By Steve Strange. Steve Strange, a graduate of Penn State’s Center for Sports Journalism in 2006, is currently writing Fantasy is Reality, a book geared around the commissioner aspect of fantasy sports. Steve has been playing fantasy sports of all sorts and sizes since 1997. Feel free to e-mail Steve questions and comments at [email protected].
These 2010 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings will be updated often throughout the summer, so make sure you check back from time to time. Also, be sure to check out the other 2010 Fantasy Football articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2010 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material.
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Montario Hardesty, RB, Browns. Bye: 8.
At this point in the list, unknown commodities are a good thing. Hardesty had 1,345 rushing yards as a Tennessee Volunteer last season.
What to Like: Hardesty is a physical 225-pound back that Mike Holmgren and Eric Mangini are gushing over.
Concern: It is easy to look good in Browns minicamp.
X-Factor: Although Eric Mangenius would prefer to plunge it up the gut 40 times a game, the Browns best offense is Josh Cribbs leading the Wildcat. The Browns inked Cribbs to an extension to use him, and he’ll steal snaps from whoever starts in Cleveland’s backfield.
I’m not a Hardesty believer, but Mangenius likes to run the ball. The Cleveland running back situation deserves attention.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 680 rushing yards. 21 catches. 200 receiving yards. 5 total TDs.
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Thomas Jones, RB, Chiefs. Bye: 4.
Thomas Jones rushed for 1,402 yards last season. As a reward, Jones was released. He’s now competing with Jamaal Charles for touches.
What to Like: Remember when Jones’ two-touchdown 2007 was a major fantasy concern? Well, he’s had 29 touchdowns over the last two seasons.
Concern: Jones is 32 years old and teams weren’t scrambling to sign him this offseason.
X-Factor: Charles missed time in June with a shoulder injury, and Jones is impressing in the weight room. Jones won the month of June, for whatever that’s worth.
It’s Charles’ job to lose, but Jones should steal touchdowns and receptions.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 530 rushing yards. 26 catches. 240 receiving yards. 6 total TDs.
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Darren Sproles, RB, Chargers. Bye: 10.
I’m glad I don’t have to watch LaDainian Tomlinson amble into the end-zone from the 1-yard line as a Charger anymore. He stole a lot of touchdowns from Sproles and other more deserving Lighting Bolts the last couple of seasons.
What to Like: Sproles had 45 receptions and seven touchdowns in limited field time last season.
Concern: There is some kind of unwritten NFL rule against giving 180-pound running backs more than 100 carries. Even though Sproles has been explosive and injury-free, the Chargers drafted Ryan Mathews with the 12th-overall pick.
X-Factor: The Chargers offensive line starts the season with a healthy Nick Hardwick, and they have an explosive passing game. The Chargers running back spot is a nice job to have.
Ryan Mathews is the unquestioned starter, and the Bolts don’t trust Sproles to handle the load.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 360 rushing yards. 47 catches. 505 receiving yards. 1 total TD.
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Donald Brown, RB, Colts. Bye: 7.
The Colts 2009 first-round draft pick should eventually replace Joseph Addai in the Colts backfield. The question is when?
What to Like: Brown only has to outperform Joseph Addai to line up behind Peyton Manning.
Concern: Brown’s pass blocking is a problem, and he really was not overly impressive last season. He had three double-digit carry games, and didn’t average more than 3.0 YPC in any of them.
X-Factor: Joseph Addai had 51 receptions last year. The Colts running back position is a source of reception wealth.
Brown is worth taking a flier on if you can afford the roster spot.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 400 rushing yards. 33 catches. 490 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
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LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Jets. Bye: 7.
Tomlinson averaged 3.3 YPC in a dream running back situation last season. He’s done.
What to Like: Tomlinson is motivated to prove doubters like me wrong. He’s slated as the backup, but he’s a Shonn Greene slip-up or injury away from being a huge fantasy factor.
Concern: Joe McKnight could do for the Jets what Leon Washington was supposed to. The fourth-round pick is sure to steal carries and receptions.
X-Factor: Tomlinson still has the ability to score touchdowns. He hit pay dirt 12 times last season.
Tomlinson has some things going for him, but resist the urge to succumb to name recognition. Chances are he was great for most of us one point or another, but those days are gone.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 350 rushing yards. 35 catches. 320 receiving yards. 6 total TDs.
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Fred Jackson, RB, Bills. Bye: 6.
Unfortunately for Jackson, it looks like he will never get a true chance to be a season-long fantasy workhorse. He’s a solid NFL football player, though.
What to Like: Jackson’s career YPC average is 4.5, and Chan Gailey likes to rotate personnel groupings.
Concern: On top of the obvious addition of C.J. Spiller and the reappearance of Marshawn Lynch, Jackson also runs behind an offensive line that is a work in progress.
X-Factor: The Bills don’t have much of a passing game, and Gailey appears conservative by nature. There should be plenty of carries to go around, although Jackson may be weaving through a defense with nine in the box.
You know that Jackson is a productive player. His fantasy value is trapped in the legs of Spiller’s development, and the uncertainty of Marshawn Lynch’s happiness.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 525 rushing yards. 34 catches. 330 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
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Kevin Smith, RB, Lions. Bye: 7.
