2009 Fantasy Football RB Rankings

All 2009 fantasy football player rankings found here.

My 2009 Fantasy Football Running Backs Rankings list is below, and man it was tough to do.  Effective RB by committees are producing super deep Running Back groups and creating a much flatter rankings field for the 2009 season.  These rankings, first posted in early March, will be updated as news comes in throughout the off season and preseason.

1.  Adrian Peterson - AP is the best runner in the league hands down. He’s not the clear number one overall fantasy RB, but I think he’s the most reliable option to put up strong numbers week to week. I could definitely change my mind on this number one ranking as we get closer to draft time.

2.  Maurice Jones-Drew – Old Man Taylor is finally gone! As an MJD fan I’ve been waiting for this season for three years. If the Jags get their running game back on track he could find himself the consensus #1 pick next season. If Greg Jones vultures his goal line carries I will personally send a very angry letter to Jack Del Rio.

3.  Michael Turner - He doesn’t catch any balls but it doesn’t matter. Expect another 15-18 scores as Atlanta’s offense continues to improve.

4.  Matt Forte – Don’t forget Forte was the leading receiver for the Bears last season. A glance at the Bears D-List receiving corps suggests that will be the case again in 2009. He carries the load effectively and is PPR dynamite.

5.  LaDainian Tomlinson – LT2 stays in San Diego but it’s clear that the offense no longer centers on him. That said, he will improve on last year’s numbers if he avoids the nagging injuries – maybe to the tune of 1700 total yards and 15 TDs.  He’s simply falling too far on a lot of draft boards.

6.  DeAngelo Williams – Williams rushed for 1000 yards and scored 15 TDs in the final 8 games of 08, skyrocketing many fantasy owners into the playoffs. Jonathan Stewart added five TDs in that same stretch, while Delhomme threw 6 TDs and 7 INTs. Does this obscene rushing outburst mean the team figured something out during the bye week? Honestly, I’m not sure, but I don’t see him slipping past the mid to late first round in any drafts.  If Stewart wasn’t there to limit his upside I would rank Williams one or two.

7.  Chris Johnson – Hopefully Lendale White doesn’t get too upset as Chris Johnson becomes an even more dominant force in the Furious Fast and Fat Combo (I think that is what Lenwhale wanted the tandem to be called). Johnson’s upside is 1800 total yards and 12 TDs in his second campaign. His downside is pretty limited.

8.  Brian Westbrook – Philly’s offense still runs through Westbrook. He would be my top choice if it weren’t for injury concerns, especially in PPR leagues.

9. Marion Barber – Barber is amazing, but his touches will be limited. Felix Jones and even Tashard Choice will be involved. I’ll take Barber even at 15-20 touches per game over just about any other back, though.

10.  Frank Gore – With Martz gone San Fran will concentrate on running the ball again. Let’s not forget that Gore is really good at that.  I was worried San Fran was going to draft some talent that could threaten Gore’s load, but that didn’t really happen and I moved him up my list.  He’ll be one of the biggest workhorses this season.  He put up nearly 2200 total yards on 370 touches on  a weak San Fran team in 2006.  He still has that in him.  I would not be surprised to see a 1900 yard, 10 TD season.

11.  Steven Jackson – Jackson is a super-talented RB on a crappy team. Like Gore, he is the engine of this offense.  I’ve got him ranked lower because his team is worse and he’s had trouble staying healthy the past two seasons.The good news is he came off of injury to finish strong in 08, he plays in the weakest division in football, and Pat Shurmur intends on having a run heavy offense.  Of course it’s tough to be “run heavy” when your team is losing by 17 points.  If the Rams can just be a “good” team, Jackson could be a great fantasy options again.  Maybe in 2010.  By the way, if you want to hear asinine updates about  Jackson’s life, follow him on twitter! @sj39

12. Brandon Jacobs – I don’t see Jacobs’ carries increasing all that much with the release of Derrick Ward. The big bruiser’s running style often gets him bruised up himself. The Giants have always been careful to limit his workload and that should continue.  If he can stay healthy for 14 games he’s a lock for 1000+ yards and 15 TDs, all gravy from an RB2. 

