Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings: 2009 Early Version

FanHouse's crack squad of savvy fantasy football personnel put our five heads together and amassed consensus rankings for non-keeper, standard scoring leagues. We'll update as the season gets closer, but this is our "incredibly early yet still fun" version.

In an otherwise jumbled mess, there is one thing we know about the running backs when it comes to fantasy football drafts: Adrian Peterson is easily the class of the position. After that, there appears to be a large clump of running backs who have a good chance to excel this season. If you think the old school fantasy football "running back-running back" draft strategy (drafting a running back in each of the first two rounds) is truly antiquated, ask yourself the difference between a Frank Gore and Marion Barber tandem in your backfield as opposed to Ronnie Brown and Jamal Lewis. Is it worth taking a wide receiver, then, before a Barber type?

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Player	Team
1. Adrian Peterson	Vikings
The 24-year-old is the obvious top overall pick in every single league known to man. Don't question it.
2008: 1,760 yds, 10 TD; 21 rec, 125 yds
2. Matt Forte	Bears
His workload will decrease, but his efficiency will increase due to the attention defenses will now have to pay to Jay Cutler's passing attack. Forte will get stronger as the season progresses and rack up the all-purpose yardage.
2008: 1,238 yds, 8 TD; 63 rec, 477 yds, 4 TD
3. Michael Turner	Falcons
The Burner thrived outside the shadow of LaDainian Tomlinson and now he's well ahead of him in terms of fantasy value. What a difference a year makes. Expect Turner to continue to excel in the solid Atlanta offense, and he'll be more consistent than he was early last season.
2008: 1,699 yds, 17 TD; 6 rec, 41 yds
4. Maurice Jones-Drew	Jaguars
It really looks like MJD can handle the entire rushing load on his own, but we've never seen it. In 2009, we will. The diminutive grinder has all the tools to be one of the best fantasy performers in the league -- as long as you believe in his durability and the passing game's ability to ease the pressure on him.
2008: 824 yds, 12 TD; 62 rec, 565 yds, 2 TD
5. Brian Westbrook	Eagles
We know what he does when healthy, but that caveat will always be around. In fact, it's already happened this season. He's had ankle surgery (and we had compiled our rankings before this happened). Philly's head trainer swears he's not worried about it lingering into the regular season, so we should trust him for now. Still, be aware before drafting.
2008: 936 yds, 9 TD; 54 rec, 402 yds, 5 TD (14 games)
6. Frank Gore	49ers
As much as people fawned over Gore being able to play for Mike Martz last year, he's much better suited to a scheme like Norv Turner's (his OC in 2006). Reports from San Fran are surfacing this new coordinator Jimmy Raye uses a similar running system. That's great news.
2008: 1, 036 yds, 6 TD; 43 rec, 373 yds, 2 TD (14 games)
7. DeAngelo Williams	Panthers
Depending upon where you look, Williams' 2008 season was either a fluke or he simply was finally given a full workload. Consider us in the latter group, as he's always sported a solid yards-per-carry and exceptional burst. Now we know he's durable enough to handle almost 300 touches. Expect a dip in touchdowns, but the yardage is very legit.
2008: 1,515 yds, 18 TD; 22 rec, 121 yds, 2 TD
8. LaDainian Tomlinson	Chargers
He'll be 30 this year and he's carried the ball 2,657 times in his illustrious career. This is in the neighborhood when running backs traditionally hit a wall and see their numbers significantly decline. Was that year the start of said slide, or was LdT simply having an off season? You'll probably have to use a first-round pick to find out.
2008: 1,110 yds, 11 TD; 52 rec, 426 yds, 1 TD
9. Clinton Portis	Redskins
When he plays a full season, you can pretty much always count on somewhere in the ballpark of 1,300 yards and 8 touchdowns -- and that's a baseline.
2008: 1,487 yds, 9 TD; 28 rec, 218 yds
10. Chris Johnson	Titans
The rising star is as dynamic as any runner in the league. He'll be splitting time and losing goal-line carries, but he'll shake free for his fair share of scores.
2008: 1,228 yds, 9 TD; 43 rec, 260 yds, 1 TD (15 games)
11. Steven Jackson	Rams
When he plays he's a stud, unfortunately he's played all 16 games just once in his career. Plus, the Rams offense is still in rebuilding mode. He'll have some great games, but we're expecting a few hiccups as well.
