Fantasy Football Preview - RB Rankings

Tier 1

1. LaDainian Tomlinson(Chargers)

-the biggest sure thing in all of fantasy football, Tomlinson put together arguably the greatest single-season performance in NFL history last season. An astounding 31 total TD's virtually guaranteed victory for anyone who got lucky enough to draft him last season(editor's note: I drafted Tomlinson third overall in my draft last season after Alexander and Johnson....needless to say I won my league easily). Of course counting on Tomlinson to duplicate those numbers is like saying you will win the Lotto twice....it just wont happen. However at a young 28, LT has a few big years left in him and another 25 TD's sounds about right. If you don't have the top pick in your draft, you can forget about selecting him. Either that or you have an absolute moron in your league that passes on him.

2. Steven Jackson(Rams)-RISING

-some will be surprised I have him ranked over Larry Johnson but here is all you need to know: Jackson caught 90 passes to Johnson's 41. Though Larry may be the better runner, Jackson is the better overall player. If you are in a points/reception league, then Jackson is even more of a sure thing over Johnson. Although the additions of Drew Bennett and Randy McMichael will surely steal some of Steven's catches, look for another top statistical season from this fourth-year back. Depending on your league, you may be able to snag him as late as the fifth pick. Don't hesitate if he is there.

3. Larry Johnson(Chiefs)

-back-to-back season's of heavy workloads, along with the threat of a possible holdout has knocked Johnson from the top spot in the fantasy rankings. Although I don't believe the heavy toll on his body will make him hit a wall, I do believe that the weakening of the Kansas City O-Line will negatively impact his numbers. 15 TD's is still possible but I think Johnson takes a step back this year. Don't however downgrade him so much that you let him slip by you. Unless Steven Jackson, LT, or even Frank Gore are available, then you must take Johnson. Just don't expect 2005 numbers ever again.

4. Frank Gore(49ers)

-strongly considered ranking him over Johnson but there is always a risk of injury with Gore who has had both of his knees surgically repaired. When healthy however, he is an absolute beast who can run and catch with the best of them. Gore is playing on an improved 'Niners team and will almost surely surpass his total of 9 TD's. He probably won't surpass his 1,600-plus rushing total due to the additions on offense but his overall production will make him a better producer than he was last season. Could be in line for an MVP-type season. An almost sure-thing.

Tier 2

5. Shaun Alexander(Seahawks)-FALLING

-a broken left foot derailed Alexander on the heels of his record-breaking 2005 season. His 7 total TD's was only a third of the 28 he scored in that incredible year. Shaun is somewhat of a question mark due to the injury and the fact he is 30 years old which typically is the age many RB's begin to decline. I do believe he has one more good year left in him but don't expect anything close to the 28 TD's he put up in 2005. One of fantasy's great TD scorers however, Alexander should still put up around 15 tallies this year. One caveat here is that if you are in a points/reception league, then you may want to snare Brian Westbrook instead due to the fact Alexander has never shown much as a receiver. Risk here but more than likely he will be decent.

6. Brian Westbrook(Eagles)

-in a points/reception league, Westbrook is definitely more of an asset than 7th ranked Addai. However in non-points/reception league's, the reverse is true. Westbrook is the best receiver in the RB group and is a terrific dual threat. Many grow frustrated with the fact he always seems to be questionable each week but if you can stomach the injury risk, than Westbrook is your guy. Has really stepped up his game and could still be improving. Without the injury risk, he is a top five back. Draft him and hope for the best.

7. Joseph Addai(Colts)-RISING

-Addai's coming out party went as smooth as could be last season as the Indianapolis front office didn't hesitate in labeling Addai the starter once the off-season began. With Dominic Rhodes' departure to Oakland, Addai will grab the lion's share of carries. Questions about whether he can handle the pounding of a full load will knock his stock down a bit but be the smart player and aim for him over more known commodities such as Rudi Johnson and Willie Parker. A good receiver out of the backfield, Addai will help in points/reception leagues. A riser who could break down the door to the top five fraternity. The sky is the limit with this guy.

