2012 Fantasy Football RB Rankings – Week 1 | LestersLegends.com

2012 Fantasy Football RB Rankings – Week 1

Sep 3, 2012

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The smell of football is in the air. Here are my 2012 Week 1 fantasy football running back rankings.
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1. Arian Foster, Houston Texans
The number one running back is a TD machine and a dual-yardage threat. Opens against Miami.
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2. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles
Vick is banged up so the Birds should lean a little on McCoy against the Browns.
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3. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens
Rice has a challenge against Cincinnati, but he is also a dual threat. He ran for 295 yards against them last year.
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4. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
It will be interesting to see how he shares with Michael Bush and what appears to be an improved passing attack. Great match-up against the Colts.
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5. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
The Pats’ offense could take away the running game, but he can do damage in the passing game and can break one from anywhere.
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6. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
Truly showed his Beast Mode last year, but Arizona did keep him out of the end zone in both meetings.
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7. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders
He’s lethal when he’s healthy, which he is right now. He should do well against he Chargers.

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8. Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Has a great NFL debut lined up against the Panthers, who struggle against the run.
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9. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
Averaged 5.5 ypc last year. With injuries in the passing game, it could be a heavy workload against the Giants.
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10. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
Returns from his knee injury to face the Falcons. Dual threat that can score from anywhere.
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11. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
I’m reluctant to bet against All Day despite his short recovery time and lack of preseason.
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12. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills
I don’t love his Week 1 draw against the Jets, but he gets the job done. He was much better than he got credit for last year before going down.
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13. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
I think he’ll see less work, but I think initially he will get plenty of action as the Niners clash with the Packers.
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14. Shonn Greene, New York Jets
I used to like Greene, but he has lost my support. That said, Buffalo struggles to stop the run.
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15. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
He has a lot of carries under his belt, but I think he’ll be good early on. Faces the Lions.
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16. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
He will have to put it in the end zone to have a big game this year as the team has moved more towards the passing attack. Opens against Kansas City.
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17. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers
Jonathan Stewart is banged up, which could lead to a solid game for D-Will against the Bucs.
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18. Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints
Serving as Drew Brees’ security blanket pays big dividends. Opens against Washington.
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19. Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants
Will be pushed by David Wilson, which should provide motivation against Dallas.
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20. Reggie Bush, Miami Dolphins
Was last year a fluke? We won’t get an accurate reading against a tough Houston team.
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21. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cincinnati Bengals
The Law Firm is steady, but I don’t love his match-up with Baltimore.
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22. Cedric Benson, Green Bay Packers
Tough draw against the Niners, but GB’s passing attack should open things up.
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23. Trent Richardson, Cleveland Browns
If he does play, he could see limited snaps against the Eagles. I wouldn’t blame you for keeping him on the bench in this one.
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24. Ronnie Brown, San Diego Chargers
I don’t know if Ryan Mathews will be able to play against the Raiders. If not, Brown could have a solid game.
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25. Rashad Jennings, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jennings should get the start, but I don’t love his prospects against the Vikings. Mojo will get work.
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26. Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions
I like his match-up with St. Louis, but I fear his ankle could end his day early.
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27. Isaac Redman, Pittsburgh Steelers
Redman takes on Denver, but I am concerned with his ability to stay healthy.
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28. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars
Probably the only time you’ll see him this low. I’m not sure how he’ll do or how many touches he’ll get.
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29. Willis McGahee, Denver Broncos
Tough opening match-up against Pittsburgh. Plus, this is Peyton’s show now.
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30. Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts
The Luck Era begins. Brown could find it difficult to move the chains against the Bears.
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31. Beanie Wells, Arizona Cardinals
I don’t like his match-up against Seattle and don’t think their line or QB play will help his cause.
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27 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

GloriousMullet
September 3rd, 2012 at 7:15 am #

I have a tough decision to make here (as most fantasy decisions are)…. I have Adrian, Shonn, and Rashad Jennings on my roster. Adrian will get limited snaps, the Jets suck so who knows what Shonn will do, and then theres Jennings, who will get the start. I hate to sit Adrian, but who knows how many touches he’ll get. I’m thinking Shonn Greene is my best bet, given the circumstances. Thoughts?
LestersLegends
September 3rd, 2012 at 8:10 am #

Sitting Adrian is the safe bet. Greene is a dog, and the Bills could be better defensively with Mario. Mojo will get some work too so that’s tough. I think Greene is the safe bet.
GloriousMullet
September 3rd, 2012 at 9:02 am #

I just cant see the Jags sitting MoJo for the entire game, so I guess it boils down to who does the most damage: Rashad Jennings or Shonne Greene? The way the Jets passing game has been, who knows?
LestersLegends
September 3rd, 2012 at 9:38 am #

