[Jun 13th] Matt Waldman says: I was the lead skeptic of Fantasy Football's Santa Claus last year, but I've been saved by the Football Church of All Day. How can one doubt a running back who returns from a December 2011 ACL tear with a 2012 season of 2314 from scrimmage and 13 total scores? The guy is my fantasy football hero. If he's not your first pick in performance or PPR leagues then you must be one of those 'regression to the mean' guys and I can't help you there. (hide this)

[Jun 13th] Matt Waldman says: I can already see Doug Martin threatening Foster's No.2 spot by my next update, but for now I'm sticking with Foster because I like the stability of the Texans offense just a little more. This is likely a too conservative assessment even for those with conservative viewpoints, but Foster is great in the red zone and I'm a little skeptical that we'll see Doug Martin have as many breakaway plays on receptions that helped him average nearly 10 yards per catch as a rookie. The fantasy points in PPR leagues between Martin and Foster were nearly equal so if Martin comes down to earth just a little bit, Foster is the better back in both settings. Ben Tate might stay healthy enough to cut into Foster's time, but I still think the Texans starter is in his prime and ready to roll for another strong year. (hide this)

[Jun 13th] Matt Waldman says: There is a likelihood that second-year wunderkind Bryce Brown will see a significant number of touches in this Chip Kelly run-oriented offense. No, Oregon is not a pass-heavy offense; it's a high-tempo offense with a lot of running and that's a big difference. Even McCoy has stated in spring practices that they are running a ton and it feels like a track meet out there. That's great for McCoy even if Brown hangs onto the football and gets into the act. More important is the addition of tackle Lane Johnson and return of former All-Pro Jason Peters. If these two players can shore up the leaky offensive line, the Eagles offense just might be as good in 2013 as their hype heading into 2013 and McCoy will lead the way. (hide this)

[Jun 13th] Matt Waldman says: I led the Lynch-Train last year and told you not to worry too much about the criminal charges late in the year. I had him ranked in this range then and nothing changes now. The addition of Christine Michael is a move for the future. The time is still now for Lynch and this excellent Seahawks line to shred the NFL. The nagging back problems were a concern, but not enough to derail Lynch from 16 starts, 1786 total yards and 12 total touchdowns. Although he is one of the better receiving backs in the league from a technique standpoint, Lynch doesn't see a ton of targets in this offense. If he earns another 15-20 receptions to his 2012 totals, he'd threaten Peterson and Foster as fantasy forces and it boosts his ranking in PPR leagues to a first-round pick. Either way, Lynch is an early-round pick and one of the safest in any format. If Percy Harvin stays healthy, expect Lynch to have some nice second halves as Seattle plays with a lead and runs the ball down defenses' throats. If Michael plays well enough to see time, the rookie and Robert Turbin could take some of the luster off Lynch's totals but not enough to keep him out of your top five in performance leagues. (hide this)

[Jun 13th] Matt Waldman says: Jones-Drew is a stud and probably a value this year if the Jaguars offensive line can stay healthy. Pound-for-pound he's one of he best backs in the league. Talent-wise, he's Ray Rice with more big-play ability. (hide this)

[Jun 13th] Matt Waldman says: Matt Forte is not considered a special talent by most fantasy owners, but I think he is. Marc Trestman's offense should help the passing game and if the team's draft picks at the line of scrimmage provide an immediate upgrade, Forte is a performance RB2 who could have an RB1 year. I think he's a borderline PPR RB1 right now. (hide this)

[Jun 13th] Matt Waldman says: This could be a match made in heaven for the Lions and Reggie Bush. However, Heaven could have a cooler temperature in Detroit than most of the NFL with the Lake Effect and all. Still, Bush has a good chance to provide 600-800 yards both as a receiver and runner. He hasn't been the Gale Sayers incarnate that I thought when he left USC, but skill-wise he has looked better as a runner than his initial years at New Orleans. Mikel Leshoure has been what I would term a somewhat effective plodder. Look for Bush to have less production in Detroit than he did in Miami due to the potential time share, but I still think there's top-15 upside at a value if Leshoure falters. He's an underrated RB2 even with the team change. (hide this)

[Jun 13th] Matt Waldman says: Murray is the classic case of a potential stud who is stuck behind a struggling line and seasons derailed by injury. His injury history has followed him from the college game to the NFL and this will cause a lot of owners to shy away from his talent this early. He's a boom-bust decision, but if you're risk-friendly then I think he's worth it here. I can't justify dropping him any further. (hide this)

[Jun 13th] Matt Waldman says: Sproles is still a PPR option of high-end starter value and could rebound as a re-draft option in 2013. If he repeats last year's production, he's still a low-end RB2 in non-PPR formats. (hide this)

[Jun 13th] Matt Waldman says: The only real threat to Frank Gore's playing time this year will be LaMichael James. The second-year Oregon runner is strong for his size and in my opinion a better option than Carolina rookie Kenjon Barner, who gets more credit for his pass receiving that he deserves. James will be a nice change-up for the offense as Kendall Hunter recovers from an Achilles' injury and rookie Marcus Lattimore rehabs his torn knee ligaments. It means Gore remains the go-to guy behind the best run blocking line in football. I worry he's too low on my list, but I think James is good enough complement the veteran and reduce the workload just enough to keep him a strong RB2 rather than a borderline RB1 in all formats. (hide this)

