Year Of The Running Backs: 2008 NFL Season

The running back position is deep this year with young and aging backs set to prove their worth on many different teams. Some will fall and others will shine, while others will prove why they still some of the best.

With players and draft picks on the move following the frenzy of the free agent period and with the dust seemingly settled I thought I might take a quick look at the depth of the running back position throughout the NFL.

A few teams I think have the most depth at running back are as follows:

Seattle Seahawks: Shaun Alexander, Julius Jones, T J Duckett                                    

The word is Shaun Alexander will be released or moved due to a recent slide in production and a hefty contract coupled with the signings of Jones, and Duckett.

Minnesota Vikings: Chester Taylor, Adrian Peterson

The Vikings have two of the youngest and brightest running backs in the game right now add in a solid offensive line and sit back and enjoy.

Tampa Bay Buccanneers: Warrick Dunn, Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, Micheal Bennett, Ernest Graham.

I believe this year will see a rejuvenated Warrick Dunn who was also brought in to get "Cadillac" Williams revving. Throw in Bennett, and Graham and the Bucs just might be the deepest team at running back right now.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Maurice Jones-Drew, Fred Taylor

Two extremely tough backs who share the load perfectly.

Oakland Raiders: Justin Fargas, Dominic Rhodes, Lamont Jordon, Micheal Bush

With the fourth pick in the draft this year Oakland could select running back Darren McFadden I don't think so, but the pick could swing the position either way

Here is a list with stats from 2007 along with the numbered prediction for the 08/09 season.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson: 15 TDs, 1,474 yards on 315 carries in 2007—which was an off year.

2. Adrian Peterson: 12 TDs, 1,341 yds on 238 carries in 2007.

3. Marion Barber: 10 TDs, 975 yds on 204 carries in 2007—saw numbers slip with Julius Jones not there to share the workload—extremely underrated, though.

4. Clinton Portis: 11 TDs, 1,262 on 325 carries in 2007—consistent, quiet back.

5. Maurice Jones-Drew: 9 TDs, 768 yds on 167 carries—has Fred Taylor to share the work load.

6. Warrick Dunn: 4 TDs, 720 yds on 227 carries—not bad, considering he played for the Atlanta Falcons. I predict a big year.

7. Jamal Lewis: 9 TDs, 1,304 yds on 298 carries—this big guy has some of the fastest legs around and is in a turnaround situation in Cleveland
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8. Marshawn Lynch: 7 TDs, 1,115 yds on 280 carries—was a bright spot on a team hard to define.

9. Brian Westbrook: 7 TDs, 1,333 yds on 278 carries—total team player and always consistent.

10. Joseph Addai: 12 TDs, 1,072 yds on 261 carries—not completely sold on him but he has shown signs of a star.

With upcoming backs such as Ryan Grant and Deshawn Wynn of the Green Bay Packers, Ahmed Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs of the NY Giants, and countless others, the question is whether or not they were one year wonders or the real deal.

Only time will tell, but there definitely is depth at one of the toughest positions in all of sports—running back.

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