FANTASY

Fantasy Player Projections

Running Backs

Rank	Team	Player	Projection	Opponent
1			Jamaal Charles 121 rush yards, rush TD, 7 rec, 53 rec yards, rec TD Trent Richardson excelled last week against the Ravens, and Charles has shown flashes of being one of the best backs in the NFL. He can disappear and he can get injured, but the Chiefs will undoubtedly want to focus their offense around Charles given Matt Cassel’s struggles. Charles has been very strong the last two weeks and he will present a big challenge for the Ravens.	vs
2			Arian Foster 111 rush yards, 2 rush TDs, 4 rec, 22 rec yards Foster has been the go-to fantasy back for a third consecutive season, and he should have a field day against a team ranked second-to-last in run defense. The Jets surrender almost five yards per carry and that should bode well for one of the AFC’s elite rushers.	at
3			Adrian Peterson 104 rush yards, 2 rush TDs, 3 rec, 23 rec yards Peterson looked like his old self last week when the Vikings needed it most. Most teams have pressed the run on the Titans thus far (teams are averaging more than 35 carries a game against the defense) and they have been more or less helpless to stop it. If Peterson can keep bulldozing defenders like he did last week, he could be in for a big old-fashioned AP afternoon.	vs
4			Ahmad Bradshaw 73 rush yards, 2 rush TDs, 3 rec, 19 rec yards The Giants were unable to establish a running game against Philadelphia, which was a major reason why they ended up losing while relying too heavily on Eli Manning. They will try to get Bradshaw re-established against the Browns, who have has allowed 4.0 yards per carry, but only one touchdown and a long run of 22 yards.	vs
5			LeSean McCoy 111 rush yards, rush TD, 4 rec, 29 rec yards The Eagles are facing a Steelers team that could not contain Darren McFadden in Week 3. McCoy has been underwhelming thus far, but the Eagles will probably give him the ball early and often with Michael Vick still not comfortable. Running all over Pittsburgh at Heinz Field is unusual, but this feels like McCoy's game. The Steelers are allowing better than four yards per carry and were flummoxed by McFadden's versatility. McCoy is capable of doing the same.	at
6			Maurice Jones-Drew 93 rush yards, rush TD, 4 rec, 39 rec yards Jones-Drew could not penetrate the league's worst run defense last week, but the Jags will desperately need him this week to keep the pressure off Blaine Gabbert. Whether or not he'll be able to do much work remains to be seen, but the Jaguars will give him the ball plenty.	vs
7			Frank Gore 105 rush yards, rush TD, 3 rec, 20 rec yards Gore tallied 62 rushing yards and a touchdown at the Jets in Week 4. The Bills allowed 243 rushing yards and three touchdowns to Patriots running backs Stevan Ridley and Brandon Bolden in Week 4, making Gore one of the best starts of the week.	vs
8			Ray Rice 91 rush yards, rush TD, 3 rec, 29 rec yards Rice was bottled up against a swarming Cleveland defense, but the Chiefs haven't been great at stopping the run. Kansas City was pretty helpless against C.J. Spiller, and Rice is the best overall back the Chiefs have faced this season. Rice may also benefit from a banged up Glenn Dorsey, who is listed as questionable.	at
9			Marshawn Lynch 95 rush yards, rush TD, 3 rec, 20 rec yards Lynch continued to run over defenses in "Beast Mode" in Week 4, rushing for 118 yards on 20 carries and scoring a touchdown. He should have a big day against a Panthers defense that can't stop the run.	at
10			Trent Richardson 79 rush yards, 5 rec, 33 rec yards, rec TD Richardson struggled a bit last week from the line of scrimmage, but he caught the ball especially well out of the backfield (as he has all season). The Browns will need to ride Richardson substantially if they want a win against the Giants. If they can establish him early, he may get at least 20 carries for the first time this season. Regardless, he will likely be used often in the passing game since the Browns have wanted him to embrace that role. The Giants have effectively limited running backs from putting up any big receiving games, but Richardson has to see the ball if the Browns want a chance to win.	at
