Fantasy Football 2015 Running Back Rankings: Still Rolling With Le'Veon Bell

ELITE TIER

#1 Le’Veon Bell, PIT
#2 Jamaal Charles, KC
#3 Eddie Lacy, GB
#4 Adrian Peterson, MIN
#5 Marshawn Lynch, SEA
#6 C.J. Anderson, DEN
#7 DeMarco Murray, PHI

The top tier is relatively flat. Holding the 6th pick is not much of a disadvantage early. I’ll still go with Le’Veon Bell in the top spot despite the two game suspension, because he is a PPR monster, and compared to many others in this tier, entering his prime.

DeMarco Murray goes to Philadelphia after leading the league in rushing yards. The only reason he is lower this year is that he likely won’t log as many touches with Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles also in Philadelphia.

STAR TIER

#8 Lamar Miller, MIA
#9 LeSean McCoy, BUF
#10 Jeremy Hill, CIN
#11 Justin Forsett, BAL
#12 Matt Forte, CHI

Lamar Miller is a sneaky top pick, as he should be the unquestioned starter on a team with (hopefully) a better offense line and a defense that just added Ndamukong Suh. Justin Forsett broke out at a late age last year, but should be in position to still put up big numbers in Baltimore.

STARTER TIER

#13 Alfred Morris, WAS
#14 Frank Gore, IND
#15 Joseph Randle, DAL
#16 Mark Ingram, NO
#17 Melvin Gordon, SD
#18 Andre Ellington, ARI
#19 Jonathan Stewart, CAR
#20 Todd Gurley, STL
#21 T.J. Yeldon, JAC
#22 Latavius Murray, OAK

This is an interesting tier, that includes rookies and aging veterans and unproven guys moving into good situations. Randle ranks up here based on the quality of the Cowboys offensive line, and he looks like the best option in Dallas. If you take Gurley, be patient. You are likely trading off early production for the chance of someone who could be special later in the year. Jonathan Stewart has little competition in Carolina, with the caveat of health.

COMMITTEE STARTER TIER

#23 Ameer Abdullah, DET
#24 Giovani Bernard, CIN
#25 Chris Ivory, NYJ
#26 C.J. Spiller, NO
#27 Carlos Hyde, SF
#28 Arian Foster, HOU [UPDATE: Arian Foster could return by end of September, which would bump him up to this spot in my rankings. Initially #36]
#29 Shane Vereen, NYG
#30 Doug Martin, TB
#31 Devonta Freeman, ATL
#32 Isaiah Crowell, CLE
#33 Joique Bell, DET
#34 Rashad Jennings, NYG
#35 LeGarrette Blount, NE
#36 Isaiah Crowell, CLE
#37 Tevin Coleman, ATL
#38 Tre Mason, STL
#39 Ryan Matthews, PHI
#40 Darren McFadden, OAK
#41 Alfred Blue, HOU

Where do you take Arian Foster? It depends on how comfortable you are holding someone for half a season. Bernard and Spiller are the two most likely booms for committee backs. The Atlanta situation is one to watch in the upcoming week. Both Freeman and Coleman have missed time, and so the third preseason game may be a big test.

BACKUP TIER

#42 Bishop Sankey, TEN
#43 Duke Johnson, CLE
#44 David Cobb, TEN
#45 Reggie Bush, SF
#46 Montee Ball, DEN
#47 Lorenzo Taliaferro, BAL
#48 Matt Jones, WAS
#49 Knile Davis, KC
#50 Dan Herron, IND
#51 Robert Turbin, SEA
#52 Roy Helu, OAK
#53 Jerick McKinnon, MIN
#54 Danny Woodhead, SD
#55 Charles Sims, TB
#56 Khiry Robinson, NO
#57 DeAngelo Williams, PIT
#58 Chris Johnson, ARI
#59 Fred Jackson, BUF
#60 Chris Polk, HOU
#61 Terrance West, CLE

FREE AGENT TIER

#62 James Starks, GB
#63 James White, NE
#64 Jacquizz Rodgers, CHI
#65 Jonas Gray, NE
#66 Damian Williams, MIA
#67 Darren Sproles, PHI
#68 Cameron Artis-Payne, CAR
#69 Lance Dunbar, DAL
#70 Bilal Powell, NYJ
#71 Denard Robinson, JAC
#72 Theo Riddick, DET