2008: 1,042 yds, 7 TD; 40 rec, 379 yds, 1 TD (12 games)
12. Marion Barber	Cowboys
This beast of a battering ram would easily be top five if not for questions about how he can continue to take this sort of punishment -- though he probably dishes more out -- and remain healthy.
2008: 885 yds, 7 TD; 52 rec, 417 yds, 2 TD (13 starts)
13. Steve Slaton	Texans
Everyone was waiting for the tiny Slaton to wear down in the second half of the season and it didn't happen. Three of his five 100-yard rushing games came in December.
2008: 1,282 yds, 9 TD; 50 rec, 377 yds, 1 TD
14. Brandon Jacobs	Giants
He'll cakewalk past 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns as he carries more than half the Giants' chain-moving rushing load and gets all the goal-line touches. Just hope he stays healthy.
2008: 1,089 yds, 15 TD; 6 rec, 36 yds
15. Pierre Thomas	Saints
There's a lot of potential here for a big-time breakthrough for the third year runner from Illinois. The Saints use Reggie Bush more like an old-school H-Back, so they need an every-down back. Thomas will fill that role this year.
2008: 625 yds, 9 TD; 31 rec, 284 yds, 3 TD (only 5 starts)
16. Darren McFadden	Raiders
Not much went right for McFadden in his rookie season, but it was hardly due to a lack of ability. The Raiders will utilize his talents to the fullest this year. Expect a breakthrough as a quality RB2.
2008: 499 yds, 4 TD; 29 rec, 285 yds (13 games, 5 starts)
17. Thomas Jones	Jets
He's aging and he's got company in the backfield. Still, he's averaged more than 1,200 yards a season since 2005 and there isn't a ton of tread on his tires for a 31-year-old.
2008: 1,312 yds, 13 TD; 36 rec, 207 yds, 2 TD
18. Marshawn Lynch	Bills
For now he's suspended for the first three games. He's also got extra company in the backfield this year in Dominic Rhodes (in addition to Fred Jackson). Team that with a bit of regression in the numbers from his rookie season, and he's a huge question mark at this point.
2008: 1,036 yds, 8 TD; 47 rec, 300 yds, 1 TD (15 games)
19. Willie Parker	Steelers
Still the number one back in Steeltown, you can't deny Parker's value. Of course, he's also injury-prone and has two very capable guys pushing him.
2008: 791 yds, 5 TD; 3 rec, 13 yds (11 games)
20. Joseph Addai	Colts
The presence of first-round draft pick Donald Brown harms Addai's value. He should still be the main runner in Indy, though, and retains good value as a RB2 or RB3.
2008: 544 yds, 5 TD; 25 rec, 206, 2 TD (12 games)
21. Ryan Grant	Packers
We'd like to see Grant hit paydirt a bit more often. Also, he had a huge workload in 2008 and his backup averaged 1.6 yards more per carry.
2008: 1,203 yds, 4 TD; 18 rec, 116 yds, 1 TD
22. Reggie Bush	Saints
Bump him up several slots in points-per-reception leagues. He's a hybrid -- half running back, half wide receiver -- who will get lots of touches and rack up yardage. Injuries are a huge concern, though.
2008: 404 yds, 2 TD; 52 rec, 440 yds, 4 TD; 3 PR TD (10 games)
23. Ronnie Brown	Dolphins
Lots of touches being fought for in the Dolphins' famed Wildcat offense. You might not want Brown if consistency is what you need, but he has plenty of potential for big numbers in any given week.
2008: 916 yds, 10 TD; 33 rec, 254 yds
24. Jonathan Stewart	Panthers
As long as DeAngelo Williams is healthy, expect a simple repeat of last season's numbers for Stewart.
2008: 836 yds, 10 TD; 8 rec, 47 yds
25. LenDale White	Titans
You won't be getting huge yardage, but he's a touchdown vulture. Double-digit scores is a lock.
2008: 773 yds, 15 TD; 5 rec, 15 yds
26. Beanie Wells	Cardinals
He'll be getting 15 carries a week in the Cards' high-octane offense. Big potential here, but in fantasy we fear the unknown a bit.
2008 (college -- Ohio State): 1,197 yds, 8 TD
27. Kevin Smith	Lions
Not much of an offensive line in front of Smith here -- not to mention playing in the same division as the tough-against-the-run Vikings and Bears. At least he'll get most of the carries and opposing defenses can't stack the box.
2008: 976 yds, 8 TD; 39 rec, 286 yds (12 starts)
28. Larry Johnson	Chiefs
As much as I hated him last year, LJ actually has a good situation this season. He's two years removed from being run into the ground by Herm Edwards, and the offense around him is improved. He's a good candidate to outperform his draft slot.
