Winning a category in the Fantasy Index Open requires some of the same skills as winning a regular fantasy league. You to make some key picks, being higher than most on a couple of the up-and-coming players, and you need to have the foresight to avoid some of the duds. Edward Burke of Philadelphia did the best job at running back, with DeMarco Murray being his key pick.

Two other contestants from the Keystone State finished in the top 4 – Tom Groome (Duncannon) and Jesse McGuigan (Pittsburgh). Ian Allan, a fantasy writer from Seattle finished 2nd in this category (we’re allowing guys to refer to themselves in the third person, right?).

Three of the top 5 entries had the smarts to leave Jamaal Charles off their board entirely. That seems like a no-brainer now, and probably seemed obvious in September. But back in early August, Charles clocked in as the 12th-most coveted running back on the board.

Burke also helped his cause by not including C.J. Anderson in his top 20. Anderson had some poor games, got hurt, and ended up being only the 29th-best running back in this format. And Burke picked up some value by being a little higher than most on Ezekiel Elliott (his #1 back), Devonta Freeman, Latavius Murray and LeSean McCoy. Sneaking Isaiah Crowell into his top 20 also helped.

But DeMarco Murray was his most valuable pick. Most didn’t buy into the exotic smashmouth hype, with the Tennessee back finishing only 20th on the consensus board, but Burke had him way up at 9th, and that helped mightily in this scoring format.

Burke received about 4,129 points for his Murray pick (17 x 242.9). Had he put Jamaal Charles in that 9th spot, he would have received 3,935 fewer points, dropping his entry 37 spots in the standings.

The overall winner of this competition takes home a really huge and really cool trophy from the team at Affordable Trophies. They’ve been partnering with us on this contest for years.

The winner and the runner-up also earn berths in the Experts Poll in the magazine, competing in a similar contest in a 20-man field composed mainly of industry experts.

Still to come in the grading: WR and QB.

