Tiered Running Back Rankings: Top 50 in Fantasy Football

July 30, 2014

Zach Wilkens analyzes the top 50 NFL running backs for the 2014 season. These fantasy football rankings should help you choose the right RB on draft day.

This is the final segment of our tiered Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings and analysis.  We've already looked at the Top 12, Top 25 and Top 37 running backs, and we're getting into the lowest tier options at this point, but these are still players you'll need to know as you prepare for your 2014 fantasy football drafts.

These rankings are tiered, and within each tier you can interchange players to your liking. Separate tiers signify where I think there are clear distinctions in value. For example, Tier 1 recognizes the elite at the position, feature backs and proven studs. Tier 2 has guys I would consider great, but with potential concerns, and so it goes down the list. I'd love to read your comments and disagreements below!

For more tiered rankings and analysis, be sure to check out our Wide Receiver Rankings (Top 20, Top 40, Top 60) and our Quarterback Rankings (Top 10, Top 21, Top 32, Dynasty Top 15), as well as RotoBaller's overall Standard League and PPR Rankings.

Tier 6 Running Backs (Cont.)

38. Maurice Jones-Drew - Oakland Raiders - 5'7" 210 lbs (Formerly Jacksonville Jaguars)

234 Att - 803 Yards - 5 TD / 43 Rec - 314 Yards - 0 TD

Coaching Change: None

On a smaller scale than Trent Richardson or Ray Rice, MJD was a pretty big disappointment last year. Without having the stats in front of you, I think most people would be surprised to see that MJD had over 1,000 total yards. As a runner, he was often dismal, but he actually remained a pretty solid pass-catcher. For what it's worth, MJD himself has stated that he would retire if he didn't feel he could be among the best at the position. He will get one more shot at it, and I can imagine a scenario in which he ends up as a decent RB2. According to ProFootballFocus, the Jaguars were by far the worst run-blocking team last year. The loss of Luke Joeckel and the trading of Eugene Monroe basically killed any shot MJD had a good season. The Raiders won't be one of the best, but they should be better than the Jags run blocking last year. I hemmed and hawed over MJD or Darren Mcfadden, and finally settled on MJD as the better option. They put up similar numbers last year, but MJD was on the worse team and has been the healthier player over his career. MJD is also a better receiver, though they are both decent in this regard. As long as McFadden is healthy, Jones-Drew probably won't see more than a 60-40 split, so his upside is limited, but I think he can be better than many expect this season.

39. Darren McFadden - Oakland Raiders - 6'1" 218 lbs

114 Att - 379 Yards - 5 TD / 17 Rec - 108 Yards - 0 TD

Coaching Change: None

As you can see, MJD and McFadden are right next to each other in the rankings. I am basically split on who is likely to end up with more touches, or if it will just be 50/50. The main factor in McFadden being further down the list is his health. McFadden has never played a full season and was playing at less than 100% for a lot of last year. I still believe a healthy McFadden could be a positive for any team in the league. That said, he has been nothing short of terrible over the past two seasons, and he could easily end up being a wasted fantasy draft pick. I do think McFadden is underrated from a talent perspective, but the risks are undeniable.

40. Pierre Thomas - New Orleans Saints - 5'11" 215 lbs

147 Att - 549 Yards - 2 TD / 77 Rec - 513 Yards - 3 TD

Coaching Change: None

As a rusher, Thomas was mediocre last season. As a receiver, he was one of the most dependable players in the league, and a great PPR option almost every week. He led all running backs with 77 receptions, and perhaps more impressively, he had the highest percentage of converted targets for any back. It didn't come out of nowhere, but it was still very impressive to see Thomas excel as a pass-catcher. While I expect Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson to take over the majority of carries, I expect Thomas to remain a key piece of the passing game. With Brandin Cooks eating up targets, 70+ receptions is unlikely, but a reception total somewhere in the 50s is more than feasible.

41. Khiry Robinson - New Orleans Saints - 6'0" 220 lbs

54 Att - 224 Yards - 1 TD / 0 Rec - 0 Yards - 0 TD

Coaching Change: None

Robinson was probably the best player last season that I had never heard of. He was undrafted and impressed coaches in the preseason, which he was able to turn into some minor playing time throughout the season. It wasn't until the final two games of the regular season and then the playoffs that he really got an extended look, and he did quite well with it. He was the lead runner for the Saints in their divisional playoff game against the Seahawks, and he performed surprisingly well. With Pierre Thomas likely primarily a receiver, there are quite a few carries up for grabs in New Orleans. And with as well as Mark Ingram played last season, I don't believe he is that good, so the real problem with Robinson's value lies in the Saints offense. He didn't catch a single pass during the regular season; furthermore, the Saints simply don't run the ball much, and they don't use a feature back when they do. You have to go back to 2006 with Deuce McAllister to find the last Saints RB with 200 or more attempts. That prevents Khiry from being a huge sleeper, but if he can get 150 carries, he is likely to be valuable for several games in 2014.

