If you are lucky enough to get one of the top picks or even if you aren't, you are going to want to know which Running Back to select. Your first Running Back selection is so crucial to having a good season because he will be your work horse, the guy you rely on to perform week-in and week-out.
Enough with the introduction here are my top 10 Running Backs and a brief explanation for why they are where they are.
- Michael Turner (RB - Atlanta Falcons) - Last season Michael "The Burner" Turner finally stepped into the spotlight and out of Ladanian Tomlinson's hefty shadow. After several seasons of supplementing San Diego's running game lead by Tomlinson, Turner was signed by the Falcons, who started rebuilding after the Michael Vick era. Along with Rookie QB Matt Ryan, Turner transformed the last place Falcons into a playoff team. Even better than the teams miraculous turnaround were Turner's stats. Second in the league only to the Panthers DeAngelo Williams in Rushing touchdowns, he was also second in rushing yards, behind Adrian Peterson of the Vikings. Turner also is a great fantasy player because unlike some players, like the aforementioned Peterson, he hasn't had a fumbling problem (3 fumbles and only 2 of them were lost) in the past. The only slight downside I can see is he doesn't supplement his stats with any receiving gains like some players, most notably Brian Westbrook, do. Other than that, every thing that you need to look for in a great fantasy Running Back can be found in Turner. He's on a team with a young Quarterback, which means they rely heavily on their running game, plus he's very durable, having no known recurring injuries. My recommendation is if you're lucky enough, or in some eyes, unlucky enough (if your draft is in the snake format) to get the Number one pick, use it on this low risk, high reward back.
- Adrian Peterson (RB - Minnesota Vikings) - Two year vet who has more talent in one leg then most NFL backs have in two. He is a great, complete back who, despite having what some consider a down year last year, still managed to lead the NFL in rushing yards in '08. His 10 touchdowns were only sub-par and this can mainly be contributed to an injury he struggled with, however, this is not believed to be recurring and should not worry you in the least. To be honest, I debated giving him the first spot but because of his mediocre number of touchdowns last year, I gave that honor to "The Burner". I'd take Turner over Peterson if I had that option, but, would still be thrilled if after my draft ended, this guy was on my roster. If he plays like everyone knows he can, especially since he has to carry the Vikings because of there lackluster passing game, he could easily end the year leading the league in yards once again, and, for the first time leading the entire league in rushing touchdowns. The only other problem Adrian has is with fumbles (9 total, 4 lost in '08)
- DeAngelo Williams (RB - Carolina Panthers) - Break out season last year where he lead the NFL in touchdowns (18, one more than Turner's 17). I put him here because I think he has the ability to replicate what he accomplished last season and if he even comes close to doing so, he will make someone a very happy fantasy owner. The only downside with this guy is that they he loses some carries to another good back, Jonathan Stewart. DeAngelo Williams led the NFL in touchdowns while Stewart was, amazingly, 8th with 11 scores. With Jake Delhomme throwing interceptions every other pass the Panthers tend to keep the ball on the ground, which, despite Stewart's presence, still gives DeAngelo more carries than the average back (Only Petrson, Turner, LT and Thomas Jones had more). There is some risk in this pick because some say he may just be a one year wonder, but, with what I saw last year, I would take the risk to reap all of the rewards this guy can give you.
- Maurice Jones-Drew (RB - Jacksonville Jaguars) - Great back who can run the ball, and, other than Brian Westbrook, is probably the best catching back in the league. Based on his skill level and past performances I was going to put him around 6th, but, then I realized that his entire career he has shared time with a possible Hall of Famer in Fred Taylor. Now Taylor is gone, and Jones-Drew is getting the full workload. Aside from that, the Jags passing game headed by David Garrard, is somewhat weak, and, there offense will rely mostly on Jones-Drew. I think he can definitely handle this workload and should, in my eyes, strive in both touchdowns, both rushing and receiving, and total yards. Another plus is that he sometimes does kick/punt returns and this could possibly give him an extra touchdown or two. Good starting back who will give you a solid number of points week-in and week-out and has the capability to breakout and have a huge fantasy game, like a four touchdown game he had last season.
