These 2016 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings will be updated often throughout the spring and summer, so make sure you check back from time to time. Also, be sure to check out my other Fantasy Football Rankings articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2016 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings - Running Backs (Sept. 7):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-40 | 41-75
-
Matt Jones, RB, Redskins. Bye: 9.
AUG. 20 UPDATE: Matt Jones walked off the field in the second preseason game, grasping his left shoulder. Color analyst Joe Theismann said that Jones is “hanging that left arm ina way that doesn’t look normal.” Jones went into the locker room, where it was determined that he suffered an AC sprain. Jones will be out for a couple of weeks, but he might be able to return for the opener. This is good news, as it could’ve been much worse.
Alfred Morris signed with the Cowboys, but Matt Jones figured to be the starting running back going forward anyway. Jones needs to fix his fumbling issues, but if he does, he’ll be able to post RB2-caliber numbers.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 990 rushing yards. 24 catches. 210 receiving yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 162.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 186.
-
Carlos Hyde, RB, 49ers. Bye: 8.
SEPT. 4 UPDATE: Carlos Hyde is still in concussion protocol, but is expected to play in Week 1. I wouldn’t let this impact where I’d draft Hyde unless Hyde happened to be tied with another running back in the same area of the draft.
AUG. 15 UPDATE: Carlos Hyde had a rough preseason debut. He managed to sprint for a 22-yard run, but didn’t do much else. His other four carries went for five total yards, and he also lost a fumble that was returned by John Simon for a touchdown. Hyde also showed no chemistry with Blaine Gabbert, as the beleaguered quarterback missed him on routine throws.
Carlos Hyde had a terrific debut to his 2015 season, but never crossed 100 rushing yards again. He played in only seven games because of a foot injury. Hyde would be better if the 49ers fix their offensive line, but with Anthony Davis’ return now appearing to be shaky, it appears as though Hyde will have mediocre blocking again.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 960 rushing yards. 20 catches. 110 receiving yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 149.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 169.
-
Matt Forte, RB, Jets. Bye: 11. 
SEPT. 5 UPDATE: The Jets have waived Khiry Robinson. This well help Matt Forte and Bilal Powell, as they’ll pick up short-yardage opportunities that the injured Robinson would’ve otherwise received.
AUG. 14 UPDATE: Matt Forte still hasn’t practiced because of his hamstring. This can’t be a surprise, as Forte is old, and soft-tissue injuries linger. Forte is being way overdrafted this summer.
AUG. 5 UPDATE: Matt Forte will miss the preseason opener with his hamstring injury. This is not a big concern now, but it will be if Forte can’t suit up for the next two games. I’m down on Forte anyway, so I’m going to recommend avoiding him in your draft.
AUG. 3 UPDATE: Matt Forte and Bilal Powell will have an even split of touches, per Darryl Slater, NJ.com. This may surprise some, but Forte is declining, and Powell is making just as much money as the former Bear. Forte is being way overdrafted.
JULY 30 UPDATE: Matt Forte is dealing with a hamstring injury. It’s not clear how serious this is, but soft-tissue injuries can linger. We’ll have updates later.
JULY 8 UPDATE: Brian Costello wrote that the Jets will “figure out a way” to get Bilal Powell involved in the offense. This is obviously bad news for Matt Forte, though expected. Forte is being drafted in the third round on average, which doesn’t make much sense because he’s not going to handle the full workload.
Matt Forte still has a couple of solid years left in the tank, and he’s a solid fit for the Jets, who view him as an every-down back. Forte will have to split touches with Bilal Powell and Khiry Robinson, but he still seems like a somewhat decent RB2.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 810 rushing yards. 42 catches. 320 receiving yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Points: 149.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 191.
-
T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jaguars. Bye: 5.