8. Laurence Maroney(Patriots)

-another RB in the mold of Joseph Addai, Maroney has been granted the full-time gig in powerhouse NE. Maroney showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie season but seemed to, wear down as the season went on. Like Addai, there are questions whether Maroney can handle a full workload. He is more of an injury risk than his Indy counterpart but the sky is also the limit for him. NE loves to run the ball and if Coach/Yoda Bill Belichick believes he can handle the full time job, than who are we to argue. Draft with confidence.

9. Rudi Johnson(Bengals)

-Mr. Consistency turned in another solid but unspectacular season in 2006, posting over 1,300 rushing yards with 12 TD's which nearly matched his output from 2005. So with Johnson you pretty much know what you're going to get. Another positive is Johnson's durability as he pretty much has been injury -free since becoming the full-time starter back in 2004. Now for the negatives. Rudi is not a pass catcher by any means and thus is a liability in points/reception leagues. Also the drafting of rookie Kenny Irons signals that a possible sharing of the workload may be in order. It was no secret head coach Marvin Lewis craved more of a HR threat out of the running game and even though Johnson hasn't done anything to lose the lion's share of the carries, this development could hurt his value. Pass if you're in a points/reception league unless he fall far.

10. Willie Parker(Steelers)

-this may seem like an extremely low ranking for Parker after the monstrous season he had in 2006 when he tallied 13 TD's while rushing for an insane 1,494 yards. However new coach Mike Tomlin has let it be known that he plans to find a goal-line back in the mold of Jerome Bettis. While Parker proved last season he could score from in close, it seems the Pittsburgh front office feels better with a bigger back running the ball in. It is entirely possible this plan will be scrapped by the time the season begins so monitor this situation closely. If he does get the goal-line work then bump him up in your rankings ahead of Johnson. Tread carefully here however. I am not a fan and plan on passing on Parker in all scenarios due to the questions marks he carries going into the season.

Tier 3

11. Clinton Portis(Redskins)-FALLING

-it was a disappointing year for Portis due to injuries and inconsistency. The man with the million costumes ran for a career-low 523 yards with 7 TD's. After backup Ladell Betts literally took the ball and ran in his absence, there was some talk about a possible platoon coming into this year. That however has been shot down by coach Joe Gibbs and so if healthy Portis will get most of the carries. Still young at 26, with excellent vision and quickness, Portis could have a comeback season. However the injury risk is always there and if he does in fact struggle, the 'Skins have a more than reliable backup to replace him. Stay away from this situation.

12. Travis Henry(Broncos)-RISING

-after seemingly becoming a forgotten man in the gridiron world after his departure from Buffalo, Henry thrust himself back on the fantasy radar with a decent year in 2006 with Tennessee. Given the starting job four games into the year, Henry showed he still has the ability of a number one NFL runner. The fact he now is in the Land Of The Excelling RB's(AKA Denver) adds even more appeal to his prospects. While he doesn't catch the ball much, Henry should have a good to possibly great year in Mile High. Target him as a sleeper and don't hesitate to grab him earlier than your buddies project him. They might laugh at you at the draft but you will get the last laugh when you take their money.

13. Reggie Bush(Saints)

-in another year or so when Deuce McAllister has moved on, Bush will see his value soar. However the fact that he is still in a time-share with Deuce hurts his value. If you are in a points/reception league, then Bush's value is much better and those who play in that type of setup should not hesitate to make him your number two RB. Those in the traditional setups should try and look elsewhere for a second back. Its not that Bush is not talented or that he won't put up good numbers. It's just that his RB numbers(rushing TD's and yardage) won't be up to par with what you need to get out of your second back.

14. Ronnie Brown(Dolphins)

-ever since he was drafted into the league, I have been a big fan of Ronnie Brown. Blessed with great hands(alert: points/reception leagues) and tough running ability, Brown has it all. However injuries and a somewhat lackadaisical approach to practice have conspired to prevent him from reaching his full potential. The fact he came into off-season workouts overweight further solidifies this problem. Despite this, I believe Brown will have a decent year in Miami and will be a more than adequate second RB for your club. He even has the chance to out-produce his projected numbers if he stays healthy. Could be sitting on a great year if he puts all the distractions aside. Draft him based on his upside.