FANTASY INDEX OPEN, RUNNING BACKS (top 10 percent)
NameOccupationPoints
Edward BurkeUnemployed54,927
Ian AllanFantasy Writer54,528
Tom GroomeTruck Driver54,272
Jesse McGuiganNight Stocker53,529
Rick StarkRetired53,476
Jamie AlbertsBanker53,216
John MooreReal Estate Agent53,203
Greg ResinHeadhunter52,854
Jacob WilsonElementary School Teacher52,793
Frank ReadEngineer52,684
Dale GanderSecurity Support52,641
Ken ValisProject Manager52,603
Adam ThygesonTeacher52,601
Mark MaloneyLocal Government52,520
Drew EnglebrightCFO52,456
Zach NizolekMarketing Specialist52,409
Bill RehorHospital Administrator52,341
Shelby TeagardnerO/N Stocker52,189
Andrew SouthworthWriter52,021
Scott WilkinsonSupply Chain51,985
Daniel MacDonald Transportation Manager51,739
Scott KopischkePlaywright51,704
FANTASY INDEX OPEN, RUNNING BACKS (alphabetical)
NameHometownRkPoints
Aaron GreenMaple Grove, Minn.21044,178
Aaron LanceYakima, Wash.2751,505
Adam BergeronSalem, N.H.8449,872
Adam HoltzRochester, Minn.22140,514
Adam LockeLynnwood, Wash.20944,438
Adam RenzoniBuffalo, N.Y.14648,148
Adam SheetsSanta Rosa, Calif.7750,070
Adam TaylorMedia, Pa.4050,942
Adam ThygesonOregon City, Ore.1352,601
Allen MartirossianAshburn, Va.10849,148
Andrew LeahyAudubon, N.J.9649,385
Andrew SouthworthWilkes-Barre, Pa.1952,021
Andy RichardsonPort Chester, N.Y.12448,670
Anthony DifranceiscoTurnersville, N.J.20245,112
Arden VosEdmonton, Canada10349,247
Barry St PeterPittsfield, Mass.2451,591
Ben WeisnerWausau, Wis.15148,099
Bill DallesandroHuntington, N.Y.19046,472
Bill RehorCulver City, Calif.1752,341
Bob AdelmanSt. Louis, Mo.7850,066
Brack VarnonHouston, Texas15547,910
Brandon BarnesPortland , Ore.20744,836
Brent MilesPasco, Wash.10949,008
Brett WattsFlorence, S.C.5250,646
Bruce AlwineHavertown, Pa.4950,695
Bruce BoaseOgden, Utah3950,973
Charles RaifmanShort Hills, N.J.17447,091
Chris BrookeSan Diego, Calif.3251,276
Chris DurhamYuma, Ariz.17646,987
Chris EricksonSparta, Wis.11048,936
Chris HertzbergAustin, Texas7050,168
Chris SullivanOttawa, Canada12148,712
Chris WeberAppleton, Wis.16047,815
Chris WinderSan Ramon, Calif.5950,415
Chris WrightLynchburg, Va.16147,810
Craig BarltropAdelaide, Australia14048,263
Craig LeedySacramento, Calif.9349,639
Curt GoldgrabeBoise, Idaho18046,846
Dale GanderSun Prairie, Wis.1152,641
Dan MartinezYuba City, Calif.20844,670
Dana DuffieldRochester, Minn.14348,187
Daniel BowmanLiberty, Mo.2951,386
Daniel MacDonald Torrance, Calif.2151,739
Darrell SooyWest Chester, Pa.10749,158
Dave CohenBrooklyn, N.Y.6450,323
Dave PizzicaSpringfield, Pa.17846,892
Dave RenstromApple Valley, Minn.21243,986
Dave SjogrenVienna, Va.21543,365
Dave WildeMukwonago, Wis.2551,567
David BattersbyBellevue, Wash.10649,165
Dennis ThomasWatsonville, Calif.11948,723
Dominic RomeoSacramento, Calif.21643,358
Don P McKendryOrland Park, Ill.9849,329
Don PavelkaPlainview, Minn.13348,498
Doug BrownFort Gratiot, Mich.3351,261
Dr. Billy FriedrichRaleigh, N.C.7650,082
Drew EnglebrightLondon, U.K.1552,456
Ed O'HairKaty, Texas20544,921
Edward BurkePhiladelphia, Pa.154,927
Ellis KilgoreVon Ormy, Texas11248,900
Eric GustitusExeter, Pa.4250,933
Eric TitusPort St. Lucie, Fla.13248,503
Fabrizio DanovaLos Angeles, Calif.14748,139
Frank ReadPittsburgh, Pa.1052,684
Frank RotellaSewell, N.J.5750,502
Frank ShinnickMilford, Mass.14948,119
Gary AllenCharleston, S.C.7550,083
Gary BorgesToronto, Canada18246,813
Gary FortierMarietta, Ga.14848,124
Geoff GreggsRoy, Wash.8049,981
George TaylorMoosup, Conn.5650,514
Gerald M. HoehnWest Liberty, Iowa15847,855
Grant HubbardRochester Hills, Mich.6950,174
Greg HeminwaySacramento, Calif.6550,277
Greg ResinHermosa Beach, Calif.852,854
Henry GoersBartlett, Ill.21144,049
Ian AllanSeattle, Wash.254,528
Ian MacEwenAkron, Ohio13648,372
Jacob FloriolliChico, Calif.11748,744
Jacob WilsonCrandall, Texas952,793
Jacques DuggerWestland, Mich.13548,386
James CarvinMt. Laurel, N.J.8949,710
James FrauelWalworth, N.Y.13748,346
Jamie AlbertsSturgeon Bay, Wis.653,216
Jared SmolaRochester, N.Y.16647,497
Jason FlatleyCohoes, N.Y.15048,102
Jason MatternWintersville, Ohio21343,691
Jason PilonRoseville, Minn.7150,151
Jay HardingPortland, Ore.8649,760
Jay WimmersLincolnton, N.C.17047,375
Jeff FriedrichGreenville, N.C.8249,900
Jeff ZwiersBellingham, Wash.6850,201
Jeremy MarzofkaSeattle, Wash.11648,759
Jeremy SchwartzEdison, N.J.15647,888
Jesse McGuiganPittsburgh, Pa.453,529
Jim CostelloPortland, Maine8149,980
Jim CoventryChicago, Ill.17946,858
Jim KovacTucson, Ariz.13048,547
Joe LoebAloha, Ore.19645,968
Joe PizzicaWynnewood, Pa.21742,910
John D. SmithWillow Grove, Pa.16347,690
