There are a number of different scoring variations in fantasy football. The most common difference that can impact player value is whether or not your league tallies points per reception (PPR). With NFL offenses becoming more specialized and the true every-down running back a dying breed, fantasy owners must be savvy about where they can accumulate points outside of the obvious elite players at the position.
Today we look at differentials between average draft position (ADP) of running backs in standard and PPR leagues. The standard ADP's come from Yahoo and PPR data is from NFFC, which is always PPR-only. The table below shows the top-50 running backs, sorted by those favored in PPR formats.
| Player | Standard | PPR | DIFF |
| Shane Vereen (NE) | 89.9 | 37.3 | 52.6 |
| Trent Richardson (Ind) | 100.9 | 52.5 | 48.4 |
| Pierre Thomas (NO) | 107.9 | 64.0 | 43.9 |
| Ray Rice (Bal) | 99.1 | 59.6 | 39.5 |
| Chris Johnson (NYJ) | 85.9 | 49.1 | 36.8 |
| Joique Bell (Det) | 92.2 | 57.8 | 34.4 |
| Ben Tate (Cle) | 95.0 | 61.2 | 33.8 |
| Darren Sproles (Phi) | 115.7 | 84.3 | 31.4 |
| Reggie Bush (Det) | 60.4 | 32.4 | 28.0 |
| Danny Woodhead (SD) | 121.2 | 93.3 | 27.9 |
| Maurice Jones-Drew (Oak) | 110.4 | 88.0 | 22.4 |
| Steven Jackson (Atl) | 98.9 | 82.4 | 16.5 |
| Stevan Ridley (NE) | 94.6 | 81.4 | 13.2 |
| Darren McFadden (Oak) | 122.9 | 113.1 | 9.8 |
| C.J. Spiller (Buf) | 37.3 | 28.7 | 8.6 |
| Doug Martin (TB) | 32.6 | 24.5 | 8.1 |
| Rashad Jennings (NYG) | 62.3 | 55.0 | 7.3 |
| Toby Gerhart (Jax) | 61.5 | 55.3 | 6.2 |
| Khiry Robinson (NO) | 123.8 | 118.7 | 5.1 |
| Fred Jackson (Buf) | 117.4 | 112.8 | 4.6 |
| Giovani Bernard (Cin) | 22.2 | 18.3 | 3.9 |
| Bernard Pierce (Bal) | 125.4 | 121.9 | 3.5 |
| Bishop Sankey (Ten) | 71.6 | 69.7 | 1.9 |
| Matt Forte (Chi) | 6.0 | 4.3 | 1.7 |
| Knowshon Moreno (Mia) | 101.2 | 99.6 | 1.6 |
| Lamar Miller (Mia) | 115.9 | 114.9 | 1.0 |
| Le'Veon Bell (Pit) | 17.5 | 16.6 | 0.9 |
| Andre Ellington (Ari) | 34.7 | 34.2 | 0.5 |
| Adrian Peterson (Min) | 3.2 | 3.1 | 0.1 |
| Jeremy Hill (Cin) | 124.0 | 124.0 | 0.0 |
| LeSean McCoy (Phi) | 2.3 | 2.4 | -0.1 |
| Jamaal Charles (KC) | 1.2 | 1.5 | -0.3 |
| DeMarco Murray (Dal) | 18.4 | 19.2 | -0.8 |
| Eddie Lacy (GB) | 4.6 | 8.2 | -3.6 |
| Arian Foster (Hou) | 14.8 | 19.3 | -4.5 |
| Carlos Hyde (SF) | 123.3 | 128.4 | -5.1 |
| DeAngelo Williams (Car) | 123.0 | 128.5 | -5.5 |
| Zac Stacy (StL) | 25.4 | 31.2 | -5.8 |
| Montee Ball (Den) | 9.7 | 16.5 | -6.8 |
| Marshawn Lynch (Sea) | 8.4 | 18.5 | -10.1 |
| Frank Gore (SF) | 65.1 | 77.2 | -12.1 |
| Alfred Morris (Was) | 26.3 | 39.1 | -12.8 |
| Ryan Mathews (SD) | 36.9 | 50.3 | -13.4 |
| Tre Mason (StL) | 122.7 | 137.3 | -14.6 |
| Christine Michael (Sea) | 125.2 | 142.3 | -17.1 |
| Terrance West (Cle) | 119.9 | 138.3 | -18.4 |
| Devonta Freeman (Atl) | 126.6 | 145.9 | -19.3 |
| Chris Ivory (NYJ) | 123.1 | 151.7 | -28.6 |
| LeGarrette Blount (Pit) | 119.8 | 174.0 | -54.2 |
Giovani Bernard (+3.9), Bishop Sankey (+1.9) and Andre Ellington (+0.5) are names that stand out right away as being surprisingly neutral. All three are somewhat undersized backs that bring considerable value to the passing game. Conversely, Jeremy Hill (+0.0) will be the big-back in Cincinnati behind Bernard, so his PPR value should be muted like Benjarvus Green-Ellis' was playing the same role a year ago.
Favored in PPR Leagues
Shane Vereen, NE (+52.6)
Vereen broke out in 2013 as New England's passing down back. He had 47 catches to only 44 rushing attempts and the fourth-year back should have a similar disparity in 2014 with Stevan Ridley entrenched as the early down runner. Watch out for rookie James White, who is creating buzz in Patriots camp and could steal touches from both players.
Pierre Thomas, NO (+43.9)
With PPR darling Darren Sproles and his 71 receptions from 2013 off to Philadelphia, Thomas figures to fill the valuable role as third down back in New Orleans. He will compete with Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson for first and second down carries as well.
Joique Bell, DET (+34.4) and Reggie Bush, DET (+28.0)
The Detroit tandem of Bell and Bush both excel at catching the ball out of the backfield. Fantasy owners are taking notice of Bell, who has averaged 52.5 receptions his first two years in the league and also ran for 650 yards with eight touchdowns in 2013. Bush caught 54 balls during his first season in the Lions' pass-happy offense while rushing for over 1,000 yards as the lead back.
Darren Sproles, PHI (+31.4)
Sproles would have been No. 1 on this list in the past, but people aren't sure just what to make of him in Chip Kelly's offense. The 5-foot-6 back is clearly behind starter LeSean McCoy and there were only 15 receptions combined by his backups in 2013. Even with the high tempo offense in Philly, there are a lot of mouths to feed, so don't expect Sproles to approach the 101.3 targets he averaged in New Orleans.
Favored in Standard Leagues
Marshawn Lynch, SEA (-10.1)
Seattle is a run-first power football team, but Lynch isn't completely useless as a receiver. The 28-year-old caught 36 balls last year for 316 yards and two touchdowns. The only question with Lynch is if he will concede snaps to talented second-year running back Christine Michael.
Devonta Freeman, ATL (-19.3)
Freeman is surprisingly favored by standard leagues for a guy who was known as a very good receiver coming out of Florida State, drawing comparisons to Darren Sproles. When you consider that the 31-year-old Steven Jackson (+16.5) is favored by PPR formats, it makes even less sense. If Freeman has a role in Atlanta's offense, it will likely be on third downs, so the rookie has some definite sleeper value in PPR leagues. His competition with Jaquizz Rodgers and Antone Smith is a training camp battle to watch closely.
LeGarrette Blount, PIT (-54.2)
Blount's ADP is markedly reduced in PPR formats, and for good reason. The stone-handed 27-year-old caught only two balls while rushing 153 times for New England in 2013. He will compete for touches in Pittsburgh with rookie Dri Archer behind starter LeVeon Bell.