Major Changes at the RB Position

One of the easiest ways to be successful in fantasy football is to get two stud runningbacks on your team. This is because runningbacks are relatively consistent and tend to have a few breakout games. Of course, this is easier said than done.
For quite a while now stacking up on runningbacks has been a popular draft day strategy. Last year if you were lucky enough to get Chris Johnson and Ray Rice, you probably won your league. And if you were unfortunate enough to draft Matt Forte and Steve Slaton you probably didn't do too well in your league. Runningbacks are somewhat hit or miss, but as I mentioned earlier, they can be a major factor in winning your fantasy league. So let's take a look at the major changes at the running back position this season.

Jets: Thomas Jones had another strong campaign last season putting up RB1 numbers but saw his carries limited during the playoffs due to the emergence of Shonn Green. Leon Washington should also be back from his season ending injury. At age 31, Jones is already considered "old" for a RB. The Jets could ultimately release Jones and if so Shonn Green immediately becomes a top 15 RB. But I expect a share of the workload in New York this year. Jones being drafted as a RB2, where as Green will be drafted as a RB3. My advice: Take Green in a later round, he has much more upside. Pass on TJ.

Chargers: Ladainian Tomlinson has been one of the most dominant runningbacks of the decade, but he has already packed his bags and is out of San Diego. His back up, the speedy Darren Sproles is going to be a free agent and will get a decent amount of cash from some team this off season. This leaves the Chargers with a huge hole at the RB position. Drafting later in round 1, they could grab a running back. Jahvid Best out of Cal and Ryan Matthews out of Fresno St. should both still be available. If they do draft a RB, that RB immediately becomes a RB2 in fantasy next year. Expect numbers similar to Knowshon Moreno's last year. The Chargers could also trade for a RB. Willis McGahee from Baltimore and Marshawn Lynch from Buffalo are both available. If either of these RBs are acquired, they both too would become RB2s in fantasy, with McGahee having the higher upside. I see them ultimately drafting a RB though.