- Matt Forte (RB - Chicago Bears) - Breakout season in his rookie year and should do even better in his sophomore season. I credit this mostly to the fact that they've had a weak pass game in the past and with a new Quarterback in Jay Cutler,who they will ease into the system by relying heavily on the legs of Forte. Solid number of Touchdowns last year and a good number of yards. If he keep his yardage steady and adds a couple of extra trips to the end zone, Forte should be a great back and should put up a solid number of points every single week.
- LaDanian Tomlinson (RB - San Diego Chargers) - He could be number 1 or number 10 on this list. He had the greatest fantasy season ever just a few years back (I had him on my team that amazing season) and then had a lackluster year last year (I had him on my team once again). However, this "lackluster" year wasn't all that bad, it just doesn't live up to what people have in mind when it comes to LT. Thinking back to last year he was one of the least stable guys. He performed great one week and then didn't score or even break 50 yards the next. This is probably the greatest risk on the list, and, if you look back over the past few seasons, the best possibility for a huge reward. No matter what you can't go wrong taking him in the first round over almost any of the last 3 guys, especially if you like a worthwhile gamble.
- Chris Johnson (RB - Tennessee Titans) - The best breakout rookie from last season, despite the fact that he's located behind Forte on this list. This is mainly due to the fact that he doesn't get as many touchdowns as he could. This is because of their amazing "big" back, Lendale White (who is a solid fantasy buy and a good number 2 back for your roster). Johnson had good yardage and a solid number of touchdowns, but, if he would have even get half of the TD's White had, in addition to his actual total, he might be at the top of this list. Despite White, he is still a good #1 back to have on your team and will put up good numbers all year. He is somewhat of a risk, but, almost always delivers. Side note: with a guy like Johnson who loses alot of TD's to his back-up, it is sometimes smart to try and get both guys and do what fantasy vets call "handcuffing", where you start two backs from the same team. This is sometimes effective if both guys are equally good and are on a team that doesn't pass much, which the Titans do not. However, there is also the issue of who the Titans QB will be, Kerry Collins or Vince young, who, if he gets the job, could steal some rushing yards and TD's from Johnson as well.
- Brandon Jacobs (RB - New York Giants) - Best "Big" back that the NFL has seen in awhile. He could be alot higher on this list after his good season last year, however, because of injury issues, he is somewhat of a risk. Last season he broke the 1,000 yard mark and was third in the NFL with 15 rushing TD's. He is another high risk, high reward guy, who, if healthy, will shine outside of the limelight.
- Marion Barber III (RB - Dallas Cowboys) - Great at the goal line but struggled last year. He also could lose some carries to Felix Jones, who, played well last year, until his season-ending injury. Still a solid first round pick and #1 starter. Sometimes a guy like Barber is a late first round steal and can finish in the top 5 performers at the RB position. If he does, you'll be in for a great season, since, you should also get a great QB, as long as you do a snake style draft.
- Ronnie Brown (RB - Miami Dolphins) - Solid all around back who isn't as skilled as some others on this list, but seemed to shine last year with the emergence of the Dolphins new "Wildcat" offense. He has some injury woes, but after seeing him score several TD's in more than one game last year, would be a decent #1 back and a great #2 back for your team.
- Thomas Jones (This guys is a difficult one to call, had a great year last and with 1300 yards and 13 TD's, though unlucky, was one of '08's top performers. No Favre or Coles will hurt him and he won't repeat last years performance.
- Steven Jackson (Too up and down to waste your first pick, but could be worth the risk)
- Clinton Portis (All the talent in the world but has issues)
- Lendale White (Great 3rd down back, nose for the end zone, but no yards behind Chris Johnson)
- Frank Gore (Bad offensive team all around means Defenses key on him)
- Steven Slaton (solid #2 fantasy back)
- Jonathan Stewart (solid number of carries behind DeAngelo and is definitely the best #2 back in the NFL, aside from maybe Lendale White.)
- Brian Westbrook (Top 5 if healthy, but don't count on that)
Guys to avoid wasting a top pick on:
- Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush (These two share time and both have there problems)
- Ryan Grant (One year wonder)
- Joseph Addai (Colts live by their passing game)
- Larry Johnson (Legal issues and poor performance)
- Marshawn Lynch (legal problems)
- All Rookies (Moreno, Wells, McCoy)
