Fantasy: 2016 Running Back Primer

Fantasy Position Primers

Running Backs

It used to be that a running back was a lock to be selected with the first overall pick in fantasy drafts - and the next half dozen picks, too.

This appears to be the year that will change in many leagues. With no clear-cut No. 1 runner, and a small handful of truly elite wideouts with a much smaller chance of busting, many fantasy owners will opt to draft a pass-catcher like Antonio Brown, Julio Jones, or Odell Beckham Jr. with their top selection.

Running back may still be where fantasy leagues are won and lost, however. With fewer elite options than ever before, the value of a locked-in RB1 is huge. Below, we get you up to speed on all the runners of significance.

It's important to remember that these primers are not intended to be tiers for drafting. You can view our complete running back rankings here.

The 1st-Rounders

Todd Gurley, Rams - Despite sitting out the better part of three games to open his career, Gurley finished third in the NFL in rushing and scored 10 touchdowns. Now an additional year removed from ACL surgery, Gurley is ready to become the next face of fantasy football and perhaps the NFL at large. All that stands in his way (quite literally) is the Rams' poor offensive line.

Adrian Peterson, Vikings - How much magic is left in Peterson's 31-year-old legs? If last season's effort (Peterson led the NFL in rushing) is any indication, more than enough to make him worthy of your top pick. A move indoors to the Vikings' new stadium should have a positive effect on Peterson's production. Father Time always wins in the end, but Peterson is a good bet to ward him off for another year.

David Johnson, Cardinals - Perhaps the biggest question mark among the first-round running backs, Johnson could conjure memories of C.J. Anderson circa 2015 fantasy drafts. While Johnson's expected workload is hazy (the Cardinals will pass a lot and Chris Johnson is still in the picture), his talent comes with no uncertainty.

Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys - When is a rookie worthy of a first-round pick in fantasy drafts? When he's as polished a prospect as Elliott is - and when he enters a situation as peachy as the Cowboys' offense. Elliott should face little competition for carries and gets to run behind the NFL's best offensive line. An immediate impact is all but guaranteed.

Suspension Looming

Le'Veon Bell, Steelers - After suffering a major knee injury last November, Bell appeared to be on his way to playing in Week 1, before news came down that he's facing a four-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy. If the ban holds, Bell's stock will fall from fantasy's top-drafted back to a likely third-round pick. Anyone drafting Bell will need to strongly consider reaching for his backup DeAngelo Williams, who fared well when thrust into the starting lineup last season.

Disrespected?

Devonta Freeman, Falcons - Freeman produced more fantasy points than any running back in 2015, yet he finds himself being drafted outside the first round in most leagues. What is it fantasy owners don't trust? Perhaps it's the Falcons' suspect offensive line? Or is it a nagging fear that Tevin Coleman will eventually turn this situation into a timeshare?

Doug Martin, Buccaneers - Martin bounced back in a major way in 2015, finishing second in the NFL in rushing, and was rewarded with a big new contract. Fantasy owners can be forgiven for being a little leery about trusting Martin - his brief career has been a bit of a roller coaster - but those willing to take the plunge could get an elite talent outside the first round.

Value Rising

Lamar Miller, Texans - We're about to find out whether Miller's frustratingly inconsistent production in Miami was the fault of coaches or himself. Now with the Texans, Miller will be unleashed as the featured runner in what is one of the NFL's most intriguing offenses.

Eddie Lacy, Packers - Lacy's fantasy value is inversely proportional to his weight. As more pictures emerge showing a svelte Lacy (he reportedly played at around 260 pounds last season - and his immense size surely contributed to his immensely disappointing year), his fantasy value rises.

Carlos Hyde, 49ers - Will Hyde sink or swim in Chip Kelly's offense? It's a hard question to answer - and also one that could win fantasy leagues for owners who get it right. The 49ers won't score many points, but opportunities will be abundant in Kelly's run-heavy scheme. If Hyde can contribute as a pass-catcher, he could approach RB1 value by sheer volume.

Returning from Injury

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs - What's the bigger threat to Charles retaining RB1 value: The fact that he's returning from a second torn ACL or the fact that the Chiefs re-signed backups Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware? Charles could lose some carries (particularly high-value goal-line work), but he's so good that it's hard to see him not stepping back into his old role as the centerpiece of this offense.

Thomas Rawls, Seahawks - The Seahawks say they expect Rawls to return from a badly broken ankle in time for the season, but they went out and drafted two running backs as insurance policies. Assuming Rawls does get back and plays like he did last season, he should quickly become a fantasy megastar in the void left by Marshawn Lynch.

Dion Lewis, Patriots - Lewis was a breakout fantasy star before a torn ACL ended his season in early November. Whether he can get back his elusiveness will be the key to Lewis regaining his role in the Patriots' offense, and the ample fantasy value that comes with it.

Mark Ingram, Saints - Perhaps including Ingram on the list of players returning from injury is a tad unfair. Ingram missed the final month of the season with a shoulder injury, but there's no reason to expect him to return at anything less than 100 percent.

Arian Foster, Dolphins - Foster finally found a home, despite being a 29-year-old running back coming off a torn Achilles. The veteran will compete with Jay Ajayi for touches, but will likely take over passing-down work and could even emerge as a the team's lead back. Can he return to form and stay healthy?

Little to No Competition

Matt Jones, Reskins - The Redskins didn't add any competition for Jones. This is his job to run with. Perhaps the biggest question is just how much he'll get to run. With a plethora of top receiving options, the Redskins' offense could be an aerial attack.

