p style=”text-align: justify;”>There is plenty to watch heading into training camp. The most intriguing part of camp is of course the position battles. It’s a whole different ball game once the pads go on later this month. There are a ton of jobs up for grabs this offseason and they will have a major impact on the fantasy season. This article will focus on the running backs.

Atlanta Falcons

Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman

There has been no lack of confidence from either of these competitors. Coleman made waves almost immediately after being drafted when he all but guaranteed he’d win the starting running back job over Freeman. Freeman really wasn’t having that. He showed no signs of backing down and has begun to pull away with the starting job. Carries are still very much up in the air, but it’s a safe bet Freeman will be the primary pass-catcher in Atlanta.

Who they should go with

I like Freeman here. There is a reason they are leaning Freeman, and I believe he has star potential. I expected him to take the starting job last season, however, he ended up in a full blown committee with the since departed Jacquizz Rodgers and Steven Jackson, with Antone Smith being used sparingly as he will be this season. Coleman will see a decent amount of carries, nevertheless, Freeman is and should be the man to own in fantasy leagues, especially PPR.

Cleveland Browns

Duke Johnson, Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell

West started off as the hot back last season until Crowell emerged as the more dominant back when West found himself in the coaches’ doghouse. Personally I preferred West of the two coming out of college, but it’s hard to ignore Crowell’s productivity, particularly his eight TDs in comparison to West’s four. With all that said, there’s a new back in town, and it’s home run hitter Duke Johnson. Johnson is as dynamic and explosive as any back in the league. He’s often compared to Giovani Bernard, but he’s better. Johnson finished his junior year at The U as their all-time leading rusher. He out-rushed backs like Clinton Portis, Edgerrin James, Frank Gore and Willis McGahee. The knock on Johnson is his durability and questions about his ability to handle a full workload.

Who they should go with

Johnson just brings things to the table that the other two can’t. As a matter of fact, almost nobody in the league can. There is nothing he doesn’t do well. He’s a tenacious blocker and is a hard-nosed runner between the tackles. Not to mention he’s a natural pass-catcher. You combine all that with his ability to take it to the house at any given moment, and you have a potential star in the making. As long as he can stay healthy of course.

Dallas Cowboys

Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden

In a surprise to no one, McFadden missed most of the Cowboys’ offseason workouts with a hamstring injury. Randle has really pulled away this spring. Still, the team insists there is still an open competition. Ryan Williams and Lance Dunbar are in the picture, nevertheless, in a limited capacity. Past knee injuries have permanently hindered Williams and Dunbar is nothing more than a complimentary piece. This comes down to two backs and that’s being generous.

Who they should go with

This is a nightmarish situation Randle should win by default. McFadden just isn’t productive anymore. He’s averaged only 3.3 yards per carry since 2011 and has been badly outperformed by Rashad Jennings, Latavius Murray and Marcel Reece. Randle will be the top back in Dallas and rightfully so.

New York Jets

Chris Ivory and Stevan Ridley

Ivory will start the season as the RB1 due to Ridley still recovering from ACL surgery. The real question here is: who’s the guy to own down the stretch? Both backs have a very similar skill set and have done little in the past to separate one from the other. There have been some rumors that the Jets’ coaching staff may believe Ridley is a better fit. Nonetheless, those rumors were never confirmed or even responded to.

Who they should go with

Honestly, I really don’t even think it makes a huge difference either way. Their best bet may be just to feed the hot hand and split carries to keep them both fresh. Neither guy is a particularly good pass-catcher so it will be interesting to see who in New York emerges as the third-down back. It could be Bilal Powell.

St. Louis Rams

Tre Mason and Todd Gurley

This battle completely depends on Gurley’s recovery from ACL surgery. Mason is good but Gurley may be the best running back for the next decade. This is by far the most intriguing of the battles.

Who they should go with

It’s so hard to not say Gurley, however, the Rams should probably play it safe. You start him on the PUP list, let Mason handle the load and ease Gurley back into the lineup after six games. Gurley is just too talented to risk his long-term future. I give Mason a very slight edge as the back to own this season. The issue may arise of a split-back system or even Gurley taking over down your fantasy team’s stretch run.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Doug Martin, Charles Sims and Bobby Rainey

Martin is reportedly having a great offseason and is on track to turn it all around this year. I was recently asked a question and the answer I found in my research did not bode well for Martin. How many backs have done great, fallen off a cliff for a few years, then bounced back. There aren’t many. Sims is a talented young back and could be a PPR monster. Rainey is a solid backup

Who they should go with

Sims is the man here. He struggled last season after getting injured and is now healthy and poised to break out. He was an excellent pass-catcher in college and will certainly own that role in Tampa. Wait and draft Sims, pass on Martin.

Tennessee Titans

Bishop Sankey and David Cobb

Sankey was the first running back drafted last season and fell flat on his face. He struggled following his blocks and as a blocker. The Titans drafted Cobb to replace Shonn Greene as the big back and perhaps to be the lead back over Sankey.

Who they should go with

Sankey may end up the forgotten man. If Dexter McCluster ends up the top pass-catcher and Cobb is the top rusher, Sankey doesn’t real fit in. The Titans need to give Cobb at least the first shot at the job. Sankey looked lost last season and didn’t even show all that much burst or potential. I like Cobb’s upside in Tennessee over Sankey.