AUG. 28 UPDATE: For the third game this preseason, T.J. Yeldon started over Chris Ivory. Despite this, Ivory continues to be drafted before Yeldon, which makes zero sense. Yeldon made a big mistake in this contest, fumbling on a screen, but the positives outweighted the negative. He made a nice juke on his first reception, a gain of eight. He then showed off a terrific cut to pick up 23 yards on the ground. This followed what appeared to be an amazing catch along the sidelines, but replay review saw that he couldn’t get a second foot inbounds. Yeldon gained 34 yards on five carries, while Ivory was far less effective, mustering only four yards on four attempts.
AUG. 21 UPDATE: Despite Chris Ivory being selected earlier than T.J. Yeldon in fantasy drafts, Yeldon started his second game of the preseason against the Buccaneers. He carried the ball twice for 15 yards and also caught a 14-yard touchdown. Yeldon didn’t see much work at all, as the Jaguars appeared to be preserving him, which is a great sign. Yeldon looked terrific, though Ivory ran the ball well, too, gaining 25 yards on six attempts. Still, Yeldon is Jacksonville’s starter. Ivory will crash in from the goal line, but Yeldon should be selected in fantasy drafts before Ivory.
AUG. 12 UPDATE: Chris Ivory has been drafted prior to T.J. Yeldon in every mock I’ve done this summer, and it’s something that has puzzled me. I thought I might even be going crazy. Well, it turns out that I’m not, as Yeldon started over Ivory in the preseason opener. Ivory was mixed in pretty heavily, but Yeldon was the primary back. In fact, color analyst Mark Brunell called Ivory a “very good complement to T.J. Yeldon.” The one negative with Yeldon is that Ivory received the goal-line work, where he converted one of two tries. However, Yeldon just looked better, gaining 26 yards on four attempts. He broke a tackle on a gain of seven yards and then displayed his great vision on an 8-yard burst. I can’t believe Yeldon’s ADP is currently 8.07 (Jay Ajayi is being drafted earlier!) so I’m going to try to have him on all of my teams this year, especially the ones in PPR formats.
JUNE 21 UPDATE: The Jaguars are expected to start Chris Ivory over T.J. Yeldon, according to Ryan O’Halloran, Jacksonville.com. This would be pretty stupid. Ivory was benched last year and was seldom used late in the season because he was very ineffective after a slow start. The Jaguars sound like they’re going to be compounding mistakes after giving Ivory so much money this spring.
T.J. Yeldon’s YPC rookie figure of 4.1 may not seem all that impressive, but consider that he was running behind a horrible offensive line that has been improved this offseason. Yeldon also caught 36 passes, and while he only scored thrice, the Jaguars used him more on the goal line at the end of the year, though Chris Ivory may fill that role. Still, the stock arrow is pointing up for Yeldon.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 800 rushing yards. 45 catches. 330 receiving yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 149.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 194.
-
Frank Gore, RB, Colts. Bye: 10.
Frank Gore turned 33 this offseason, and he wore down the stretch last season, averaging 3.7 yards per carry, which was a career-worst figure. Gore will still be an RB3 as long as he’s starting, but the good news is that the Colts didn’t sign someone to share the workload.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 880 rushing yards. 28 catches. 180 receiving yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 148.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 176.
-
Rashad Jennings, RB, Giants. Bye: 8.
AUG. 3 UPDATE: The Giants are not planning to use a four-running back rotation. Instead, they’ve declared Rashad Jennings to be their primary lead back. This is the best course of action, but Jennings can’t be relied upon to stay healthy.
It took Tom Coughlin too long to realize that Rashad Jennings should’ve been his primary ball-carrier, as he made the mistake of giving Andre Williams too many touches. The problem with Jennings though is that he’s injury-prone, so don’t expect him to last all 16 games.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 960 rushing yards. 28 catches. 220 receiving yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 148.
Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 176.
-
Latavius Murray, RB, Raiders. Bye: 10.
AUG. 19 UPDATE: Latavius Murray handled the entire workload with the first-team offense in the second preseason game, but he didn’t look very good. Murray spent the entire night running into a pile, ultimately finishing with 19 yards on six carries. It’ll be surprising if Murray makes it through the entire year as the starter. Unfortunately, DeAndre Washington didn’t really make his case, as his five carries went for just eight yards. Green Bay’s reserve defensive line dominated Oakland’s backup front, so Washington had no running lanes available.
