2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs
These 2013 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 2013 Fantasy Football articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2013 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - Running Backs (May 18):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-40 | 41-60 | 61-75
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Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings. Bye: 5.
Adrian Peterson is unquestionably the No. 1 fantasy player this year. Someone on a network - I forget who it was - suggested that Arian Foster should be the top pick because Peterson's 2,097-yard campaign will wear him down. First of all, Peterson nearly broke the all-time rushing record coming off a nasty knee injury, so he's not wearing down. And second, Foster actually had more carries than Peterson last year.
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 1,650 rushing yards. 36 catches. 250 receiving yards. 12 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 262.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 298.
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Arian Foster, RB, Texans. Bye: 8.
I have mixed feelings about Arian Foster this year. On one hand, the front office signed stud fullback Greg Jones, which should help Foster's yards-per-carry average increase. On the other hand, Foster had more carries than any other running back in 2012. Backs who lead the league in that category usually struggle the following season.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 1,340 rushing yards. 40 catches. 300 receiving yards. 13 total TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 242.
Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 282.
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Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks. Bye: 12.
Marshawn Lynch never averaged better than 4.2 yards per carry prior to this past season. His YPC mark in 2012 was 5.0, thanks to Russell Wilson's rushing ability. There's no reason to think Lynch won't be any less dominant this year. A strong case could be made for him to be the No. 2 overall fantasy pick in regular leagues.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 1,450 rushing yards. 22 catches. 180 receiving yards. 13 total TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 241.
Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 263.
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Ray Rice, RB, Ravens. Bye: 8. 
The Ravens decreased Ray Rice's touches last year. He had 291 carries and 76 catches in 2011 compared to 257 rushes and 61 receptions the following season. Bernard Pierce allowed that to happen, which is a good thing for Rice's longevity. It won't do you any good if you take him in a re-draft league this summer, however.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 1,160 rushing yards. 64 catches. 550 receiving yards. 10 total TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 231.
Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 295.
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Trent Richardson, RB, Browns. Bye: 10.
MAY 24 UPDATE: Think Trent Richardson's injury-plagued rookie campaign was a fluke? Maybe it wasn't. Richardson is out until mid-June because of a muscle pull in his lower leg. The injury isn't serious, but it's just a reminder of how fragile these running backs can be. I'm not going to drop Richardson in my 2013 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings just yet, but I will slide him down if he's not practicing by the middle of June.
Trent Richardson battled through injuries and terrible quarterbacking during his rookie campaign, yet he still managed to score 12 touchdowns. Richardson will be better in 2013 as long as he's healthy, and there's no reason to think why he can't match his end zone total.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 1,170 rushing yards. 48 catches. 380 receiving yards. 11 total TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 221.
Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 269.
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Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs. Bye: 10.
Despite coming off a torn ACL, Jamaal Charles managed to rush for 1,509 yards on a 5.3 YPC clip in 2012. It's pretty nuts to think what he'll be able to do now that he's at full strength this year. Charles won't run as much because Andy Reid is on the sidelines, but he'll almost certainly set a career-high reception mark.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 1,250 rushing yards. 59 catches. 500 receiving yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 217.
Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 276.
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Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers. Bye: 5.
Doug Martin was unbelievable as a rookie, rushing for 1,454 yards, catching 49 balls for 472 more yards and scoring 12 touchdowns. However, it should be noted that he found the end zone just twice after Thanksgiving weekend when Josh Freeman was in a complete tailspin.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 1,230 rushing yards. 45 catches. 390 receiving yards. 8 total TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 210.
Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 255.
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Alfred Morris, RB, Redskins. Bye: 5.
Alfred Morris had a terrific rookie campaign, but there's reason to believe he'll be overvalued. First of all, Morris could have a sophomore slump, and Mike Shanahan could always pull his old antics and try out a new runner. More prominently, Robert Griffin may miss some time, which will allow opposing defenses to focus on Morris.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 1,350 rushing yards. 8 catches. 50 receiving yards. 10 total TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 210.
Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 218.
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Steven Jackson, RB, Falcons. Bye: 6. 
Michael Turner scored double-digit touchdowns every single season he was with Atlanta. Steven Jackson, who is much better than Turner was last year, hasn't found the end zone more than eight times since 2006 because of the ineptness of St. Louis' offense. Jackson will be a fantasy monster with the Falcons.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 1,090 rushing yards. 39 catches. 330 receiving yards. 11 total TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 208.
Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 247.
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LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles. Bye: 12.
Chip Kelly's arrival in Philadelphia is not a good sign for LeSean McCoy. Kelly likes to utilize tons of options on his offense, so McCoy probably won't get as many touches as he's used to. He may also fall out of favor if his fumbling problem continues.