I could see a 50-50 split for Mojo. I could actually see AP only get 10 carries. Greene is the safest, though least exciting play.
GloriousMullet
September 3rd, 2012 at 12:59 pm #

Lester, the Jags just announced that MoJo will be used “sparingly” as a 3rd down back and only to give Rashad Jennings a rest when he needs one. With that said, will that affect your rankings?
LestersLegends
September 3rd, 2012 at 1:10 pm #

Mojo should probably be avoided this week based on that. You never know though if they are being coy.
GloriousMullet
September 3rd, 2012 at 1:16 pm #

Good point. How much of a bump does Rashad get, based on that announcement?
LestersLegends
September 3rd, 2012 at 1:58 pm #

Not going to move him. That was where I had him before the announcement that Mojo was ending his holdout.
GloriousMullet
September 3rd, 2012 at 2:08 pm #

Well, thats all I gotta hear.
GRO
September 3rd, 2012 at 3:15 pm #

Oh Wise One,

I am irrationally excited about the fact that the season begins in two days. Week 1 question for you. 10 team PPR: I have McFadden, Fred Jackson and Sproles to fill my two RB and one Flex spots. Do I need to be concerned about Sproles’ knee? I have Gerhart, Hillis, Kevin Smith or Titus Young on my bench if it would be wise to sit Sproles for a week. What do you think?

GRO
LestersLegends
September 3rd, 2012 at 4:43 pm #

I think it’s just precautionary and he should be fine, but if you want to play it safe I’d go with Titus.
Fantasy Football Week 1 Player Rankings, Waiver Wire, Start/Sit’em, and Matchups | Unexpected Sunday
September 3rd, 2012 at 7:45 pm #

[...] Elway: Player Rankings (QB) Lester’s Legends: Player Rankings (QB), (RB) Roto Professor: Player Rankings (QB), (RB), (TE) The Fake Football: Player Rankings (All Positions) [...]
Grant
September 4th, 2012 at 9:07 am #

Ahhh, it’s good to be back.

My PPR pay league is a 12-teamer this year, and I didn’t really do my research. I’ve got a solid WR/TE core, Peyton and RG3 at QB, and a very questionable RB core — Trent Richardson, Willis McGahee, and C.J. Spiller. As always in this league, there are quite a few decent RBs available — Greene, Redman, Bush, etc.

So, Big Lester, whatdya think? Should I drop my super-sleeper WR (Michael Floyd) in favor of a spot-start at RB? Worthy of note that I’m only starting 1 RB this week.

Thanks for your help.
LestersLegends
September 4th, 2012 at 9:48 am #

Assuming it’s M. Bush, I may think of adding Greene. He’s a dog, but he shouldn’t have much competition for carries. I like Floyd, but not sure what kind of QB play he’ll get.
jones
September 4th, 2012 at 10:12 am #

I have 2 running spots and 1 flex spot (I’d like to start a running back in the flex too) I’d like to use 3 of these 4: beanie wells, frank gore, cj spiller and ronnie brown, who’s the odd man out?
LestersLegends
September 4th, 2012 at 10:45 am #

Spiller is only one not ranked.
Munson
September 5th, 2012 at 9:38 am #

12 team ppr league. I have to start at least two RBs and three WRs with one flex. Who would you start this week?

RBs: Lynch, D. Williams, Bush, Dwyer,
WRs: Cruz, Garcon, Boldin, Little, Collie, Laurent Robinson

Thanks
Munson
September 5th, 2012 at 9:39 am #

Reggie Bush, not Michael Bush
LestersLegends
September 5th, 2012 at 10:19 am #

Munson – I would start Lynch, Dwill, bush, cruz, garcon, and boldin
GloriousMullet
September 6th, 2012 at 1:10 pm #

Lester, if Lynch sits Sunday, where would you rank Turbin? Higher or lower than Shonn Greene?
LestersLegends
September 6th, 2012 at 1:13 pm #

since it’s the Bills, I would stil rank Greene a little higher.
GloriousMullet
September 6th, 2012 at 1:18 pm #

I’m tryin my damnedest not to have to start Greene….
Dave
September 7th, 2012 at 2:22 pm #

Need a flex… Gore, Hillis, R. Jennings or B. Lloyd?
LestersLegends
September 7th, 2012 at 2:51 pm #

Funny Glorious
Dave – I’d lean towards Gore or Lloyd. Probably Gore personally.
Fisher
September 8th, 2012 at 8:51 am #

i have chris wells at RB2 and ronnie brown in the flex. should I replace chris wells with ronnie brown this week at RB2 and greg olsen at flex?
JC
September 8th, 2012 at 12:23 pm #

Lester, what do the dudes like me who think they were lucky to get Foster do this week?
LestersLegends
September 8th, 2012 at 6:13 pm #

I would do that Fisher.