Latavius Murray caught 41 passes in his first full year as a starter, which obviously helped his fantasy status because his rushing numbers (1,066 yards, 6 TDs, 4.0 YPC) were pretty meager. He was running behind a solid offensive line, so that’s definitely discouraging. The Raiders spent a fifth-round pick on DeAndre Washington, and it’s possible that Washington could seize control of most of the workload.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 820 rushing yards. 39 catches. 280 receiving yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 146.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 185.
-
Arian Foster, RB, Dolphins. Bye: 8. 
AUG. 26 UPDATE: Jay Ajayi started against the Falcons and played the first two drives. He wasn’t horrible – he managed to catch two passes – but he gained only 11 yards on seven carries. Arian Foster took the field on the next drive and was much more impressive than he was last week. Though he managed just two yards per attempt (5 carries, 10 yards), he made some nice cuts and also snatched two receptions for 20 receiving yards. There was some excitement on Twitter, which is great news. Foster’s ADP will rise, which will only help those who recognize that Foster has almost no chance of lasting until November. I still would not touch Foster in the first eight rounds despite this showing.
AUG. 20 UPDATE: Arian Foster saw his first action as a Dolphin in the second preseason game. It’s safe to say that he disappointed. He was given two carries, and he lost five yards in the process. It’s obviously a small sample size, but Foster didn’t appear to have any explosion, which can’t be a surprise because he’s coming off a torn Achilles. He’s being taken way too early in fantasy drafts right now.
AUG. 5 UPDATE: Reports indicate that the Miami coaching staff is very happy with Arian Foster. Per the Miami Heard, the Dolphins believe he can be “the guy.” That’s great and all, but the Dolphins better realize that it’ll be a minor miracle if they even get 10 games out of him.
AUG. 1 UPDATE: Arian Foster has been taken off the active/PUP list, so he’ll begin practicing. Per the coaching staff, Foster “annihilated” the conditioning test. That won’t mean he’ll still healthy, but Foster should be effective when healthy.
JULY 19 UPDATE: The Dolphins have signed Arian Foster. The former Texan will be the starter to open up the season, but there’s no reason to think that he’ll more durable in his new home. It would be nice if someone in Miami slipped some meat into Foster’s meals; otherwise, there’s no hope.
JULY 18 UPDATE: The Dolphins are expected to consider signing Arian Foster if he shows well in tryouts on Monday. The Dolphins are desperate for a running back, as the favorite for the gig is third-round rookie Kenyan Drake. Foster would be a temporary upgrade until he sustains yet another injury.
JUNE 21 UPDATE: Arian Foster believes that he’ll be ready for training camp. Foster may sign on with the Dolphins, who don’t have a true starter, or the Patriots, who might be interested in a running back in the wake of LeGarrette Blount’s troublesome hip.
San Diego would make sense for Arian Foster if he weren’t coming off a torn Achilles. Melvin Gordon just had microfracture knee surgery, so signing a healthy Foster would be a logical move. Foster may eventually find a home, but is nowhere near worth his current eighth-round ADP.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 770 rushing yards. 26 catches. 200 receiving yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 144.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 170.
-
Spencer Ware, RB, Chiefs. Bye: 5. 
SEPT. 3 UPDATE: Jamaal Charles has been practicing with the reserves and hasn’t been hit in practice yet. I’ve written this a billion times over the past month, but make sure you avoid Charles and have Spencer Ware on your roster.
SEPT. 1 UPDATE: In the wake of the Jamaal Charles news that he could be out or limited in Week 1, make sure to pick up Spencer Ware!
AUG. 31 UPDATE: Jamaal Charles hasn’t regained the full-time running back role despite his return, as Spencer Ware has been handling most of the first-string duties. The Chiefs aren’t going to use Charles all that much early in the year in an effort to preserve him for the playoffs. Plus, Ware has been very impressive. I’m making sure I obtain Ware in the late rounds of all of my leagues.