Tier 7 Running Backs

42. Bernard Pierce - Baltimore Ravens - 6'0" 230 lbs

152 Att - 436 Yards - 2 TD / 20 Rec - 104 Yards - 0 TD

Coaching Change: OC - Gary Kubiak

Ray Rice wasn't the only disappointing RB for the Ravens. The Ravens tried to use Pierce a lot as Rice was hurt and struggling, but he somehow was a worse ball carrier. Of players with 100 carries, Pierce ranked T-53rd out of 55 (tied with Trent Richardson and ahead of the now-retired Willis Mcgahee in yards per carry). So you can understand why I'm lukewarm to the idea that he could steal the job away from Rice when Rice returns from his two-game suspension. I think it is more likely that Lorenzo Taliaferro starts a game before Pierce becomes the #1 back. That said, he is probably the only back this late with a very high chance for 15-20 carries in multiple games. Sometimes opportunity is all that matters with running back value.

43. Tre Mason - St. Louis Rams - 5'8" 207 lbs (Drafted via Auburn Tigers)

College stats: 317 Att - 1,816 Yards - 23 TD / 12 Rec - 163 Yards - 1 TD

Coaching Change: None

I love Tre Mason. He was a touchdown machine last year in one of the premier conferences in college football. He was one of just seven players to have 300 rushing attempts in Division I last year, so I have no doubt that if he wins a starting job at some point, he can handle it. The obvious problem here is Zac Stacy, whom I am not a fan of. The Rams have claimed it will be an open competition for the starting job. While that may be true, I expect the odds to be heavily stacked in Stacy's favor to start after his superb rookie season. That said, I think Mason should see 5-10 carries a game to start, which is enough that if he outperforms Stacy in the first few games, he could easily become the featured back. This late in the draft, Mason is one of my favorite picks based on upside. If you don't totally buy into Zac Stacy's talent, Mason is someone you have to be investigating.

44. Jonathan Stewart - Carolina Panthers - 5'10" 235 lbs

48 Att - 180 Yards - 0 TD / 7 Rec - 44 Yards - 0 TD

Coaching Change: None

Another disappointing, injury-marred season for fantasy frustration Jonathan Stewart. The big question is: if Jonathan Stewart stays healthy, what is he capable of? This was a guy drafted 13th overall in 2008 who started off his career with 21 total touchdowns in his first two seasons. He has had just 10 total in the last four seasons combined. I still believe a healthy Stewart can be an impact player, which is why he makes this list. Even if Stewart is healthy, for how long can he sustain it? The past two years indicate a breakdown is likely at some point, but the Panthers have one of the worst groups of receivers in the game. We may see a scenario where Williams and Stewart both get plenty of touches until Stewart inevitably breaks down. If he can give you six games of 20 touches before that happens, he's probably more valuable than a lot of other draft picks this late. It's also worth mentioning he has been a decent receiver in the past. While I like Williams better, Stewart could be a deep sleeper in PPR leagues.

Tier 8 Running Backs

45. Andre Brown - Houston Texans - 6'0" 227 lbs (Previously New York Giants)

139 Att - 492 Yards - 3 TD / 20 Rec - 103 Yards - 0 TD

Coaching Change: HC/OC Bill O'Brien

When on the field, Brown has been pretty productive, with 11 touchdowns in 214 career attempts. Staying on the field is a big part of the problem, which represents a clear risk to his productivity this season. However, I do think he is the heavy favorite to be the #2 behind Arian Foster. Even though there is a new coach in town, the Texans have been able to use multiple backs with success. The passing game is suspect, so the backup RB should get plenty of touches. Brown has good size to be a goal-line back. Considering Foster's health issues, Andre Brown would be one of the few handcuffs I would seriously consider in a draft.

