Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Wondering when you should draft your favorite NFL running backs in your upcoming fantasy football draft? Continue reading our 2010 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings to find out…

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2010::

TIER 1

1. Chris Johnson - Tennessee Titans (Bye: 9)

Johnson was nearly unstoppable in 2009, setting and smashing records, while displaying an amazing ability to score from just about anywhere on the field. The former first-round pick from East Carolina emerged as one of the league’s top offensive stars. Johnson became only the sixth player in NFL history to reach 2,000 rushing yards and also set an NFL-record 2,509 yards from scrimmage.  With his blistering speed and big-play ability, he became the only player in NFL history to record three career touchdown runs of 91, 89, and 85 yards, and the first player to achieve six consecutive games of 125-plus rushing yards. His final rushing stats were impressive: 358 carries for 2,006 yards and 14 touchdowns. Johnson also proved to be an important asset in Tennessee’s passing game, catching 50 balls for 503 yards, and two touchdowns. He accrued 329 fantasy points (64 points more than Adrian Peterson) and finished as the No.1 overall fantasy running back. Johnson single-handedly led many fantasy football owners to their championships.

His blockbuster sophomore season catapulted Johnson into the class of elite running backs. The question of whether he has a shot at matching or topping his 2009 campaign is a constant debate in fantasy circles. History tells us no, no, no – yet there are many reasons why we shouldn’t count him out. The third-year back turns 25 during the season, has no injury history, and rarely fumbles. He runs behind an outstanding offensive line that gives him every chance to succeed. Once thought to be too small and light to be an every-down back, Johnson plays nearly every down, gets goal-line carries, and catches balls out of the backfield. He goes into the 2010 season with an active streak of 11 games of 100-plus rushing yards. Expect Johnson to get off to a fast start and remain the Titans’ primary offensive weapon for as long as he stays healthy and productive. Johnson is a virtual lock to see 20-25 touches a game and score double-digit touchdowns. Even if Johnson doesn’t top the 2,000 rushing yards total, he should get there in total yardage. If you land the first pick in your fantasy draft, you simply have to consider the game’s most explosive player as the No. 1 overall pick in all fantasy formats.

2. Adrian Peterson - Minnesota Vikings (Bye: 4)

Adrian Peterson was the consensus No. 1 fantasy pick heading into last season and when it was over, he didn’t quite have the year that many expected. The Brett Favre-led Vikings ran a more balanced offense and as a result, Peterson carried the ball 50 fewer times in 2009 than in 2008. Peterson’s rushing totals were eclipsed by the Titans’ Chris Johnson, and he averaged a career-low 4.4 yards per carry. He also had just three, 100-yard games. Peterson had trouble hanging onto the ball, fumbling six times during the regular season and several times in postseason play.  Nevertheless, when you look at his numbers overall, the explosive Peterson posted near elite fantasy totals. He finished the year with 314 carries for 1,383 yards and a career-high 18 touchdowns. Peterson also set new records in receiving stats, with 43 receptions for 436 yards.

There’s every reason to expect another year of excellent production from Peterson in 2010. He has been among the best and most consistent running backs since his first NFL season in 2007. Peterson carried the ball 300-plus times in 2008 and 2009 and he gained at least 1,300 rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns in each of his three years in the league. Ball security is a minor concern, though one he looks to improve on. He remains the team’s clear-cut No. 1 rushing option running behind one of the league’s top offensive lines. Peterson is an elite fantasy running back, worthy of a top-2 or top-3 overall pick in fantasy drafts this summer.

TIER 2

3. Maurice Jones-Drew - Jacksonville Jaguars (Bye: 9)

Maurice Jones-Drew (MJD) had a breakout season in 2009, his first as the Jaguars’ No.1 running back. After three years as the backup to former teammate Fred Taylor, MJD showed what he could do when he inherited the job and the workload that goes with it. Jones-Drew produced career highs in carries (312), rushing yards (1,392), and touchdowns (15).  He had five 100-yard games and touchdowns in 10 of 16 games.  Jones-Drew is not just a threat on the ground – he’s also one of the best pass-catching backs in the league. He added 53 receptions for 374 yards and one touchdown to his impressive rushing totals.  Jones-Drew was a fantasy owner’s dream in 2009, finishing as the No. 3 overall fantasy running back with 255 points.

