Running Backs 76-100

Brian McDonald
Senior Editor
June 19, 2008
Now it gets interesting or desperate, depending on perspective. Many of these fellas are ranked in their spot not based on talent, rather where they stand on the depth chart. Many of these backs may become major fantasy players if the anticipated starter limps off the field. However many of these backs are victims of ineffective offensive units or a shortcoming in their own skill set. Consider this group of backs the bargain rack at TJ Maxx: you're really going to have to search for something of value. (Rankings updated on 6/24/08) 76) Carlos Brown, Jr, Michigan Brandon Minor is being heralded as the Wolverines' starting tailback heading into summer conditioning drills, so our ranking of Brown has taken a tumble. Even so, Brown is still a guy to watch. He has pure speed, which is deadly in the spread offense. He can also play a little quarterback, and this makes Brown the most intriguing of Michigan's returning offensive players from a fantasy perspective. If he emerges as the #1 guy (which we think he eventually may) then look out. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 75 rush attempts, 382 yds rush, 0 receptions, 0 yds rec, 4 Total TDs, 49.46 fantasy pts 77) Graig Cooper, So, Miami (Fla.) Cooper has the speed to be a special back. He also separated himself from Javarris James this spring. The only thing holding Cooper back is Miami's inept offense and passing game. If that gets straightened out, we've vastly underrated Cooper. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 125 rush attempts, 682 yds rush, 13 receptions, 129 yds rec, 5 Total TDs, 84.06 fantasy pts 78) Willie Geter, So, Bowling Green Back in the fold as BGSU's starting running back. Geter was slowed by injuries last year so it is tough to gauge just what he has in the tank. A 203 yard performance against Kent St. has us intrigued though. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 69 rush attempts, 436 yds rush, 37 receptions, 296 yds rec, 1 Total TDs, 54.80 fantasy pts 79) Tony Dixon, Sr, Kentucky Tony Dixon is a hard nosed runner that had trouble staying healthy in 2007. While we like Derrick Locke to be the main cog in the Wildcat backfield, Dixon will provide some added punch when called upon. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 72 rush attempts, 411 yds rush, 13 receptions, 91 yds rec, 4 Total TDs, 57.46 fantasy pts 80) Jeremy Avery, So, Boise St. If not for a fella named Ian Johnson, Avery would easily be in our top 10 backs for 2008. As it stands he will need to wait one more year to show off his skills, unless Ian goes down. Avery should be strongly considered in keeper leagues. Tier: keep 2007 Stats: 103 rush attempts, 672 yds rush, 14 receptions, 153 yds rec, 10 Total TDs, 115.00 fantasy pts 81) Nicholas Grigsby, So, Arizona A runner with a great deal of upside, Grigsby needs to display the ability to get it done on a consistent basis. He's the favorite entering camp to take over the number one job, and we certainly like what we saw last year. The Wildcat offense will remain a pass-first system, and this makes banking on consistent fantasy points from this sophomore a risky proposition. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 161 rush attempts, 704 yds rush, 35 receptions, 200 yds rec, 4 Total TDs, 84.26 fantasy pts 82) Eric Kettani, Sr, Navy Kettani will put up numbers, and if you're looking for some short term depth, he's an option. However Navy RBs are streaky and it all depends on what the defense is giving up on any given Saturday. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 152 rush attempts, 880 yds rush, 7 receptions, 36 yds rec, 10 Total TDs, 121.06 fantasy pts 83) Shun White, Sr, Navy Another option for the Midshipmen. White mans one of the slot back positions. If you catch him on the right week, he could produce. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 78 rush attempts, 620 yds rush, 8 receptions, 118 yds rec, 8 Total TDs, 97.20 fantasy pts 84) Terry Grant, So, Alabama Terry Grant is a bit of a fantasy enigma. He started the 2007 season hot, but was unable to deliver with any consistency throughout the year. Grant is a shifty back and Nick Saban prefers to have a someone that can take it between the tackles on a regular basis. Look for more of the same spotty performances from Grant this year as the Tide utilize his skill set in certain games or situations and then roll with the bruisers in others. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 180 rush attempts, 891 yds rush, 26 receptions, 176 yds rec, 9 Total TDs, 125.13 fantasy pts 85) Mason Robinson, So, Rutgers Don't look for Robinson to simply pick up where Ray Rice left off. Rice was a special talent that can't be replaced. Robinson has the inside track on the starting job, but will have to fend off Kordell Young this August. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 36 rush attempts, 202 yds rush, 0 receptions, 0 yds rec, 0 Total TDs, 13.46 fantasy pts 86) Darren Evans, r-Fr, Virginia Tech With Kenny Lewis nursing a bum shoulder and Branden Ore booted from the team, Darren Evans exits spring practice as the starter. Barring a comeback from Kenny and some fireworks from incoming freshman Ryan Williams this fall, Evans should be the starter for the opener. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: rush attempts, yds rush, receptions, yds rec, Total TDs, fantasy pts 87) Jocques Crawford, Juco, Kansas Kansas loses power back Brandon McAnderson but does return Jake Sharp. Crawford is a tough physical runner that is not afraid to drop the pads and take on linebackers. He could see some carries alongside Sharp in 08. Tier: sleep 2007 Stats: rush attempts, yds rush, receptions, yds rec, Total TDs, fantasy pts 88) Antone Smith, Sr, Florida St. We love Antone Smith the running back. What we don't love is Florida State the offense. Unfortunately the two are joined at the hip, and until the Seminole passing game and offensive line come around, Smith will struggle to reach his full potential. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 191 rush attempts, 817 yds rush, 22 receptions, 203 yds rec, 3 Total TDs, 86.00 fantasy pts 89) Fui Vakapuna, Sr, Brigham Young A potential touchdown vulture to Harvey Unga and possible surprise back coming out of BYU. At 245+ (and that is a big +) Vakapuna is a load. Vakapuna was slowed by injuries last year, opening the door for Unga to have the season he did. We would not be the least bit shocked if Vakapuna registers double digit touchdowns om 2008 and there is a run on Vakapuna voodoo dolls by Unga owners. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 73 rush attempts, 252 yds rush, 1 receptions, 4 yds rec, 2 Total TDs, 29.06 fantasy pts 90) Shonn Greene, Jr, Iowa Greene is expected to return to the squad this summer following a year spent cleaning up his academic act. If he returns he's got as good a chance as anyone to see carries befitting a starting back. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: rush attempts, yds rush, receptions, yds rec, Total TDs, fantasy pts 91) Mikell Simpson, Jr, Virginia Filled in admirably when Cedric Peerman went down with an ankle injury. With Peerman set to return, Simpson's fantasy stock drops. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 113 rush attempts, 570 yds rush, 43 receptions, 402 yds rec, 10 Total TDs, 124.80 fantasy pts 92) Daniel Dufrene, Jr, Illinois Dufrene's 2007 highlight was his 80-yard touchdown scamper in Illinois' shocking upset in the Horshoe. Following Rashard Mendenhall's early entry it appeared Dufrene was the clear heir-apparent to take over the running back duties, but now we're not so sure. He'll certainly be a factor this fall, however anyone expecting Dufrene to put up anything close to Mendenhall numbers is likely a member of his family. He'll likely split carries with a few of the younger backs in the program. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 47 rush attempts, 294 yds rush, 3 receptions, 9 yds rec, 2 Total TDs, 32.20 fantasy pts 93) Vince Davidson, So, Ohio It is looking like split carries for the Bobcats. Davidson has the most potential to emerge from the pack to carry the load. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 7 rush attempts, 47 yds rush, 1 receptions, 30 yds rec, 1 Total TDs, 11.13 fantasy pts 94) Donald Brown, Jr, Connecticut Brown will battle with Andre Dixon, and considering his 821 yards and 8 scores of 2007, he'll be a solid mid to late round pick. Just prepared to go nuts when the split duties cost you a season week or two. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 170 rush attempts, 821 yds rush, 14 receptions, 85 yds rec, 8 Total TDs, 108.40 fantasy pts 95) Stephfon Green, r-Fr, Penn St. The speedy Green was a star in spring ball, and he'll push Evan Royster for the starting job. We like Royster to hold off this talented reshirt, however he'll not be able to keep Green off the field. Stephfon Green is a great sleeper candidate who may pay off this season. Tier: sleep 2007 Stats: rush attempts, yds rush, receptions, yds rec, Total TDs, fantasy pts 96) Brandon Johnson, So, Washington Johnson is the likely candidate to emerge as the number one running back for the Huskies. With a difficult schedule on tap, and the fact that the offense begins and ends with Jake Locker, Johnson will likely struggle to put up big fantasy numbers. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 51 rush attempts, 196 yds rush, 0 receptions, 0 yds rec, 2 Total TDs, 25.06 fantasy pts 97) Bilal Powell, So, Louisville The change of pace back to the bowling ball Brock Bolen. Bilal has good upside, we just don't trust Steve Kragthorpe to run the rock with any kind of consistency. Bolen vulturing carries will also be a consistent problem. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 24 rush attempts, 187 yds rush, 3 receptions, 25 yds rec, 2 Total TDs, 26.13 fantasy pts 98) Josh Haden, Fr, Boston College A short stocky jitterbug that could find his way in the BC backfield early with the graduations of L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender. A.J. Brooks has also been dismissed from the team and speed back Jeff Smith has struggled with concussion issues. This all leaves the door open for the freshman Haden. Despite his small stature, he also played linebacker in high school, a good measure of his toughness. Tier: sleep 2007 Stats: rush attempts, yds rush, receptions, yds rec, Total TDs, fantasy pts 99) Mark Ingram, Fr, Alabama Ingram has the rare combination of size, speed and agility. In a nutshell he is a big athletic back that has the body and field presence to make an immediate impact. Will he do so at Alabama? That is a tough call as Terry Grant and Glen Coffee already have the inside track on playing time. However Saban was been critical of the running back production last year, and neither Grant nor Coffee was able to put a firm grip on the starting spot last fall. Grant is the more explosive of the two and has the most potential, but he is a small speed back and Saban also wants someone that can run between the tackles. We have Grant penciled in as the starter but have our eraser handy as Ingram will be given a chance when he arrives in Tuscaloosa this summer. Keep an eye on the position battle this August and as the season progresses. Tier: sleep 2007 Stats: rush attempts, yds rush, receptions, yds rec, Total TDs, fantasy pts 100) Gartrell Johnson, Sr, Colorado St. Johnson took over for the ineffective Kyle Bell last season, and after earning the start in mid October he didn't look back. Coming off a season where he surpassed 1100 yards from scrimmage and put up 8 scores, Johnson will now have to impress a new coaching staff. Bell has designs on reclaiming his once-starting role, and odds are we're looking at a split-carry dealio. Johnson, a senior, should have an impact at times in 2008, however consistency may be an issue. Tier: RB4 2007 Stats: 181 rush attempts, 957 yds rush, 12 receptions, 103 yds rec, 8 Total TDs, 118.66 fantasy pts

RELATED PLAYERS & SCHOOLS