Doug Martin [Tampa Bay Buccaneers] [Starter]: Martin was abysmal last year but this is largely thanks to Dirk Koetter Tampa Bay's offensive coordinator and the bad offensive line he inherited. This offseason the Buc's drafted not only who the assume to be their franchise quarterback in Jameis Winston but spent their second and third round picks on offensive linemen Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet. Expect Tampa Bay to lean on its run game a little more substantially with a rookie quarterback, also no one will draft Martin high so he could be a fourth to fifth round steal if the Buc's new offensive line can open up some rushing lanes.
Darren McFadden [Dallas Cowboys] [2nd Backup]: Darren McFadden is most likely going to spell Joseph Randle for most of the season as the number 2 running back in this offense. This will keep McFadden healthier than if he immediately got the lion's share of the carries, plus he is running behind the best line in all of football. The Dallas backfield is constantly in flux and how they will attempt to use their backs remains unclear but as it stands now McFadden may be the Cowboy's fantasy vulture this year. McFadden should be gone by the fifth or sixth round.
Fred Jackson [Buffalo Bills] [Backup]: Jackson was the starter for many moons in Buffalo however with the arrival of Shady McCoy those days are likely over. Jackson had trouble staying healthy his entire time in Buffalo so why take a shot on him late in your fantasy draft if you're a little light on running backs? Because with less carries means better health, also he is most likely to fit in as a change of pace back. Buffalo will also run the ball more than they pass it so it could wait until the sixth or seventh round. For Jackson I would wait until the sixth or seventh round.
Giovanni Bernard [Cincinnati Bengals] [Backup]: Bernard was the lead dog at the start of last season after a couple of injuries he was replaced by Jeremy Hill. Hue Jackson runs the ball over 50 percent of the time so this is bound to be the best backup running back situation in the league. Gio will get a better than average amount of carries and probably good looks on passing downs. With Hill being the feature back Gio is likely to stay out of injury trouble. I would take Gio in the fourth or fifth round depending on how many RBs I have taken.
Duke Johnson [Starter] [Cleveland Browns]: Last season the Browns ran the ball 47.2 percent of the time and they had a committee as their running back so it was hard to pin a specific running back down, now that the Browns have drafted Duke Johnson it appears they have found their lead back. Johnson is a rookie so expect him to be around much later in fantasy drafts, and it is not like the Brown's passing game is going to help the run anytime soon. I would wait until the fifth or sixth round to take Johnson as it is not clear how he will react to being a pro.
Ameer Abdullah [Starter] [Detroit Lions]: Another rookie who has a large portion of carries on his plate. Joique Bell was the main starter last year along with some other fill in players but now the Lions have drafted one of the most respected running backs in this draft class. Abdullah is a high character, intelligent running back with home run abilities. I would say that he has potential to be the rookie running back of the year and the Lions will need that level of production if they want to get to the playoffs again. Plus Bell has been injured this offseason leaving the Lions to work with Abdullah and in most of the coaches minds Abdullah has stolen the starting spot from Bell. I would draft Abdullah in either the fourth or fifth round.
T.J. Yeldon [Starter] [Jacksonville Jaguars]: Yeldon is three down back getting a chance at leading one of the statistically worst rushing teams in the league. Yeldon should be the main option for the Jaguars which will yield him most of the touches but I think it remains to be seen if the Jaguars have done enough to help the offensive line in terms of running the ball. Yeldon should be drafted as a fifth or sixth round pick.
C.J. Spiller [New Orleans Saints] [Backup]: The Saints backfield has changed dramatically, with Travaris Cadet and Pierre Thomas gone a ton of carries and touches have been freed up. These touches will most likely go to Spiller as he should do most if not all of the catching out of the backfield. Spiller is faster than Ingram and should be the primary option on screen plays. I would draft Spiller as a late fourth early fifth round pick.
Reggie Bush [San Francisco 49ers] [Backup]: Is likely to be the passing down running back/ the change of pace back for the 49ers. He will most likely get all of the balls thrown to a running back in the backfield and should be a nice PPR asset. The 49ers like to run the ball but the more durable back is clearly Carlos Hyde who will get the lion share of the carries. I would draft Bush as a late fifth early sixth round pick.