AUG. 28 UPDATE: Jamaal Charles was absent again, allowing Spencer Ware to draw another start. Ware looked good versus the Bears, rushing for 24 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. He also caught all four of his targets for 26 receiving yards. I like Ware as a late-round flier, as it’s unlikely that Charles will be on the field for all 16 games.
AUG. 21 UPDATE: With Jamaal Charles out again, Spencer Ware started the second preseason game. Ware tallied 37 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. More importantly, he’s well ahead of Charcandrick West in the pecking order. With Charles bound to sustain another injury at some point, Ware is one of the better handcuffs this year.
With no Jamaal Charles, it was a question of whether Spencer Ware or Charcandrick West would start the preseason opener. Ware got the nod and looked good, gaining 24 yards and a touchdown on five carries. West (4-35) also ran well. If you’re looking for a handcuff for Charles – not a bad idea considering that Charles can now be considered injury-prone – I’d go with Ware, but he and West would likely split touches if Charles is unavailable.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 650 rushing yards. 20 catches. 150 receiving yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 141.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 161.
-
Ryan Mathews, RB, Eagles. Bye: 4.
AUG. 12 UPDATE: Ryan Mathews was given two carries on his only possession in the preseason opener. He looked good, gaining 15 yards and a touchdown. While Philadelphia’s reserve offensive line struggled, the starting blockers did a great job of pushing around Tampa’s front.
JULY 28 UPDATE: Chet made a great point in the Fantasy Football Notes page: It’s too early to worry about most players on the active/PUP list, but Ryan Mathews is a special case because he has proven to be made out of glass. It remains to be seen how long it’ll take him to get over his ankle injury.
JULY 21 UPDATE: Ryan Mathews is not a good fit for Doug Pederson’s offense, per Jimmy Kempski, Philly Voice. Kempski writes that Pederson wants to move his running backs around to create mismatches in the passing game. Mathews doesn’t do that well, so he should be downgraded.
JUNE 21 UPDATE: The Eagles are expected to have a running back by committee, per Dave Zangaro, CSN Philly. That’s obviously not good news for Ryan Mathews, though it could potentially help keep him healthy for the end of the regular season.
Ryan Mathews was the best running back on the Eagles this past season. He’s the clear starter with DeMarco Murray gone, but Mathews is too injury-prone to be relied upon as a starter.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 830 rushing yards. 22 catches. 150 receiving yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 139.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 161.
-
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Patriots. Bye: 9. 
AUG. 19 UPDATE: It’s hard to believe, but LeGarrette Blount appears to be in great shape. Blount trampled Chicago’s defense in the second preseason game, tallying 69 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Blount displayed nice footwork and was pretty spry. He made a great move to get to the outside on one run when there was nothing in between the tackles, picking up a gain of 21. Blount is being selected in the ninth round of mock drafts, and he provides some solid value there.
JULY 26 UPDATE: LeGarrette Blount has avoided the active/PUP list. This is surprising, as Blount was rumored to be out of shape earlier in the offseason. Blount appears to be New England’s starting running back, though Dion Lewis will be worked in if healthy.
JUNE 21 UPDATE: LeGarrette Blount hasn’t practiced yet this offseason because of his hip injury. It remains to be seen when Blount will be ready to go, but if his absence continues, the Patriots may sign someone like Arian Foster.
LeGarrette Blount was signed back, and the Patriots didn’t acquire anyone who could challenge him. Blount was a huge winner this offseason.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 780 rushing yards. 4 catches. 20 receiving yards. 9 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 134.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 138.
-
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Steelers. Bye: 8.
JULY 22 UPDATE: DeAngelo Williams gets an obvious stock up in the wake of the Le’Veon Bell suspension. However, I don’t think Williams is a slam-dunk fantasy pick. Williams turned 33 this offseason, so he’s bound to regress and may not be the same player he was last year. Plus, he’ll have two extremely difficult matchups in the first four weeks (Bengals, Chiefs).