Smith’s 2009 ended with an ACL tear in Week 14, but he only was averaging 3.4 YPC anyway.
What to Like: Smith had 1,262 total yards and eight touchdowns as the Lions starting running back in 2008.
Concern: The Lions drafted Jahvid Best in the first round, and Smith is already getting his knee wrapped and missing walkthroughs. Not your ideal offseason.
X-Factor: The Lions offense as a whole could be much more explosive this season. If the offensive line can gel, look out.
Don’t completely discount Smith because of one down season. Keep an eye on his development in the preseason.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 510 rushing yards. 33 catches. 320 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
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Larry Johnson, RB, Redskins. Bye: 9.
Johnson’s a head case. I remember hearing stories about him at Penn State flipping tables and flipping off fans. And if you have problems playing for Dick Vermeil, the ultimate players’ coach, then you have problems.
What to Like: Johnson had back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons in 2005 and 2006. He’s 30 years old, and missed 21 games the last three seasons. He should have some juice left.
Concern: Washington brought in Larry Johnson, but they also added “Fast” Willie Parker. Clinton Portis is the incumbent, and Washington is still a player in the Brian Westbrook sweepstakes.
X-Factor: Mike Shanahan guided Reuben Droughns and Mike Anderson to 1,000-yard seasons. Shanahan knows how to run the football.
Johnson’s lack of discipline shaved off some of his prime.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 610 rushing yards. 10 catches. 80 receiving yards. 7 total TDs.
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Leon Washington, RB, Seahawks. Bye: 5.
Last year’s super sleeper never materialized, breaking his leg in Week 7. He gets a fresh start in Seattle this season.
What to Like: The speedy Washington seems like a good fit in Pete Carroll’s offense. Reggie Bush and Joe McKnight were two of Carroll’s best backs at USC, and Washington is similar to those guys in build and skill set.
Concern: Seattle’s backfield is crowded, and Washington hasn’t had more than 76 carries in a season since 2006. Everything about him says “specialty back.”
X-Factor: If your league incorrectly rewards individual players for kickoff returns, and not the team, Washington’s value increases.
With Carroll in the rainy state, anything can happen.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 390 rushing yards. 49 catches. 370 receiving yards. 1 total TD.
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Michael Bush, RB, Raiders. Bye: 10.
Bush has a career YPC average of 4.6, and he’s the Raiders most consistent running back.
What to Like: Darren McFadden is Bush’s only real competition for the running back job. If McFadden disappoints or gets injured, which is realistic, Bush will get tons of touches.
Concern: The Raiders are the worst-run organization in professional sports. Oakland is the land of wasted talent and underachievement.
X-Factor: Tom Cable really likes to run the football.
Bush’s value shoots up if he forces Oakland to start him.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 560 rushing yards. 15 catches. 105 receiving yards. 6 total TDs.
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More 2010 Fantasy Football Articles:
2010 Fantasy Football: Home
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2010 Fantasy Football Playoff Rankings - 1/5 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Week 17 Fantasy Rankings - 1/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 8/31 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 6/6 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 7/3 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 7/14 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 8/31 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 7/20 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/10 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/11 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Auction Values - 9/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: IDP Defensive Linemen - 8/3 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: IDP Linebackers - 8/7 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: IDP Defensive Backs - 8/14 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Team-by-Team - 6/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Dynasty Rookie Rankings - 4/30 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Rookie Rankings - 4/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 Traditional - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 PPR - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 Touchdown League - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Downloadable Spreadsheets - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: WF.com Free League - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real Traditional Draft - 9/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real PPR Draft - 8/26 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real PPR Draft - 8/18 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real Experts PPR Draft - 8/12 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Experts Mock Draft - 8/12 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Pros vs. Joes - 7/28 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR Draft with AKA - 7/20 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Mocking ESPN's Fantasy Mock Draft - 7/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: The Four-Man PPR Fantasy Draft - 7/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Articles:
2010 Fantasy Football Injury Reports: Week 17 - 1/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Start Em, Sit Em - 12/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Add/Drop - 12/20 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Stock Index - Week 8 - 10/29 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football Buffet: Week 8 - 10/28 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Stock - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 9/3 (Walt)
2010 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 9/3 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: High-Upside Late-Round Sleepers - 8/25 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Top 12 Players to Avoid - 8/25 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Undervalued Players - 8/13 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Buy Low - 8/6 (Walt)
ESPN's 2010 Fantasy Football Magazine Errors - 8/3 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Defense Strategy - 8/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: My Round-by-Round Strategy - 7/27 (Walt)
Lack of 2010 Fantasy Depth: Blame the 2008 NFL Draft Class - 7/26 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Why You Should Pass on Chris Johnson - 7/14 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Draft Strategies - 7/13 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Wide Receiver Scarcity - 6/30 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Late-Round) - 6/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Mid-Round) - 6/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Busts - 5/31 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mailbag - 5/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Quarterbacks with New Receivers - 5/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: 2010 NFL Draft Stock Up - 4/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: 2010 NFL Draft Stock Down - 4/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Free Agency Stock Up - 4/15 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Free Agency Stock Down - 4/12 (Walt)
Running Backs with Most Carries - 4/10 (Walt)
NFL Picks - Dec. 11
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
