Top 5 Rookie Running Backs

Top 5 Rookie Running Backs

Ryan Mathews – Ryan Mathews is the #1 overall pick in ALL of your rookie drafts. He is currently projected as a 1st round pick in re-draft leagues so fantasy leaguers take notice. Norv Turner has let fantasy owners around the world know that he plans to give Mathews, at minimum 290 touches. 250+ carries and 40+ catches. Its great to know what we are getting with Mathews with Sproles still under contract but it is evident they traded up for and subsequently drafted Mathews to be a feature back, and not a committee back like the rest of the rookie running backs drafted.

Jahvid Best – Jahvid Best is the object of his offensive coordinators wet dreams, need I say more? All kidding aside Jahvid Best will be given a full workload and will, health permitting be one of the top fantasy backs this season. Best has home-run ability and will be used all over the field for the Lions. His dynamic play-making ability will be well utilized by the Lions and he will outplay his non-keeper draft position.Dynasty leaguers take notice, he will contend with Mathews to be the most productive fantasy rookie running back of 2010.

Montario Hardesty – Despite Jerome Harrison breaking out at the end of last season the Browns were aggressive in trading up to select bruising running back Montario Hardesty. Harrison is an old regime running back that most NFL-types consider a 3rd down/change of pace back despite his late season performance. Hardesty is a new regime running back that will likely be handed the feature role to start the season as Jerome Harrison missed some time in OTA’s allowing Montario to start getting reps with first team immediately. Hardesty may not have had the hype of Spiller but will likely outperform him in 2010. We are not sold on his long-term prospects with James Davis also on the roster, but once again Davis is an old regime running back and thus Hardesty will get the chance to shine.

Ben Tate – Ben Tate is in a position to succeed. Drafted into the perfect scheme for him to excel Ben Tate will be the 70-30 lead back in a committee that will also feature Steve Slaton. Ben Tate possessed the best speed score of any running back in this draft and is a WMFL favorite despite the fact that Steve Slaton is just one year removed from being a top-6 fantasy running back. Ben Tate’s size/speed blend makes fanlaysts like myself drool, add to that the opportunity he is afforded with the Texans dying for a one-cut power back, and much like Slaton, Tate is tailor-made for this offensive scheme, but unlike Slaton he has the ability to run through the tackles. Tate is my dark-horse for offensive rookie of the year.

C.J Spiller – C.J Spiller likely has the highest upside of any running back on this list, and that is why he was the first running back selected in the NFL draft. With that said he is in a terrible situation with two potential feature backs already on the roster. Now while Spiller was drafted to play, he will likely have an uphill battle to climb in the carries department. His long-term dynasty outlook shows cause for optimism as the Bills will look to build their offense around C.J Spiller, who is nowhere near the headcase the talented Marshawn Lynch has become for the Buffalo Bills.