The TOP Fantasy Football running backs in the NFL are listed here one through 20. I'll update this as news is released and preseason moves forward.
No suprise here that Adrian Peterson is expected to be the TOP Fantasy Football RB off the boards.
1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Bye Week: 9
The QB situation is better in Minnesota this year. Peterson is a beast with speed like a cheetah on roids. Taylor is 29 years old but still could vulture some goal line work. Over all I see another 1,700 yards and a couple more than 12 TD due to his reported strength increase and of course the better QB situation, Favre or no Favre.
2. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bye Week: 7
MJD is finally the featured back now that Fred Taylor is in New England. His schedule is conducive to allow 13 to 14 TD easy and if you’re in a PPR league you need to bump MJD to the numbers 1 slot, period. Last year MJD put up 12 touchdowns behind a make shift offensive line that returns healthy this year, and the addition of Torry Holt gives the receiving corps the threat they have been missing. Imagine what will happen this year… get your pop corn ready!
3. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
Bye Week: 4
Turner has a tough schedule and I can’t see a repeat of last year with Gonzales getting some really good love in the Red Zone. But the addition on Gonzales will also increase the comfort level of second year QB Matt Ryan allowing Turner to break more frequently into the second level. Just I’m not feeling Michael Turner like everyone else. He is still a top RB but he’ll have to live here at number 3.
Matt Forte is set to explode to the top of fantasy football ranks this year.
4. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Bye Week: 5
50 % of Forte’s schedule is against some very scary defenses. But look he did well last year versus those same scary defenses (Minnesota, Pittsburg 2x) and with Hester, Olsen and Cutler reportedly looking good together his means less stacked boxes and more goal line opportunities. Forte comes with extra bonus points in PPR leagues.
5. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
Bye Week: 5
Hard to think that Tomlinson's once back-up, Michael Turner, would be ranked above him in the same draft board. But here we are… I’ve got a gut feeling that LT puts up a pro-bowl performance this year in his last strong year to push his team to the super bowl. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune Coach Norv Turner said he liked what he saw "in terms of explosiveness" from LaDainian Tomlinson this offseason. "I would expect LT to be among the top three or four rushers in the league. And depending how our season goes and the games go, he'll be a factor in the rushing title," said Turner. I know LT showed obvious signs of decline last season, but it's hard to know how much of that lost step was due to his turf toe and groin injuries. Don’t let LT slide any further than this.
6. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
Bye Week: 9
According to ESPN.com Steven Jackson is flanking out wide with the Rams receivers and learning to run routes this offseason. Jackson's receptions per game have fallen from 5.6 during his 90-catch 2006 season to 3.3 over the past two seasons. New OC Pat Shurmur is installing Andy Reid's West Coast offense, which made Brian Westbrook the most frequently targeted running back in the league over the past five seasons. So you’ve got to expect an increase in receptions for Steven Jackson this season.
But the team is young and can’t seem to stay healthy, S-Jax included, but the talent is just too immense to ignore. In PPR leagues you need to bump Steven Jackson up a rank or two.
7. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
Bye Week: 6
According to the San Francisco Chronicle “The 49ers plan to use more zone blocking this season, especially on inside runs.” Inside zone runs will benefit Gore because they spread out the defense and open up more running lanes allowing Gore to utilize his vision and burst to make plays. Don’t forget that Frank Gore is thrilled to have fullback Moran Norris who helped Gore's record setting season in 2006.
8. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
Bye Week: 8
Portis continues to be a top fantasy football RB year after year despite the rest of his teammate’s production. I expect an uptick in Portis’s fantasy football numbers because of the much improved Redskins defense. He’ll see more goal line opportunities and runs on the field. Lets not forget the Jason Campbell had to deal with trade talks this off season etc so it’s time for him to put out or get out which should also help Portis.
9. Steve Slaton, Houston Texans
Bye Week: 10
From all reports, Slaton will play an even more expanded role in 2009. And according to the houstontexans.com Steve Slaton says he gained nine pounds of muscle this offseason. "I had a little problem with third-and-short, and that’ll hopefully help me move the pile a little bit more," he said. Slayton will get a chance to handle the goal line and should see more lanes with Schaub back throwing the pig skin. Expect more top fantasy football points in both touchdowns and yardage this year.
10. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
Bye Week: 7
Johnson rushing rushed for a total of 1,228 yards with nine touchdowns while catching 43 balls out of the backfield in his rookie season. Chris Johnson on Twitter said he will post 1,500 rushing yards with 15 TDs and 600 receiving yards with six TDs. That’s some serious fantasy football points! I like this guy’s attitude and upside. Let him drop to the tenth spot or lower and I’ll pick him up grinning from ear to ear.
11. Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins
Bye Week: 6
The Wildcat will continue to pay top dollar for fantasy football players around the world. I think we will see less of Ricky Williams and more of Ronnie Brown because of his big play abilities. Also according to the Miami Herald Ronnie Brown says the Dolphins have approached him about an extension for the potential 2010 free agent. This is a huge tell that Ronnie is back and ready to explode on the competition. Look for his numbers to increase exponentially this year.
12. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers
Bye Week: 4
How can you pick Williams with Jonathan Stewart on the depth chart? Williams or Stewart would be a fantasy football gold mine if Stewart wasn’t on the charts. But I just can’t see a repeat from last year. Repeats rarely happen (think about it, it true) so while everyone and there mom is hunkering over Williams I’m thinking he anit so top ten anymore… he is more 2000 and late. I want primary ball carriers on my top 10 list not someone who is sharing. Next..
13. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
Bye Week: 5
Ball control is key to winning football games. The top NFL teams all have strong run games and a scary defense. Green Bay’s new 3-4 scheme should improve the young speedy defense so all they need now is ball control which is a weak point for Green Bay. Throughout history the Packers have been a top ten passing offense so why change now? According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin wants to run more this season. "I'd love to see us run 32-34 times a game where we need to split up the carries a little better," said Philbin. "We need to get it up in the 30s on a consistent basis."
14. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
Bye Week: 10
Depending on the depth of your Fantasy Football league and how your draft goes you can move Jacobs’s way up or leave him right here. If you can get some other good backs to spell Jacobs on the ffb depth chart then get Jacobs but if not you’ll be hurting on the games he is hurt in. He is so up and down but the potential for success is so high Jacobs is no doubt a proven top 15 RB in fantasy football.
15. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
Bye Week: 4
Will all you Westbrook lovers please stand up! You must be real and recognize the selection of LeSean McCoy is a clear sign that Philly is nervous about the legs of Westbrook. Westbrook has always played hurt and has seen the knife on several occasions. He still produces fantastic numbers when available and generally plays through pain. Go ahead and bump Westbrook up in points per reception leagues.
16. Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys
Bye Week: 6
He'll be spelled by Felix Jones and maybe Tashard Choice but the goal-line love is all his. The absence of Terrell Owens means the Cowboys will start to lean on the run game. Because of his running style I have him low on the board and Jones could actually eat up a ton of his yardage this year making Barber more of a Brandon Jacobs type back. According to dallascowboys.com the Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Felix Jones is due for a significant increase in touches this season. And according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram The Cowboys are toying with their own version of the Wildcat offense, dubbing it the "Razorback."
17. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts
Bye Week: 6
According to the Indianapolis Star, the Colts are "not totally satisfied with what they're getting out of Joseph Addai.". But then again Addai is coming of a knee scope.. but then again he is also coming off a season in which is averaged just 4.5 yards per carry. I’d like to see Addai in preseason before bumping him up on the draft board especially with the draft section of Donald Brown.
rookie Donald Brown, a player who will be a dual threat out of the backfield.
18. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints
The Former Bucs coach Jon Gruden calls Pierre Thomas the NFL's "best-kept secret" and predicts a break-out year for the Saints' lead back. Well guess what Jon, so does everyone else that watches New Orleans football. While he will split load with Bush there is plenty of points to be scored in the Saints top scoring offense. Oh and bump him up a couple slots in PPR formats.
19. Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions
Bye Week: 7
The Lions have installed some extra power running plays under new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. We should see a much more aggressive running attack this year to help balance out the offensive side. Smith closed our the year strong and should put of servable fantasy football numbers this year.
20. Thomas Jones, New York Jets
Bye Week: 9
You can say good night to any Jet RB being worth a damn in 2009 on your fantasy football roster. Sports Illustrated’s Peter King predicts that Jets RB Leon Washington will approach 300 combined touches this season. Explained coach Rex Ryan: "He had six touchdowns on 73 carries last year. That number has to go up -- drastically. And it will.” I agree ole Leon did quite well in fantasy football league last year (PPR) amassing 179 points making him a top eleven back in point per reception formats. But Jones is 31 years of age and Shonn Greene was drafted for a reason..
