X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Dynasty League Running Back Rankings: Top 30 for 2014

I previously looked at the top 15 quarterbacks for dynasty leagues. Today I'll take a closer look at running back rankings for dynasty leagues.

The shelf-life for running backs is so short, it pays to strike on a player while the iron is hot instead of waiting on an investment that may never pay off. For multi-year outlooks, stability at quarterback and offensive scheme will go a long way. From a longevity standpoint, smaller backs who can catch passes often avoid the body shots that wear down bigger backs sooner.

 

Editor's Note: Explore RotoBaller’s Dynasty Fantasy Football hub for year-round dynasty rankings, trade tips, rookie analysis, and long-term player outlooks. Dominate your league with our sleepers, stash targets, and dynasty draft advice. Click here for Dynasty rankings and strategy.

One-Year Pluggers

30. Shane Vereen - Too injury prone, not enough juice between the tackles.

29. DeAngelo Williams - He’ll be Carolina’s top back in a crowded backfield.

28. Steven Jackson - He could have a good 2014, but how much more after that?

27. Ben Tate - He underwhelmed when given the keys to the Houston offense. Running in Cleveland won’t be easier

26. Knowshon Moreno - He’s no longer got a light defensive box to run against in Miami, and Lamar Miller is still a potentially potent backup.

25. Rashad Jennings - The Giants offense should bounce back, and Jennings may even thrive here for a season, but it’s doubtful he’s their long-term answer at the position at the age of 29.

 

Flawed With Upside

24. Chris Johnson - The Artist Formerly Known as CJ2K has disappointed fantasy owners every year since 2009. A closer look, however, reveals a player who consistently plays 16 games, exceeds 1400 yards from scrimmage, and finishes in the top 15 at his position every year. His move to the Jets, and their questionable offense, is enough to warrant a slide to the bottom of this tier, but stranger things have happened than former Pro Bowlers having a resurgence with a change of scenery.

23. Ryan Mathews - Mathews has been up and down in his first four seasons, and he is due for a down year if patterns are any indication. The bigger concern from this viewpoint is the presence of Donald Brown, who resurrected his career in his final season with Indianapolis. Mathews ceiling for 2014 is probably a top 12-15 runner.

22. Stevan Ridley - If Ridley can solve his fumbling problems, he can be (and has been) a top 10 back in this league, given the limited competition for goal line carries and his prowess for scoring touchdowns.

21. Andre Ellington - Ellington’s upside is 5.5 yards per carry and 9.5 yards per reception. His flaw is 199 pounds and 4 touchdowns. Will he ever get enough work to justify a higher ranking? Even if he did, would he remain effective enough with the increased workload? Regardless, he is a very intriguing player for 2014.

20. Trent Richardson - With an utterly disastrous 2013, the comparisons to Adrian Peterson and LaDainian Tomlinson evaporated, and they won’t be coming back anytime soon. The Richardson apologists last year cited his in-season trade and his lack of understanding of the playbook, but this scouting eye saw a slow 3rd-down pass protector at best, whose confidence was completely shaken. With Donald Brown gone, Richardson will be given every opportunity to earn that first-round status, but there won’t be any more excuses.

19. C.J. Spiller - Spiller had a breakout season in 2012, but then could never really get healthy in 2013 to become a viable starting option. There are few backs in the NFL with his kind of game-breaking talent. Were he to switch places with Jamaal Charles or LeSean McCoy, we could be talking about an MVP candidate. Unfortunately he is stuck in Buffalo in a crowded backfield waiting on a developing quarterback.

 

Bargaining Chips

18. Maurice Jones-Drew - MJD is obviously on the decline, but don’t forget how high up he is declining from. This was one of the best RBs in fantasy football for the better part of a decade. After a disastrous 2012 season, he bounced back to finish in the top 20 at his position last year, and that was on a joke of a Jacksonville offense.

17. Ray Rice - After 4 years as a rock-solid RB1, Rice took a precipitous drop last year. He is only 26 years old, though, and had a relatively light workload in 2013.  Backup Bernard Pierce is a concern, but Rice deserves the benefit of the doubt, given his track record.

16. Frank Gore - For three years, we’ve been told that Frank Gore is too old and too injury-prone and that his job will be handed over to someone younger. All Frank Gore has done is play 16 games every season, rush for more than 1,100 yards, and keep his starting job. This isn’t spectacular, and it won’t last forever, but at least he’s a sure thing, unlike younger players on this list who are either one-hit wonders or in timeshares.

15. Zac Stacy - Stacy flashed power and wiggle in his breakout rookie season, not to mention some chops catching the ball. It is reasonable to expect him to improve upon last year’s respectable RB2 status. The biggest concern is probably Auburn product Tre Mason, one of the best backs in college football last year, who will eat into Stacy’s carries.

14. Le’Veon Bell - Bell impressed this author last year, who came into the season harboring low expectations for the Big Ten product. His placement on this list is more of a result of the Steelers signing LeGarrette Blount to back him up. Blount was a revelation last year, and if he can carry over any kind of momentum from his days as a Patriot, it’s easy to envision a scenario where Blount cuts into some of Bell's carries.

13. Giovanni Bernard - Bernard has some serious agility. He might be the most elusive back in the game, with all due respect to LeSean McCoy. He makes plays in the passing game and even between the tackles. He may, however, be too small to ever garner the trust of the coaching staff to tote the rock into Pro Bowl numbers.

