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.The Detroit Lions have allowed 17 rushing touchdowns this season. They are allowing an average of 5.1 yards per carry and 171.5 yards per game. The Carolina Panthers just embarrassed them with heavy doses of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.
Warrick Dunn is taking over duties for Earnest Graham, who was recently placed on the IR -- ending his season. With Cadillac Williams still not up to speed and no other overly talented options, Dunn is going to get over 20 touches this weekend in Detroit.
When you get that many touches against the Lions' sieve of a run defense, you are a top ten fantasy option. Get him active in all formats.
More notes after the rankings.
1. Adrian Peterson, at JAX
2. LaDanian Tomlinson, vs. IND
3. Marion Barber, vs. SF
4. Matt Forte, at StL
5. Marshawn Lynch, at KC
6. Joseph Addai, at SD
7. Ryan Grant, at NO
8. Clinton Portis, at SEA
9. Frank Gore, at DAL
10. Warrick Dunn, at DET
*11. Brandon Jacobs, at ARI
12. Steve Slaton, at CLE
13. Jamal Lewis, vs. HOU
14. Willie Parker, vs. CIN
15. Brian Westbrook, at BAL
*16. Reggie Bush, vs. GB
17. Michael Turner, vs. CAR
18. Ronnie Brown, vs. NE
19. DeAngelo Williams, at ATL
20. Jonathan Stewart, at ATL
21. Justin Fargas, at DEN
22. Chris Johnson, vs. NYJ
23. Thomas Jones, at TEN
24. Maurice Jones-Drew, vs. MIN
25. Larry Johnson, vs. BUF
26. Willis McGahee, vs. PHI
27. LenDale White, vs. NYJ
28. Peyton Hillis, vs. OAK
29. Kevin Smith, vs. TB
30. Derrick Ward, at ARI
31. Antonio Pittman, vs. CHI
32. Tim Hightower, vs. NYG
33. Sammy Morris, at MIA
34. Cedric Benson, at PIT
35. Pierre Thomas, vs. GB
36. Julius Jones, vs. WAS
37. Fred Jackson, at KC
38. Ahman Green, at CLE
39. Darren McFadden, at DEN
40. Ricky Williams, vs. NE
* may not play due to injury
- Because of injuries, timeshares, and matchups, there is a very distinct elite echelon this week. It ends around the Dunn/Brandon Jacobs/Steve Slaton group. The drop-off from Slaton to Jamal Lewis (12 to 13) is a wider drop, for me, than it is from Adrian Peterson (No. 1) to Frank Gore (No. 9). Jacobs may not play, and Slaton still may have his touches limited. Considering these factors, let's hope you have at least one of the top-10 backs this week. If you have two, you should be golden.
- My sneaky-deep-deep-sleeper this week is Darren McFadden. It's a combination of things, really. First of all, the Broncos' defense is awful. Second of all, the Raiders are desperate to find any sort of offense. Where better to turn than their explosive rookie? They are four games out of first place with six to play, so now is as good a time as any to see what he's got and let him start getting more experience. Finally, it's just a gut feeling.
- If Reggie Bush doesn't play, put all your stock in Pierre Thomas. I'm done with Deuce McAllister, and Aaron Stecker is out for the season. Deuce got a goal-line touch early in the game last week, but not the late one -- which went to Thomas. Deuce is getting less than 10 touches a game without Bush. He's worthless moving forward as far as I'm concerned.
- Hopefully you sold Tim Hightower while you could, because the matchups -- other than one game against the Rams at home -- are quite difficult from here on out.
