Moon Man’s Top 50 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings (PPR/League Play).

The running back field is about to change in 2016! Le’Veon Bell, David Johnson, Adrian Peterson and Todd Gurley are the cream of the crop in Fantasy Football. The only concern with them is health. Fantasy Friends can draft them with ease. Knowing they will produce week in and week out. The 1st round is being bombarded with wide receivers. Antonio Brown and his 100+ reception value, Julio Jones and his 2,000 yard potential and Odell Beckham Jr. and his overall production can be selected with the 1st overall pick.

Running back sensation David Johnson has entered the top 5 conversation. Expected to be on the field for all downs out the gate starting week 1. All the stars shine bright with his size, breakaway speed, quickness, strength, route running skills, big play capabilities and hands. The total package in a potent offense makes sense as your 1st overall pick.

1. Todd Gurley -The Los Angeles Rams franchise player is poised to take over as the #1 fantasy football running back in 2016. Gurley will easily accumulate 360+ Touches/Targets with rookie #1 overall pick Jared Goff being a greenhorn at the quarterback position. Head Coach Jeff Fisher must lean on Gurley’s youth and unique skillset to ensure the Ram’s organization is on the correct path. There is no committee in L.A. and only Tavon Austin at the receiver position. The only question now is. How many years will Todd Gurley’s run go for?
2. David Johnson – Bruce Arians has the Arizona Cardinals offense producing in the fantasy world. Carson Palmer throwing for 35 touchdowns in 2016 wouldn’t shock Moon Man. Michael Floyd, Larry Fitzgerald, J.J. Nelson and John Brown will do their thing again. Moon Man likes Floyd to eat into Fitz’s yardage production and David Johnson to continue making big plays. Arians like veterans and will use the whole roster during a 17 week regular season. This is a good thing for Fantasy Friends. A running back doesn’t have to put up 350+ carries to produce in fantasy consistently. Johnson needs Chris Johnson to be healthy and get touches. It opens the play calling up for David Johnson to get his big run plays and keeps players fresh for weeks 13-17. Of course Moon Man wanted David to get more touches in 2015. He was a big play touchdown machine and efficient with his touches. All in all David Johnson is a stud. He passes the eye test in an offensive system that favors his health in reality while producing in Fantasy. With increased touches/targets in 2016. David Johnson slides into the #2 ranked fantasy running back heading into pre-season.
3. Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings would rush for 2,000 yards if Mike Zimmer used him. Peterson is a #1 running back who could see his touches decline again in 2016. Moon Man is monitoring this situation. There is no doubt Jerick Mckinnon makes plays and is solid on 3rd downs. Makes sense to incorporate him more. Rookie first round pick Laquon Treadwell will produce and the Vikings should pass more in 2016 with Teddy Bridgewater in year 3. AP remains in the top 3 for now.
4. Le’Veon Bell being suspended for 4 games pending an appeal adds to the overthinking of where to draft him. Moon Man likes DeAngelo Williams to see touches even when Bell returns. Health is on the radar but the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Bengals in week 2 which limits their chances of injuring Le’Veon Bell a third time. A suspended Martavis Bryant will lead to increased targets for the underneath game including 50+ receptions for Bell and the emergence 0f Sammie Coates. Moon Man sees Bell offering value in ppr versus his previous unquestioned #1 back status. Standard league Fantasy Friends should exercise caution with Bell.
5. Lamar Miller of the Houston Texans rounds out Moon Man’s top 5. Being that he is the consensus #1 running back in Houston out of the backfield gives him this spot over #6 Ezekiel Elliot. Darren McFadden should see work on third down in Dallas. Moon Man likes Miller’s floor of breaking 800 rushing yards and catching 40+ receptions.
6. Ezekiel Elliot will be the #1 back in Dallas. Alfred Morris should steal touches and McFadden is a threat to get targets. Both Morris and McFadden are solid options at the goaline. Which means exercising caution on Elliot. His upside and the fact that the Dallas Cowboys offensive line opened holes in which Demarco Murray wasn’t touched for 4+ yards past the line of scrimmage in 2014 has him ranked in the top 10. Tony Romo, Jason Written and Dez Bryant requiring a safety over the top has Elliot ranking as a #1 fantasy back as a rookie also.
7. Mark Ingram – New Orleans Saints.
8. Matt Forte – New York Jets.
9. Devonta Freeman – Atlanta Falcons
10. Jeremy Hill – Cincinnati Bengals.
11. Doug Martin – Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
12. Jeremy Langford – Chicago Bears.
13. C.J. Anderson – Denver Broncos.
14. DeMarco Murray – Tennessee Titans.
15. Eddie Lacy – Green Bay Packers.
16. LeSean McCoy – Buffalo Bills.
17. Latavius Murray – Oakland Raiders.
18. Carlos Hyde – San Francisco 49ers.
19. Thomas Rawls – Seattle Seahawks.
20. DeAngelo Williams – Pittsburgh Steelers.
21. Jonathan Stewart – Carolina Panthers.
22. Jamaal Charles – Kansas City Chiefs.
23. Ryan Matthews – Philadelphia Eagles.
24. Melvin Gordon – San Diego Chargers.
25. Ameer Abdullah – Detroit Lions.
26. Duke Johnson Jr. – Cleveland Browns.
27. Jay Ajayi – Miami Dolphins.
28. Matt Jones – Washington Redskins.
29. Chris Ivory – Jacksonville Jaguars.
30. Tevin Coleman – Atlanta Falcons.
31. Rashad Jennings – New York Giants.
32. Derrick Henry – Tennessee Titans ( https://ffnation.comis-dorial-green-beckam-a-fantasy-option-in-2016/ ).
33. Giovanni Benard – Cincinnati Bengals.
34. Dion Lewis – New England Patriots.
35. Frank Gore – Indianapolis Colts.
36. Kenneth Dixon – Baltimore Ravens.
37. Arian Foster – Miami Dolphins.
38. Danny Woodhead – San Diego Chargers.
39. Isaiah Crowell – Cleveland Browns.
40. Justin Forsett – Baltimore Ravens.
41. Charles Simms – Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
42. Charcandrick West – Kansas City Chiefs.
43. Karlos Williams – Buffalo Bills.
44. T.J. Yeldon – Jacksonville Jaguars.
45. DeAndre Washington – Oakland Raiders.
46. Theo Riddick – Detroit Lions.
47. Wendell Smallwood – Philadelphia Eagles.
48. Spencer Ware – Kansas City Chiefs.
49. Javorius Allen – Baltimore Ravens.
50. Keith Marshall – Washington Redskins ( https://ffnation.comwho-will-be-the-best-fantasy-rookie-rbs-in-2016/ ).

Rookies highlighted in blue font. Moon Man is curious to see how the Chief’s and Raven’s running back committees play out during Pre-Season. Clearly backs with upside have more value in League play and win DFS weeks with their low price tag.

As Always,

(Teams Going Off + Thoughts Flexed In = Combination Lineups)

May the Fantasy Force be with you.

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