2008: 874 yds, 5 TD; 12 rec, 74 yds (12 games)
29. Derrick Ward	Buccaneers
Still in a tandem situation, only this time he's behind a much worse offensive line.
2008: 1,025 yds, 2 TD; 41 rec, 384 yds
30. Jamal Lewis	Browns
He's wearing down before our very eyes, yet the Browns didn't make an attempt to upgrade his backups.
2008: 1,002 yds, 4 TD; 23 rec, 178 yds
31. Knowshon Moreno	Broncos
A crowded backfield in Denver means he won't be carrying a full load at the beginning of the season. By midseason, though, Moreno's superior ability will have him getting the most touches.
2008 (college -- Georgia): 1,400 yards, 16 TD; 33 rec, 392 yds, 3 TD
32. Willis McGahee	Ravens
Looks like he'll be a two-down back and lose goal-line carries, but he'll still lead the Ravens in yardage.
2008: 671 yds, 7 TD; 24 rec, 173 yds (only 8 starts)
33. Darren Sproles	Chargers
Definite handcuff to Tomlinson, otherwise don't count on him as more than depth.
2008: 330 yds, 1 TD; 29 rec, 342 yds, 5 TD; 1 KR TD
34. Felix Jones	Cowboys
There's a great possibility Felix skyrockets up this list. The Cowboys need to keep Barber fresh and they'll also use Jones in a variety of different ways to take advantage of his immense talent.
2008: 266 yds, 3 TD; 2 rec, 10 yds (6 games)
35. Cedric Benson	Bengals
He's unchallenged as the Bengals' go-to runner. He also has a bad offensive line in front of him and only averaged 3.5 yards per carry with 2 rushing touchdowns last season.
2008: 747 yds, 2 TD; 20 rec, 185 yds (10 starts)
36. Leon Washington	Jets
Interesting situation here. The backfield is crowded, but Washington has the chance to have a surprising season. Jones is older and Green's a rookie; thus, it's possible Washington emerges as the go-to guy. It's worth it to gamble on him late with this in mind.
2008: 448 yds, 6 TD; 47 rec, 355 yds, 2 TD; 1 KR TD
37. Donald Brown	Colts
Bill Polian doesn't miss in the first round. Thus, we have to conclude Brown's going to help the Colts offense this year. Addai's still in front for now, though.
2008 (college -- UConn): 2,083 yds, 18 TD
38. Rashard Mendenhall	Steelers
Unfortunately, the promising Mendenhall had his rookie season cut criminally short with an injury.
2008: 58 yards on 19 carries ... only pieces of four games
39. Tim Hightower	Cardinals
He'll share the workload with Wells, as we've seen he can't carry it on his own.
2008: 399 yds, 10 TD; 34 rec, 237 yds
40. Earnest Graham	Buccaneers
Will split carries with Ward -- and possibly even Cadillac Williams.
2008: 563 yds, 4 TD; 23 rec, 174 yds (10 games)

41. Ray Rice, Ravens
42. Chester Taylor, Vikings
43. Sammy Morris, Patriots
44. Julius Jones, Seahawks
45. Fred Taylor, Patriots
46. Jerious Norwood, Falcons
47. LeRon McClain, Ravens
48. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs
49. Fred Jackson, Bills
50. Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants
51. Ricky Williams, Dolphins
52. Michael Bush, Raiders
53. LeSean McCoy, Eagles
54. Shonn Greene, Jets
55. Kevin Faulk, Patriots
56. Maurice Morris, Lions
57. Tashard Choice, Cowboys
58. T.J. Duckett, Seahawks
59. Mewelde Moore, Steelers
60. Laurence Maroney, Patriots
61. Brandon Jackson, Packers
62. Justin Fargas, Raiders
63. Jerome Harrison, Browns
64. Greg Jones, Jaguars
65. LaMont Jordan, Broncos
66. Dominic Rhodes, Bills
67. Ryan Torain, Broncos
68. Antonio Pittman, Rams
69. Ladell Betts, Redskins
70. Kevin Jones, Bears
71. Cadillac Williams, Bucs
72. Glen Coffee, Niners
73. Chris Brown, Texans
74. Ryan Moats, Texans
75. Correll Buckhalter, Broncos
76. Mike Hart, Colts
77. Brian Leonard, Bengals
78. Adrian Peterson, Bears
79. DeShawn Wynn, Packers
80. Deuce McAllister, Free Agent