Rating the Running Backs

Now that we’re halfway through the fantasy football season, it’s time to evaluate a position that most fantasy owners place a lot of importance on: RB. In most years, if you spend your first or second round draft choice on an RB, you can be sure that you’re getting a player who’s going to produce. This year, however, we’ve seen a change at the top. LaDainian Tomlinson is an inferior product who looks better in those Vizio commercials than he does on your roster. Southeast Jerome (aka Clinton Portis) is trampling defenders just like he used to do in Denver. While RBs aren’t always easy to land on the waiver wire, there are options available on the trade market. Let’s take a look:

The Charles Barkley Division (Fave Five)

1. Clinton Portis (WSH) As mentioned above, Portis has been running roughshod all over the lig this year. All of those carries may come back to haunt him next season, but right now, he’s the clear leader in the clubhouse among RBs.
2. Marion Barber (DAL) In Week 7, Marion the Barbarian proved that he can be effective with Checkdown Johnson running the offense. His status is only enhanced by his role in the passing game, the Felix Jones injury, and the fact that he’s the goal line back.
3. Steven Jackson (STL) Jackson has shown much improvement over the last three weeks and has left his owners feeling confident going forward. Coach Hayslett knows he needs to feed S-Jax the rock in order to keep his job.
4. Adrian Peterson (MIN) He occasionally looks like garbage, but he’s shown a spark the last two weeks, and that playoff schedule looks mighty fine.
5. Matt Forte (CHI) He hasn’t racked up huge yardage totals, but he’s consistent. He's scored TDs in 5 of his 7 games and his playoff schedule has the Saints and the Packers.

The Anne Hathaway Division (Rising Five)

1. Marshawn Lynch (BUF) Lynch has been somewhat uneven to start the season, but his schedule is incredibly easy from here on out. With NE, CLE, KC, SF, MIA, NYJ, and DEN on tap from Weeks 10-16, Lynch should be able to help your team with its playoff push.
2. Thomas Jones (NYJ) Over his first six games, Jones has 478 yards and 3 TDs. Multiply those numbers over a full season and you’re looking at 1,274 yards and 8 TDs. That's what I projected for him before the season and his upcoming schedule of KC, STL, NE, DEN, SF, BUF, and SEA should only help his stats.
3. Deuce McAllister (NO) With Bush out for somewhere between 3-6 weeks, Deuce will see a heavy workload. Pierre Thomas should steal some of his thunder, but Deuce should produce now that he's fully healthy from his knee injury.
4. Cedric Benson (CIN) Despite giving up 7 sacks on Sunday, the Bengals offense didn't look putrid. Benson ran rather effectively with his 14 carries and is now the starter in Cincinnati (for the time being, at least). Since he's not a factor in the passing game, his value is limited, but the possibility to sneak some TDs means you could do worse.
5. Tim Hightower (ARZ) Don't be fooled by the YPC numbers – Edge’s backup does most of his dirty work in short yardage and goal line situations. We're due for old man James to break down, and Timmy is ready to step in as an every down monster.

The Crude Oil Division (Falling Five)

1. Ryan Grant (GB) Everyone's excited after his first 100 yard game of the season against Indiapolis, but somewhere Lee Corso is shouting "not so fast my friends." He still lacks burst through the hole and running against the Colts isn't groundbreaking. The coaching staff is apparently upset with his inability to secure the football and that could mean a loss of future carries.
2. Brandon Jacobs (NYG) Beej has never been able to make it through a full season. The constant pounding he receives may make Ashlynn Brooke jealous, but it breaks down the 270lb RB. The carousel of carries doesn't help either as Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw see too much of the football for my liking.
3. Julius Jones (SEA) With Seneca Wallace at the helm, no one in the Seattle offense is worth owning. Jones looked extremely mediocre on Sunday and now a healthy Maurice Morris might steal half the carries. Since the Seahawks like Duckett in short distance and goal line packages, what are we getting from Jones here?
4. Le’Ron McClain (BAL) After some strong early performances, McClain's output the past two weeks has been rather pedestrian. McGahee looks strong and Ray Rice is sharing some of the load. The Ravens offense isn't exactly a juggernaut, so it's not like goal line carries are in vast supply. Mankiw would tell you the economics of the situation aren't good for LeRon.
5. Rudi Johnson (DET) Frankly, I’m not sure why the Lions brass is so confused over what to do about its RB situation. Rudi Johnson only has one productive game on his 2008 resume, so why do they keep force-feeding him the ball? Their RB of the future is averaging 4.9 YPC and has big play potential. As the season winds down, Smith will be the guy to own in the Motor City.