Fantasy 101: Top 50 Running Backs

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With all of the major sites launching their 2009 Fantasy Football games, its time for the staff at NFLDraft101 to give you our 2009 position rankings. Our rankings are based on a composite score of our writing team which consist of myself, Chris Maier, Doug Lancy and Josh Moellman. We base our running back rankings on a scoring system which consists of 1 point every 10 yards rushing and receiving, 1 point per reception, -2 for fumbles lost and 6 points for a touchdown. I challenge all readers to implement a 2 quarterback league and to add 1 point per reception. This will bridge the gap in value between RB and all of the positions.

Top 50 Fantasy RB

1. Adrian Peterson (Vikings): Regardless of scoring system, Peterson should be the #1 overall pick in most drafts. If Brett Favre signs with Minnesota, he should face fewer 8 and 9 man fronts.
2. Michael Turner (Falcons): Turner shined in his first opportunity as a starter last season. The only downside: 6 receptions last year.
3. Matt Forte (Bears): Forte took advantage of zero backfield depth and a subpar passing game. Jay Cutler's arrival should open up more running lanes for Forte. Forte also contributed with 63 receptions last year. Surprisingly Forte only had 3 100 yard games in 2008, but that should change.  
4. Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars): The subtraction of Fred Taylor and the addition of Tra Thomas, Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton on the offensive line should equal a break out year for Drew. Drew is a great receiving adding value in PPR leagues.  Drew also has very little competition on the depth chart which is a huge bonus.
5. Chris Johnson (Titans): Johnson is the best overall offensive weapon on the Titan offense. Also, had 43 receptions despite sharing playing time.  Now that Chris Johnson is a known commodity teams will stack the line of scrimmage and dare Kerry Collins to beat them.  On the negative side he won't get a lot of goal line carries. 
6. DeAngelo Williams (Panthers): In the second half of last season, DeAngelo Wiliams was arguably the best running back in the NFL. The key question is can he repeat his excellent 2008 sharing time with Jonathan Stewart.
7. Frank Gore (Niners):  Good bye to Mike Martz and hello to the ball control philosophy of Mike Singletary. Gore is a good runner and receiver making him esp. valuable in PPR leagues.  He is injury prone but should benefit from the addition of rookie Glen Coffee, who will reduce the wear and tear of Frank Gore's body.
8. Steven Jackson (Rams): The addition of rookie Jason Smith at tackle might elevate Steven Jackson back into the top 5. Jackson and Marc Bulger took a beating in 2008 as a result of poor offensive line play.  Jackson has battled injuries the past two years but he is one of the best all-around running backs in the league when healthy.   
9. Steve Slaton (Texans): Slaton proved he could be a workhorse for the Texans despite his size. The zone blocking scheme and zero backfield depth should translate to another productive season.  He is an excellent fit in this system meaning a repeat isn't just possible but likely. 
10. Brian Westbrook (Eagles): This guy is a headache for all owners. Durabilty is the biggest question mark every season. When healthy, Westbrook is arguably the best fantasy player on the board but he had multiple off-season surguries and is hardly a given to play 16 games at age 30.  Expect a reduced role in 2009 as they try to keep him healthy.
11. LaDainian Tomlinson (Chargers): LT is near the end of his career and I suggest anyone who picks LT handcuff Darren Sproles sooner than later. A big dropoff or two back system is possible in 2009.
12. Clinton Portis (Redskins): The Portis sideshow is starting to get old in DC. He averaged less than 3 yards per carry down the stretch in 2008. He plays behind a porous offensive line and the wear and tear sapped some of his playmaking ability.  Teams have also figured out the Redskins cannot run to the right side.
13. Marion Barber (Cowboys): Great player, two big issues for fantasy value: Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.  On the plus side, Barber will get the goal line carries.
14. Brandon Jacobs (Giants): Without Derrick Ward, can Jacobs carry the load? The best short yardage back in the NFL by far. Has never been the man and has little value as a receiver (devalue him in PPR leagues)
15. Pierre Thomas (Saints): A solid between the tackles runner who is a good fit for the Saints finesse offense.  Shined when given the starting job late last season.  A high risk/high reward pick as he may or may not get the goal line carries.  How much playing time will he have to share with Reggie Bush?
16. Ronnie Brown (Dolphins): Great comeback by Ronnie Brown in 2008. At some point Ricky Williams will disappear from the Miami offense.  Brown is playing for a contract in '09 but will lose wildcat touches to Pat White.  Averaged 3.8 ypc in standard sets but over 5.0 in the wildcat. 
17. Kevin Smith (Lions): Smith guarantees playoffs, but the only guarantee is Smith will get more touches under the regime of Jim Schwartz.  Really shined down the stretch last year and a better receiver than he is given credit for.  Could have a breakout season esp. if Stafford is the QB as they look to protect their young signal caller.  On the negative side, the Lions offensive line is awful.
18. Ryan Grant (Packers): The holdout last year was a huge mistake for the one time journeyman Grant. With a full training camp as starter, can Grant elevate his game in 2009? At a minimum he has a solid hold on the RB job as Brandon Jackson is not starting caliber. 