Truth be told, you could make a case for Jones-Drew to be the No. 1 overall pick in 2010. He is the complete package – a unique combination of power, top speed, great moves, and his ability to make plays as a runner or receiver. He’s 25 and entering the prime of his career. The Jaguars’ offense centers on Jones-Drew and he is the one constant in a sometimes inconsistent offense. As one of the few every-down backs in the league, Jones-Drew doesn’t compete for carries or playing time. His receiving skills keep him on the field in third-down situations and to make big plays in the passing game. Fantasy owners can count on Jones-Drew to produce consistent weekly totals. MJD is a standout RB1, you can bank on him being a top-5 overall pick in standard scoring formats. He could go No. 1 or No. 2 overall in points-per-reception (PPR) leagues.

4. Ray Rice - Baltimore Ravens (Bye: 8)

Rice was one of the breakout stars of the 2009 fantasy football season. In last year’s preseason rankings, Bruno Boys ranked him as the No. 33 running back. Rice rewarded fantasy owners that took a chance on him with 228 fantasy points and finished at No. 4 overall at his position. Quite the return on investment! From the moment that he took over as the Ravens No. 1 running back, Rice exceeded our expectations in every way. He posted outstanding numbers across the board – carrying the ball 254 times for 1,339 yards and seven touchdowns. Rice averaged 5.3 yards per carry and also had 12 games with 100-plus total yards. He also proved to be an excellent receiver, catching 78 balls for 702 yards and one touchdown. Rice finished the year with more than 2,000 total yards.

Rice earned his spot as the Ravens’  starter in 2010 and he should be the No. 1 back in the team’s offense for many years to come. He is the most dynamic player in the Ravens’ offense and will see the majority of carries. Look for Rice to challenge teammate and touchdown vulture Willis McGahee for more short-yardage and goal-line work. Rice’s fantasy value goes up if he can score a few more touchdowns. Wide receivers Anquan Boldin and D’onte Stallworth were signed during the offseason to give quarterback Joe Flacco more targets in the passing game. While there is mild concern among fantasy owners that an improved receiving corps might negatively impact Rice’s production, the reverse could also be true. Defenses would have to respect the Ravens’ passing game, and this could benefit Rice in the long run. Rice should see 20-plus touches per game, and even if he has fewer receptions than last season, he should post similar overall totals. A sleeper pick in 2009, Rice is a rock solid top-5 fantasy pick in 2010. Draft him with confidence, he has tremendous upside.

5. Michael Turner - Atlanta Falcons (Bye: 8)

The one-time backup to LaDainian Tomlinson, Turner came into his own when he signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2008 and produced elite level stats in his first year as a starter. Turner set career highs across the board, carrying the ball 376 times for 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was targeted early in fantasy drafts last season as owners anticipated another big year. Turner was well on his way to meeting expectations when he suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 10 against Carolina. The injury derailed his season and disappointed fantasy owners when he missed five and saw limited action in three of the final eight games. Turner put up decent fantasy numbers in 2009 (178 carries, 871 yards, 10 touchdowns), though far short of the elite numbers he was on track to reach before getting injured.

Look for a healthy and refreshed Turner to have a monster rebound in 2010. He runs with power, yet has great speed to break big plays. Expect Turner to continue handling the majority of the rushing workload. He’ll get help playing behind a solid offensive line and from Atlanta’s proficient passing offense. If Turner has any downsides, they are that he doesn’t catch the ball and generally doesn’t play on third downs. Preseason talk out of Atlanta has the Falcons looking to involve Turner more in the passing game, and if this came to pass then his fantasy value bumps up. Heading into the 2010 season, Turner is a near-elite RB1 worth an early-to-middle pick in the first round. If he stays healthy, Turner has the potential to be the No. 1 overall fantasy running back.