13.    Steve Slaton – Slaton had 1650 yards from scrimmage, 50 catches, and 10 TDs as a Rookie. These stats are nearly identical to Chris Johnson’s. The difference is that Johnson did this while running alongside Lendale White, who also added 800 yards and 15 TDs. Slaton had no one. He’s a small guy that needs some help carrying this load. If no one is added Slaton should be boosted up quite a few spots.

14. Clinton Portis – The Redskins backfield will feature a timeshare between Dr. Do Itch Big, Prime Minister Yah Mon, Coach Janky Spanky, and Sheriff Gonna Getcha. Fortunately for us those are all iterations of Clinton Portis. He’s the last RB on my list that won’t have time share issues. He also quietly puts up top 10 RB numbers every year. He’s a great anchor in the late first round.  His workload over the past few years is so heavy that it’s scary.  

15. Pierre Thomas – PT Cruiser (best Brad Evans nickname ever) personifies the high upside risky pick.  His stretch run was DeAngelo-esque.  I won’t fault you for reaching for him but his touches will be limited with a healthy Reggie Bush. I hope to grab him in the mid second round to pair with a more fail-safe first round RB.

16. Reggie Bush – This is his PPR ranking. Drop him about 6 spots in non-PPR leagues. The team looked better with Pierre Thomas carrying the load but Bush was incredible in PPR leagues before the injury. Speaking of Bush injuries, they seem to happen quite a bit. He’s a risky pick with obvious high upside.  POTENTIAL PPR BARGAIN

17. Joseph Addai - The Colts went and did it.  They used their first round pick on a RB, Donald Brown.  I moved Addai down my list a few spots as soon as that happened.  Addai will still get the majority of carries to start but will not be a total workhorse.  If Brown impresses quickly then Addai will see his role diminish as the season wears on.  He does have a lot of upside as the starter in this offense, though.

18.  Thomas Jones - The lack of a pass threat and the emergence of Leon Washington are not going to be good for TJ’s 2009 fantasy football stats. Don’t be the guy that overpays for him.

19.  Ryan Grant - Grant was a big disappointment last year and I could never figure out why. Aaron Rodgers is his only competition at the goal line, so I expect his low TD total was an anomaly.   1400 total yards and 10 TDs this year shouldn’t be a surprise, but we’ll see.

20.  Kevin Smith - His team is awful but he gets a full workload. Expect him to improve upon his 1200 yard, 8 TD rookie campaign.  BARGAIN

21.  Ronnie Brown – Brown is already a hotly debated RB. He was pretty impressive in his ACL-surgery recovery season, but if you take out the legendary Wildcat game Brown had a 800 yard, six TD rushing season. His last six games were miserable and Ricky Williams and now Pat White limit his upside.  He’ll be taken earlier than this, but not by me.  OVERPRICED

22.  Marshawn Lynch – Marshawn is a thug-o-riffic RB2 if he drops into the late third/early fourth (and stays out of jail).  This three game suspension will probably be reduced to two games, and maybe even one (ala Brandon Marshall).  Fred Jackson is a must handcuff and will continue to be the third down back, but Lynch will get the goal line carries in an improved offense.  Don’t be scurred.

23.  Willie Parker – Willie Stay Healthy? Probably not. Parker scored 60% of his touchdowns in week 1 last year. I felt foolish for avoiding him in drafts while watching that week 1 game, but then he quickly proved me right. Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore will both cut into his production. Expect 1100 yards and 10 TDs if he stays healthy.

24.  Larry Johnson – This may be the only guy in the league I like less than TO. We’ll keep him here until we know what’s going to happen with him.

25.   Derrick Ward – Tampa’s running game is always surprising and Ward will fit in nicely. If Graham weren’t vulturing at the goal line he would be much higher.

26.  Jonathan Stewart – He scored an impressive 10 TDs while giving up most of the work to Williams. He could easily reach 1000 and 10, but his upside is even higher. 

27.  Darren McFadden – The Raiders offense could be called an awfense if it wasn’t for the glimmer of hope McFadden provides. They’ve got a good enough running game to get him 1100 yards and 8 or so TDs if he gets the lion’s share of the carries.

28.  Knowshon Moreno – I’m still shocked the Broncos took him instead of ANYONE for the defensive side of the ball.  McDaniel’s and crew must really like him.  He’s the frontrunner to lead the team in carries but will have a couple of backfield mates sharing the load, limiting his upside.  ROOKIE

29. Julius Jones – The Seasquawks offense should improve significantly this season and Greg Knapp wants to become more run-oriented.  Orange Julius is  getting no love so far and could be one of the best bargains come draft day.   http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2008602316_hawk08.html BARGAIN

30.  Ahmad Bradshaw – Bradshaw is the leading candidate to take over Ward’s role. If that happens he should be bumped up the list. The Giants RB2 is also a fantasy RB2.

