• Both backs could make defenders miss, or lower a shoulder and run through a guy. Still, Gibson seems to be just scratching the surface of his potential as an NFL running back. It's been often pointed out, but he's only a rookie with just two 20-carry games in his career. And this time last year, he was a wide receiver at the University of Memphis.
• The 2014 Cleveland Browns season was the franchise's 66th season as a professional sports franchise and its 62nd as a member of the National Football League.It was the first under new head coach Mike Pettine, as former head coach Rob Chudzinski was fired after a 4–12 campaign, as well as the first under new general manager Ray Farmer.

• 2014 Nfl Rookie Running Backs Rankings
• 2014 Nfl Rookie Running Backs Injuries

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

Looking to cash in on one of the rookie running backs ready to hit the NFL this season? There are a few who can make an impact, but is there anyone who can truly make an impact in 2014? Let’s take a look: 1) Bishop Sankey – Tennessee Titans. 2014 NFL Player Rankings: Running Backs. Was voted the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,178 yards. Ran with a low pad level and gored tacklers at times like he was back. 5/6/14: WalterFootball.com knows some teams rate Hill as the top back in the 2014 NFL Draft. There were a lot of tough questions about his off-the-field issues, and sources said that he interviewed extremely well at the Combine. Hill could end up being the first running back selected. It just defends on the team.

While there is no question who belongs in the Top 5 spots of any running back rankings, after that things get awfully questionable. With a lot of teams moving towards timeshares, finding dependable options are becoming more and more difficult. Who are the running backs we should target? Who should we avoid? Let’s take a look at how our rankings currently look:

1. Jamaal Charles – Kansas City Chiefs
2. LeSean McCoy – Philadelphia Eagles
3. Matt Forte – Chicago Bears
4. Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings
5. Eddie Lacey – Green Bay Packers
6. Montee Ball – Denver Broncos
7. Arian Foster – Houston Texans
8. Giovanni Bernard – Cincinnati Bengals
9. Doug Martin – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Zac Stacy – St. Louis Rams
11. Marshawn Lynch – Seattle Seahawks
12. Demarco Murray – Dallas Cowboys
13. Le’Veon Bell – Pittsburgh Steelers
14. Reggie Bush – Detroit Lions
15. Andre Ellington – Arizona Cardinals
16. Ray Rice – Baltimore Ravens
17. Bishop Sankey – Tennessee Titans
18. Toby Gerhart – Jacksonville Jaguars
19. Rashad Jennings – New York Giants
20. Alfred Morris – Washington Redskins
21. C.J. Spiller – Buffalo Bills
22. Ryan Mathews – San Diego Chargers
23. Joique Bell – Detroit Lions
24. Chris Johnson – New York Jets
25. Knowshon Moreno – Miami Dolphins
26. Frank Gore – San Francisco 49ers
27. Ben Tate – Cleveland Browns
28. Danny Woodhead – San Diego Chargers
29. Trent Richardson – Indianapolis Colts
30. Fred Jackson – Buffalo Bills

Thoughts:

• There are some surprising names in our Top 10, potentially including Zac Stacy, Arian Foster and Doug Martin. They all have some sort of risk, whether it is injury or playing time, but they all also have significant upside. If Foster and Martin were coming off healthy seasons there would be little doubt about their potential and their inclusion this high.
• As for Stacy, it is easy to overlook his success last season (1,141 total yards and 8 TD). If you want to point towards his 3.9 yards per carry as a knock, it was a poor December (3.2 YPC) that really hurt him. He was at 4.6 in October and 4.2 in November, so it’s possibly he simply wore down. The addition of Tre Mason should help keep him fresh, but also shouldn’t hinder him overall. With a questionable passing game, would it really be surprising to see the Rams leaning on the run once again?
• Surprised to see Marshawn Lynch outside the Top 10? We discussed the risks involved in selecting him earlier this preseason, so much sure to check it out by clicking here. http://rotoprofessor.com/football/?p=8704
• There is a lot of hype surrounding Le’Veon Bell, but it’s hard to overlook his 3.5 YPC average from his rookie season. Yes, he also is a factor in the passing game, which helps, but the risk of needing a significant number of touches helps to limit his value. While we want to believe he’s going to get 20-25 touches every single game, it’s just not a guarantee.
• Will the 49ers start to transition away from Frank Gore? They have the depth, whether it’s the newly drafted Carlos Hyde or Marcus Lattimore, and Gore is on the wrong side of 30. While he’s been a steady option throughout his career, his value is going to start regressing.
• Ben Tate is getting a lot of hype, but would it be surprising if Terrence West quickly surpasses him on the depth chart? There’s a lot of risk, and it’s going to be tough to trust him as more than a FLEX option.
• Was Knowshon Moreno’s success a product of Peyton Manning? Well, if it was then it’s a major selling point for Montee Ball this season. As for Moreno himself, there’s a good chance that he shares time with Lamar Miller (with Daniel Thomas also in mix) and that’s going to limit his appeal.

*** Make sure to pre-order Rotoprofessor’s 2014 Fantasy Football Draft Guide!! The guide comes complete with projections of over 350 players, expended rankings, sleepers, and so much more (including constant updates up until opening day). For just $6 you will get everything you need to dominate your fantasy league and one lucky subscriber will win a free autographed Brett Favre 8×10! For more information and to place your order, click here. ***

Make sure to check out all of our 2014 rankings:

BOSTON (CBS) – Only one more preseason game left on the docket and the real games are right around the corner, which means one of two things.

Either your fantasy football draft has already taken place, or it’s fast approaching.

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It may not be the case in real life football, but in fantasy the running backs are considered the most important position no matter the league format. Luckily for us, there’s a great crop of veterans and second-year players to choose from, as well as the rookies entering year one.

Which rookies can make the biggest impact in their first year? Rich Keefe breaks it all down.

“I think it’s only a matter of time in that New York Giants backfield that BC’s own Andre Williams takes over. I’m not saying he has a dynamic season, but I think he’s worth drafting late, or even a couple bucks in an auction format.

“I think there are two rookie running backs to watch, one should be the starter and the other will probably get a lot of carries and eventually win the job. Bishop Sankey of the Titans is the highest drafted rookie running back. He hasn’t had a great preseason; he’s fumbled a little bit. But it looks like it’s his job to lose. And also Terrence West from the Browns. It’s not a great offense, and they do have Ben Tate, but he’s had injury problems galore and has never really been the main guy. Ben Tate will be the starter early, but I think West gets carries early and may even win the job later on.”

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Keefe also likes the prospect of Jeremy Hill in Cincinnati and Carlos Hyde in San Francisco.

“Kendall Hunter is out for the season, and it seems like every year with Frank Gore we’re wondering if it’s his last. Carlos Hyde in San Francisco is definitely worth drafting.”

Keefe then provided 7 other names of rookie running backs to add to your watch list, or even possibly draft if you’re in a keeper league with a big bench.

Listen below for the full Fantasy Brief:

Tune in to the Sports Hub Fantasy Football Show every Sunday from 8am – 10am with Mike Lockhart and Rich Keefe!

2014 Nfl Rookie Running Backs Rankings

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2014 Nfl Rookie Running Backs Injuries

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