TIER 3

6. Frank Gore - San Francisco 49ers (Bye: 9)
7. Steven Jackson - St. Louis Rams (Bye: 9)

TIER 4

8. Rashard Mendenhall - Pittsburgh Steelers (Bye: 5)
9. DeAngelo Williams - Carolina Panthers (Bye: 6)
10. Ryan Grant - Green Bay Packers (Bye: 10) 
11. Shonn Greene - New York Jets (Bye: 7)
12. Ryan Mathews - San Diego Chargers (Bye: 10)
13. Cedric Benson - Cincinnati Bengals (Bye: 6)

TIER 5

14. Knowshon Moreno - Denver Broncos (Bye: 9)
15. Beanie Wells - Arizona Cardinals (Bye: 6)
16. Jamaal Charles - Kansas City Chiefs (Bye: 4)
17. Jonathan Stewart - Carolina Panthers (Bye: 6)
18. LeSean McCoy - Philadelphia Eagles (Bye: 8)
19. Pierre Thomas - New Orleans Saints (Bye: 10)
20. Joseph Addai - Indianapolis Colts (Bye: 7)

TIER 6

21. Ronnie Brown - Miami Dolphins (Bye: 5)
22. Matt Forte - Chicago Bears (Bye: 8)
23. Felix Jones - Dallas Cowboys (Bye: 4)
24. Jahvid Best - Detroit Lions (Bye: 7)
25. Arian Foster - Houston Texans (Bye: 7)

TIER 7

26. Ricky Williams - Miami Dolphins (Bye: 5)
27. C.J. Spiller - Buffalo Bills (Bye: 6)
28. Marion Barber - Dallas Cowboys (Bye: 4)
29. Cadillac Williams - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Bye: 4)
30. Ahmad Bradshaw - New York Giants (Bye: 8)

TIER 8

31. Jerome Harrison - Cleveland Browns (Bye: 8)
32. Clinton Portis - Washington Redskins (Bye: 9)
33. Brandon Jacobs - New York Giants (Bye: 8)

TIER 9

34. Justin Forsett - Seattle Seahawks (Bye: 5)
35. Thomas Jones - Kansas City Chiefs (Bye: 4) 
36. Reggie Bush - New Orleans Saints (Bye: 10)
37. Michael Bush - Oakland Raiders (Bye: 10)
38. Fred Jackson - Buffalo Bills (Bye: 6)

TIER 10

39. Darren McFadden - Oakland Raiders (Bye: 10)
40. Tim Hightower - Arizona Cardinals (Bye: 6)
41. LaDainian Tomlinson - New York Jets (Bye: 7)
42. Chester Taylor - Chicago Bears (Bye: 8)

TIER 11

43. Laurence Maroney - New England Patriots (Bye: 5)
44. Darren Sproles - San Diego Chargers (Bye: 10)
45. Donald Brown - Indianapolis Colts (Bye: 7)
46. Leon Washington - Seattle Seahawks (Bye: 5)
47. Willis McGahee - Baltimore Ravens (Bye: 8)
48. Kevin Smith - Detroit Lions (Bye: 7)

TIER 12

49. Toby Gerhart - Minnesota Vikings (Bye: 4)
50. Marshawn Lynch - Buffalo Bills (Bye: 6)
51. Steve Slaton - Houston Texans (Bye: 7)
52. Correll Buckhalter - Denver Broncos (Bye: 9)
53. Mike Bell - Philadelphia Eagles (Bye: 8)
54. Larry Johnson - Washington Redskins (Bye: 9)
55. Bernard Scott - Cincinnati Bengals (Bye: 6)
56. Tashard Choice - Dallas Cowboys (Bye: 4)

TIER 13

57. Julius Jones - Seattle Seahawks (Bye: 5)
58. Brian Westbrook - San Francisco 49ers (Bye: 9)
59. Anthony Dixon - San Francisco 49ers (Bye: 9)
60. Sammy Morris - New England Patriots (Bye: 5)

 
To see in-depth player profiles for all 60 RUNNING BACKS check out the rest of our 2010 FANTASY FOOTBALL RUNNING BACKS RANKINGS by clicking here… FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL CHEAT SHEETS

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2010 SLEEPERS:  QB |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  |  DEF   (click to view)

2010 BUSTS:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  |  DEF   (click to view)

2010 DEEP SLEEPERS:  RB  |  WR |  TE   (click to view)

2010 BREAKOUT PLAYERS:  QB  |  RB |  WR |  TE   (click to view)

2010 RANKINGS:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  |  DEF  (click to view)

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