15. Willis McGahee(Ravens)-RISING

-after struggling mightily in Buffalo last season, McGahee got the trade he was seeking and he couldn't have landed in a better place outside of Denver. Baltimore's offense over the years has centered on the run with Jamal Lewis serving as the bulldozer for 7 productive years until being released this off-season. In steps McGahee and his cutback ability. Despite only running for 990 yards and a paltry 6 TD's last season, McGahee has the goods to be a smashing success for the Ravens. Look for him to easily exceed last year's totals and to rake in 10-12 TD's along the way. Draft with confidence as your number 2.

16. Edgerrin James(Cardinals)

-Edge had a year to forget last season as arguably the league's worst offensive line opened up very little daylight for him to run through. A model of consistency in Indy, James had to deal with failure for the first time in his career. 1,159 yards and 6 TD's just won't cut it both for you and for James himself. However the drafting of LT Levi Jones and the hiring of offensive line genius Russ Grimm will do nothing but help Edge have the year many expected when he signed his big deal before the 2006 season. Although you shouldn't expect Indy numbers from James, feel confident that he can produce somewhere along the lines of 1,200 yards and 8-10 TD's. Good but not great option.

17. Maurice-Jones Drew(Jaguars)

-this 5-7 dynamo opened the eyes of many around the NFL last season as he plowed his way to 941 yards rushing with 13 TD's. A good receiver out of the backfield, Jones-Drew also supplied 46 receptions. Although he still shares the job with Fred Taylor, look for Jones-Drew to get 2 carries to every 1 for Taylor. The only problem here is that there are indications that third RB Greg Jones will get a look as the goal-line back which will hurt Jones-Drew's value. If that is the case, draft him as a number 3 back. If not, then he moves up to number 2 status, especially in points/reception leagues where he will contribute more to his fantasy total each week.

18. Deuce McAllister(Saints)

-the Deuce once again will share the backfield with Reggie Bush which knocks him down to borderline number 2 status. Once a sure-fire first round pick, McAllister is still feeling his way back from reconstructive knee surgery. He did however rush for 10 TD's last season and his 30 receptions were OK. His health is back and don't be afraid to draft him. Just make sure you have someone better as your first option.

19. Cedric Benson(Bears)

-it is now time for Benson to show the world why Chicago made him the number four overall pick back in 2005. With Thomas Jones being dealt to Chicago, Benson has no one in front of him to impede his progress. Question marks abound here such as his inability to remain healthy, poor work habits, and non-existent pass-catching ability. However the man was a monster in college and should have the ability to put up decent numbers in Chicago's ground-based attack. Draft him as your number two but don't be surprised if he lets you down due to all his red flags.

20. Thomas Jones(Jets)

-I probably should have ranked him higher but there is nothing about him that wows you. However he is a decent runner who is a good fit as your number two RB. After hearing early on that he was a bust with Arizona, Jones has put together a solid career and seems to be a perfect fit for the New York ground game. Never a TD machine, Jones will struggle to collect 10 on the ground. However he will move the pile and contribute decent receptions to make him viable as an every-week play. Quietly has made himself into a useful fantasy resource.

21. Brandon Jacobs(Giants)

-with Tiki Barber off into the NBC studios, the job now belongs to this bruising third year player. Blessed with freakish size and nimble feet, Jacobs could open many eyes this year around the league. Already a reliable source for TD's(9 last season), Jacobs only has to keep Reuben Droughns on the bench to fulfill his promise. Whether that happens is the one question that dogs his ranking. Draft him due to the fact he will score TD's but be aware the yardage may not be there.

22. Jamal Lewis(Browns)

-now with the team he tormented for so many years, Jamal Lewis is looking to re-establish himself as a top NFL RB. Still only 28, there is a ton of tread on his tires which is the reason you shouldn't expect too much out of him. Playing on a bad team such as Cleveland won't help the matter and thus he is no more than a 2nd RB at best. Temper your expectations however and he will give you an honest effort week in and week out.