19. Marshawn Lynch (Bills): The combination of off the field problems, bad quarterback play and a terrible offensive line spell doom in 2009 for the Lynch and the Bills.  Don't forget to factor in the suspension to start the season.
20. Joseph Addai (Colts): With Donald Brown arriving in Indy, I see Addai's stock plummeting in 2009.
21. Thomas Jones (Jets): 31 year old RB whose holdout could open a spot for Shonn Greene sooner than later. 
22. Darren McFadden (Raiders): McFadden is finally #1 on the depth chart, but still must run behind a make shift offensive line.  Part of a committe approach in Oakland. 
23. Knowshon Moreno (Broncos): Sharing the ball with Corell Buckhalter would not be an issue with most coaches, but this is Josh McDaniels we are talking about. At some point Moreno should become the feature back in Denver.  Moreno is a good receiver which could come in handy with Orton manning the offense. 
24. Reggie Bush (Saints): The highest paid and most overhyped change of pace back in NFL history. Bush is only valuable for his receiving stats (don't draft him unless it is a PPR league).  Can't run between the tackles. 
25. Willie Parker (Steelers): Parker is a system runner and needs the Steeler offensive line to improve dramatically in 2009.  Injuries have begun to slow him down and does not appear capable of carrying a full load.
26. Jonathan Stewart (Panthers): He is playing behind DeAngelo Williams, but there will be opportunities for Stewart to shine as well. A must handcuff if you draft DeAngelo Williams but as this ranking shows don't wait to long to get him.
27. Cedric Benson (Bengals): With the return of Carson Palmer, look for the nine man fronts to disappear the stats of Benson to steadily increase. Benson seems to be comfortable in Cincinnati and could be an underrated sleeper if you draft him as a 3rd RB.  Does not have a lot of competition and could be a RB2 if you decide to load up on wide receivers.
28. Larry Johnson (Chiefs): Will he even play in 2009? A head case who is a shell of his former self.
29. Derrick Ward (Bucs): Underrated signing this offseason and could be one of the most underrated backs on draft day. Tampa has a solid young offensive line and Ward should have a 1,000 yard season.  His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield is also a plus. 
30. Jamaal Lewis (Browns): Lewis is nearing the end of career, but with no successor in place Lewis will still get the bulk of the carries in Cleveland.  He's not good anymore but he plays. 
31. Lendale White (Titans); Solid short yardage back who is endanger of being relegated to that role exclusively.
32. Chris Wells (Cardinals): Wells is the best sleeper on the board. Wells will see a lot of 6 and 7 man fronts this year and if healthy could be a rookie of the year candidate.  His inability to catch the ball will limit him to a 2 down role as a rookie but that will probably help him stay healthy. 
33. Darren Sproles (Chargers): Rated way too low by my co-writers. Sproles could/should be the feature back in this offense and should be drafted earlier.  A good receiver and runner outside.  Won't be a goal line back but should pile up yardage.
34. Ray Rice (Ravens): Sleeper alert! Rice could break camp as the starter and may fly up draft board for those draft held in late August.   
35. Jamaal Charles (Chiefs): With Larry Johnson's days in KC numbered the versatile Charles could take the starting job in 2009.  Could be a nice late round find.
36. Willis McGahee (Ravens): The end is near for McGahee as a Raven. Don't be the one who over drafts him on name recognition. He will not be a Raven in 2010.
37. Donald Brown (Colts):  This dual threat back will be a better prospect in November than September.
38. Julius Jones (Seahawks): Jones is the starter by default for the worst group on RB in the league.  Only worth drafting because the team has so few other options. 
39. Felix Jones (Cowboys): A solid handcuff pick for those who get Marion Barber.  Has excellent playmaking skills and receiving ability.  Likely to be hit or miss on a weekly basis. 
40. Tim Hightower (Cardinals): A 50/50 chance to win the starting job in Arizona.
41. Jerious Norwood (Falcons): Solid receiver out of the backfield. With Michael Turner established, Norwood has more value in a keeper leagues and as a handcuff for Turner.
42. Lesean McCoy (Eagles): A must handcuff if you draft Brian Westbrook. Extremely valuable in keeper leagues as he has nice skills and is a good fit for the Eagles offense.  Plays similar to Westbrook. 
43. Fred Jackson (Bills): Could have some value with issues surrounding Marshawn Lynch.  At a minimum will start for the first 3 weeks of the season in Lynch's absence which could provide him the opportunity to work his way into a job share situation. 
44. Fred Taylor (Patriots): Part of a running back by committee in pass happy New England.
45. Rashard Mendenhall (Steelers): Best football still ahead of him. Steelers will bring Mendenhall along slowly after missing his rookie year with an injury.  Could steal goal line carries and gradually earn time in place of Willie Parker.
46. Lawrence Maroney (Patriots): Part of a running back by committee in pass happy New England.  The shine is clearly off the former first rounder. 

47. Leron McClain (Ravens): A short yardage threat who will likely move to fullback

48. Sammy Morris (Patriots): Part of a running back by committee in pass happy New England.  Likely to see a reduced role with Taylor's arrival.

49. Shonn Greene (Jets): Contract status and durabilty of Thomas Jones are key contributing factors for the Jets running back of the future.

50. Leon Washington (Jets): A playmaker and receiver out of the backfield.  Could see an expanded role if Thomas Jones holdout continues.

Dan Wernery is the Chief Scout for NFLDraft101.com and can be reached at dwernery@nfldraft101.com