Most NFL fantasy football leagues over emphasize running back statistics in comparison to quarterbacks. Look at any NFL fantasy football draft cheat sheet and they are stacked with running backs at the top. This makes the first running back drafted, the most important pick of any NFL fantasy football owner.
There are a few running backs flying below the radar for the 2010 NFL season and a few running backs that could be forgotten because of an off year in the 2009 NFL season. Running backs to focus on are on teams losing a running back or an emerging back that will take carries from the teams top ball carrier in the 2009 NFL season. The following is a list of the running backs to adjust up and down on the fantasy football running back list.
Comeback Running Back of Year Matt Forte Chicago Bears
Matt Forte was a huge pickup for NFL fantasy football owners in the 2008 NFL season and was saved by many of those same owners to begin 2009. Forte played most of the season for the
Chicago Bears on a bum ankle and was dealing with a new quarterback in Jay Cutler to boot. Look for Forte to get back to his 2008 fantasy football numbers this season. Move him up the list and grab him early if possible.
Clinton Portis is Healthy & Ready to Produce for Washington Redskins
Clinton Portis took a step back in the 2009 NFL season and for 2010 he will be rejuvenated playing with Donovan McNabb in the
Washington Redskins offense. Look for Portis to get more catches out of the backfield as he becomes a critical aspect of the more aggressive Washington attack. Portis has shown in the past he is a threat to break long runs off the short pass and he could be a huge fantasy football pick up in the second round of most fantasy football drafts.
Beanie Wells Will See More Carries With Leinert at QB
Beanie Wells fantasy football value will increase now that Kurt Warner has retired. The new
Arizona Cardinals offense will have to rely on Wells giving them better passing situations by eating up yards on first and second downs. Wells is prone to injury and can be a risky pick but he is worth moving up the running back board.
Marion Barber Will Lose Carries to Jerry Jones Favorite Felix Jones
Marion Barber has been an aggressive, hard hitting running back for several years now in Dallas. The problem for Barber is he has not only delivered punishment, he has also received his share over the years. Felix Jones is showing that he is ready to take on more of the work load. It is important not to over value either running back on the
Dallas Cowboys on any fantasy football draft board. Barber will see less carries in the 2010 NFL season and Jones will see more action.
Chris Johnson Should be Down in Production for 2010 NFL Season
Chris Johnson said in the off season he will rush for 2,500 yards in the upcoming NFL season. Subtract 1,000 yards and it will be more accurate. Johnson will rush for 1,500 yards in the 2010 NFL season but that still makes him a top five NFL rusher. The
Tennessee Titan's Johnson is still worth saving for fantasy football leagues that save two players but he isn't the hot ticket he was last year.
Final Tips for Choosing Running Backs in Fantasy Football
When choosing the first three running backs during a fantasy football draft it is important to look at three key components. The first is if there is a possibility of two backs sharing carries. The second key component to look for is the running backs durability and the third key is to consider the offensive scheme. Will the team be a run first or pass first offense? In fantasy football leagues with four and five running backs it is good to gamble on rookie running backs and back up backs to injury prone running backs.
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