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 1,160 rushing yards. 49 catches. 400 receiving yards. 8 total TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 204.
Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 253.
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - Running Backs (May 18):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-40 | 41-60 | 61-75
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moreno
05-22-2013
04:57 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.150
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he disappointed again and again through his stay in denver until he was just a practise squar player last season. he played very well after mcgahee got hurt and i believe we would have won the playoffs game if he stayed in that game. sadly exactly this fast - that he can't stay healthy - makes him a risky starter.
Realist
05-20-2013
04:14 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx7.30
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Ball at 69? Maybe overall, not in RB rankings. Put down the pipe you are smoking out of.
Mitch
05-19-2013
03:13 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx9.20
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I wonder where Mendenhall would be on this list if Walt evaluated him on his abilities on the field rather than what Mendy said about bin Laden or the 9/11 attacks.
If Walt did that, I don't know if Mendenhall would be higher on the list since he's around the correct spot, but Walt probably wouldn't be saying a player who over 3 years ran for over 3300 yards and nearly 30 TDs behind arguably the worst OL in the league, then spent last year with a torn ACL, is "terrible."
Vaughan Moore
05-19-2013
09:10 am
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Montee Ball is twice on this list
Pead?
05-18-2013
03:52 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.122
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I know the Rams backfield is crowded, but I've gotta think Pead will get more action than Lattimore, Bradshaw, and Turner.
Especially in the event that one of the three ahead of him go down
Mike Goodson Smokes Weed Errrday
05-17-2013
05:09 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx7.22
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This man is going to jail for awhile. Might want to remove him from your ranks and bump Ivory a bit.
Advice column
05-17-2013
11:35 am
xxx.xxx.xxx4.62
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Mendnenhall isnt an awful running back just because Tomlin despises him he didnt get much play time this year coming off a torn acl, dont bother drafting him because he sucks,really? he might do better in Arizona because he was with an awful steelers line. Just because you dont want to see a "big ten plodder" do well so you can seem like a genius because your not
Nelly
05-16-2013
12:42 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx0.98
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Frank Gore should be moved down. The Niners have said they are using 3 backs in a RBBC.
@Jack
05-16-2013
08:58 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.202
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Can you count to 17?
Jack
05-16-2013
12:38 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.224
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No Reggie Bush, are your freaking kidding lol , terrible , just awful job Walter .....
@put it in the vault
05-15-2013
01:59 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx48.2
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I'll agree w/you on CJ so long as he stops dancing. If you've noticed over the years- a lot of backs who showed promise but then saw their career end quickly when they started dancing at the line- they don't often regain their prior form. He may get it back - he may not, even with an improved O-line.
Maybe I'm biased but...
05-15-2013
11:17 am
xxx.xxx.xxx6.47
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Doesn't anyone agree that Bernard Pierce belongs in the top 30? He rushed for 532 yards on 108 carries during the regular season and then ran for another 202 yards on just 39 carries during the playoffs. Plus the Ravens coaches and front office has acknowledged he will get more touches next season.
why so serious
05-15-2013
03:48 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.218
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The whole point of fantasy articals are for opinions. You don't base your team around someone else's logic. Read a lot of articals then make your own judgement based on information you have gathered. Stop bashing Walt, he has the right to post his opinions on things.
Put it in the Vault
05-14-2013
02:57 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.171
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CJ will be a top 5 back and could very well be the number 1 back this year. That O-Line is built to road grade and with a blocking TE like Walker in the mix now he will have freeway sized holes to hit.
@NG
05-14-2013
01:49 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx48.2
(total posts: 2)
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Try scanning around the 6-8 range and see if you still can't see Doug Martin. Next try scanning around your kitchen and see if you can't find a napkin.
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More 2012 Fantasy Football Articles:
2013 Fantasy Football: Home
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 5/23 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: RUNNING BACKS - 5/18 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 5/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Auction Values - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings - 5/5 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/5 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Traditional Scoring - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: PPR Scoring - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Touchdown Scoring - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: 2-QB Format - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Articles:
2013 Fantasy Football Stock Report: OTAs - 5/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Hot Finishers - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Quarterbacks - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Running Backs - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Wide Receivers - 4/24 (Walt)
FanDuel Exclusive Offer to WalterFootball.com Readers - 4/4
2013 Fantasy Football: Overdrafted Players - 2/17 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football: First-Round Bust History - 2/17 (Walt)
Running Backs with Most Carries - 2/17 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
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Rank higher in PPR (points per reception) leagues
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Rank lower in PPR leagues
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