FanHouse fantasy positional rankings are compiled weekly by the staff in order to provide answers to possible lineup questions. These are assuming most leagues use Fleaflicker's standard scoring structure. If you need clarification, you need more players ranked, or have funky league rules, feel free to shoot us an email question.We've been railing the Kansas City Swiss Chiefs run defense for a while now. They are bar none the worst in the league in this regard ... allowing an average of nearly 200 yards per game (196.6 YPG, which is 34 more than the Lions, who check in at 31st). They have allowed 14 rushing TDs, which is three more than anyone else. The astounding 5.6 yards per carry is approached only by the Broncos lackluster unit.
This week, Earnest Graham, Warrick Dunn***, and their Tampa Bay Bucs have the pleasure of facing the pathetic Chiefs' run defense. Only the elite backs and a better one facing another pathetic defense sit above Graham. Even Dunn is a nice bye-week flex option. Enjoy the week, Bucs RB owners.
- Marshawn Lynch and Clinton Portis face really stout run defenses, but they are still fantasy starts every week. Don't think about sitting them.
- Michael Turner's shredded bad defenses and sucked against anything approaching average. The Raiders are pretty bad, but I'm scared to trust him anymore. The traditionally thought of as "unlucky" 13th ranking sounds about right.
1. Adrian Peterson, vs. HOU
2. Brian Westbrook, at SEA
**3. Steven Jackson, vs. ARI
4. Matt Forte, vs. DET
5. Marion Barber, at NYG
6. Earnest Graham, at KC
7. Chris Johnson, vs. GB
8. Ronnie Brown, at DEN
9. Maurice Jones-Drew, at CIN
10. Brandon Jacobs, vs. DAL
11. Clinton Portis, vs. PIT
12. Marshawn Lynch, vs. NYJ
13. Michael Turner, at OAK
*14. Joseph Addai, vs. NE
15. Kevin Faulk, at IND
16. Willis McGahee, at CLE
17. Ryan Grant, at TEN
****18. Mewelde Moore, at WAS
19. LenDale White, vs. GB
20. Steve Slaton, at MIN
21. Thomas Jones, at BUF
22. Jamal Lewis, vs. BAL
23. Tim Hightower, vs. StL
24. Justin Fargas, vs. ATL
25. Michael Pittman, vs. MIA
26. Darren McFadden, vs. ATL
27. Fred Taylor, at CIN
***28. Warrick Dunn, at KC
29. Derrick Ward, vs. DAL
*30. Dominic Rhodes, vs. NE
31. Chester Taylor, vs. HOU
32. Kevin Smith, at CHI
33. Cedric Benson, vs. JAX
34. BenJarvis Green-Ellis, at IND
35. Ricky Williams, at DEN
* Addai may be able to play this weekend, and according to published reports that is exactly what the Colts expect. Obviously these rankings hinge upon that happening. Make sure to keep your eyes on the updated player notes to see if Addai is still ready to go this weekend. If he doesn't, Rhodes is a quality start. I still expect Rhodes to get enough work to be ranked 30th, even if Addai plays.
** Make sure to check injury status, as he missed last week, but seems ready to go now.
*** Dunn was extremely limited last week and may not play this week. I have assumed in these rankings he will play. Obviously, pay attention to the news moving forward and don't play him if he sits. Graham's value would remain unchanged either way, as far as I'm concerned.
**** Late-breaking news ... Willie Parker may actually play. If he does, I'd rank him 15th, and obviously drop Moore entirely out of the rankings. Keep an eye on the events leading up to Sunday, though, because Willie's teased us before this season.
