Having depth at running back is very important in a teams game plan. You have to be able to rely on your backups to give the starters a breather and fill in during a starters injury. Having a quality, reliable backup RB is important because if a starter goes down he gotta fill in the role without having to change the whole offensive game plan. So here's who I think are the best RB combo's today:
1. Arian Foster and Ben Tate (Houston Texans)
One of the best running backs in the game today, Foster ran for nearly 1500 yards and 15 TD's in 2012 and is a real workhorse, as he logged 351 carries including 8 games with over 25 carries. Foster's injury problems have been a hot topic this pre-season but even if he is not 100 percent he will score double digit TD's. Then you have Ben Tate who is shifty in space and might be the best backup RB in the NFL. He had injury problems that slowed him down last year but in 2011 he ran for 942 yards on only 175 carries which is 5.4 yards a clip. He could be a borderline top 10 fantasy RB if Foster cant play.
2.Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce (Baltimore Ravens)
Rice is a do it all back he is a tough inside runner and a great pass blocker for a guy of his size. He is also one of the top receiving threats out of the backfield in the NFL. In 2012 he ran for 1143 yards to go along with 9 touchdowns. Add in his 61 catches for nearly another 500 yards and 22 receiving first downs there is no denying he is one of the most versatile backs in the league. Also, who can forget the fourth and twenty-nine yard first down catch to spark the ravens to an overtime win against the chargers in week 12. As for Pierce he had a solid 2012 with 532 rushing yards and almost a 5.0 ypc. He really broke out and had big performances in wins vs the giants ( 14 carries, 123 yards) and a playoff win vs the colts (13 carries, 103 yards). You could throw him in on any down and not have to worry as he was also a consistent pass blocker.
3. Steven Ridley, Shane Vereen, LeGarrette Blount, Brandon Bolden (New England Patriots)
This one may surprise you but you really have to look at the seasons these guys put up last year. Ridley ran for over 1200 yards to go along with 12 TD's. He was relied upon to get goal line carries and score touchdowns and he did just that. Vereen is going to become a big part of the patriots offense the season in my opinion. While he only rushed for 250 yards and only added another 100 receiving, I guarantee that you will see those numbers go way up with the departure of Danny Woodhead. He and woodhead combined for 186 touches last season if vereen gets all those touches he can be a big threat not only in rushing but receiving. He can line up wide and make people miss in open space. As for Blount and Bolden they will be sparingly used but both are great goal line options and have had some big games in previous seasons.
4. Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas (New Orleans Saints)
While neither of these three are really the starter they all contribute in their own ways to the Saints attack. Sproles might be the most versatile back in the league, while in 2012 he only rushed for 250 yards he ran at over 5.0 ypc. But, his biggest weapon is receiving out of the backfield as he had 75 catches for nearly 700 yards and 7 TD's. He has one of the best QB's that likes to get him the ball in space and when he gets the ball he can outrun just about every opposing defender. As for Ingram he is the power of the trio who could really pile up touchdowns if he gets ample goal line carries. Thomas is a mix of the 2 and is a great third down back who is good at pass catching and pass blocking.
5. CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson (Buffalo Bills)
This combo could be very promising if Jackson can stay healthy and spiller shows he can handle the full time load. Spiller ran for over 1200 yards on only 207 carries (6.0 ypc) and added another 450 yards receiving on 43 catches and a combined 7 TD's. He is one of the fastest and more explosive backs in the league and if he can handle the full time load he could blossom. As the Bills new OC said "We will give Spiller the ball until he pukes." As for Jackson he had to deal with injuries last season, but, in 2011 he ran for nearly 1000 yards and 6 TD's. He is also a threat in the passing game and is solid in pass protection.
I would like to hear your thoughts and who you think should be on this list.
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