The MonsterDraft fantasy player analyzer can customize your draft board based on your league’s specifications- including number of teams, starting line-up structure, points awarded per yardage/scoring play, and various other critical factors.
This article highlights the top 5 running backs the tool produced for a league awarding 6 points for rushing and receiving TD’s, 1 point per 25 yards, and 1 point for each reception. This league heavily rewards TD’s and receptions while discounting yardage.
Every league is different which is where MonsterDraft steps in - change the parameters and the list is instantly tailored to your league.
In the hypothetical league above, here’s what MonsterDraft’s top 5 list of running backs would look like…..
#5- Joseph Addai- Colts. Entering his third year- Addai hasn’t exactly replaced Edgerrin James in the hearts of Colt’s fans- but he does provide the same horsepower to the running game. Playing in one of the league’s best offenses- Addai is a scoring machine- he tied for second in the league with 12 rushing TD’s- and added 3 more through the air. He didn’t lose the ball a single time- and averaged a respectable 4.1 yards per carry. Dominic Rhodes is back in town to back Addai up- which means Joseph will get the full load of Colt’s carries- something becoming more and more rare in the NFL.
#4- Steven Jackson- Rams. It’s hard to describe Jacksons’ 2007 as anything but a disappointment- particularly as a fantasy player. Selected 3rd overall on average in 2007 fantasy drafts- Jackson finished roughly 14th in fantasy scoring. So why is he ranked so highly by MonsterDraft? Because inside the numbers lie a perfectly reasonable explanation. Injuries (groin and back) kept Jackson out of four games and limited him in at least three others. When he was playing- the Rams had all sorts of offensive line problems- including losing all world OT Orlando Pace in week one. No O-line starter played every game in ’07- not a recipe for running success. The Rams drafted some linemen for depth- and have to have better luck with a now healthy line. Which brings us to Jackson- who is only 25, 100% healthy, strong as a bull, fast, quick, and crazy, good vision. New offensive coordinator Al Saunders promises to use Jackson the same way he used Priest Holmes. Remember him? He single handedly won fantasy leagues a few years ago.
#3- Marion Barber- Cowboys. Barber wasn’t a sexy pick in ’07 fantasy drafts. Sharing carries with Julius Jones and the spotlight with TO kept him from elite status. Despite the naysayers- he finished 7th overall for running backs in fantasy scoring- and now people are taking notice. But does he warrant the jump to #3? Yes. For starters- Julius Jones has left town. Barber is the starter for the first time in his career. And although the Cowboys added rookie RB Felix Jones with their first overall pick- logic dictates that Barber’s carries will go up. Even if the Boys regularly go with a two back set- Barber should have every opportunity to increase from just under 13 carries a game to a neighborhood of 17-20. And fantasy RB value is all about opportunity. The Cowboys offense is explosive- plenty of points to go around- and Barber should at least repeat his 12 TD’s from 2007. A new seven year contract is a good sign that the Cowboys drafted Jones to compliment Barber- not replace him.
#2- Brian Westbrook- Eagles. No running back- perhaps no player, means more to his team than RB Brian Westbrook means to his. Asked to carry an often lifeless offense- Westbrook also carried many fantasy teams to victory in 2007 as well.
Only one of two running backs to finish in the top ten overall fantasy scorers- Westbrook is pure gold- and no mere consolation prize for owners in the number 2 slot. Smart, fast, and tougher than his size would have you believe- not only does MonsterDraft rank him as one of their most valuable players- but also as one of the few at 100% on the consistency index. (If you’re not a subscriber- just trust me- that’s a good thing for Westbrook owners). The only thing better than points is points every week.
#1- LaDanian Tomlinson- Chargers. Surprise, surprise- the best player in the league tops the chart of the best running backs. What can be said about LT that hasn’t been said. He is the king of the gridiron rushers- and of the fantasy RB’s- until someone can dethrone him. To do that- they will need to match his speed and agility- a lightning fast step to the hole and an even faster break to the outside. Tomlinson was the number two overall scorer in most fantasy leagues in 2007 (second only to Tom Brady)- and this was after a relatively slow start. LT remains the sole option and most potent weapon on a team with Super Bowl aspirations. The closest thing to a sure thing as fantasy football offers- he’s the number one ranked running back- and will be the number one selection in any league that isn’t based on Mars.
You may be asking where MonsterDraft has Adrian Peterson ranked. In this format, outside of the top 5. In other formats where receptions aren’t so heavily favored he jumps to the number 2 spot. This highlights the importance of customizing your draft board to your league’s settings. You can’t automatically slot any of these guys without factoring in the unique format of your league.
The MonsterDraft tool will not only provide you with a complete list of players at every position- customized to your league and ranked in an easy to read style to help guide you through every pick of the draft- but we keep it updated constantly based on injuries, roster changes, etc. Once you subscribe and try it- you’ll be surprised at just how helpful this tool can be. So join today- and be a Monster on draft day.