We waited three months for football activity and it came back with a vengeance last week! There have been rumors about rumors, free agency signings and big trades, all with huge fantasy and more importantly Dynasty impact. In this article, we are going to take a look at all of the movement at the Running backs, which is moving even further from the bell cow landscape that it once was. Nearly every single NFL team is looking at some kind of timeshare with at least 2 and in numerous cases 3 skilled backs fighting for touches. Be sure to check back early and often this offseason as we continue to roll out new Dynasty material, including one of our biggest articles of the year...the 2011 Season Preview.



Joseph Addai (Colts) - The much maligned Addai is back with the Colts, where his value was always going to be the highest. He'll eventually give way to a more talented back, but Addai is an average talent whose skills fit the Colts offense like a glove. Donald Brown couldn't carve out any type of role, perhaps Delone Carter will push both of them in the coming seasons. Consider him a low upside RB3 and make sure you take a shot at Carter because in addition to being mediocre, Addai has trouble staying healthy.

Marion Barber III (Bears) - Marion the Barberian once ran wild all over the NFL. His punishing style has taken it's toll on his effectiveness, as he's seen his YPC drop to 3.3 last season. He's also never rushed for 1,000 yards in a season and has battled nagging injuries througout his career. He'll head to Chicago as Matt Forte's backup and makes for no more than a handcuff. Upside is limited and at 28 years old, the end is near.

Mike Bell (Lions) - Once traded straight up for each other last season, the Lions signed Mike Bell and Jerome Harrison a day after promising rookie Mikel LeShoure was lost for the year. Harrison is a smallish back with similar skills to Best, but he does pack a punch in between the tackles. Mike Bell, though, might get the early call as Best's counterpart, because of his solid frame and short yardage ability. We're not optimistic he is the answer in Detroit and he could give way to the more talented Harrison quickly.

Cedric Benson (Bengals) - Being arrested a few weeks prior to free agency probably didn't help, but neither did his 3.5 yards per carry last season on over 300 carries. Benson is a big back that needs a heavy volume of touches per game in order to put up decent fantasy stats. The Bengals don't have faith in Bernard Scott as a workhorse back, but he should get the ball more in 2011. That could cut into Benson's share and leave him as a low-end RB2 for 2011. In Dynasty leagues, he's a sell if someone is buying because at 28 years old, his upside is limited.

Ahmad Bradshaw (Giants) - After flirting with numerous teams in free agency, Bradshaw went back to the team that took a chance on him 3 years ago. He and Brandon Jacobs make for an excellent duo and while Bradshaw could have cashed in elsewhere, he's a great fit in the G-men offense. Consider him a solid RB2 for the near future, but be aware of his injury history, diminutive size and power running style that might limit his long term appeal. Coming off of a top 10 season, Bradshaw could bring you hefty haul in a Dynasty trade.

Reggie Bush (Dolphins) - A dynamic RB prospect coming out of USC, Reggie Bush has battled injuries and ineffectiveness during his five NFL seasons. He is still a big play threat, but outside of PPR leagues he's no more than RB4 and handcuff to potential workhorse rookie Daniel Thomas. Bush wants 15+ touches per game, but after playing just one full season in five, can he hold up? His ideal role is as a slot receiver and change of pace back, but don't buy the hype that the change of scenery will make him a fantasy Beast.

Brandon Jackson (Browns) - A former 2nd round pick, Brandon Jackson has never been an effective runner. What he is, though, is a solid third down back with a knack for blitz pick-up. He's barely rosterable in Dynasty leagues as a low upside handcuff, as he should fall behind Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty in the pecking order for touches.

Jerome Harrison (Lions) - With the injury to Mikel LeShoure, the Lions pounced on one of the best available RB's still on the market, signing Jerome Harrison to a contract. A very solid back-up, Harrison has some definite upside in this situation behind an injury-prone Jahvid Best. Worthy of a roster spot for sure, Harrison could approach Flex value even with a healthy Best.

Tim Hightower (Redskins) - Hightower gets traded out of one crowded backfield in Arizona and into another one in Washington, albeit one with less talent. Hightower has shown improvement in his game, but lacks the upside of a lead back. He's solid around the goal line and as a third down back, but he's an RB4 at best. He might get a solid amount of carries when Ryan Torain gets hurt, but he'll have to battle promising rookies Roy Helu and Evan Royster. As always with Mike Shanahan, proceed with caution.

Willis McGahee (Broncos) - Ray Rice owners rejoice! You won't have to watch Rice help drive the ball 85 yards, only to watch McGahee replace him at the goal line and steal a TD (now that job will belong to Ricky Williams). McGahee will now do the same thing to Knowshon Moreno in Denver, where he should actually have the opportunity for more carries. He's a handcuff at this point in his career, but might be able to carve out more of a role with the Broncos given John Fox's propensity for dual backfields.

Darren Sproles (Saints) - Reggie Bush departs New Orleans, giving Pierre Thomas owners a glimmer of fantasy hope in 2011. No so fast, as PPR specialist Darren Sproles comes to town just as Reggie leaves. He fills the Reggie Bush role of a couple carries and 5-7 catches per game. He's more durable than Bush and just as effective as a receiver, but at 28 years old, he is what he is at this point. Sean Payton will use him to the best of his abilities, but he's a Flex player at best.

DeAngelo Williams (Panthers) - Everyone was waiting for it, Williams owners, Jonathan Stewart owners, even Mike Goodson owners had this offseason marked on the calendar. DeAngelo was one of the most sought after free agents and with a potential Beast ready to dominate behind him, it was all but a given that he would leave town. The Panthers apparently didn't see it that way, choosing to resign Williams to a huge contract at age 28. He's been injury prone in the past few years, but when healthy should be an RB2. His upside is capped by the presence of the supremely talented Stewart and third down back Goodson. Stewart's Dynasty owners cannot be more disappointed, as he'll now have to wait until at least the 2013 season to be a lead back. The only good news here for Stewart owners is that he'll be just 26 years old as a free agent that summer and without an alarming number of carries on his body. Goodson is too talented to be cut loose, but he's merely a handcuff at this point. Tyrell Sutton was in line for a few carries, but will need multiple injuries to see the field with any regularity now.

Ricky Williams (Ravens) - Sticky Ricky lands in about as nice of a fantasy situation as can be expected for a 34 year old back with over 2,300 carries on his body. This probably speaks more to the lack of confidence in the Ravens backs behind Ray Rice than it does an endorsement for Ricky's skills. He won't get more than a handful of touches per game, but as Rice's back-up in Baltimore, he might get goal line carries (which made Willis McGahee fantasy relevant for the past two seasons). Dynasty owners shouldn't do more than kick the tires, even if you do own Rice, but he's solid insurance for at least this season.