23. LaMont Jordan(Raiders)

-seemingly on the verge of stardom after a decent year in 2005, injuries and all-around horrid play by the Raiders ruined whatever momentum Jordan accumulated during the season before. With Dominic Rhodes signing over from Indy, the situation becomes even more muddied for LaMont. However he does have a decent amount going for him such as possibly having the best hands at the RB position along with a decent running ability. There is no reason he shouldn't be a starter after a year where the whole team stunk but this is a situation that you need to keep an eye on. If he does get the full-time gig, his ranking will soar(especially in points/reception leagues). However if he has to time-share with Rhodes, than he is no more than a number 3 back who you grab for insurance.

24. Carnell Williams(Buccaneers)

-an absolutely dreadful year ruined any sort of momentum Williams had after his eye-opening rookie season. Failing to rush for 1,000 yards, the Cadillac sputtered its way to an embarrassing finish. Things don't look much better in TB as coach Jon Gruden doesn't have a QB worth mentioning and the WR corps is this. Thus Williams will still see 8-man fronts until the Buc's prove they can open up the offense. Don't expect much other than the occasional big game out of this broken down vehicle.

25. Marion Barber III(Cowboys)
-in a time-share with Julius Jones for two years now, Barber has shown that at the very least, he can score TD's by the bunch. Tallying 14 scores last season, Barber was the rare committee RB who could serve as your number 2 runner. Though head coach Wade Phillips plans to use the same rotation as Bill Parcells, look for Barber's role to increase. If Jones does in fact ever get traded than this guy shoots up the charts like a rocket. Monitor to see if Jones is dealt. If not, than draft him as a number 2 but more as a number 3.

The Rest(Draft as Third Back and As Insurance)

26. Chester Taylor(Vikings)-FALLING

-the drafting of rookie Adrian Peterson sabotaged any type of fantasy ranking Taylor had after his more than decent 2006 season. A great producer across the board, Taylor proved himself to be a solid starter for many fantasy teams who acted on his sleeper potential. Yours truly drafted him in round 5 and after hearing chuckles, made sure he grinned while I collected everyone's money. However Taylor's value is low due to Peterson's presence and despite being a points/reception gem(42 catches), it really is in your best interest to pass on this mess.

27. Julius Jones(Cowboys)

-seemingly on the verge of a breakout after his incredible performance as a rookie back in 2004, Jones never won over coach Bill Parcells and thus was stuck in a time-share with Marion Barber. With goal-line carries going to Barber, Jones' value is that of a third back. If he ever does get traded to a team where he gets the lion's share of the load, than his value soars. I am a big fan of his and believe greatness is right around the corner if he can just get himself dealt. Pass for now.

28. Fred Taylor(Jaguars)

-splitting carries with rookie Maurice Jones-Drew, Taylor had somewhat of a comeback season last year. However his advancing age(31) and loss of goal-line work places him in the barely draft able category. Draft him for insurance.

29. Ahman Green(Texans)

-the fumble-prone Green showed he still had something left last year as he put up good but not great numbers in Green Bay. Now that he has moved out to Houston, Green's value will plummet. He does catch the ball well and is ranked higher in points/reception leagues. However he is injury prone, getting older(30) and will lose goal-line carries to Ron Dayne. That's way too many negatives to ignore. Draft as insurance as he will sprinkle in a good game once every four weeks or so.

30. Warrick Dunn(Falcons)-FALLING

-one of my favorite NFL players(not fantasy players), Dunn is showing signs that he might finally be hitting the wall. At the age of 32 it is surprising it didn't happen sooner due to the fact he is on the small side and has played many downs year in and year out. Expected to lose carries to second-year man Jerious Norwood, Dunn will begin to slowly fade into the background. Draft him as a number 3 and root for him to succeed. I certainly will do that.

31. DeAngelo Williams(Panthers)-RISING

-in a time-share with DeShaun Foster, Williams is clearly the one Carolina would love to see take hold of the job. With a quick burst and elusive moves in the open field, Williams is the lighting to Foster's thunder. If Williams were to ever take hold of the job on a full-time basis, than his value will rise. That doesn't seem like the plan right now however so expect a modest increase in his overall numbers. Draft for his potential.