11			BenJarvus Green-Ellis 95 rush yards, rush TD, 2 rec, 15 rec yards The Law Firm rushed 26 times for 82 yards at Jacksonville in Week 4 to go along with two catches for 12 yards. Though he fumbled for the second game in a row, he's heavily involved in this offense and is a good RB2 going into Week 5.	vs
12			Matt Forte 107 rush yards, rush TD, 1 rec, 9 rec yards Forte looked healthy and strong in the 13 carries he got Monday, and he should get plenty of action against the 30th-ranked run defense in the NFL. If Forte is healthy, the Bears will run a lot in the game, which means possibly big numbers for both Forte and Michael Bush.	at
13			Ryan Mathews 75 rush yards, rush TD, 3 rec, 30 rec yards Much could be made of Mathews giving way to Jackie Battle for the Week 4 start at Kansas City, but fantasy owners shouldn't be too upset. Mathews should be back in Week 5 to punish the Saints' rushing defense, which has allowed a league-worst 186.8 rushing yards per game.	at
14			Reggie Bush 75 rush yards, rush TD, 3 rec, 25 rec yards The Cardinals made things tough for Bush in Week 4, limiting him to 67 yards on 17 carries. He also was held without a catch. But the Bengals are allowing more than 130 rushing yards per game, which makes Bush a good start in Week 5.	at
15			Michael Turner 75 rush yards, rush TD, 2 rec, 15 rec yards Turner tore up the Panthers both on the ground (103 rushing yards, one touchdown) and through the air (68 receiving yards, one touchdown) in Week 4. It was only a couple of weeks ago that people wrote off Turner, saying he lost his speed. That's obviously not the case, and he should continue to run well against Washington.	at
16			Darren Sproles 35 rush yards, 6 rec, 55 rec yards, rec TD Sproles caught five passes for 44 yards and a touchdown in Week 4, while also rushing five times for 20 yards. Keep Sproles active against his former team when the Chargers come to town in Week 5.	vs
17			Willis McGahee 70 rush yards, rush TD, 2 rec, 15 rec yards McGahee rebounded from a rough game against the Texans with a great game against the Raiders, with 112 rushing yards, one touchdown and six catches. He's a solid RB2 in all fantasy formats.	at
18			Ryan Williams 60 rush yards, rush TD, 3 rec, 20 rec yards Williams' fantasy owners are still waiting for that breakout week after he rushed 13 times for 26 yards against Miami. He has to do better than 2.0 yards per carry before he earns an RB2 title in fantasy play, although a flex play against the Rams isn't a bad idea.	at
19			Stevan Ridley 70 rush yards, rush TD After a quiet Week 3 at the Ravens, the second-year rusher bounced back with 106 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries against Buffalo. Ridley remains a good RB2 against a relatively tough Broncos rushing defense.	vs
20			Fred Jackson 45 rush yards, 3 rec, 25 rec yards, rec TD Jackson was back in the Bills' huddle just three weeks after injuring his knee. He rushed 13 times for 29 yards and caught three passes for 50 yards. The Niners host Buffalo in Week 5, and they're allowing less than 80 rushing yards per game.	at
21			Chris Johnson 61 rush yards, 4 rec, 41 rec yards Fantasy owners have torn enough hair follicles trying to predict what Johnson will do on a weekly basis. He obviously is one of the top home run threats in the league. After his big performance last week, the Titans will want to get the ball in his hands. But against a hot defense that is seventh in the league against the run, Johnson may be silenced again.	at
22			Donald Brown 91 rush yards The Colts have increased Brown's workload in every game this season, and they'll likely want to try to get to the Packers on the ground. Green Bay has protected the goal line well, but is still surrendering almost 4.5 yards per carry. The Packers have also not yet forced a fumble, so the Colts may be more comfortable bumping up Brown's workload to avoid too much pressure on Andrew Luck.	vs
23			Cedric Benson 86 rush yards, 2 rec, 7 rec yards Benson's workload has remained pretty constant since Week 2, and the Packers will probably want to work him since they are playing a road game in the typically loud Lucas Oil Stadium. Benson has been consistent if unspectacular. The Colts' weakness is certainly in their front seven and the team has allowed 131.3 yards per game on the ground. Benson should get more work than usual this week.	at
