Devonta Freeman of the Falcons has been one of the best running backs in 2015. (Getty)
The idea of a workhorse running back is becoming less popular in the NFL. There are a handful or so who are true 3-down backs, but seemingly most teams are moving toward a committee approach.
As a fantasy football player, I don’t have to tell you how annoying it is. But it’s the reality of the game’s landscape.
There are two high-profile backfield situations which are driving fantasy owners mad — the ones in Denver and Cincinnati. Let’s take a closer look at both of them and see if we can figure some things out. Here’s an installment of “Who’d You Rather Have?”
Jeremy Hill or Giovani Bernard, Bengals — Hill’s late 2014 surge led him to be selected in the 1st round of many fantasy drafts in 2015, making Bernard the handcuff. And while Hill has 5 touchdowns compared Bernard’s 1, Bernard has more than doubled Hill’s rushing yards on only 11 more carries. I’ve always liked Bernard for his running style and receiving ability and it appears he’s back in the good graces of the coaching staff. The biggest issue is it appears Hill has taken to the role of touchdown vulture. These two are going to split touches for the foreseeable future, and while Bernard is running harder, I’ll take those goal line touches Hill is getting. The pick: Jeremy Hill.
C.J. Anderson or Ronnie Hillman, Broncos — Like Hill, Anderson came into the season with sky-high expectations. But unlike Hill, Anderson has been completely unusable. Hillman hasn’t been as bad, but that’s not saying much. Hillman has done more with less touches, but tweaked a hamstring in Week 5, perhaps keeping the door slightly ajar for Anderson to get on track. Juwan Thompson, anyone? But I’m here to make a choice between Hillman and Anderson. I like Hillman’s explosion better and if his hamstring holds up, I’ll take him. The pick: Ronnie Hillman.
Before we get to the Week 6 running back rankings, remember to bookmark our fantasy football rankings 2015 page to keep up-to-date on the latest projections and rankings so you know you who to start and who to sit each week.
Bye weeks: Cowboys, Raiders, Rams and Buccaneers
Here are my top 40 running back rankings for Week 6:
1. Le’Veon Bell, Steelers, vs. Cardinals
2. Arian Foster, Texans, at Jaguars
3. Devonta Freeman, Falcons, at Saints
4. Matt Forte, Bears, at Lions
5. Adrian Peterson, Vikings, vs. Chiefs
6. Eddie Lacy, Packers, vs. Chargers
7. Mark Ingram, Saints, vs. Falcons
8. DeMarco Murray, Eagles, vs. Giants
9. Chris Ivory, Jets, vs. Redskins
10. Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks, vs. Panthers (questionable – hamstring)
11. Justin Forsett, Ravens, at 49ers (questionable – ankle)
12. Dion Lewis, Patriots, at Colts
13. Carlos Hyde, 49ers, vs. Ravens
14. Giovani Bernard, Bengals, at Bills
15. Frank Gore, Colts, vs. Patriots
16. T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars, vs. Texans (questionable – groin)
17. Chris Johnson, Cardinals, at Steelers
18. Ronnie Hillman, Broncos, at Browns
19. Danny Woodhead, Chargers, at Packers
20. Lamar Miller, Dolphins, at Titans
21. Jeremy Hill, Bengals, at Bills
22. Isaiah Crowell, Browns, vs. Broncos
23. Charcandrick West, Chiefs, at Vikings
24. LeGarrette Blount, Patriots, at Colts
25. C.J. Anderson, Broncos, at Browns
26. Antonio Andrews, Titans, vs. Dolphins
27. Andre Ellington, Cardinals, at Steelers
28. Ameer Abdullah, Lions, vs. Bears
29. Knile Davis, Chiefs, at Vikings
30. Rashad Jennings, Giants, at Eagles
31. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers, at Seahawks
32. Duke Johnson Jr., Browns, vs. Broncos
33. Melvin Gordon, Chargers, at Packers
34. Ryan Mathews, Eagles, vs. Giants
35. Denard Robinson, Jaguars, vs. Texans
36. Alfred Morris, Redskins, at Jets
37. Joique Bell, Lions, vs. Bears
38. Shane Vereen, Giants, at Eagles
39. Javorius Allen, Ravens, at 49ers
40. David Johnson, Cardinals, at Steelers
