Running Backs Preview

The fantasy football running back.  Is there a more powerful player in the world of fantasy sports?  Running backs are the only player that can contribute in pretty much all of its teams stats.  He can run it, catch it and in some cases throw it for points.  Running backs are most likely to score a touchdown than anyone else and that makes them invaluable.  There's no such thing as having too many good running backs.  Last year, in my draft league, I had McGahee, Gore, Peterson (Min), Ryan Grant, Chester Taylor, and Kolby Smith.  If there were any other good ones available, I would have snatched them up too.  These are the big guns of your team.  Without a solid running game, you're going to struggle, no matter how good your QB and WR's are.  Here are the Fantasy Factors' top running backs for 2008.

1.  LaDainian Tomlinson - A lot of people have been asking me, "Hey Nick, who is your number one running back going into this season?" and without hesitation, I say two simple letters, "LT".  "Even over Peterson?" they'd follow up.  "Absolutely" and here's why.  Tomlinson is the ultimate back.  He can rack up fantasy points in a multitude of different ways.  He gets 300 carries and consistently gets 1300 to 1800 yards per year.  He has hit double digits in touchdowns every year of his professional career.  He catches at least 50 passes out of the backfield each season.  He's even thrown a couple TD passes.  As if it couldn't get any better, the Chargers passing game has improved and their schedule is looking really soft at this point.  If you draft him, you are the favorite to win your league.  Peterson is a great runner, but Tomlinson is the total package and deserves the number one spot.  Fantasy Factor Projection: 1700 yards rushing, 500 yards receiving, 22 TD total

2.  Brian Westbrook - Does anyone need a player more than the Eagles need Brian Westbrook?  Westbrook lead the team in rushing yards and receptions.  He carried the ball 278 times and caught 90 passes last year.  I can just imagine what the Eagles huddle must have been like; "Okay guys we're going to {flips coin} PASS the ball to Westbrook on this one".  He was the whole show for the Eagles last year and probably will be again this year.   This makes him extremely valuable and deserving of the number two spot behind LT.  Even against tough defenses, Westbrook put up good numbers.  50 rushing, 50 receiving and a touchdown doesn't look like much, but in most formats that's 16 points.  Even his bad games are valuable in fantasy football.  The only cause for concern with Westbrook is injuries.  He has yet to have an injury free season and because of this, some owners will avoid him in the first round.  Considering how much work he got last year, it's a legitimate concern again, but if you always factor injuries into your draft strategy, you'd have a hard time picking anyone.  Fantasy Factor Projection: 1400 yards rushing, 700 yards receiving, 17 TD total

3.  Adrian Peterson - Nobody runs with the football better than the Minnesota Vikings' Purple Jesus, Adrian Peterson.  His speed and ability to find and explode through the running lanes is something that hasn't been seen since the days of Barry Sanders.  I'm not a big college football guy, but when he was a Sooner, I remember watching him and thinking, I need to keep tabs on him because he's going to be a big star with somebody some day.  In last year's fantasy draft, I stuck to my guns, passed on Clinton Portis and drafted the rookie back.  Needless to say, I wasn't regretting it.  The Vikings don't have the best passing game in the world, but they do have the best offensive line and as long as they stay healthy and intact, Peterson should put together another great season.  Fantasy Factor Projection: 1700 yards rushing, 15 TD

4.  Frank Gore - Considering how high Gore was taken in fantasy drafts last year, his 2007 performance was a disappointment.  The Niners never really got their offense rolling and Gore suffered the most.  It wasn't until December that he started to emerge as a fantasy force.  This year, Frank the Tank will be back.  The Niners have a new offensive coordinator with Mike Martz and he will return to the fantasy running back elite status.  Martz loves to use running backs and plans on using Gore the same way he used Marshall Faulk in St Louis.  Playing in the NFC West division and playing against the soft AFC East this year, Gore could very easily get back to 2000 total yards like he did in 2006.  This past off-season, Gore has slimmed down and is said to be looking fast and explosive.  I really hate to draft the same player in the first round two years in a row, but in this case, I would have to make an exception.  Gore is going to have a career Pro Bowl caliber year.  If the guys above are taken, go with Gore in 08.  Fantasy Factor Projection: 1600 yards rushing, 600 yards receiving, 17 TD total

