2009 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

Tier One

1-1(1). Adrian Peterson – Peterson led the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 1,885, 100 yard games with 10, and is coming off of his first rushing title in 2008. He’s big, he’s fast, he’s bad to the bone. The league’s all round best back and the safest pick you will get. He played in all 17 games (including playoffs), and had 11 games with 20 or more carries. Pick him at 1 and enjoy!

1-2(2). Michael Turner – It’s hard to ignore Turner’s league high 376 carries last season, along with his 17 TDs. The Burner led the league in red-zone carries in 2008 and was near the top of the league in goal-line touches. This is only good news for fantasy owners. Some might say with the emergence of Matt Ryan he will get less carries, which in theory is true. But, defenses will have to focus on Ryan and his new toy Tony Gonzalez, which will open the field for Turner. He may not be able to catch the ball, or he just doesn’t. So don’t expect much in the reception department, but be happy with his 1600 yards and 13-15 TDs this season.

1-3(3). Maurice Jones-Drew – Little Hercules is about to blow up the game in a big way. With Fred Taylor out of Jacksonville, it is now Drew’s chance to show what he’s got. He only had 197 carries in 2008, but had 12 TDs on the ground. Add to that his 62 catches for another 2 scores, and this guy cranks out a TD every 18 touches! Being the clear number one option for the Jags you can expect more than 12 carries a game which he averaged in 2008. Give em 18 carries and that should equal about 16 TDs.

1-4(4). Matt Forte – Forte had a very impressive rookie year in 2008. He led all RBs with 63 receptions, and had 1,715 total yards with 12 TDs. The addition of Jay Cutler sprung Forte up the ranks since defenses will have to pay much more attention to the passing game. Matt is the essential every down back, he can run, catch, and block, which means he will barely leave the field.

Tier Two

2-1(5). Steven Jackson – OK fine. So the guy gets hurt every year. He only played all the way through in like 10 games last year. In 2007, he missed 4 games. Whatever. He’s back. In the last 5 games of ‘08 S-Jax had 641 yard and 4 scores. He will also enjoy a whole new blocking experience with a new center in Jason Brown, number 2 pick Jason Smith, and FB Mike Karney. If it wasn’t for the misery that is the rest of the Rams, and his injury tendencies (knock on wood), he would be in the top tier. If Jackson stays healthy, he cold be the number 1 fantasy option come season end. WARNING: Not for the faint of heart!

2-2(6). Frank Gore – Gone is Mike Martz, in comes Jimmy Raye, and a run-first offense which will give Frank Gore plenty of opportunities to regain his top 5 fantasy back numbers. And if the 49ers can keep him healthy he will. Things were going pretty well for the first 10 games last year and completely tanked after a week 14 ankle injury. I had Gore on my team needless to say I lost in the first round of the playoffs. But have faith Frank Gore will be back.

2-3(7). Steve Slaton – Honestly, I think I have a fantasy football-esque man crush on Slaton. He’s on my team, I kept him from last year, and I’m pumped. And I should be, so should you if you draft him. In an offense that’s loaded with talent, Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels, and hell, even Kevin Walter, the middle of the field and outside the tackles will be wide open for Slaton. I will be referring to him as “My Little Westbrook” from now on.

2-4(8). Chris Johnson – CJ is looking to increase his workload in 2009 and has been bulking up in anticipation. He averaged 16 carries a game in ‘08 along with about 3 receptions. That’s near 20 touches a game. If he can get those 20 touches and maybe a few more this year, he has the potential to put up big numbers. The one thing to be wary about is his 20 yard TD average. All 10 of his touchdowns were on average 20.9 yards. That’s not a bad thing, it just shows that he doesn’t really get the ball in close to the goal-line. LenDale White had 15 TDs, 12 of them from within the 3.