32. Kevin Jones(Lions)-FALLING

-another former favorite of mine, Jones has never been able to stay healthy enough to fulfill his once-seemingly infinite potential. Having as good a set of hands as any RB in the game, Jones is a bonus in points/reception leagues. Injuries however have killed his progress and there is no guarantee he will start the season on time after more off-season surgery. The addition of Tatum Bell further clouds his outlook. Monitor his progress however as he does have great ability when he is healthy which sadly is a very rare occurrence.

33. LenDale White(Titans)

-heading into the season, White has the inside track on the starting gig. However battles with his weight and a less than exemplary effort in practice have led to much skepticism that he can get the job done. White is looking more and more like a bust and you should steer clear of this immature waste.

34. DeShaun Foster(Panthers)

-the other half of the time-share in Carolina, Foster has blown many chances at the full-time gig over the years. Injuries have been the main culprit and it appears he will be nothing more than a platoon player/decent backup. You don't need that kind of player on your team.

35. Marshawn Lynch(Bills)

-with Willis McGahee traded to Baltimore, the Bills needed to find a runner who could make up all those lost carries. They think they found their man in RB Marshawn Lynch out of Cal. Although the current plan is for Lynch to cede goal-line carries to Anthony Thomas, he stands a good chance of getting the majority of the carries if he can prove he can handle the load. Will be interesting to see how Lynch will handle the cold climate in Buffalo after playing in the warm climate of California. Draft him for his potential but don't expect many scores.

36. Brandon Jackson(Packers)

-the rookie with the best chance to be granted starter carries, Jackson could be this year's offensive rookie of the year. With only inconsistent Vernand Morency standing in his way, Jackson could become a rookie version of Edgerrin James on a lesser scale. Blessed with good power and decent speed, look for GB to take a chance with the kid from the start. Draft him due to his immense upside.

37. Tatum Bell(Lions)-FALLING

-brought in from Denver, it's never a good sign when you're deemed unworthy in The Land of The Great RB's. Bell is a chance-of-pace back and nothing more who will split carries if/when Kevin Jones comes back from injury. Pass.

38. Chris Henry(Titans)

-another rookie who has a chance to start from day 1, Henry only has to pass the overweight LenDale White and the frail Chris Brown to grab the starting gig. Although I don't think it will happen by the opener, I believe Henry will be a big part of the offense by at least Week 7. Draft for his potential.

39. Vernand Morency(Packers)

-keeping the seat warm for rookie Brandon Jackson is not something that fantasy owners should be interested in. Morency is a classic journeyman who has very little fantasy value as he's never shown he could hold down a starting gig. Waste of time here.

40. Adrian Peterson(Vikings)

-the most skilled rookie at the position going into the season, the presence of Chester Taylor cuts into the fantasy potential of Peterson. In a year this guy is a top 10, maybe even top 5 talent. However look for him to share carries with Taylor for the entire season due to the fact his predecessor is still a more-than decent player.

41. Reuben Droughns(Giants)-FALLING

-part of the two-headed committee that will replace the irreplaceable Tiki Barber. Droughns does have some talent as evidenced by his two 1,400 yard seasons in 2004 and 2005 but the G-Men plan to use him as more of a secondary compliment to Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs will also surely get all the goal line carries so Droughns really has very little to offer his owners.

42. Chris Brown(Titans)

-signed only a month ago to compete with LenDale White and Chris Henry for the starting job in Tennessee, Brown is looking to recapture the potential he showed during the first half of the 2005 season when he was the starter before injuries ruined a potential breakout year. Looks to be third in the pecking order going into the season and injuries further solidified his status as someone you need to avoid altogether.

43. Ladell Betts(Redskins

44. Leon Washington(Jets)

45. Jerious Norwood(Falcons)

46. Correll Buckhalter(Eagles)

47. Anthony Thomas(Bills)

48. Michael Turner(Chargers)

49. Ricky Williams(Dolphins)

50. Mike Bell(Broncos)

51. Ron Dayne(Texans)

52. Kenny Irons(Bengals)

53. Dominic Rhodes(Raiders)-FALLING

54. Wali Lundy(Texans)