The start of the Fantasy Football season will be here before you know it. Which means it's time to start preparing for your draft. No one has ever won a league during the draft, but plenty have lost their league. Al King and I are here to help make sure the latter doesn't happen It's a passing league, which means it's harder to find top-end fantasy running backs. There is more promise than last year, but you should still load up on them early and often. Before the rankings, some housekeeping notes.
Unless otherwise noted, these rankings assume a standard ESPN Fantasy League. Al and I will tag-team for your ultimate 2015 Fantasy Football Guide. We'll update that guide regularly with positional rankings, a big board and everything you need to dominate your league. Feel free to hit up Tom Downey or Al King on Twitter if you have any questions.
Al King's running back rankings can be found here.
Last Update: August 29
1. Adrian Peterson, MIN
Peterson played in just one game last year, but I expect to rebound with a massive season.
2. Eddie Lacy, GB
Lacy had a great season last year and that shouldn't change. There also isn't any real injury risk.
3. Jamaal Charles, KC
The Chiefs' offense runs through Charles.
4. Marshawn Lynch, SEA
He's still Beast Mode, but Jimmy Graham might steal a few red zone TDs.
5. Le'Veon Bell, PIT
Bell was second among RBs last year. I think he drops just a bit, but he's well worth an early pick. His suspension knocks down his value.
6. C.J. Anderson, DEN
Not many knew who Anderson was before last year, but they should now.
7. Matt Forte, CHI
I don't think Forte catches as many passes, but he's still a Top 10 RB.
8. Jeremy Hill, CIN
Hill didn't start the year as a starter, but he finished as a Top 10 RB.
9. LeSean McCoy, BUF
McCoy didn't score much last season, which hurt his production. He might score more this season, but heading to Buffalo will hurt his numbers.
10. DeMarco Murray, PHI
Regression is all but assured after Murray's career year. He's never been healthy before last year and his offensive line won't be as good in Philly as it was in Dallas.
11. Lamar Miller, MIA
Miller might not produce another Top 10 season, but he's worth drafting as an RB2.
12. Alfred Morris, WAS
Morris finished 13th last season and should produce similar numbers this year.
13. Justin Forsett, BAL
Don't expect Forsett to be a Top eight back this year, but he's still worth plugging in as an RB2.
14. Carlos Hyde, SF
Don't be surprised if he out-produces Frank Gore.
15. Latavius Murray, OAK
Murray flashed big-time potential in limited time last season. He's boom-or-bust, but he's looked strong in the preseason.
16. Frank Gore, IND
Gore is aging, but it's worth seeing if he can keep it going in Indy.
17. Mark Ingram, NO
If the Saints do run the ball more, Ingram should get most of the work. There is some risk though, as Ingram has been hurt and ineffective in the past.
18. Melvin Gordon, SD
Gordon has a better supporting cast than Gurley.
19. Jonathan Stewart, CAR
Stewart was 23rd among RBs last season and now DeAngelo Williams is gone. He's a sleeper this season.
20. Rashad Jennings, NYG
If he can stay healthy, Jennings could be a high-end RB2.
21. Andre Ellington, ARI
I like Ellington, but he's a bit too small to handle a full workload. He's a flex this year. The addition of Chris Johnson doesn't worry me.
22. T.J. Yeldon, JAC
It looks like he'll be the starter, but I don't trust him or the Jags offense 100 percent.
23. Joseph Randle, DAL
No Murray means Randle could have a breakout season. I suspect he'll be the starter.
24. Joique Bell, DET
Bell was 14th last season, but I expect him to produce more like a high-end flex this year. There are rumblings he's not in great shape, which worries me.
25. Doug Martin, TB
Martin had a down year last season, but has looked sharp in the preseason.
26. Isaiah Crowell, CLE
Crowell is one of several good backs in Cleveland who will all eat into each other's touches.
27. Ameer Abdullah, DET
He's talented, but he's got to find a way to take carries away from Bell.
28. Chris Ivory, NYJ
Ivory was 19th among RBs last year, but I doubt he produces like that again.
29. Tevin Coleman, ATL
He's just a rookie, but he'll try to win the starting job.
30. Todd Gurley, STL
Gurley is the better runner, but he's had injury problems his whole college career. His O-line is also a work in progress. I'm not sure he is the Week 1 starter.
31. LeGarrette Blount, NE
Vereen and Ridley are gone, which could mean bigger numbers for Blount. But, Belichick tends to share the ball in weird and unexpected ways.
32. Gio Bernard, CIN
Despite falling behind Hill on the depth chart, Bernard was 18th among fantasy RBs. He gets a bump in PPR.
33. Ryan Mathews, PHI
He's constantly injured and now plays in the most injury-prone backfield in the NFL. Draft him as a backup, especially if you take Murray.
