Mile High Sports

RANKINGS: Top 30 fantasy running backs for 2016

C.J. Anderson

Dec 28, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) after running for a touchdown during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 20-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

We’re heading into the third week of the preseason, which means that it’s time to get down to business. Not only is real football right around the corner, but so is fantasy football!

If you haven’t drafted already, there’s a good chance you’re drafting this week. And if you’re more of a daily fantasy guy, those competitions are already open.

So with that said, we’ll be running through our top-30 positional rankings this week. So far we’ve covered defensestight ends and receivers. Today we’ll be hitting on running backs:

1. David Johnson

2. Todd Gurley

3. Adrian Peterson

Why should I be counting Adrian Peterson out? I don’t care that he’s 31 or that he had 327 rushing attempts last season; he’s Adrian “freaking” Peterson. I’m not counting him out until he’s gone.

I’ll give Gurley and Johnson the nod with the top two spots — they earned that last season — but if I’m picking in the earlier first round, there aren’t many players I trust more than Peterson, especially when he has so many people counting him out.

Not to mention, this may be the best Vikings team Peterson’s played on since Brett Favre was his quarterback.

4. Ezekiel Elliot

5. Eddie Lacy

6. Devonta Freeman

7. Lamar Miller

8. Jamaal Charles

9. Le’Veon Bell

10. C.J. Anderson

I’m not going to beat around the bush … I love C.J. Anderson. I think, when motivated, he’s one of the best running backs in football. We saw that during the second half of both 2014 and 2015. The issue, though, has been the first half of the season.

But with Devontae Booker breathing down his neck, Anderson has all the incentive he needs to remain motivated, and he’s shown that this preseason. He looks slimmer, faster and more agile.

If Anderson can start the majority of the year in a Gary Kubiak offense centered around him, he’ll be a top-10 fantasy back. Easily.

11. Doug Martin

12. LeSean McCoy

13. Latavius Murray

14. Carlos Hyde

15. Jeremy Hill

16. Thomas Rawls

Some people have Rawls a little bit higher, and it makes sense. The Seahawks have long been a one-back offense, and with Marshawn Lynch enjoying the retired life, Rawls looks to be the next man in line.

And he may be; Rawls proved himself last season, and he looks to be the real deal. The only thing holding him back from being a top-tier back is his backfield counterpart, Christine Michael.

Michael was beloved by scouts coming out of college, but personal issues derailed the first few years of his career. Apparently, though, after returning to Seattle late last season, Michael has righted himself and is looking better than ever. If he plays like he did in Week 17 against the Cardinals, he could take a bigger bite out of Rawls’ production than we expect.

18. Melvin Gordon

19. Ryan Mathews

20. Jeremy Langford

21. Ameer Abdullah

22. Matt Forte

23. Chris Ivory

23. DeMarco Murray

24. Derrick Henry

In most drafts, DeMarco Murray is going considerably earlier than Derrick Henry, but if I’m drafting, I’d much rather wait a few rounds and select the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.

While most Heisman backs fail to make much of an impact in the NFL, Henry looks the part — as in, he’s a freak of nature (6-foot-3, 247 pounds)

Not only is he averaging 7.5 yards per carry in the preseason, but the Titans have constructed their offense around their run game, and it’s working. Henry will get every opportunity to succeed, and while Murray (who’s averaging 10.3 yards per carry) will, too, Henry’s upside is sky high.

25. Jonathan Stewart

26. Giovani Bernard

27. Matt Jones

28. Rashad Jennings

29. Duke Johnson

30. Devontae Booker

If there’s one thing Devontae Booker has proven this offseason, it’s that he’s ready to contribute right now, and he’ll be given an opportunity to do so.

Even if Anderson is Denver’s No. 1 back, Booker will get plenty of touches — just like Anderson did last year when Ronnie Hillman was the No. 1. But if Anderson goes down, which he’s prone to doing, it’ll be Booker who steps up, and he may not give the job back.

The Broncos have a lot of faith in Booker, as does the rest of the team. If things break his way, he could have a big year.


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