DeAngelo Williams is one of the top handcuffs in fantasy this year because he’ll get a healthy amount of touches even when playing as a reserve. He showed off his talent last year when Le’Veon Bell got hurt, and he could do the same in 2016, given that Bell has played just one 16-game slate in his 3-year career.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 740 rushing yards. 32 catches. 240 receiving yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 134.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 166.
-
Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals. Bye: 9.
AUG. 10 UPDATE: Giovani Bernard’s role isn’t expected to change much this season, according to Paul Dehner Jr., Cincinnati Enquirer. Sorry, Bernard believers. Marvin Lewis is devoted to Jeremy Hill, who is expected to handle most of the workload.
Many were pleading for Giovani Bernard to handle more of a workload this season, given that he was the better runner, averaging 4.7 YPC while Jeremy Hill was gaining much less. Bernard also caught 49 passes. However, Marvin Lewis is stubborn and will probably continue to ride Hill, making Bernard just a mid-round option with PPR upside.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 680 rushing yards. 46 catches. 410 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 132.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 178.
-
DeAndre Washington, RB, Raiders. Bye: 10.
AUG. 28 UPDATE: Oakland’s running back competition is interesting. Latavius Murray started against the Titans, but gained nothing on two carries. He also caught two balls for 19 receiving yards. DeAndre Washington was mixed in with the starters and was much more impressive. He generated 55 rushing yards on eight carries and also caught a touchdown. There was a scary moment in which Matt McGloin got Washington lit up on a fierce hit from Sean Spence, resulting in a fumble returned for a score, but Washington would turn out to be OK. Washington is one of my favorite Fantasy Football Sleepers.
AUG. 18 UPDATE: DeAndre Washington has taken over the No. 2 running back job, as expected. Washington should push for the starting role at some point this season.
AUG. 13 UPDATE: Latavius Murray ran well in the preseason opener, gaining 21 yards on four carries. However, rookie DeAndre Washington was more impressive, tallying 39 yards on six tries. Washington’s best run was breath-taking; he made a nice cut and then embarrassed a defender miss with a great juke for a gain of 25 yards. He later caught a pass from Connor Cook and picked up 32 yards, showing off some impressive speed. The Raiders’ coaching staff has expressed frustration with Murray in the past, so this performance by Washington could bode well for his rookie campaign. He’s definitely worth taking in the mid-to-late portions of your draft.
JULY 23 UPDATE: The Raiders are hoping DeAndre Washington finds a role in training camp. The coaching staff has expressed frustration with Latavius Murray, so it’s possible that the fifth-round rookie could eventually be the team’s starter.
DeAndre Washington was just a fifth-round pick, but he could start as a rookie. The Raiders were displeased with Latavius Murray, and there aren’t any other exciting running back options on the roster. Washington could be the one late-round pick who will allow you to collect some money at the end of the year.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 610 rushing yards. 24 catches. 180 receiving yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 129.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 153.
-
Christine Michael, RB, Seahawks. Bye: 5.
SEPT. 6 UPDATE: Christine Michael is ahead of Thomas Rawls on the depth chart. That won’t last very long, but Michael is definitely worth drafting and even starting this week.
AUG. 19 UPDATE: Thomas Rawls sat out, allowing Christine Michael to shine once again. Michael rushed for 55 yards on 10 carries in the second preseason game. There was nothing artificial about those numbers; Michael achieved those impressive stats against one of the best defenses in the NFL, and he looked great whenever he had the ball in his hands. He truly appears to be a new man.
Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise were both out of the preseason opener. Christine Michael was given the opportunity to start, and he made the most of it. He opened with a quick burst to get nine yards, ultimately gaining 27 yards on four carries with the starters. Michael, who finished with 44 yards on seven tries, appears as though he’s the favorite to be the No. 2 running back, given Prosise’s injury situation. Michael, by all accounts, has enjoyed a terrific training camp thus far, as things have seemingly begun to click for him.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 610 rushing yards. 22 catches. 150 receiving yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 129.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 151.
