Top Ten 2008 FF Running Backs

In part two of our series on the top ten at each position we move to the critical running back spot. I don't think RBs are critical as they once were with the emergence of high scoring QBs, but they are very important building blocks of any solid FF team. With running-back-by-committee the rage in the NFL and third-down specialty backs, the difference between the 10th best back and the 25th has shrunk considerably. There are only a handful of stud RBs available who are sure to get the Lions share of their teams carries.

1) LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
2007 Stats: 1,474 yds, 15 TDs (19 total), 4.7 ypc
Receiving: 60 catches, 475 yds, 3 TDs
I've seen a number of publications that have Peterson listed ahead of LT but that is crazy. Tomlinson is a triple threat - running, receiving, and passing (6 TD passes over the last three years). He has a solid body of work and doesn't have a history of injuries. He also doesn't have Michael Turner behind him to steal carries like he did the past few years. Plus LT has much more of a passing threat with Rivers versus Tavaris Jackson in Minnesota. Oh, and lets not forget that he doesn't turn the ball over with zero fumbles a year ago versus four by AP. He is hands down the #1 pick in the draft - case closed.

2) Adrian Peterson, Vikings
2007 Stats: 1,341 yds, 12 TDs (13 total), 5.6 ypc
Receiving: 19 catches, 268 yds, 1 TD
What an exciting rookie AP turned out to be leading the league in rushing yards per game (95.8), yards-per-carry (5.6), and 40+ yard rushes (5). Those who want to appoint him the new king, however, shall have to wait a little longer. Injuries are still a major concern given his upright power running style. Peterson is somewhat of a triple threat himself, but his third area is in the kicking game where he had 16 kickoff returns for 412 yards. Something that should bring more concern to owners than joy. Still, AP should thrill FF owners for years to come.

3) Brian Westbrook, Eagles
2007 Stats: 1,333 yds, 7 TDs (12 total), 4.8 ypc
Receiving: 90 catches, 771 yds, 5 TDs
Always one of the most underrated backs in the league and always one of the most productive. Westbrook's rushing stats weren't mind blowing, but when you add on his 90 catches (especially in points per receptions leagues) he moves way up the list of top FF performers. His seven rushing TDs tied his career high while his receptions set a new standard for him. The biggest concerns here are the fact that he will be 29 this season with over 1,000 rushing attempts on his tires and has never played all 16 games in a season, but usually gets pretty close.

4) Joseph Addai, Colts
2007 Stats: 1,072 yds, 12 TDs (15 total), 4.1 ypc
Receiving: 41 catches, 364 yds, 3 TDs
Addai might not have the same level of talent as the other top five RBs, but he does play in a very productive system on a very productive team. He is a solid dual threat with 40 and 41 catches respectively in his first two seasons. Most important, he is a guy you can count on for scoring you a TD a game in 2008 and entering just his third season, and second as a starter, he doesn't have much wear on his wheels. Indy will continue to feed Addai the ball to keep some pressure off of Manning in the passing game and if for some reason Manning goes down count on Addai to take on an even bigger role in the offense.

5) Stephen Jackson, Rams
2007 Stats: 1,002 yds, 5 TDs (6 total) 4.2 ypc
Receiving: 38 catches, 271 yds, 1 TD
Jackson had a breakout monster year in 2006 with over 1,500 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 90 receptions. Last year he was injury plauged just like the rest of the Rams offense and appeared in just 12 games. When the 25-year old was healthy, in weeks 11-15, he never put up less than 90 yards rushing and had a 143-yard rushing performance against the Pack in week 15. He appears to be healthy again this year and will really benefit from the return of LT Orlando Pace and a number of other key blockers along the OL.

6) Frank Gore, 49ers
2007 Stats: 1,102 yds, 5 TDs (6 total) 4.2 ypc
Receiving: 53 catches, 436 yards, 1 TD
Like Jackson, Gore had a huge 2006 with 2,180 total yards while averaging 5.4 ypc. Last year Gore stalled along with the rest of San Francisco's offense. Enter Mike Martz. The former Rams head coach and Lions OC takes over the struggling offense. This makes Gore a wildcard. With the Lions, Martz ran the ball less than any other team in the league. With the Rams, Martz helped turn Marshall Faulk into one of the greatest FF studs off all-time. Then again, Faulk was surrounded by league MVP QB Kurt Warner, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, etc.. In SF, journeyman J.T. O'Sullivan is pushing Alex Smith for the starting QB role, not a good sign, on an offense that includes the much older Bruce as one of its top receiving threats - ouch.

7) Marion Barber III, Cowboys
2007 Stats: 975 yds, 10 TDs (12 total), 4.8 ypc
Receiving: 44 catches, 282 yds, 2 TDs
Barber is coming off his third season where he set career highs in every single significant statistical category. He made the Pro Bowl and wasn't even a starter in Dallas. This year Barber moves over to the starting role and could be in store for even bigger things in one of the leagues most potent offenses. While splitting time with Julius Jones, Barber appeared in all 32 games the last two seasons and was a TD machine with 28 scores. The concern was again is RBBC, only with one Jones gone another one arrives in the form of first-round pick Felix Jones. The two will try to give the boys a thunder (Barber) and Lighting (Jones) duo at RB.

8) Clinton Portis, Redskins
2007 Stats: 1,262 yds, 11 TDs (11 total), 3.9 ypc
Receiving: 47 catches, 389 yds, 0 TDs
Nobody in the top ten puts on a better show in the post-game conference than the colorful Portis. Bad news is nobody loses the ball more either (5 fumbles lost in 2007). Entering his 5th season in Washington (7th in the league) but will be in his first under Jim Zorn's West Coast offense after former Cheifs OC Al Saunders and HC Joe Gibbs couldn't get the Skins going. The OL was devastated by injuries last year and QB Jason Cambell went down in week 14 with a knee injury, yet Portis continued to have a productive season and should productive once again in 2008.

9) Marshawn Lynch, Bills
2007 Stats: 1,115 yds, 7 TDs (8 total), 4.0 ypc
Receiving: 18 cathes, 184 yds, 0 TDs
The second running back taken in the 2007 draft didn't cause a stir like Adrian Peterson but had a successful rookie year on a very average Buffalo team lead by Dick Jauron. Lynch appeard in 13 games and proved he is a much better runner than driver after pleading guilty to a hit-and-run accident involving his SUV back on May 31. The Bills had more players end up on the IR than any other team in the league last season which hurt, but their massive OL should gel more this year benefiting Lynch as well as a more experienced Trent Edwards at the helm.

10) Larry Johnson, Chiefs 559 yds, 3 TDs (4 total), 3.5 ypc
2007 Stats: 2,392 yds, 11 TDs, 15 INTs, 70.3 QB rating
Receiving: 30 catches, 186 yds, 1 TD
The heir apparent after Priest Holmes got injured in the RB mecca of Kansas City, the once thought of can't miss FF stud has taken a mighty fall after a very disappointing 2007. LJ hasn't played in a game since November 4th and didn't look that great when he did suit up last year with a mere 3.5 ypc average. Like Gore, Johnson is the big high risk high reward pick in the top ten who if he can come close to his 2006 form will greatly reward FF owners who take a chance on him.

Just Missed:
Willis McGahee, Ravens
Ryan Grant, Packers
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars
Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
Jamal Lewis, Browns

Rookies to grab:
Darren McFadden, Raiders
Matt Forte, Bears
Kevin Smith, Lions
Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers
Felix Jones, Cowboys