31. Le’ron McClain – I’ve got him this high because he should be getting the goal line carries at the very least and may get the lion’s share of the carries.  POTENTIAL BARGAIN

32.  Lendale White - I think Johnson takes a bigger chunk out of his totals this season but 750 yards and 12 TDs are reasonable expectations.

33.  Cedric Benson – Don’t buy into Cedric Benson turning his life around to be the RB of the future for the Bengals. A time share is likely. Also likely is that Cedric Benson will do something extremely dumb off the field. You can dress him up in Tiger Stripes but he’s still Ced Benson.

34.  Fred Jackson - Jackson is a proven asset in PPR leagues and a must handcuff to Marshawn Lynch.  With news of Lynch’s suspension Jackson gets a bit of a boost.  He can earn more playing time with his committee mate sidelined, but there is little chance of him taking the lion’s share of carries (especially at the goal line) from the powerful Lynch.

35a.  Darren Sproles – In Sproles’ two regular season games where he had 10+ touches he put up 200 yards and 3 TDs. I’ve been high on Sproles since his K State days, but he became my favorite player to watch in the Playoffs last season (which started in week 17 for the Chargers). His acceleration and frame allow him to find holes that don’t exist for other backs. If Norv gives him the touches 1000+ exciting yards from scrimmage and 8 TDs are in order, plus whatever he adds with returns.

35b.  Leon Washington – Like Sproles, Neon Leon has proven that he needs more touches. I like taking a high upside pass catcher here over the remaining options.

36a.  Beanie Wells – Hightower didn’t impress a great deal last season.  In fact, Edge ended up emerging as the workhorse on the superbowl run.  Beanie Wells looks to receiver the majority of the carries in a prolific offense.  ROOKIE

36b. Tim Hightower – However, even if Hightower’s role is limited, it may be limited to goal line back.  In the Cards offense that is where the fantasy RB value really lies.  I’m looking forward to seeing how this shakes out.

37.  Sammy Morris – The New England backfield is very crowded with Morris, Maroney, Taylor, and Faulk. I expect all of these guys to be time-shared out of weekly starter status.

38.  Jamal Lewis - Lewis needs to be splitting the load this season and should no longer be considered a solid #2.

39.  Earnest Graham – Graham takes a back seat to Ward but will be a major factor at the goal line.

40.  Donald Brown – At the end of Addai’s rookie season he had proven himself more effective than Dom Rhodes and earned the majority of carries.  This time around Addai could be the victim in a similar situation.  If and when Addai gets injured Brown could be a top 10 fantasy beast.  I’m gonna reach for him in at least one league based on that upside.  ROOKIE

41.  Willis McGahee – He’s not very valuable without the goal line carries, but he’s fairly low risk at this point in the rankings. My how the mighty have fallen.

42.  Chester Taylor – Gotta handcuff AP, and Chester can put up some stats of his own.

43. Felix Jones – Jones had some big games before getting injured. He’s a must-handcuff for Barber owners.

44. LeSean McCoy – He’s your Westbrook handcuff.  Westy’s banged up pretty regularly so watch out for this rookie when he gets his chance.  ROOKIE

44.  Rashard Mendenhall – He needs to be drafted in every league for his potential to be the goal line back.

45.  Edgerrin James – pending…

46.  Kevin Faulk - Faulk is one of my favorite WW pickup plug and plays. He’s got a role in every NE game plan.

47.  Mewelde Moore – A healthy Mendenhall drops him down the list, but he proved his worth yet again in 08.

48.  TJ Duckett - See Julius Jones above. If they don’t bring anyone else in Duckett could be relevant.

49.  Greg Jones – Should see more work with Taylor gone and appears to be the MJD handcuff.

50.  Maurice Morris – Not sure where he’ll end up but I’ll throw him a rankings bone

51.  Laurence Maroney – I’m still pissed at Laurence for his 08 showing and myself for taking him in the fifth round of the World Championship of Fantasy Football last season. You get ranked last my friend.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 at 12:40 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.