Fantasy football: Scouting the running backs
Looking at the top running backs of the NFL season
Le'Veon Bell, Steelers: The rookie out of Michigan State was all set to be a sleeper until a foot injury, which is expected to sideline him until October.
Giovani Bernard, Bengals: An interesting rookie who will start off in a timeshare with BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Of the two, Bernard is more recommended.
Reggie Bush, Lions: Had only 35 catches last year for Miami, one off his career low. Could double that in 2013 in the Lions' pass-first, ask-questions-afterward offense.
Jamaal Charles, Chiefs: With Andy Reid taking over, Charles is being compared to LeSean McCoy. Brian Westbrook is probably closer. Either would be fine, as long as Charles can stay off the injury report. Grab backup Knile Davis as a handcuff.
Matt Forte, Bears: New head coach Marc Trestman's pass-happy offense suits Forte's skills just fine. Here's hoping he leaves Forte in around the goal line.
Arian Foster, Texans: There are some red flags here. Foster is dealing with a back injury in which the pain was going into his legs. He just turned 27, but he's coming off a career-high 351 carries, and the Texans have said they want to get backup Ben Tate more involved. Handle with care.
Frank Gore, 49ers: Has had 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns in each of the last 2 years - without missing a game, by the way. Solid RB2.
Steven Jackson, Falcons: Look for him to crack the 50-reception mark for the first time in 4 years, as well as get more opportunities around the goal line.
Chris Johnson, Titans: A middle-of-the-road option, especially if former Jet Shonn Greene starts stealing goal-line carries.
Eddie Lacy, Packers: Love Lacy's size (5-11, 230) and burst, wonder about his youth. If he can pass protect, Lacy could be an RB2.
Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks: Here's all you need to know about The Beast. In his first 3 years as Seattle's running back, not only have his annual rushing attempts gone up, but so have his yards per carry. He'll get around 25 catches, which drops his value slightly in PPR leagues. Lynch has a DUI case hanging around his neck, but it probably won't be litigated until after the season.
Doug Martin, Buccaneers: Some have Martin projected as the No. 2 pick after he posted 1,454 yards, 49 receptions and 12 touchdowns as a rookie.
Ryan Mathews, Chargers: Danny Woodhead is in the mix as the third-down back, so let Mathews slide into the fourth or fifth rounds.
LeSean McCoy, Eagles: Birds players generally get drafted too quickly in leagues around here just because they play in Philadelphia. That can't be the case with McCoy, who could be argued as the No. 2 overall pick. Assuming he stays healthy, McCoy will be a lot closer to the 20-touchdown campaign 2 years ago than the five he had last year.
Alfred Morris, Redskins: Was strong over the last six regular-season games with four 100-yard rushing outings and eight total touchdowns. Going into his second year, Morris has coach Mike Shanahan's total confidence.
DeMarco Murray, Cowboys: Health concerns are the problem with Murray, who has missed nine games in his two seasons. One other head-scratcher is that in 386 career touches, Murray has only six touchdowns.
Adrian Peterson, Vikings: Best thing about Peterson's coming 8 yards shy of the rushing record was that it gives him something to shoot for this year. AP is the consensus No. 1 overall fantasy pick, regardless of format.
Ray Rice, Ravens: Looks as if Rice will be more heavily involved in the passing game, even to the point at which he will line up outside in some formations. This is good news for leagues that reward points per reception. Bernard Pierce, the 2012 third-rounder out of Temple, is expected to get more carries and should be picked late as a handcuff.
Daryl Richardson, Rams: Richardson will have Week 1 all to himself as Isaiah Pead serves a one-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy.
Trent Richardson, Browns: Former Eagle Dion Lewis was ticketed to be a third-down back for the Browns before he broke his leg in mid-August. This could mean even more snaps for Richardson, who holds extra value in PPR leagues after registering 51 catches (on 70 targets) as a rookie last year.
Stevan Ridley, Patriots: Registered 290 rushing attempts last year after only 87 as a rookie. Ideally, he's a flex or an RB3.
C.J. Spiller, Bills: Best thing to happen to Spiller was getting a rookie coach, a rookie offensive coordinator and rookie EJ Manuel as the quarterback. The vibe is: "Here C.J., run with the ball until we figure out what we're doing."
Shane Vereen, Patriots: Expected to be used extensively in the passing game, which is odd, given that he has eight catches in his 2-year career.
QUICK HITTERS
On the way up: LeSean McCoy, Eagles
On the way down: Chris Johnson, Titans
Riskiest pick: DeMarco Murray, Cowboys
Late-round look: Giovani Bernard, Bengals
Please avoid: Jonathan Dwyer, Steelers
Top rookie: Montee Ball, Broncos
Sleeper: David Wilson, Giants. The G-Men used the final pick in the 2012 first round to nab Wilson and released longtime stalwart Ahmad Bradshaw this winter. Wilson is a hot sleeper pick.