Week 6 Running Back Rankings

- The Season's Over -

Fantasy Football – Week 6 RB Rankings

October 15, 2009

Ahmad Bradshaw looks legit Adrian Peterson slips to a season-low fourth in the rankings this week, but that doesn’t mean anybody should be sitting him unless they’re the proud owners of MJD, DeAngelo and Chris Johnson. Despite Cedric Benson snapping their incredible streak of preventing 100-yard rushers, the Ravens rush defense is formidable and the Vikings look to lean on the passing attack against Baltimore’s softer pass D.

That leaves the door open for Jones-Drew to claim top honors this week, and we fully expect the bowling ball of a man to go off. This is the week you’ve been waiting for, MJD owners.

Keep an eye on updates out of Pittsburgh, where we’ve cautiously ranked Rashard Mendenhall in the top-10 on the week. Mendy is battling the flu right now and Willie Parker is back to practicing fully. It’s a tasty matchup against the Browns, and Mendenhall is clearly the better back right now, but that flu bug combined with Mike Tomlin’s commitment to loyalty and honor means veteran Willie Parker could eat significantly into his carries.

Ahmad Bradshaw photo credit: Icon SMI

Brandon Jacobs is still ranked ahead of Ahmad Bradshaw against the surprisingly stout Saints defense, but all it will take is one more week of Bradshaw dominance and Jacobs mediocrity for those two to flip in the rankings going forward.

It was the Oakland defense that made the diminutive Bradshaw look so good last week, which has led us to aggressively rank LeSean McCoy at 21. He only saw one fewer touch than Brian Westbrook last week and we like his chances to get it going in the passing game and add a TD.

1. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. STL
2. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers @ TB
3. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans @ NE
4. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings vs. BAL
5. Cedric Benson, Cincinatti Bengals vs. HOU
6. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons vs. CHI
7. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears @ ATL
8. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams @ JAC
9. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers vs. DET
10. Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. CLE (Check Status)
11. Brian Westbrook, Philadephia Eagles @ OAK
12. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens @ MIN
13. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints vs. NYG
14. Steve Slaton, Houston Texans @ CIN
15. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants @ NO

Running back rankings 16 through 36, after the jump…

16. Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos @ SD
17. Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions @ GB
18. Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants @ NO
19. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills @ NYJ
20. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins vs. KC
21. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles @ OAK
22. Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints vs. NYG
23. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers @ TB
24. Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals @ SEA
25. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers vs. DEN
26. Darren Sproles, San Diego Chargers vs. DEN
27. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills @ NYJ
28. Thomas Jones, New York Jets vs BUF
29. Leon Washington, New York Jets vs. BUF
30. Julius Jones, Seattle Seahawks vs. ARZ
31. Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens @ MIN
32. Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. CLE
33. Hooptie Williams, Tampa Bay Bucs vs. CAR
34. Michael Bush, Oakland Raiders vs. PHI
35. Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns @ PIT
36. Chris Wells, Arizona Cardinals @ SEA

7 Comments »Posted by Andrew Thell on Oct. 15, 2009 at 9:05 pm in Fantasy Rankings, NFL, NFL Fantasy News

7 Responses

Mike Bell is supposed to be returning this week, any insight into where he might fall in the rankings? I’m kind of weak at RB and am thinking of getting him back out there.

Posted by: Josh on October 16th, 2009 at 10:13 am

Hey Josh- Mike Bell is indeed listed as probable, and he’s likely to get some touches with Pierre Thomas banged up a bit. But Thomas is also probable, and he’s simply been too good to lose many of his touches to Bell right now. Bell is a bit more powerful and he may get some goal-line carries and the Giants rush D has been poor, so he has some sneaky upside, but probably wouldn’t crack 35 on the list.

Posted by: Andrew Thell on October 16th, 2009 at 2:50 pm

Who 2 should I start out of these three sammy morris, darren sproles, or cadillac williams? Ive been short at running back cause Frank Gore has been hurt and I need a good week this week from my rbs

Posted by: phil on October 17th, 2009 at 11:24 am

Which 2 I meant

Posted by: phil on October 17th, 2009 at 11:24 am

Ooof, that’s a dilly of a pickle Phil. Not a huge fan of any of those options this week. After that showing last week it’s hard to trust Williams, even if this is a much better matchup. I would roll with Sproles and Morris, who should be solid but unspectacular.

Posted by: Andrew Thell on October 17th, 2009 at 12:46 pm

Is Marshawn Lynch (going against a Jets D with something to prove after Monday) the clear cut starter over Sammy Morris this week?

Posted by: Dennis on October 17th, 2009 at 6:43 pm

Dennis, in general we’re not huge fans of the Pats’ rushing attack in terms of fantasy reliability. The absence of Fred Taylor helps Morris’ cause, but there’s simply little rhyme or reason on a week-to-week basis as far as who will put up the RB fantasy points. Yes, Morris is the most likely to do so, but you can’t start him this week over Lynch; he might outperform him, but Lynch is the right play. The Pats will be looking to exploit that sieve-like Titans secondary early and often through the air, and they’re rarely tied to establishing the running game as it is. Go with Lynch.

Posted by: Brian Spencer on October 17th, 2009 at 7:25 pm