5.  Marion Barber - In the off-season, the Dallas Cowboys gained by losing.  The loss of Julius Jones means that Marion Barber-shop of horrors is going to get fed the ball a lot more often.  When he was splitting time, he still managed to get double digit touchdowns and almost hit 1000 yards last year.  Just think of what this guy is capable of as the full time back.  The Cowboys have the most complete offense in football and Barber will be the wrecking ball.  This touchdown monster should have his best season yet.  Fantasy Factor Projection: 1400 yards rushing, 20 TD

6.  Steven Jackson - Action Jackson is another one of those backs that can do it all.  In 2006, he ran for 1500 yards and caught for another 800 yards to go along with his 16 TD's.  Jackson was a pre season favorite last year to win the league MVP, but all of this over use in 2006, led to an injury plagued 2007.  However, Jackson, for the most part, battled through the injuries and still put together a pretty decent year and broke the 1000 yard mark in just 12 games.  With lowered expectations and injury problems aside, Jackson is primed for another big year... assuming the Rams give him the big contract extension that he wants.  As for right now, Jackson has been a no show at camp and neither side appears to be budging.  This is obviously bad for Jackson owners or future owners.  Let's face it, Jackson will be on the field for the Rams this year, probably by Week One, but missing camp will cause him to get off to a slow start and will affect his numbers.  Assuming he's back by Week One... Fantasy Factor Projection: 1200 yards rushing, 600 receiving, 15 TD total

7.  Jamal Lewis - Since leaving the team formerly known as the Browns, to go the team currently known as... the Browns, Jamal Lewis' expectations dropped.  Even in his final years in Baltimore, nobody really expected anything out of him.  While his "rushing for 2000 yards in a season" days are gone, his "1300 yards and 11 TD" days are still here.  Lewis has been a pretty solid and consistent back and with all the attention on the Brownies passing game, Lewis should have more space than ever to run.  Expect another good year out of Lewis.  Fantasy Factor Projection: 1400 yards rushing, 13 TD 

8.  Joseph Addai - Last year, Addai got to be the main back in the Colts offense and his fantasy value skyrocketed.  After getting off to a fast start Addai started to fade by Week 10 and was a non-factor by the playoffs.  The Colts realized that Addai wasn't able to carry the load and brought back his former running mate, Dominic Rhodes.  I still expect Addai to start, but only get 60-70 percent of the carries.  While less carries could mean less points, I think this could keep Addai energized for the entire season and keep him a valuable member of your team, come fantasy football playoff time.  Fantasy Factor Projection: 1200 yards rushing, 400 receiving, 15 TD

9. Thomas Jones - After just scoring ONE rushing touchdown last season, things were bound to get better.  Honestly, they really couldn't get much worse.  The Jets went out and rebuilt their offensive line and acquired Brett Favre in a trade.  The only way things could get easier for Jones would be if he was allowed to drive a truck on the field.  These fortunate turn of events has made Jones a big time sleeper pick in fantasy leagues.  He's setup to play against a lot of soft run defenses this year and I would go as far as to say this could be a pro bowl season for Jones.  Fantasy Factor Projection: 1500 yards rushing, 10 TD

10.  Marshawn Lynch - The lone bright spot on the Buffalo Bills season last year will most likely be the lone bright spot again.  As a rookie and focal point of the offense, Lynch still managed to rack up over 1100 yards rushing and score 7 TD's.   If the Bills could develop any semblance of a passing game, Lynch could really take off.  But until then he'll have to continue to plow his way through seven and eight man fronts.  Fantasy Factor Projection: 1200 yards rushing, 12 TD

11.  Willie Parker - In 2007, Fast Willie was running towards his first NFL rushing title. Then against the Rams, he injured his knee and was lost for the season.  With the Steelers offense becoming more wide open, there's little reason to believe Parker won't be near the top of the rushing ranks again this year.  The big knock against Willie is his lack of touchdowns.  Sure, he burns it up between the 20's, but the big points in fantasy football are in the end zone, a place Willie made it to only twice last year.  With first round pick, Rashard Mendenhall coming into the mix, Parker looks to get even less carries near the goaline.  However, Coach Tomlin has not yet dismissed using Parker at the goaline after Mendenhall had a less than spectacular performance in his first goaline drill.  Plus, let's keep in mind, Parker did score 13 TD's in 2006.  I think that if the Steelers have Parker sprint to the pylon instead of pounding it up the middle on the one yard line, he'll get there before any defender does.  If Willie can hold off Mendenhall this year, he should once again be a good fantasy option.  Fantasy Factor Projection: 1200 yards rushing, 8 TD