24			Steven Jackson 65 rush yards, 2 rec, 20 rec yards While Jackson remains the top rushing option for the Rams, he's just not doing enough for his fantasy owners. He has yet to break the 60-yard mark in four games, and Arizona is pretty tough against the run.	vs
25			Alfred Morris 65 rush yards, 2 rec, 15 rec yards Morris had 113 rushing yards and a 39-yard touchdown run at the Buccaneers in Week 4, marking the first 100-yard game of his NFL career. Morris has great cut-back ability and he rarely loses yardage. Keep him active against a Panthers team that allowed 219 rushing yards in Week 4.	vs
26			Jacquizz Rodgers 35 rush yards, 3 rec, 30 rec yards Michael Turner's backup caught four passes for 40 yards against Carolina in Week 4, but he didn't get a carry on the ground. He's still someone to own in most fantasy formats, but he won't benefit from the early retirement many thought Turner would have.	at
27			Pierre Thomas 50 rush yards, 2 rec, 15 rec yards Thomas rushed nine times for just 14 yards against the Packers in Week 4, to go with two catches for minus-one yard. The Saints' backfield is tough to gauge from week to week.	vs
28			Ben Tate 43 rush yards, 3 rec, 18 rec yards The Texans like using Tate on third down and inside the red zone, and he should have some operating room against the Jets. Tate was effectively shut down last week against the Titans, but the Jets' run defense has had trouble stopping anybody. If the Texans start stringing together long drives, Tate may get looks close to the goal line.	at
29			DeAngelo Williams 45 rush yards, 2 rec, 15 rec yards Williams and Jonathan Stewart shared carries again in Week 4, with Williams getting 11 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown and Stewart going for 10 rushes and 40 yards. Neither did much in the passing game, and Cam Newton continues to take carries away. Williams is a Top-25 back in Week 5.	vs
30			Ronnie Hillman 30 rush yards, 2 rec, 15 rec yards With 10 carries for 31 yards, the rookie had his best day in the NFL in Week 4 against the Raiders. Keeper owners should consider handcuffing him now with Willis McGahee.	at
31			Brandon Bolden 45 rush yards, 1 rec, 5 rec yards One of the biggest pickups on Week 5 waivers, the undrafted free agent rookie rushed 16 times for 137 yards and a touchdown at the Bills in Week 4. Until he produces consistently, though, he should remain on fantasy benches.	vs
32			C.J. Spiller 30 rush yards, 2 rec, 15 rec yards Somehow, Spiller was able to play against the Patriots, despite injuring his collarbone in Week 3. He rushed eight times for 33 yards and fumbled. Fantasy owners should think about reserving him against the 49ers -- especially while he's still not 100 percent.	at
33			Michael Bush 44 rush yards, 1 rec, 9 rec yards Bush is having some shoulder trouble, but he had 10 carries Monday night and is keeping up his reputation as a blue-collar back. Since Matt Forte still may not be fully healthy, Bush continues to get a large share of carries. He has been successful thus far, and the Bears will use him if the offensive line has trouble protecting Jay Cutler.	at
34			Rashard Mendenhall 26 rush yards, 2 rec, 11 rec yards The Steelers targeted a Week 5 return date for Mendenhall, but it's unlikely he will shoulder too much in his season debut. Whether or not his knee is completely healed, don't expect a major workload.	vs
35			Shonn Greene 35 rush yards, 2 rec, 8 rec yards Greene has not eclipsed more than 40 yards in his last three outings. He is still good for some hard yards, but he has not emerged as the feature back that many thought he would be. Greene won't see many easy yards against the Texans.	vs
36			Daryl Richardson 20 rush yards, 2 rec, 15 rec yards Richardson got six carries for 16 yards and a couple short catches against the Seahawks in Week 4. Until Steven Jackson gets injured, fantasy owners should keep Richardson reserved. Jackson hasn't been outstanding either.	vs
37			Jonathan Stewart 35 rush yards, 1 rec, 10 rec yards Stewart's bad toe wasn't enough to keep him off the field for the second week in a row. He rushed 10 times for 40 yards in Week 4, and he should start seeing more touches as the season progresses. Fantasy owners without flex slots should still remain cautious.	vs
