Fantasy Football: Week 1 Running Back Rankings

MIAMI, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- How did you do in your fantasy football draft?

Did you stockpile running backs early? Did you pick up a bunch of stud wide receivers and fill your roster out with sleepers and young runners? Did you seek a more balanced approach and draft studs at several positions?

For whatever approach you pursued, you came to the right place. I have ranked the top running backs for Week 1 of the 2016 NFL season. Big wins are very important to begin the season. Not only will it be important for you to watch your high picks succeed, but you will also be able to find value on your bench for later trades and depth. You will also see what types of roles materialize on particular offenses, for players you currently own or would like to own in the future.

If you haven't drafted yet, check out our top 150 fantasy football rankings for 2016 or view our Draft Kit, complete with overall and positional rankings, and cheat sheets.

TOP 30 WEEK 1 RANKINGS BELOW

TOP SHELF

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, Los Angeles Rams' Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons' DeVonta Freeman, Arizona Cardinals' David Johnson, and Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott will likely be must starts on every week other than their respective bye weeks. Unless you went running-back-heavy and drafted stud rushers with your first two picks, it is unlikely that you have two of these elite stars. Gurley could be in for an absolutely monstrous day. The second-year stud is facing a 49ers defense who allowed the second most fantasy points per game in 2015. Peterson should see a huge workload, following the Teddy Bridgewater injury, and due to the Vikings' general offensive strategy. Elliott's first regular season game comes against a Giants team that allowed the eighth most fantasy points per game last season to running backs. He should also see a plethora of carries in a bell-cow role.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Seattle Seahawks running back Christine Michael, Oakland Raiders' Latavius Murray, Kansas City Chiefs' Spencer Ware, and Green Bay Packers' Eddie Lacy are among those players with juicy match-ups to kick off 2016.

Michael faces a Miami Dolphins squad who allowed the most fantasy points per game to running backs in 2015. With Thomas Rawls limited, expect Michael to see plenty of work, possibly putting him in RB1 consideration. Michael is listed as a starter on the Seahawks' current depth chart. Murray has been quiet this offseason, after finishing second in rushing in the AFC last season. Expect him to start the season on a good note, as his Raiders face a New Orleans Saints squad who allowed the third most fantasy points per game to running backs last season. Lacy will have a chance right away to prove if his off-season conditioning program paid off. His Packers face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who allowed the ninth most fantasy points per game to running backs in 2015.

LONGSHOTS

Philadelphia Eagles' Ryan Mathews, New York Giants' Rashad Jennings, Cleveland Browns' Isaiah Crowell, and Detroit Lions' Ameer Abdullah have decent match-ups to begin the season.

Mathews faces the Cleveland Browns in Philadelphia and should see benefits after the departure of DeMarco Murray. The Browns allowed the second most total rushing yards in the NFL last season to running backs, trailing only the Eagles. That means Browns running back Isaiah Crowell also has a decent match-up and has a shot to be useful in your lineup if you are desperate. The Eagles allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the position in 2015. Jennings is primed for a divisional battle with the Dallas Cowboys. Week 1 will give Giants fans and fantasy football followers a chance to see just how Ben McAdoo will use newly found talents around Eli Manning. Additions to the team's passing arsenal should allow for more space, and production, for Jennings. Abdullah is the sneakiest play here. Like Latavius Murray, Abdullah has also had a quiet offseason. A Week 1 match-up in Indianapolis could change that for the versatile back. Abudllah is more valuable in PPR leagues, but can be employed at the flex spot or as an RB2 if you are super desperate or in a deep league. The Colts allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game to running backs last season. That defense also allowed 12 rushing touchdowns to running backs, the fifth most in the NFL.