Green Bay RB‘s (Eddie Lacy & Johnathan Franklin):

With the 231 pound power back in Lacy, Green Bay may have gotten themselves a good RB for their system. With a pass first system, Green Bay wont be running the ball as much. This is where Lacy can be a great asset to their team. With his size he can be a goal line menace, and take the pressure off of Rodgers within the opponents 20 yd line. He isn’t a breakout runner like Chris Johnson or Jamaal Charles, but his ability to be a driving force makes him better than players such as Matt Forte in short yardage situations.

The only concern for lacy is their other pick in the draft. Green Bay grabbed Franklin as well. This gives Lacy competition for the starting role. However, for the time being I believe that Lacy has the job, and Franklin will be the back up in Green Bay. I think that this gives Lacy the role as the main back, as well as the goal line guy. Therefore, Franklin will be used more as a receiver from the backfield. I project Franklin to get anywhere around 35-45 catches with the role he currently has. I believe this will take away from Lacy’s ability to then get targets in the passing game.

Therefore, in PPR formats if you are going to draft a Green Bay RB, I’d say go with Franklin.

I have them ranked back to back at 28th and 29th, because Lacy will get more carries, and yards rushing. But, Franklin will make up the loss in the running game, by being productive in the passing game. I think that by seasons end, the difference of points will be between 10-25. The only thing is who will have that lead over the other? If Lacy gets the carries, it should be him, but if Franklin get the catches it can be him. But, in PPR leagues I’d take the chance with Franklin.

Oakland RB’s (Darren McFadden & Marcel Reece):

Oakland is full of disappointment and bad decision making. They’ve passed on players such as AP, and have taken players such as Jamarcus Russell. On top of these struggles, their star RB can’t stay healthy. Every year McFadden is hated by his owners in fantasy. Will this be the year he can stay on the field for 12+ games? I think that would be a blessing considering his health struggles. Does this then increase Reece’s value as a McFadden handcuff? It just very well might be, but as long as McFadden is good enough to play, he’ll handle the load.

Whether or not McFadden stays healthy, I think Reece will still have a good amount of value in PPR formats. With Oakland having a receiving core of Ford, Jones, Cribbs etc. I see them incorporating their RB’s into the passing offense. I think Reece can be good for up to around 45-55 catches. That’s pretty good for a guy ranked 34th overall. McFadden I have ranked 15th overall, and if he stays healthy will not only lead the offense but can get around 40 catches, increasing his value further. So, I believe that both Oakland backs will have value in PPR formats.

Ahmad Bradshaw RB, Indianapolis

A signing that surprises some is the injury prone Ahmad Bradshaw. I think the Giants did a good job in not keeping him, and Indianapolis doing a poor job in picking him up. Sure he’s a great runner, and Ballard has only one year under his belt. But, I’d trust Ballard to run, especially when you have Luck leading a pass first offense.

With an injury on his foot basically every season, I think that Ballard wouldn’t be a bad option to have as a handcuff. However, since Bradshaw is with the Colts, he will definitely be the lead back, and Ballard might not see as many carries as he would like. Due to the injuries that plague him, I don’t see Ahmad being an every down back. So, Ballard may have the third down role. This gives Indianapolis a good option in putting Bradshaw as a receiver, and Ballard as a runner in certain situations. If he can stay healthy I see by years end, Bradshaw can get around 40 catches making him a decent PPR option, if you don’t mind the injury history.

If somehow Ahmad can stay healthy I don’t think Ballard will be a good option at all, because this means more playing time for the lead back. If he is healthy I think he’ll be an even better PPR guy, because he is a good goal line back. Therefore, he can not only run in for touchdowns, but he can catch for them. I don’t think Ballard will see much in the passing game. So, that increases Bradshaw’s value if you want to draft an Indianapolis RB in a PPR league.

Reggie Bush RB, Detroit

Injury concerns plague Bush as well, but I believe he found himself a great situation in Detroit. If used properly, I believe we may have another Darren Sproles on our hands. I think Detroit should use him as the main back, but instead of giving him around 250 carries like most lead backs, I think should get around 100 less.

First, this takes pressure of Bush to be the guy that Miami needed him as. This way he wont have to fight for yards as much, and maybe help his injury problems. Second, Mathew Stafford threw the ball over 140 times to his RB’s last year. This is where I think Bush should strive. I think he should be able to get at least 100 targets, giving him the opportunity for 60-70 catches for the year. This makes him Sproles #2, and a definite top 15 PPR RB. I have him as my 14th overall RB, and may pass Alfred Morris who I have at 13th. The only reason I have him ahead of Bush, is I think Morris’ run ability will outscore him by a little bit. However, if bush can be a great receiver in Detroit he just may pass him. If Detroit uses Bush wisely, you’ll be happy you had him.

Darren Sproles RB, New Orleans

Mr. underrated. That’s what I feel is what Sproles always is. However, he is so dangerous. Even in non-PPR leagues, so he’s that much better in PPR leagues. He is by far the best Receiving back in the NFL, and with Sean Peyton still at head coach, he will definitely continue to use Sproles the way he has for years.

While in New Orleans, Darren has averaged 5.6 passes to go along with 47.5 yds per game. In PPR formats that’s 9 fantasy points. If He rushed for only 10 yds a game, he’d then average double digit fantasy points every game. He’s so dangerous that Mark Ingram, and Pierre Thomas wont put a dent in his fantasy value. Expect a great year once again from Sproles. Out of the players I have outside the top 10, he is the best option to crack it by the end of the year. He’s one of the most consistent beasts in the NFL.

For the rest of my list, go to http://www.scribd.com/doc/153635530/Top-40-RB-PPR