[Jun 13th] Matt Waldman says: All things being equal, I would have made David Wilson my top back in the 2013 NFL Draft if he waited a year to leave Virginia Tech. He's a fantastic talent and in hindsight I think this year as a kick return specialist and Tom Coughlin-benched RB was the best thing that could have happened for him. Wilson's ball security showed marked improvement at the end of last year and he's already displaying improved skill in pass protection this early in spring camp. Andre Brown is a good player, but David Wilson has top-12 ability among runners. In fact, he has top-5 ability. What he lacks is a great line. If you can get Wilson as your RB2, you're in good shape. He's another player I believe will rise up my board this summer if reports are as positive as I expect. (hide this)

[Jun 13th] Matt Waldman says: Bradshaw is a fine pass protector who limits quarterback hits and sacks. He only gave up 7 in over 500 attempts. He's also a creative runner who plays hurt. He's not a long-term option, which is why he didn't get signed during the early free agent period. However, for a playoff team seeking a one-year upgrade to Vick Ballard or at least quality depth of rotation, this signing makes sense. Low-end RB2 material for me with a little more PPR upside, but a lot more than that. (hide this)

[Jun 18th] Matt Waldman says: Adding Montee Ball is not an encouraging sign for Ronnie Hillman's prospects as a feature back. Of course the Giants once added Ron Dayne after drafting Tiki Barber and Barber became an excellent all-purpose fantasy player. It's ok to hold out hope, but in re-drafts Hillman is best projected as a promising fantasy backup in a crowded situation. (hide this)

[Jun 13th] Matt Waldman says: He's a top-10 physical talent lacking the consistency to rely upon as anything more than flex-option until he figures it out. The fact that NFL.com is reporting a story that the new Chargers' brass asked Ladainian Tomlinson to come back and get 10-12 touches per game is an indication of the organization's lack of confidence in Mathews. It's a make-or-break year for Mathews with this new regime to earn a long-term starting role. (hide this)

[Jun 18th] Matt Waldman says: Goodson as RB1 talent, but has to stay healthy and disciplined. He and Chris Ivory could be a productive duo if this team rights the ship on and off the field. Don't count on it, but do count on some nice games from both RBs. (hide this)

[Jun 13th] Matt Waldman says: Ivory is an excellent talent as a runner. The receiving and pass protection component are a little more of a mystery. The worse case scenario is that he's an upgrade to Shonn Green's role and splits time with Mike Goodson and Bilal Powell. The best case is that he becomes the feature back. I think he's a better bet as a performance league option than a PPR guy at this early juncture of the preseason. (hide this)

[Jun 18th] Matt Waldman says: Leshoure has been a plodder with some power rather than the dynamic-looking prospect he appeared at Illinois. Reggie Bush should earn the lead back opportunities due to his experience, versatility, and big-play talent. The Lions still like Joique Bell, who also looked better than Leshoure much of the time. (hide this)

[Jun 18th] Matt Waldman says: If David Wilson plays to his potential, Andre Brown will be an afterthought. If not, Brown is good enough to be a strong RB2 for as long as he can stay healthy. (hide this)

[Jun 18th] Matt Waldman says: His PPR value is higher than his re-draft value, but I don't expect more than flex-production from him. (hide this)

[Jun 18th] Matt Waldman says: While the Falcons might use Jacquizz Rodgers to spell Jackson, they'd be fools to use the third-year back to replace the veteran on passing downs outright. I doubt Atlanta is this foolish. Jackson could be a stud this year. (hide this)

[Jun 18th] Matt Waldman says: Tolbert earned enough red zone looks to be a top-40 back. I don't see that changing this year, but do keep an eye on Mike Shula's changes. If Carolina reverts to a traditional ground game, monitor if Tolbert earns the goal line looks. If Jonathan Stewart fails to get healthy, Tolbert could be the best value of the Carolina runners. (hide this)

[Jun 18th] Matt Waldman says: Can Pead beat Daryl Richardson and Zac Stacy? Yes. Well he? I think Stacy is the more polished player between the tackles, so I think not. (hide this)

[Jun 18th] Matt Waldman says: I wouldn't presume Mikel LeShoure will be the second back in Detroit. Bell was the 23rd overall fantasy back with 52 receptions, which is even with Marcel Reece for fifth-most among RBs in 2012. Bell also had half of LeShoure's rushing yards on roughly a third of Leshoure's attempts. (hide this)

[Jun 18th] Matt Waldman says: Vereen has promise as a good flex-play, but the backfield is so crowded in New England that it's hard to vouch for him other than potential. (hide this)

[Jun 18th] Matt Waldman says: It saddens me that Stewart never got a chance to be a 300-carry back. He should be a top-15 RB. His ankle injury opens the door for Deangelo Williams to become a bigger factor this year. I also think Mike Shula's system will be more running back friendly. How much it translates to a Carolina runner earning fantasy starter production is another story. I feel better about taking Williams than I do Stewart this year. (hide this)