Fantasy Football Rankings- PPR Running Backs 20-11

By Staff Writer John Belaska

20. Alfred Morris

Alfred Morris is a stud in normal scoring formats, but in PPR leagues he is not all that special.

Morris may be one of the few featured running backs in the NFL, but he is not used often in the Redskins’ passing game. Since he does not catch many balls, his value in PPR leagues is a bit limited. He is still a very good back to own because he does get a good amount of touches.

19. Andre Ellington

Andre Ellington was highly explosive whenever he touched the ball in 2013. The Cardinals are going to look to increase his number of carries and the number of passing targets he receives this year. This means Ellington has a huge upside this season. The problem is he split time with Mendenhall throughout most of last season, so there is a risk here. We do not know how he is going to hold up as a featured back with an increased workload over a full sixteen game season.

18. Doug Martin

Doug Martin has a huge opportunity in the 2014 in PPR leagues. Obviously, there is the risk involved with betting on a player who received a major injury in the prior season. However, if you can stomach that risk, he may end up being a steal in drafts. Lovie Smith got his former running back Matt Forte involved in the passing game as much as possible. The new Buccaneers’ coach will probably want to do the same with Martin.

Doug Martin may be a steal in drafts this year. The only question is how much risk can you stomach.

17. Danny Woodhead

Unlike most running backs, Danny Woodhead’s value really comes from what he does in the passing game. He led all running backs in receptions in 2013. He probably will not accomplish this feat again this season. The addition of Donald Brown hurts Woodhead much more than it hurts Ryan Matthews. Brown is very much like Woodhead in that he is very good out of the backfield. This will cut into Woodhead’s playing time a bit.

16. Rashad Jennings

Rashad Jennings is a great sleeper pick in 2014 drafts. He is equally as valuable in PPR leagues as he is in normal scoring formats. It should also be noted that the Giants are starting to worry because Dan Wilson will not return for any preseason exercises. Jennings is even more valuable as long as Wilson is not available to play.

15. Le’Veon Bell

Le’Veon Bell is getting a lot of love in fantasy drafts this season. He is usually being picked in the first round. This price is a little high for comfort. Bell was not available for the full sixteen games last year. A first round pick needs to be solid. There are just too many question marks here to warrant spending a first round pick on him. Getting him in the second is much better

14. Steven Jackson

Jackson is another high risk high reward running back. He is risky due to the injuries and the age, but we have seen what he is capable. He is also very good at catching the ball out of the backfield. The question here is the number of opportunities he will have to do this. A player cannot catch the ball when his quarterback is getting sacked all the time.

13. Frank Gore

PPR leagues hurt Frank Gore’s value. He just does not catch enough balls to make him a worthwhile second running back. He is a middle of the road second back in PPR league because he can still do damage on the ground, but he needs to be had at a fair price on draft day.

DeMarco Murray is a bit difficult to judge at this point, but he will come alive at some points. He is capable of putting up some monster weeks.

12. DeMarco Murray

DeMarco Murray is a stud. Unfortunately, he is going to be without Tony Romo for at least a few games. Since Romo is out, Murray’s value is a bit limited in PPR leagues for a little bit. However, if you can get through the early storm he is going to be a beast later on.

11. Zac Stacy

Zac Stacy is basically the Rams’ only offensive weapon. Now Sam Bradford will be back at the starting quarterback position and that should only help Stacy. Expect good thing out of him in 2014.