46. Ahmad Bradshaw - Indianapolis Colts - 5'10" 217 lbs

41 Att - 186 Yards - 2 TD / 7 Rec - 42 Yards - 0 TD

Coaching Change: None

Part of me feels like I am not giving Bradshaw a fair shake here. Bradshaw only played three games last year, but he looked really good against the tough 49ers. It was also his only game with Trent Richardson, whom he clearly outplayed. After that, Bradshaw had season-ending neck surgery and Richardson did almost nothing. If they were both to continue their 2013 pace, the Colts would have no choice but to let Bradshaw be the main guy. Of course, things rarely work out that way. Trent Richardson will still get every chance to succeed, and I do believe he should be better. Bradshaw is coming off a season-ending injury-- who knows how well he will do? A lot of potential, sure, but I also feel Bradshaw is less likely to end up in a best-case scenario compared to some other guys on this list.

47. Legarrette Blount - Pittsburgh Steelers - 6'0" 250 lbs (Formerly New England Patriots)

2013: 153 Att - 772 Yards - 7 TD / 2 Rec - 38 Yards - 0 TD

Coaching Change: None

It was one heck of a year for Blount, who was completely off the radar at season's start. With Ridley fumbling his chances away and Vereen hurt, Blount worked his way into the mix and consistently did the most with his carries. By season's end he was the main guy, with his high point coming in a dominating performance against Indy in the playoffs (166 yards, 4 TD). Had he stayed in New England, he would have been the favorite to be #1; instead he moves to the Steelers, where he will start as nothing more than the alternative to Le'veon Bell. Blount could certainly get 5-10 touches a game while spelling Bell, but that's not going to be enough to be an impact fantasy back. Bell did average just 3.5 YPC last year-- if that continues, don't be surprised to see Blount in a repeat of 2013.

48. Devonta Freeman - Atlanta Falcons - 5'8" 206 lbs (Drafted via Florida State)

2013 College Stats: 173 Att - 1016 Yards - 14 TD / 22 Rec - 278 Yards - 1 TD

Coaching Change: None

It doesn't get much better than to be Freeman right now. He was part of the championship Florida State team, and he followed that up by landing in perhaps the best long-term situation of any rookie RB, with a high-caliber quarterback and a job that is his for the taking by next year. For this year, Steven Jackson is still the main guy, as long as he can play well and stay healthy. Freeman is likely being set up for a role as backup rusher and battling Jacquizz Rodgers for the role of receiving back. Freeman is ranked fairly low because there is a strong chance that S-Jax is the primary back while Jacquizz Rodgers is the pass-catcher, leaving very limited opportunities for Freeman. He is one you will want to keep an eye on as the preseason progresses, though.

49. Donald Brown - San Diego Chargers - 5'10" 207 lbs (Formerly Indianapolis Colts)

2013: 102 Att - 537 Yards - 6 TD / 27 Rec - 214 Yards - 2 TD

Coaching Change: OC - Frank Reich

I am still baffled by Donald Brown's 2013 performance. Of all running backs with at least 100 attempts, Donald Brown finished second in yards per carry, while setting a new career-high in touchdowns!?! That doesn't even include his two touchdowns in the postseason, at which point he'd completely overtaken Trent Richardson. Yep, the former first-round bust was one of the biggest surprises in 201, and he turned this into a nice deal with the Chargers. I'm glad he is getting paid-- he earned it-- but what a ding to his rising fantasy value. Feature back already in place? Check. One of the best receiving backs in the league as #2? Check. As it stands, Brown just isn't going to see more than 5-6 touches a game. I justify his ranking on the basis of what could happen if he gets to 10-12 touches or more a game. If he can continue to show the talent he exhibited last year, he may force himself into a bigger role, which would mean fantasy potential even at just 10 touches a game.

50. Terrance West - Cleveland Browns - 5'10" 225 lbs (Drafted via Towson)

2013 College Stats: 413 Att - 2,509 Yards - 41 TD / 26 Rec - 258 Yards - 1 TD

Coaching Change: HC - Mike Pettine, OC - Kyle Shanahan

Talk about jaw-dropping numbers! Terrance West played in the D-1 FCS subdivision, so take the numbers with a grain of salt, but he nevertheless broke records. The small-school back managed to turn his success into a third-round draft pick onto a team where he will have a chance to compete for the starting job right away. As you can see with my rankings, I am a Ben Tate believer, so I don't see West making big contributions this year. Tate does have an injury history though, and if West manages to start some games, there is a ton of upside. Very few college players get as many touches as West did and that is a little alarming-- another one to keep an eye on throughout August.