-
Justin Forsett, RB, Ravens. Bye: 0.
SEPT. 4 UPDATE: Justin Forsett has re-signed with the Ravens. He’ll reprise his role as the pass-catching back, but don’t expect him to do much otherwise.
SEPT. 3 UPDATE: Justin Forsett was released by the Ravens. He’ll likely sign on with another team, but he probably won’t have much of a defined role.
AUG. 28 UPDATE: Justin Forsett started against the Lions, but he rotated with Kenneth Dixon, who was given the second carry. The Ravens reportedly will split touches amongst their running backs this year, rendering this a situation to avoid. Forsett gained nothing on two carries, though he did catch a pair of passes for 14 receiving yards. Forsett is only worth considering in PPR formats.
AUG. 25 UPDATE: The Ravens’ backfield could evolve into a four-man committee, according to Jamison Hensley, ESPN. This obviously is not good news for Justin Forsett.
AUG. 7 UPDATE: Justin Forsett has been outplayed by Terrance West in training camp by all accounts. I’ve been touting Forsett as a nice value pick in the middle rounds, but it looks like I might be wrong about that.
Justin Forsett is a solid PPR running back, but his durability is an issue. He has never gotten more than 235 carries in a single season, thanks to his small frame, so it wasn’t a surprise that he broke his forearm in 2015. He’ll be fine for training camp, but keep in mind that you’ll be very fortunate to have him for 16 games.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 660 rushing yards. 48 catches. 320 receiving yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 128.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 176.
-
Kenneth Dixon, RB, Ravens. Bye: 8.
SEPT. 3 UPDATE: Kenneth Dixon, who I have on my Fantasy Football Sleepers list, gets a stock up in the wake of the Justin Forsett release. Dixon is banged up right now, but will return in Weeks 3-5. He had a great preseason, so I’d highly recommend picking him up and stashing him if you can.
AUG. 28 UPDATE: It’s Sunday at 4:50 p.m., and I just finished a real fantasy draft, which is why there’s no Chargers-Vikings recap yet. It was an 18-round draft, and I needed a super-flier running back in the 16th round. Kenneth Dixon popped into my head. I would’ve listed Dixon here last night after seeing him play very well in the second preseason game, but he sustained a knee injury. I looked it up, and Dixon only had a sprain. The Ravens broadcasters really talked him up, so I took a chance on him late.
AUG. 12 UPDATE: The Ravens have multiple potential running back sleepers. Another candidate is fourth-round rookie Kenneth Dixon, who rushed for 44 yards on just nine carries in the preseason opener. Most of Dixon’s yardage came on two scampers. A 19-yarder was the result of great blocking, through Dixon did show off a nice burst. He was better on a 12-yard attempt, muscling through numerous tackles and moving the pile. Dixon is another name to consider late while drafting.
JULY 29 UPDATE: Kenneth Dixon has a Grade 1 MCL sprain. Dixon will be out for a couple of weeks or so, which will hurt his chances of getting carries early in the season. As a rookie, Dixon needs reps, and he won’t be getting those while he’s hurt.
It’s not out of the question that Kenneth Dixon could start at some point this upcoming season. Justin Forsett isn’t the most durable player, while his backups last year weren’t very good. Dixon is worth investigating as a late-round flier.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 660 rushing yards. 17 catches. 100 receiving yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 127.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 144.
-
Danny Woodhead, RB, Chargers. Bye: 10.
Danny Woodhead was the best running back on the Chargers this past season, and the offense improved once Melvin Gordon was knocked out with an injury. Woodhead caught 81 passes in 2015, a number he won’t match next year if Gordon doesn’t sustain an injury. Still, Woodhead is a solid RB2 in PPR formats.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 310 rushing yards. 73 catches. 600 receiving yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 127.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 200.
-
Charles Sims, RB, Buccaneers. Bye: 6.
JUNE 23 UPDATE: Pewter Report believes that Charles Sims will have a larger role this upcoming season. This would not be surprising, as Doug Martin signed a big contract this spring and could disappoint as a result.