John DentAnn Arbor, Mich.8849,717
John DugginsGreenville, S.C.6750,204
John M. SmyczynskiBuffalo, N.Y.6150,385
John MooreSea Isle City, N.J.753,203
John RuppeFort Myers, Fla.4850,709
John WhitneySan Jose, Calif.10249,276
John YarsinskyMarlton, N.J.4750,710
Johnny BazzanoSanta Rosa, Calif.18446,748
Jon HansenReno, Nev.13848,309
Jonathan MoraChicago, Fla.21942,698
Josh ShupienTacoma, Wash.19845,786
Ken NormanChanhassen, Minn.8749,727
Ken ValisGaithersburg, Md.1252,603
Kenneth JonesNew Orleans, La.20145,281
Kenneth YuenArlington Heights, Ill.3751,155
Kent StewartPoplar Bluff, Mo.12548,642
Kenzie MacNeilHalifax, Canada17247,120
Kevin CuozzoConcord , Mass.13148,504
Kevin SmithPhiladelphia, Pa.19446,214
Kirk KennedyBeulaville, N.C.10049,286
Kyle SoppeBristol, Conn.8349,892
Kyle WellsLynnwood, Wash.17347,100
Larry WeinhauerAndover, N.Y.6350,339
Marc MayfieldLongview, Texas5050,686
Mark BeckerLos Angeles, Calif.20344,969
Mark BurnsRunnemede, N.J.11348,884
Mark ChristieFairport, N.Y.9949,320
Mark MaloneyAndover, Minn.1452,520
Mark StoeckerMansfield, Texas20045,399
Matt MenghiNiantic, Conn.18946,520
Matty Strothman-EvansWinston-Salem, N.C.7250,110
Michael CrowOrion, Ill.9749,374
Michael KoltonGreen Bay, Wis.15447,911
Michael McAninchNaperville, Ill.12848,553
Michael MenkeNew Berlin, Wis.14548,151
Michael O'BrienLakewood, Colo.11848,735
Michael S. LivengoodWard, Ark.3651,211
Miguel TamesMiami, Fla.3451,246
Mike BallietMilton, Pa.4450,892
Mike ClarkLas Vegas, Nev.4550,870
Mike ClayCheshire, Conn.7450,090
Mike FreemanHamilton, Canada10449,230
Mike LenettSilver Spring, Md.12348,690
Mike McIlraithFort Worth, Texas7350,092
Mike NeaseWest Chicago, Ill.19246,349
Mike TaylorMeridian, Idaho14248,232
Mike WhitlaOttawa, Canada19146,412
Moishe SteigmannMilwaukee, Wis.19745,888
Monte McDonaldLas Vegas, Nev.4150,937
Nathan BileckSan Diego, Calif.10149,284
Nathan PriestWaynesboro, Pa.6050,396
Nick HeutonCarroll, Iowa8549,843
Nick PetrevskiLos Angeles, Calif.11148,907
Patrick WentzColumbus, Ohio15747,856
Paul McCannHopewell, Pa.9549,410
Pete CollinsOrland Park, Ill.14148,260
Pete GouldNottingham, U.K.22238,343
Pete RichmondAlexandria, Va.19945,628
Phil MazurowskiHuntingdon, Pa.22041,672
Phil MontalbanoNapa, Calif.15947,845
Ponce HatchHaddon Township, N.J.11548,814
Ray CalistoFishers, Ind.18746,644
Rey DiazMiami, Fla.21443,373
Rich DooleyArlington, Va.18646,655
Richard FechterCoral Gables, Fla.7949,996
Richard JacksonBerkeley, Calif.13948,302
Richard LoppnowEphrata, Wash.12248,709
Richard SpinellaNorth Providence, R.I.4350,925
Rick StarkManchester Center, Vt.553,476
Rick WieganChesapeake, Va.18146,833
Riley MayDenver, Colo.12048,716
Rob MilelliCherry Hill, N.J.2351,596
Rob ReiberRandolph, N.J.17147,339
Robert YangSimi Valley, Calif.5350,636
Rocky PetrellaPhiladelphia, Pa.14448,181
Roy ShermanColumbia, Tenn.5150,681
Russell DawsonEl Dorado Hills, Calif.16247,701
Rusty StephensAtlanta, Ga.18846,630
Ryan DealWest Mifflin, Pa.9049,691
Ryan MurphyEast Berlin, Pa.2851,408
Sam DuganPittsburgh, Pa.18346,784
Sam HendricksLynchburg , Va.12948,548
Scott AndersonLakewood, Colo.19545,985
Scott KopischkeMenomonee Falls, Wis.2251,704
Scott LilesMountain Home, Ark.12748,585
Scott SachsHuron, Ohio9449,519
Scott SintkowskiWaterford, Mich.9249,658
Scott WilkinsonPortland , Ore.2051,985
Seamus McGuiganPittsburgh, Pa.3151,340
Sean ChiNew York, N.Y.16447,640
Shane ScottToronto, Canada12648,604
Shelby TeagardnerPittsburgh, Pa.1852,189
Steve BlenkerCheektowaga, N.Y.20444,934
Steve MathAustin, Texas5450,625
Steve MoyerOakland, Calif.6650,205
Steve TortoraWallingford , Conn.17547,006
Steve WeberPaso Robles, Calif.16547,567
Steven AlessandriniFlanders, N.J.9149,670
Steven SchindhelmMilwaukee, Wis.10549,194
Steven TorresNipomo, Calif.16847,467
Stewart KuehneRedmond, Wash.16747,489
Terence LarroWoodland Hills, Calif.6250,341
Thomas OliverSilver Spring, Md.3551,236
Tim WandlingRohnert Park, Calif.20644,884
Todd VoorheesChula Vista, Calif.11448,858
Tom DeskovitzSouth Lyon, Mich.15248,074
Tom GroomeDuncannon, Pa.354,272
Tom MorandeTinley Park, Ill.3051,342
Tom OverbergerBedminster, Pa.4650,811
Tommy LibrettiMalverne, N.Y.3851,006
Tony MavrelesReading, Pa.17746,953
Trevor RossEdmonton, Canada16947,398
Trey QuinnAnnapolis, Md.15347,990
Troy McGovernMelbourne, Fla.5550,617
Tyson TravellerMcKinney, Texas19346,320
Victor KitzesMaple Valley, Wash.2651,549
Vince CorbinNaperville, Ill.13448,489
Wade BoothTulsa, Okla.18546,725
William TrostleFort Rucker, Ala.21842,698
Zach LeavittHighlands Ranch, Colo.5850,426
Zach NizolekKansas City, Mo.1652,409