Consistent and productive running backs are hard to find in today's world of fantasy football, so the first round will be littered with the cream of the crop. In fact, it can be argued that because of the lack of depth at the position and a move toward backfield committees around the NFL, six to eight proven runners will be drafted before the first quarterback or wide receiver is selected.
On the flip side, owners are also going to be more reluctant to take an unproven back (no matter the potential) in the earlier rounds. Let's call it the Montee Ball Effect. While a great runner did come out of the Mile High City last season, it wasn't the one who most of us expected. C.J. Anderson, not Ball, emerged for the Broncos and became one of the top waiver-wire pickups in fantasy land. He was so fruitful in the stat sheets, that it's now Anderson who will be considered a first- or second-round pick in 2015.
Here's a look at my current top 10 running backs, but it's a list that's subject to change during what will be an interesting NFL offseason.
1. Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers: Bell, the 2014 Fantasy Player of the Year, has everything a fantasy owner wants in a running back ... he's young, versatile, productive and a true featured option. The lone issue here is that he's subject to a potential two-game suspension for a DUI arrest last August. If that happens, Bell would fall a few spots but still remain in the top five among all runners.
2. Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers: Owners freaked out when Lacy started slow in his sophomore season, but he went on a statistical rampage the rest of the campaign and finished sixth in fantasy points at his position. A bruising runner with underrated skills as a pass catcher, the Alabama product also has youth on his side. It also doesn't hurt Lacy to have a superstar like Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.
3. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears: I would expect a decline in Forte's receiving totals without former coach Marc Trestman at the helm of the offense, but he's still difficult to pass up when you consider how much new coach John Fox likes to run the football. Forte, 29, should have one more elite season of production left before fantasy owners have to be concerned over his career workload at the NFL level.
4. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles: McCoy was a major disappointment last season, ranking 12th in fantasy points among running backs while scoring over 100 fewer points compared to his 2013 totals. Still, he'll be just 27 when the 2015 campaign begins and remains one of the NFL's most versatile runners. Not to mention there are always plenty of opportunities to produce in a Chip Kelly-led offense.
5. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs: Charles wasn't as productive in the stat sheets last season compared to his 2013 totals, but he still ranked a solid seventh in fantasy points among runners due in large part to his 14 total touchdowns. His rushing yards have declined in each of the last three years, though, and his 206 carries from last season were his lowest total since 2009 (in full seasons).
6. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys: Running backs who see as much work as Murray did last season (392 carries) tend to see their numbers fall the following year, and I don't expect the Oklahoma alum to be different. Of course, much of his fantasy draft value depends on whether he remains in Dallas or leaves for a new team as a free agent. As of now, I'm keeping Murray in the top six at his position.
7. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks: No running back has seen a bigger workload in the last four seasons than Lynch, and he'll be 29 when the 2015 campaign begins. However, we haven't seen him show any signs of a statistical decline. He still runs hard, scores a ton of touchdowns and will remain the centerpiece of Seattle's offense has long as he's able. It's just hard to bet against "Beast Mode."
8. Arian Foster, Houston Texans: Foster missed three games due to injuries last season, but he still finished fifth in fantasy points among running backs. And unless the Texans go after a runner in the draft, he's going to remain a focal point of the offense in 2015. While his age (29 in August) and durability are concerns, Foster is still going to be a first-round fantasy pick at a thin position.
9. C.J. Anderson, Denver Broncos: Ball and Ronnie Hillman are still in the mix for the Broncos, so Anderson isn't a lock to be a true featured back. Based on the numbers he recorded last season, however, it's tough to see a scenario where he doesn't earn the starting role under new head coach Gary Kubiak. It's a situation to watch, but I'm ranking Anderson as if he'll be a workhorse runner in 2015.
10. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings: I have no idea if Peterson is coming back or what team he'll be on if he does return, but let's assume he's on the gridiron in 2015. In that scenario, he's going to be in the first-round conversation based on his career resume at the NFL level. This Peterson situation is one of the most important stories for fantasy fans to keep tabs on in the offseason.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com and NFL Network and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to _**@MichaelFabiano**_ or send a question via **Facebook**!
