Baltimore Ravens

Best fantasy football running backs in their 30s

Published Jun. 24, 2016 1:32 p.m. ET

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When I was younger, I loved to read these articles detailing how running backs who turn 30 years old will no longer contribute at an elite fantasy football level. Then, I turned 30 and those same posts became sadder and more depressing to read.

This is me empathizing with those cagey veteran running backs.

So, instead of dwelling on the downfall, let's look toward the positive. Here is a list of the best fantasy football running backs who still have a season, or two, left in the tank.

Adrian Peterson, MIN (31)

He's still real to me, dangit! In my fantasy football running back rankings, I list AP just after Le'Veon Bell. If you eliminate the 2015 season, Peterson has rushed for more than 1,200 yards in three straight seasons and has scored at least 10 TDs in every year of his career. Last year, at 30, AP averaged 4.5 yards per carry and even averaged 7.4 yards per reception (30 catches). With Peterson missing nearly the entire 2014 season, you could say that he has one less year of wear and tear. Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata are still on the depth chart, but I no fear of them stealing carries from Peterson.

Matt Forte, NYJ (30)

After eight seasons with Chicago, Forte's contract was too much for the Bears. Plus, Chicago has Jeremy Langford waiting in the wings. As for Forte, he averaged 4.1 yards per carry in 2015. For the Jets, Chris Ivory led the way last season with 1,070 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 247 attempts. With Ivory now in Jacksonville, I would expect much of the same with Forte in the Jets backfield. Bilal Powell is second on the depth chart. Last season, Ryan Fitzpatrick had only ten fewer rushing attempts than Powell.

Frank Gore, IND (33)

In his 11th NFL season, he rushed for 967 yards and six TDs, all while maintaining a 3.7-yard-per-carry average. Also, Gore hasn't missed a game in five straight seasons. With Andrew Luck at the helm and no worries about a contending running back on the depth chart, Gore will continue to see plenty of open field in front of him with the Colts. On the down side, it is rumored that Gore will be on a "pitch count." Robert Turbin is listed behind Gore. Turbin has moved from Seattle to Cleveland to Dallas and now to Indy. He's only scored one rushing touchdown in his five-year career.

Justin Forsett, BAL (30)

Though he's only been fantasy relevant for two seasons, Forsett is still one of the older RBs in the player pool. He burst onto the scene in 2014 when Ray Rice was suspended and rushed for a career-high 1,266 yards with eight TDs. Last year, Forsett fractured his right arm in November, putting an end to his 2015 campaign. He still averaged 4.2 yards per carry with 151 rushing attempts. His competition in the backfield is a little tougher. Buck Allen, Kenneth Dixon, and Terrance West are all on the roster. If you draft Forsett, it would be wise to add one of the backups just in case they steal the job. Dixon tweaked his knee on the first day of training camp, but has since returned and is poised to be a solid backup to Forsett. However, Forsett doesn't want the term "RBBC" to enter John Harbaugh's vocabulary. He doesn't want to come off the field and that is great to hear for those who draft Forsett in 2016.

DeAngelo Williams, PIT (33)

If you had Le'Veon Bell in 2015, DWill was a must. First, Bell was suspended and missed the first four games. Then, Bell tore his MCL in November. In both cases, Williams stepped up. He rushed for 907 yards on 200 carries and scored 11 TDs. It was his best contribution to fantasy football since 2009. For those who select Bell in the first round, put Williams in your queue immediately and make sure you handcuff him to your primary RB.

Danny Woodhead, SD (31)

The PPR-machine has found a home in San Diego. Removing the 2014 campaign in which he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 3, Woodhead has tallied at least 76 receptions and six receiving TDs in each year with the Chargers. He also led San Diego with 106 targets last year. Melvin Gordon is tops on the depth chart, but Woodhead is a strong part of the Chargers' passing attack. Last year, Philip Rivers was second to Drew Brees amongst the passing leaders. Back in June, Woodhead had an injury scare when his teammate rolled into his ankle. However, he's fine now and ready to get to the regular season.

So, you see, just because a running back is past his 20s doesn't mean his career is over. It just means he has plenty of experience.

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