Jonathan Stewart, Panthers - The 29-year-old Stewart managed to start 13 games last year (a career high), but his production was disappointing considering his ample opportunities.

What's Left in the Tank?

LeSean McCoy, Bills - McCoy struggled through injuries in his first season with the Bills but was very effective in his brief moments of health. He could be a RB1 if he can stay healthy this year. If not, the Bills may move on from the pricey McCoy and turn things over to their talented, younger backups.

Matt Forte, Jets - The Jets made signing the 30-year-old Forte a priority in free agency, so they probably plan to feature him in their offense.

DeMarco Murray, Titans - Is a fresh start what Murray needs to get over his awful 2015 with the Eagles and return to his dominant 2014 form, when he led the NFL in rushing with the Cowboys? The Titans are betting on it, but they hedged that bet by drafting Derrick Henry in the second round.

Frank Gore, Colts - The perpetually underrated Gore is 33 years old and has little tread left on his tires, but he also has a firm grasp on a featured role in what could be one of the NFL's best offenses. He could be a major value pick.

Crowded Backfields

Justin Forsett, Ravens - The red flags with Forsett are numerous. He's 30 years old, coming off a broken arm, and has only one season of feature back production to his name. Oh, and the Ravens have several younger runners they might prefer to see take over.

Chris Ivory, Jaguars - Ivory is only 28 years old, but has a lengthy injury history. The Jaguars could look to limit Ivory's risk of missing time by splitting carries evenly between him and T.J. Yeldon, which might sap the fantasy value of both runners.

Jay Ajayi, Dolphins - The signing of veteran Arian Foster was terrible news for Ajayi's 2016 outlook. Apparently the Dolphins weren't content to turn their rushing attack over to a player with only 49 career rushing attempts.

Post-hype

Latavius Murray, Raiders - Murray's situation is close to ideal after the Raiders beefed up their already-strong offensive line in free agency. But Murray has failed to seize his opportunities in the past and could have a short leash.

Ryan Mathews, Eagles - DeMarco Murray is gone, opening the door for Mathews to be the workhorse. Injuries and consistency, the same issues that have plagued Mathews throughout his career, are the main concerns.

Jeremy Hill, Bengals - Hill was a fantasy star as a rookie, then took a big step back last year. Lacking receiving options, the Bengals will have no choice but to give Hill the ball and hope he rebounds.

Melvin Gordon, Chargers - Gordon's rookie campaign was a huge disappointment and now the former first-round pick is recovering from microfracture surgery. Gordon's ceiling remains sky high, but he comes with tremendous risk.

Ameer Abdullah, Lions - Abdullah showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie but failed to earn the trust of his coaches and settled into a muddy timeshare. The departure of Calvin Johnson could push the Lions toward leaning on the run a little more, but Abdullah will need to earn a larger share of the carries to have consistent fantasy value.

Jeremy Langford, Bears - Langford's rookie production suggested he may have big things ahead, but there's reason to believe he's not as good as his numbers. It's not even a lock that Langford will emerge as the starter in the Bears' backfield.

PPR Darlings

Giovani Bernard, Bengals - With Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu moving onto new teams, the Bengals' passing attack could feature Bernard more than ever before.

Duke Johnson, Browns - Johnson gave us glimpses of elite PPR upside as a rookie. Where he fits in the Browns' overhauled offense will determine whether he reaches that potential.

Danny Woodhead, Chargers - Undervalued every year in fantasy football, Woodhead should again play plenty of snaps - especially if Melvin Gordon's struggles continue.

Must-own Handcuffs

DeAngelo Williams, Steelers - With Le'Veon Bell facing a four-game suspension, Williams' status as fantasy's best handcuff is solidified. Drafting Williams will be imperative for Bell owners.

Tevin Coleman, Falcons - Coleman was the Falcons' starter entering 2015, posting 20 carries for 80 yards in Week 1, before eventually being usurped by Devonta Freeman.

T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars - Chris Ivory was signed to start, but his injury history is lengthy.

Derrick Henry, Titans - Henry is a bulldozer who could be one DeMarco Murray injury away from a featured role in what could be one of the NFL's run-heaviest offenses.

Karlos Williams, Bills - Williams far exceeded expectations as a rookie, but showed up to OTAs out of shape and is now facing a four-game ban for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. His role as McCoy's backup can no longer be taken for granted.

James Starks, Packers - If Lacy doesn't rebound, Starks has proven he can provide decent production for fantasy owners.

Rookies to Stash

Kenneth Dixon, Ravens - Some experts believe the fourth-round rookie is the most talented runner on the Ravens' roster and could win the starting job in camp.

DeAndre Washington, Raiders - The fifth-round pick is more of a pass-catching threat, but if Latavius Murray continues to underwhelm, Washington could take on a bigger role.

Jordan Howard, Bears - The fifth-round pick could have as good a chance as any tailback on the Bears' roster of emerging from the pack with the biggest piece of the timeshare.

C.J. Prosise, Seahawks - Short on experience but long on athleticism, Prosise will likely be used in the receiving game to start and given the chance to carve out a bigger role.

Paul Perkins, Giants - Not much stands in the way of the fifth-round rookie earning a major role on what could be an explosive offense.

Devontae Booker, Broncos - The Broncos gave C.J. Anderson big money, but the rookie could be a better fit for Gary Kubiak's scheme.