Zach Greubel shares his very early 2015 RB rankings.
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It’s never too early to start thinking about the next fantasy football season, and what better way to start off the next season than with good, old-fashioned rankings? Of course, this list will probably fluctuate throughout the offseason with free agency, the NFL Draft and unforeseen circumstances. As current rosters and contracts stand, however, the following are my top-ten running backs for 2015.
1. Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
I, for one, did not give Bell as much credit as he deserved heading into the 2014 season. Bell increased his yards per carry (YPC) by more than a yard from 2013 to 2014, averaging 3.5 YPC in his rookie campaign compared to 4.7 YPC last season. And while Bell equaled his rushing touchdowns from a year ago (8), he increased his yardage total by nearly 1,000 yards. His value really increased in point-per-reception leagues as he finished second among running backs in catches (83), first in receiving yards (854) and tied for third in receiving touchdowns (3). More than 2,000 yards from scrimmage and double-digit touchdowns makes Bell worthy of the top running back spot.
2. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
It remains to be seen if Murray will even stay in Dallas, but this ranking is assuming he does. Murray literally ran away with the rushing title last season, gaining 1,845 yards and scoring 13 times on 393 carries. He was the epitome of a workhorse running back. Of course, with that kind of workload comes the inevitable wear and tear on the body. Additionally, Murray more than likely won’t see close to that number of carries next season, especially if he leaves Dallas. That being said, 2,000 total yards and double-digit touchdowns are still well within reach.
3. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has already said the team has been in negotiations with Marshawn Lynch on a new deal for a while now, so it looks like Beast Mode will be staying in Seattle. Lynch scored a league-high 17 times last season — 13 on the ground, four through the air. The one drawback to Lynch’s game is his lack of involvement in the passing game, catching just 37 passes in 2014; although, he did have those four receiving touchdowns. Still, when you score that much, you’re an elite fantasy running back.
4. Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers
Lacy’s second year had one distinct difference compared to his first year: he was a much better receiver, or at least much more involved in the passing game. While Lacy put up similar numbers on the ground as he did last season — 1,139 yards and nine touchdowns to 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns — he nearly doubled his receiving yardage and scored four times through the air as opposed to not scoring at all through the air in his rookie campaign. Yes, the Packers will remain a passing team first and foremost as long as Aaron Rodgers is at the helm, but Lacy is a top-five fantasy running back as long as he stays healthy.
5. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
It was a quiet, under the radar kind of season for Matt Forte, but he still finished in the top-five fantasy running backs, even in non-PPR scoring. What’s promising about Forte’s future is the new coaching staff in Chicago, headed by run-heavy head coach John Fox. While his output in the passing game could take a hit, I’d bet on him surpassing the 1,038 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns he amassed in 2014.
6. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
The yardage totals weren’t where one would want them to be for Charles in 2014, but the touchdown total made up for that. While Charles barely eclipsed 1,300 yards from scrimmage, he did score 14 times — nine on the ground and five through the air. However, something has to be said about Charles being hampered by knee and ankle issues throughout the season. He may not have been himself last year, but he still finished in the top-ten running backs, which is where he deserves to be placed heading into the 2015 season.
7. Arian Foster, Houston Texans
He played in just 13 games, but Foster still finished with close to 1,600 total yards and 13 total touchdowns. The injury history is a concern, but I’ll take that kind of production in 13 games any year. While he may not play a full season or be the workhorse back he once was, he’s still worthy of top-ten consideration among running backs.
8. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles
It was a relatively disappointing season for LeSean McCoy in 2014, but he still finished in RB1 territory with over 1,500 total yards and five touchdowns. The surprising aspect of McCoy’s season was how little he was involved in the passing game compared to previous years, catching just 28 passes in 2014 compared to the 52 balls he caught in 2013. Still, he was second among running backs with 314 carries and third in rushing yards with 1,319. He faltered in the touchdown category last season with just the five touchdowns, but should still be a shoe-in for top-ten running back status as long as he’s healthy.
9. Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals
While the Bengals will still implement a running back by committee with Hill and Giovani Bernard, Hill is the running back to own in Cincinnati. He started just eight games, but still ran for over 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns, adding 27 catches and 215 receiving yards. Don’t expect a whole lot more than that from Hill through the air, as Bernard will take on most of the duties in that area. Still, Hill shouldn’t have any problem surpassing 1,500 total yards and double-digit touchdowns next season.
10. C.J. Anderson, Denver Broncos
Anderson seemingly came out of nowhere and put the Broncos on his shoulders during the second half of the season. Although he started just seven games, Anderson tallied 1,173 total yards and 10 total touchdowns. With those numbers in seven starts I don’t know why I don’t have him higher on this list.
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Zach is a writer for Gridiron Experts. You can follow Zach on Twitter @zachgreubel.
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