I’m sure Charles Sims was praying for Doug Martin to sign elsewhere this offseason. Sims struggled as a rookie, but showed some potential this past season, averaging 4.9 YPC and catching 51 passes. Sims will be an RB3/flex with Martin on the field, and he’s a handcuff worth owning because he’ll receive ample touches regardless.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 490 rushing yards. 48 catches. 440 receiving yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 127.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 175.
-
Bilal Powell, RB, Jets. Bye: 11.
AUG. 20 UPDATE: Matt Forte was missing in action again, allowing Bilal Powell to start the second preseason game. Powell looked good, picking up 23 yards on just three carries, highlighted by a gain of 13 in which he impressively broke a tackle. Powell makes for a solid late-round pick.
AUG. 3 UPDATE: Bilal Powell and Matt Forte are projected to have the same number of touches, according to Darryl Slater, NJ.com. Powell was signed to the same sort of contract as Forte, so don’t be surprised by this. Considering that Powell has a 12th-round ADP, he makes for a nice sleeper.
Bilal Powell deserved more of the workload, which the Jets recognized at the end of the 2015 season. However, Powell will continue to be the second back, as Matt Forte was signed this offseason.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 530 rushing yards. 65 catches. 490 receiving yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 126.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 186.
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings - Running Backs (Sept. 7):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-40 | 41-75
More 2016 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/15 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/15 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings - 5/13 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/13 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/27 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 9/1 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/31 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Real Draft - 8/29 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/25 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 2-QB - 8/25 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/24 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/13 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/11 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/4 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/4 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/2 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/28 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 7/21 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 Draft - 5/13 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 2-QB - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football PPR Rankings - 8/26 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Articles:
2016 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Training Camp - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 9/4 (Walt)
2016 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Preseason Quarterback Targets - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Waiver-Wire Targets - 8/31 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Busts - 8/31 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Auction Advice - 8/24 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy Guide - 8/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Daily Fantasy Preseason Week 2 Streaming Options - 8/18 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Draft Queue: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends - 8/17 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Draft Queue: Quarterbacks and Running Backs - 8/16 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Training Camp Notes - 8/10 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers to Avoid - 8/6 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Running Backs to Avoid - 8/5 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Notes - 7/26 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Late-Round Wide Receiver Targets - 7/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Late-Round Running Back Targets - 7/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football ADP Values - 7/14 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: C.J. Anderson Profile - 7/7 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Favorite MFL Players - 6/29 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: 2016 NFL Draft Fallout: Chip Kelly - 6/23 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Marvin Jones Profile - 6/22 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Devin Funchess Profile - 6/15 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football 2-QB Draft - 6/9 (Chet)
Fantasy Football Beginner's Guide - 6/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: Running Back Drafting and ADP - 6/3 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Drafting and ADP - 6/1 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Eli Manning Profile - 5/25 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Jordan Matthews Profile - 5/24 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rookie Dynasty Draft Wrap-up - 5/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: 2016 NFL Draft Fallout - 5/11 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 Quarterback Values - 4/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 Wide Receiver Values - 4/28 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Tight End Strength of Schedule - 4/25 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Wide Receiver Strength of Schedule - 4/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Running Back Strength of Schedule - 4/20 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Strength of Schedule - 4/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 - 2/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Philip Rivers - 2/16 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback ADP vs. Reality - 2/12 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Fallout: Marshawn Lynch Retires - 2/11 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Fallout: Calvin Johnson Retires - 2/9 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Dynasty - 1/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Tight Ends - 1/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Wide Receivers - 1/14 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Running Backs - 1/13 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Quarterbacks - 1/12 (Chet)
NFL Picks - Dec. 13
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
|
|
Injured/injury risk
|
|
Potential bust
|
|
Potential sleeper
|
|
|
Rank higher in touchdown leagues
|
|
Rank lower in touchdown leagues
|
||
|
|
Rank higher in PPR (points per reception) leagues
|
|
Rank lower in PPR leagues
|