34. Bishop Sankey, TEN
A second round pick last year, Sankey never got going. Maybe that changes this year. He's worth a flier and has looked decent in the preseason.
35. Shane Vereen, NYG
He's great for PPR leagues, but just doesn't have enough carries to justify anything more than a flex play.
36. Devonta Freeman, ATL
Freeman is competing with Coleman. They might end up sharing touches early on in the season.
37. Alfred Blue, HOU
With Foster's injury, Blue's value skyrockets. Still, he's no lock to be the starter.
38. C.J. Spiller, NO
He'll pretty much replace Reggie Bush. If he can stay healthy, he could take away some carries from Mark Ingram. He could be a nice PPR play.
39. Darren McFadden, DAL
If McFadden can stay healthy, maybe he can show why he was a high draft pick. Hopefully either Randle or McFadden gets the bulk of the carries.
40. Duke Johson, CLE
He's just a rookie, but Johnson has the ability to earn carries in Cleveland's backfield.
41. Tre Mason, STL
Mason was 25th in RB fantasy points last season, but the Rams drafted Gurley to replace him.
42. Charles Sims, TB
Sims will try to wrestle away Martin's starting job.
43. DeAngelo Williams, PIT
Williams is the backup to Bell, but should get at least a few touches per game. If you take Bell, grabbing Williams for the first few games is a must.
44. Andre Williams, NYG
Filled in well for an injured Rashad Jennings, but it's Jennings' job to lose.
45. Terrance West, CLE
West split carries with Crowell last year and now Duke Johnson is in the mix.
46. Fred Jackson, BUF
Was stuck sharing with Spiller last year. Now he's stuck behind McCoy.
47. Arian Foster, HOU
Foster might be back by Week 4. He's worth a late-round pick.
48. James White, NE
Essentially redshirted last season. Belichick could find ways to give him carries.
49. Ronnie Hillman, DEN
Hillman has looked good this preseason, but Anderson is still the starter.
50. Knile Davis, KC
Has shown flashes as Charles' backup, but only has value if Charles is hurt.
51. Denard Robinson, JAC
Robinson flashed some potential, but the Jaguars spent a high pick on Yeldon.
52. Lorenzo Taliaferro, BAL
He's not well-known, but should be Forsett's backup.
53. David Johnson, ARI
Could be the big back that Arizona pairs with Ellington.
54. Matt Asiata, MIN
Asiata had a great year last year, but Peterson is back now. He should still be the backup though.
55. Reggie Bush, SF
He's constantly injured and will be limited to third down duties. Has some upside in PPR.
56. David Cobb, TEN
The rookie is behind Sankey, but could get a shot.
57. Darren Sproles, PHI
Aging third-down back. Still has PPR value.
58. Danny Woodhead, SD
See above.
59. Khiry Robinson, NO
If Ingram goes down, Robinson could get the call.
60. Dan Herron, IND
If Gore is out of gas, Herron will become the starter.
61. Theo Riddick, DET
Played better than Reggie Bush did last year, but Riddick is best in a PPR format.
62. Montee Ball, DEN
Ball looks like the third back this season for Denver.
63. Matt Jones, WAS
Jones is a bruiser and there is a he might vulture a few TDs from Morris.
64. Jay Ajayi, MIA
Will need to find a way to cut into Miller's carries to have value.
65. Travaris Cadet, NE
Cadet could be Shane Vereen's PPR replacement in New England.
66. Roy Helu, OAK
Somehow, he finished 38th among RBs last season. More of a third down back.
67. Stevan Ridley, NYJ
Let's see how he does outside of New England.
68. James Starks, GB
Eddie Lacy's backup. Isn't worth much.
69. Trent Richardson, OAK
This might be Richardson's last chance. I'm not optimistic.
70. Branden Oliver, SD
He finished 29th last season, but Gordon is the feature back now.
71. Robert Turbin, SEA
If something happens to Lynch, Turbin might get the call.
72. Christine Michael, SEA
Turbin and Michael will be the ones competing to backup Lynch.
73. Donald Brown, SD
Brown struggled last year and now has to deal with Melvin Gordon.
74. Zac Stacy, NYJ
Stacy forced his way out of St. Louis, but playing in New York likely won't be a boon for his fantasy stock.
75. Ahmad Bradshaw, FA
Bradshaw might have some fantasy value if he lands with a team.
76. Pierre Thomas, FA
If he signs somewhere, he could be a decent PPR option.
77. Buck Allen, BAL
Allen has long-term potential.
78. Damien Williams, MIA
Will compete with Ajayi for backup duties.
79. Jerick McKinnon, MIN
It appears he's still third on the depth chart in Minnesota.
80. Toby Gerhart, JAC
Gerhart is now third on the depth chart in Jacksonville.
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