12.  Clinton Portis - This former first round stud will continue to carry the load for the Redskins in the Jim Zorn era.  He's been Mr. Reliable for many fantasy owners over the years scoring over 10 TD's in 4 of his 6 years in the league and breaking the 1000 yard mark every except 2006 due to injury.  Portis won't be the league MVP, but he will continue to put up good numbers for his owners.  Fantasy Factor Projection: 1100 yards rushing, 10 TD 

13.  Ryan Grant - It was Week 8 before anyone even knew who Ryan Grant was.  By Week 17, he was the hottest runner in the NFL and swaying the balance of power in fantasy leagues everywhere.  In the final 10 games of the season, Grant ran for 956 yards and scored 8 TD's.  In his first playoff game, he ran for over 200 yards and 3 TD's against the Seahawks.  So why is he ranked so low on this list?  For the same reason Thomas Jones is so high on this list... Brett Favre.  With other teams game planning to shut down Favre, Grant had lots of room to run.  This year will be a little bit tougher with A-Rod the quarterback at the helm.  Grant should still have a good season and will perform well no matter who's playing QB, but don't expect the pace from last year to continue.  Fantasy Factor Projection: 1200 yards rushing, 8 TD

(Photo by Morry Gash / AP)

14.  Willis McGahee / Ray Rice - With the addition of Cam Cameron to the Ravens coaching staff, Willis McGahee's value skyrockets.  Cameron has done wonders with running backs (LT and Ronnie Brown) in the past.  Now he gets to work with Willis McGahee... maybe.  I would have McGahee ranked much higher if it wasn't for the fact that he's currently injured and the Ravens coaching staff loves what they see in rookie running back, Ray Rice.  You are going to want to have the Ravens starting RB, but its uncertain just who that is right now.  My strategy for this, draft McGahee in the third or fourth, maybe fifth depending on how your draft is going, then get Rice after you fill all of your starters.  As a Pitt guy, I know all about Ray Rice and what he can do.  While playing for Rutgers 06, he ran for 1794 yards and 20 TD's.  In 07, he ran for 2012 yards and 24 TD's. This guy is a monster and could potentially be this year's Adrian Peterson.  Fantasy Factor Projection for McGahee: 1100 yards rushing, 8 TD ;  Rice 900 yards rushing, 9 TD

15.  Maurice Jones-Drew - Over past two years, MJD has been a fantasy football favorite.  Any why not?  All he does is score TD's.  Despite getting limited carries, Jones-Drew has always had a high TD total (15 TD's in 06, 9 in 07).  Unfortunately for his owners, Right Said Fred Taylor has been too good and stands in MJD's way of reaching his full potential.  Once Taylor is done his turn in the backfield, Jones-Drew will take over but Taylor has had a history of injuries and he's almost 33, which in running back years is old.  Should Taylor get injured Jones-Drews' future would be now and with him getting 20-25 carries per game, he could be a top 5 back.  MJD is a great blend of speed and power and is great receiver out of the backfield.  He has all the tools to be a complete RB like LT or Westbrook.  Fantasy Factor Projection: In current role, 1000 rushing yards, 400 receiving yards, 10 TD's

X-Factors:

Darren McFadden - Not a lot of things worked for the Raiders last year, but one thing did and that was the running game.  Behind Lamont Jordan, Justin Fargas and Dominic Rhodes the Raiders finished fourth in the AFC in rushing.  Wanting to get away from the running back by committee, they drafted highly touted running back, Darren McFadden with the fourth overall pick.  Run DMC figures to be the starter at some point this season, just like JaMarcus Russell last year.  The difference is McFadden will be starting before Week 16.  The Raiders play a lot of soft run defenses this year and if he's the starter sooner rather than later, he could run away with the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.  Pay close attention to what he does in camp.  If he starts, get him now. 

(Photo by Ben Margot / AP) 

Ronnie Brown - Before tearing his ACL, Brown was having a spectacular season with the Dolphins.  In just seven games, he amassed 602 rushing yards, 389 receiving and 5 TD's.  Brown is the projected starter going into camp, but I'm not completely sold on the idea that his knee problems are behind him.  Plus, Ricky Williams is back and feeling very motivated.  Brown is a risky pick, but considering the numbers he's capable of putting up, he might be worth it.

Rashard Mendenhall - The Steelers number one draft pick is looking to fill the Jerome Bettis role as the goaline back.  Its still too early to tell what role he'll play, if he'll split carries with Parker or if he'll just get a few carries a game.  Best case scenario for Mendenhall, he splits carries with Parker and is the goaline back.  Most experts are projecting this role for him and if that does happen we're looking at an 800 yard, 10 TD season.