38			Jackie Battle 35 rush yards, 2 rec, 10 rec yards It's obvious the Chargers saw something they liked in Battle in Week 2, when Ryan Mathews was still sidelined, and they brought Battle back for more action in Week 4. The bruising back has three touchdowns on the season and could vulture more scores away from Mathews.	at
39			William Powell 15 rush yards, 2 rec, 15 rec yards With Beanie Wells (toe) on IR, Powell had two carries for two yards against the Dolphins in Week 4. He also had two catches for six yards, but he's not worth a look in fantasy right now.	at
40			Lance Ball 30 rush yards, 1 rec, 10 rec yards Ball had only 10 yards on six carries in Week 4 against the Raiders, with a 14-yard catch for a touchdown. It's tough to start him in most formats because he touches the ball so infrequently.	at
41			Danny Woodhead 30 rush yards, 1 rec, 10 rec yards Woodhead's role changes from week to week. Against the Bills, he caught two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown but had no carries. He's a fantasy gamble at the running back spot, but usually one to avoid.	vs
42			Kendall Hunter 30 rush yards, 1 rec, 10 rec yards Hunter continues to serve as a change-of-pace back to Frank Gore, as the second-year running back rushed eight times for 56 yards and a touchdown against the Jets in Week 4. Hunter is a great handcuff, but it's tough to recommend starting him outside of larger leagues.	vs
43			Bilal Powell 29 rush yards The Jets are clearly trying to get Powell more carries after his strong performance in Miami. If Greene continues to struggle, Powell's workload could go up.	vs
44			Isaac Redman 27 rush yards This number shrinks further if Rashard Mendenhall ends up playing, but Redman has been generally ineffective this season. Perhaps Baron Batch could see a few more carries if Redman can't start running for more yards.	vs
45			Andre Brown 26 rush yards If Bradshaw's neck keeps healing, then Brown's carries will stay stagnant.	vs
46			Lamar Miller 25 rush yards The rookie rushed four times for 13 yards against the Cardinals, and while he's gaining ground in the race to be Reggie Bush's backup, he's still not worth owning outside of larger keeper leagues.	at
47			Toby Gerhart 21 rush yards Gerhart saw his workload significantly reduced after he fumbled three times in the fourth quarter against the 49ers, but he protected the ball last week and legged out one very important four-yard run. The Vikings will want the ball in Adrian Peterson's handa against a struggling Titans' D, but Gerhart could see some work in short-yardage situations.	vs
48			Daniel Thomas 20 rush yards, 2 rec, 10 rec yards Thomas had five touches (four carries, one catch) for 10 total yards against the Cardinals in Week 4. He's losing ground to rookie Lamar Miller in the race to be Reggie Bush's backup.	at
49			Evan Royster 10 rush yards, 2 rec, 20 rec yards Royster rushed just twice for four yards at Tampa Bay in Week 4. Royster should be a fantasy free agent as long as Alfred Morris has a firm grasp on the starting tailback job.	vs
50			Robert Turbin 20 rush yards, 1 rec, 10 rec yards In a supporting role, the rookie rushed six times for 45 yards in Week 4 at the Rams. He also caught a pair of passes, and he's starting to see more action. He's a good handcuff for Marshawn Lynch owners.	at
51			Mark Ingram 20 rush yards, 2 rec, 10 rec yards For the second week in a row, Ingram had five carries for 11 yards. The Heisman winner has been a huge disappointment just 20 games into his professional career.	vs
52			Peyton Hillis 16 rush yards It's unclear if Hillis is even healthy enough to play Sunday. In the event that he does play, he will probably struggle against the Ravens' front seven. It seems unlikely the Chiefs will want the ball in Hillis' hands instead of Jamaal Charles'.	vs
53			Cedric Peerman 15 rush yards Against the Jaguares in Week 4, Peerman had one huge run for 48 yards on a direct snap on a fake punt -– but that was his only touch of the game. This is BenJarvus Green-Ellis' team for now.	vs

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