2-5(9). LaDainian Tomlinson – It’s a little strange not having LT in the top 5. But after what he put owners through last year he can’t be trusted. He is still one of the most versatile RBs in the league and will bounce back from his rough 2008. But Darren Sproles seems poised to take a few more carries and receptions from LT. Regardless, 1,300 total yards and double digit TDs still makes him a top 10 RB

Tier Three

Brandon Jacobs

3-1(10). Brandon Jacobs – Their are 2 general feelings when you notice the Giants inside the 5 yard line. Joy if you have him, or nausea if you are playing against him. He is a virtual lock to score a TD in goal-line situations. Problem is he gets hurt and has missed 8 games in the past 2 seasons. His 5 yard a carry average and 15 TDs allows you to look the other way though. He also set career highs in rushing yards (1,009) and TDs. Don’t count on him getting many receptions, that’s Ahmad Bradshaw’s job. Derrick Ward is out and Bradshaw will be Jacobs’ relief this year. At least he won’t be splitting with 2 other backs.

3-2(11). Brian Westbrook – You gotta love having this guy on your roster when he is healthy. But drafting Westy comes with a warning label. Make sure you pick up rookie RB LeSean McCoy later in the draft. But you know how good Andy Reid is at getting the ball in Westbrook’s hands. He has averaged 22 touches a game over the last 3 seasons. In 2008 he hit pay dirt 14 times in 14 games. With Philly adding T Jason Peters and FB Leaonard Weaver, BW may see some real nice running lanes opening up.

3-3(12). Clinton Portis – Portis started off as a MVP candidate in 2008 while rushing for 944 yards and 7 TDs through the first 8 games. He gets the rock in Washington and that shouldn’t change in 2009. He broke down a bit towards the end of the year and only had 281 yards in his last 5 games. And for that reason he is not ranked higher. If he doesn’t wear down again he can always give you solid RB1 numbers.

3-4(13). DeAngelo Williams – Williams had a sick second half of 2008 with 993 yards, 15 TDs, and had 2 game with 4 TDs. Awesome, but he ended the year with 18 rushing scores. If you are to lazy to do the math, I will hook you up. 3 Tds in the first half of the season. Splitting time with Jonathan Stewart isn’t going to help his cause. But still expect him to give you RB2 numbers and would be a pretty damn good flex guy if your league goes that route.

3-5(14). Marion Barber – MBIII is the league’s toughest runner and best finisher. Good and bad. It’s possible he goes back to full time closer with Felix Jones and Tashard Choice getting carries. Good and bad. He gets to brutalize worn down defenses and has had his best years in this same role when Julius Jones was in Dallas. He is consistent and gets good numbers, just not RB1 numbers.

Tier Four

4-1(15). Pierre Thomas – Thomas is an interestng fellow this year. He is a 3rd to 4th round draft pick that can return 1st round numbers. He finished last season with 99 carries and 501 yards with 9 scores over 7 games. Not to shabby for a guy that was burried under Deuce McAllister and Aaron Stecker.

4-2(16). Ronnie Brown – The leader of the wildcat is set up well to have his best season since his nasty start in 07 before his injury. He will still be splitting some reps with Ricky Williams but he will be the premier back. Miami has a real good offensive line. Browns also in his contract year.

4-3(17). Kevin Smith – He didn’t have the greatest rookie year in terms of numbers. Only 976 yards on 238 carries and 8 TDs. But he only started 12 games, and in those games he averaged a solid 84 yards a game rushing. He was overlooked bcause of the 0-16 record. A nice steal.

4-4(18). Marshawn Lynch – If he wasn’t suspended for the first 4 games he may be ranked higher. But Fred Jackson may earn carries when Lynch comes back if he plays well in his place. Either way he will give you solid RB2 numbers.

4-5(19). Derrick Ward – The Buccaneers gave Ward a nice deal. Which pretty much means he is the featured back in front of Earnest Graham. Chances are though, Graham will be getting the goal line carries. Still Ward will be a good value pick while posting RB2 numbers, at a RB3 draft position.

4-6(20). Ryan Grant - Grant got off to a rough start in 08 due to a hamstring injury. He got better as the season went on. He does plenty of damage in the fourth quarter when the Pack have the lead, but when they are losing he tends to fade away. Brandon Jackson may steal some carries from him, but he is still the lead back.