 

Only For The Right Price

12. Montee Ball - Ball is high on a lot of draft lists this year, as he should top the competition for meaningful (i.e. goal line) carries in a high-scoring offense. This scouting eye, however, views ball as an average talent, whose fantasy value could be tied to the ticking clock of Peyton Manning’s career.

11. Reggie Bush - Bush is a great fit for Detroit’s multi-dimensional offense, as evidenced by his career high in yards from scrimmage last year. He has never topped 8 touchdowns in a season, though, and he is getting up there in years (28).

10. Alfred Morris - Morris is an incredibly hard runner, who is the bellcow in his offense. He offers virtually no impact in the passing game, unfortunately, so his overall career outlook seems limited.

9. Doug Martin - The Muscle Hamster was the revelation of 2012, but crashed down to Earth in 2013. A regression to the mean should be expected, and since there are so few backs (especially young ones) with his level of job security and ability, Martin ranks in the middle of this tier.

8. DeMarco Murray - The players that sandwich Murray are similar in that they carry the same role on their offense, which is that of a 3-down back, as well as Pro Bowl potential. Murray ranks ahead of Martin because of the upward trend in production as opposed to the downward trend of Martin. Murray ranks behind the next guy because the next guy has done it more often.

7. Arian Foster - Even when Foster was putting up MVP numbers, people questioned whether or not he was merely a system back. Now that the system has been overhauled, we’ll find out. Schematics aside, questions also abound about his health, coming off a back injury. He still tops this tier, however, because of his all-around ability and track record that exceeds those ranked below.

 

You’ll Need To Blow Us Away

6. Eddie Lacy - Who doesn't love the way he runs? He makes running hard look easy. One needs to be skeptical about placing too much faith in a player after one season, which is why Lacy isn’t higher on this list than others.

5. Marshawn Lynch - He's the guy in the NFL you'd least want to tackle. The tread on the tires is starting to wear, but Lynch is still two years shy of 30.

4. Matt Forte - He was all world through the end of the regular season. He is also in the conversation for best all-around back in the game. His first year in Marc Trestman’s offense showcased his touchdown abilities, but prior to that, he hadn’t cracked 10 total TDs in 5 years.

 

Untouchables

3. Adrian Peterson - He is the most physically gifted ball-carrier in a generation, putting up reliable numbers for the last seven years with a revolving door at quarterback. He will slow down eventually, but the window is still wide open.

2. Jamaal Charles - Now that he’s the focal point of Andy Reid’s offense, Charles’s explosive abilities have been unleashed upon the league to their fullest potential. He either scored a touchdown or produced 100 yards from scrimmage in every game but two last year.

1. LeSean McCoy - Of the backs in this tier, Shady is the youngest and the most agile in space, so his longevity is of the least concern. He also plays in the most potent offensive system among the group. He could be on the verge of a 2-3 year run as the most valuable commodity in fantasy football.

 


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jameson Williams

Not in the Team's Long-Term Plans?
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Micah Parsons

Plans to be Present for Start of Training Camp
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Ikem Ekwonu

Next Up for Extension in Carolina?
Jalen Thompson

Heading into Last Year With Cardinals?
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Najee Harris

Suffers Eye Injury in Fireworks Mishap
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Nick Nash

Unlikely to Make Falcons Active Roster
Lane Johnson

in No Rush To Retire
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Blake Corum

has "Gotten His Speed Back"
Jarquez Hunter

Picking Up Rams Offense Quickly
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Kirk Cousins

Feels Misled by Falcons
Bijan Robinson

Says Falcons Have "Outlandish Goals" for the Running Game
Luther Burden III

Bears Expect Luther Burden III to be Ready for Training Camp
Cole Kmet

an Unlikely Trade Piece
Tony Pollard

Titans Hope to Balance Rushing Attack With Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Quentin Johnston

Not Assured of Starting Role
Cordarrelle Patterson

on the Roster Bubble in Pittsburgh?
Shedeur Sanders

Not Assured of Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Zach Tom

An Extension Candidate in Green Bay
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Trevor Williams

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Kyren Williams

Rams Not Willing to Pay Kyren Williams Top-Market Money?
Byron Buxton

Exits After Hit-by-Pitch, X-Rays Negative
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Playing on Wednesday
Alex Bregman

has "Really Good Chance" to Return Before All-Star Break
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Expected to Return on Friday
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Carter Bryant

Struggles in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Drops a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Malevy Leons Logs Impressive Summer League Outing on Tuesday
Dalton Knecht

Collects 25 Points in Lakers Summer League Win
Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Bazley Drops 27 Points in Summer League on Tuesday
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Chet Holmgren

Agrees to Rookie Max Extension
Alex Bregman

Not Returning Wednesday
Jhoan Duran

Unavailable Due to Illness
Shane McClanahan

Tosses Clean Frame in First Rehab Appearance
Jacob Wilson

Day-to-Day After HBP
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to be Reassessed Wednesday
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Malaki Branham

Traded to Washington
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Blake Wesley

Moves to Washington
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Kelly Olynyk

on the Move Again
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Cal Raleigh

Continues Historic Homer Pace Tuesday
Jacob Wilson

Exits Early On Tuesday With Left Hand Contusion
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
Luis Garcia

Fans Four in Rehab Outing
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF