back you can select and can be acquired in most drafts lower than the 13th back selected. Don’t be afraid.

14) Noel Devine – West Virginia : You heard it here first…if Devine stays out of trouble, keeps his mouth shut and goes to class, he will be a Top 5 fantasy back. However that is a big IF as there have already been rumors that the Mountaineers were close to parting ways with him in the off-season. Devine is a special back playing in an offense that was made for him so if you roll the dice you must over-reach for his back-up which will be either Zach Hulce or Terence Kerns.

15) Jonathan Dwyer – Georgia Tech: Dwyer is a big-time talent that should be the guy that new head coach Paul Johnson builds his Navy style offense around during its first go in the ACC. Look for Dwyer to become a house-hold name in fantasy circles this season.

16) Arian Foster – Tennessee : After an amazing finish to the 2005 season, most people were expecting a monster 2006 season for Foster. However, a new offensive coordinator took a pass-first approach. Couple that with nagging injuries and getting in the doghouse and we saw Foster have a wasted season. Last year brought yet another a new OC who went back to running the ball and had Foster carrying the bulk of the load as he finished with 1,500+ combined yards and 14 TDs. The Vols are a tough team to get a handle on but everything points to a strong season by Foster.

17) Rodney Ferguson – New Mexico : I had to double check my rosters as I couldn’t believe that Ferguson is still around as I swear this dude has been playing for the last decade. Ferguson is the epitome of safe picks as you can bank on him getting his 1,200+ yards and 10 TDs rushing plus another 250+ yards and 2 TDs receiving.

18) Josh Adams – Wake Forest : Adams was a freshman last year and rushed for 953 yards with 11 TDs while sharing carries with Micah Andrews to begin the season. Now, as the every down back, look for Adams to take the next step to 2nd tier RB status.

19) Tyrell Sutton – Northwestern: Sutton is one of those RBs that cause fantasy owners to lose their hair as he is the ultimate fantasy tease. He has not proven to be able to stay healthy but I am not someone that lets past nagging injuries dominate my draft strategy either. Sutton has burned a lot of owners which could provide an opportunity to draft him at a good value.

20) Ryan Matthews – Fresno State : Matthews scored in 9 out of the 11 games that he played in as he finished with 866 yards and 14 TDs. He had a scholarship offer from USC coming out of high school and really only needs to stay healthy in order have a monster fantasy season this season.

21) James Stark – Buffalo : Did you every think you would see a Buffalo RB in the Top 25? Stark had a great season last year running for 1,103 yards and 12 TDs for the surprising Bulls team. Stark doesn’t have huge upside but should have no problem matching or slightly surpassing last year’s numbers.

22) Justin Anderson – Northern Illinois: Anderson was the only bright spot for the Huskies last season as he amassed 1,500+ and 11 TD combined. Another one of those players that isn’t exciting but has little downside as he should put up similar type numbers again this season.

23) Anthony Dixon – Mississippi State: Dixon is the type of back that on the surface looks pretty promising after running for 1,066 yards and 14 TDs as a sophomore but the reality is that he is not an every week starter. His overall numbers on the season will put him in the Top 25 backs but you have to draft Dixon as your 3rd back and play him when he has favorable matchups in large leagues. Also makes for a sweet sell high candidate before the schedule gets difficult with conference play.

24) Darrell Mack – Utah: Mack only got a total of 7 carries in the first two games but came on after that to finish the season with 1,204 yards and 12 TDs plus an additional 3 receiving TDs. This will lead many to think Mack is poised for a major break-out but the problem is that Utah loves to split carries and has several backs looking to steal carries. Mack could be a classic first half star who disappears so have back up plans if you relying on him early.

25) Darrell Scott – Colorado: The top running back coming out of high school by most experts will be given every opportunity to be the work-horse for the Buffaloes this year. Yes, they have some other freshman backs looking good and yes the offensive line is not the best but if Hugh Charles could be a Top 40 fantasy back then Scott will crack the Top 25 with ease if he gets 225+ carries. Look for Dan Hawkins to showcase his prized recruit every chance he gets.