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.This was a really tough week to rank the running backs, mainly because there are some question marks -- on studs, not also-rans -- due to injuries. Steven Jackson for example, returned to practice. I'm assuming all of the guys with an asterisk next to their name throughout these rankings end up playing. Obviously, if you see (*) next to the name of a player on your fantasy team, please pay attention to any news updates until his game begins. You don't wanna get stuck with a zero on your active roster ... just ask Willis McGahee owners.
The reason I ranked all the guys with the assumption they'd play is because I hate it when websites just cop out by not ranking a player when he may or may not play. Just sack up and rank him. No guts, no glory.
More analysis after the rankings.
*1. Brian Westbrook, at CIN
*2. Frank Gore, vs. StL
3. Adrian Peterson, at TB
4. Matt Forte, at GB
5. DeAngelo Williams, vs. DET
6. Ronnie Brown, vs. OAK
7. Chris Johnson, vs. JAX
8. Michael Turner, vs. DEN
9. Marion Barber, at WAS
10. LaDanian Tomlinson, at PIT
11. Joseph Addai, vs. HOU
12. Steve Slaton, at IND
13. Brandon Jacobs, vs. BAL
*14. Clinton Portis, vs. DAL
*15. Steven Jackson, vs. SF
16. Marshawn Lynch, vs. CLE
17. Thomas Jones, at NE
18. Jamal Lewis, at BUF
19. Ryan Grant, vs. CHI
*20. Reggie Bush, at KC
21. Tim Hightower, at SEA
22. Larry Johnson, vs. NO
23. LenDale White, at JAX
24. Deuce McAllister, at KC
*25. Willie Parker, vs. SD
26. Maurice Jones-Drew, vs. TEN
*27. Willis McGahee, at NYG
28. Kevin Smith, at CAR
29. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, vs. NYJ
*30. Earnest Graham, vs. MIN
31. Ricky Williams, vs. OAK
32. Mewelde Moore, vs. SD
*33. Jonathan Stewart, vs. DET
34. Julius Jones, vs. ARI
35. Jerious Norwood, vs. DEN
36. Cedric Benson, vs. PHI
37. Justin Fargas, at MIA
38. Dominic Rhodes, vs. HOU
39. Peyton Hillis, at ATL
40. Shaun Alexander, vs. DAL
- Marion Barber's a bit lower than usual due to several guys -- Matt Forte, Ronnie Brown, DeAngelo Williams -- sporting incredibly easy matchups and the fact that I believe the Cowboys air it out with Tony Romo back under center to see what they have with the Roy Williams compliment to T.O.
- I'm very interesting to see the mix in the New Orleans and Pittsburgh backfields. I don't think Deuce McAllister or Mewelde Moore will be totally phased out of their respective offenses. On the other hand, the inclusion of Reggie Bush and Willie Parker into those offenses definitely has an impact.
- Tim Hightower is not facing a tough defense, but the Cardinals failed to run the ball with success Monday night. He's startable in most formats, but we're not near as confident now.
- Ryan Grant again has a very tough assignment, but he found some success against the Vikes last week. I believe the Bears focus more on stopping the pass -- since, you know, they can't -- and he has a lot more room to run than the Titans did last week.
