Top 5 Positively-Affected RBs for 2014 PPR Formats

New England Patriots RB Shane Vereen missed eight games in 2013 but still finished as the top point-scoring RB for the team in PPR leagues. He will certainly have better rushing totals in 2014 if he stays healthy, but his receptions and yards resulting from those catches will remain his primary source of fantasy points. He will have a big role in the rushing and receiving game for his team in 2014, but his ranking takes a hit in non-PPR leagues.

New Orleans Saints RB Pierre Thomas did what few fantasy owners thought was possible in 2013; he was a viable and arguably dependable option for fantasy purposes. Thomas caught 77 passes (first among RBs) for 513 yards last season, and with RB Darren Sproles (who caught 71 balls) now a Philadelphia Eagle, Thomas is sure to be gifted the same workload in the passing game. Thomas should be six to seven spots higher in your rankings for PPR leagues.

Newly acquired Miami Dolphins RB Knowshon Moreno had a better-than-predicted 2013 season with the Denver Broncos. It was his role in Denver’s passing game that gave Moreno the boost that helped him finish as the fourth-ranked RB in PPR leagues. His 2014 production will be largely attributed to his work in the passing game similar to his last season in Denver. You should bump Moreno down about five spots in your standard-scoring rankings sheet.

For the majority of his NFL career, Darren Sproles has been THE primary example of a RB who has little value in standard scoring leagues but is extremely productive in PPR leagues. His fantasy production is solely tied to his role in the passing game, and it will be the same story for Sproles in the Philadelphia Eagles' fast-paced offense. Sproles is currently ranked as the 36th RB in standard leagues and 27th in PPR formats.

Danny Woodhead joined the San Diego Chargers prior to the 2013 season, and his new team utilized his talents to their maximum capacity. He finished the season as the 12th ranked RB in PPR formats and 19th in standard-scoring leagues. Woodhead is a solid RB3 in PPR leagues, but standard scoring leagues diminish his value significantly. He has the biggest difference of ranking for any player when comparing the two format’s potential results.