(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
(Above: Some are selecting MJD number one, overall.)
As with the receivers and quarterbacks, this list is here to split up the A's from the B's, and let you know where to draft guys, roughly.
Okay, so Adrian Peterson is your running back with the first pick. That was easy. Hell, Yahoo suggested it, right?
But now what?
The second round rolls around, and now you don't know who is the better pick—Marion Barber or Brandon Jacobs.
Read on to find out.
Tier One (Rounds One and Two)
1. Adrian Peterson—Minnesota Vikings
AP, All-Day, whatever.
Call him anything you'd like, so long as you're still calling him the best back in the game.
Through several mocks, I continue to see Turner being selected over Peterson far too many times. It's a trend, folks. Don't follow it.
2. Michael Turner—Atlanta Falcons
Turner was a beast last year, rushing for nearly 1,700 yards, while racking up 17 touchdowns.
With the addition of Tony Gonzalez and the maturity of Matt Ryan, Atlanta is likely to make their offense a little more balanced, which will undoubtedly shrink those numbers.
Turner should still churn out 1,400 yards and 10 scores, but he's not a better option than Adrian Peterson.
3. Maurice Jones-Drew—Jacksonville Jaguars
With Fred Taylor in New England, Jones-Drew finally has the backfield to himself.
However, if that offensive line isn't leaps and bounds better than it was last year, I'm not sure that's something Jones-Drew will be too happy about.
Still, the Jaguars know how to run the ball, and with the right places supposedly in place, MJD could be in for a huge season as the feature back.
4. Steven Jackson—St. Louis Rams
Usually, Jackson would find himself as the third-rated back, and maybe even the first two years ago. However, he's barely been able to crack 1,000 yards the past two years, and he still plays for the Rams.
He is what makes that offense go, though, so he's easily a top-five fantasy back.
5. Frank Gore—San Francisco 49ers
Gore has put together two straight "down years" of 1,000-yards rushing, and arguably so, simply because of his remarkable talent.
The 49ers are once again determined to run the ball, and if the offense around him can develop some consistency, he could get back to his 2006 numbers.
Gore is too talented to put up mediocre stats for three straight seasons.
6. Brian Westbrook—Philadelphia Eagles
Westbrook's untimely injury/surgery opens the door for rookie LeSean McCoy. Good, let your fantasy opponents worry about it. As for you, just draft the guy with the knowledge that when he plays (and he will), he's pretty much the Eagles entire offense.
He's not old and decrepit, like many experts would lead you to believe. He can still get you that elusive championship.
7. Ladainian Tomlinson—San Diego Chargers
Tomlinson's toe is supposedly good to go, but let's not forget, the guy is still going to be 30 at the end of June.
That doesn't mean he can't still be productive. In fact, with an ailing foot for most of last season, he still cracked 1,100 yards and 10 scores.
That was his version of a "down" year. I like that.
8. Matt Forte—Chicago Bears
Everyone is hyping up Matt Forte as this glorious "do-it-all" back, but they're failing to realize a key element.
Now that Jay Cutler has arrived, this stagnant pass attack that Chicago was accustomed to just got some meat to it.
The Bears won't be turning into gunslingers, not by any means, but to expect Forte to post Adrian Peterson or Michael Turner numbers is simply obscene.
9. DeAngelo Williams—Carolina Panthers
You can't rate last season's rushing touchdown leader outside of the top 10, can you? I don't think so, either.
However, I don't see Williams duplicating both the amount of yardage he has last year, nor the 18 scores.
Jonathan Stewart continues to impress, and should vie for more carries. I'd guess both backs crack 1,000 yards before suggesting Williams repeats his 2008 numbers.
10. Steve Slaton—Houston Texans
Slaton is a dual threat who should only improve with a stellar offense surrounding him. Pay no attention to a "lessened workload" rumor.
The Texans will do everything they can to keep Slaton involved in the games, ensuring a balanced attack.
Exceeding his rookie numbers of 1,600 total yards and 10 total touchdowns is very possible.
11. Clinton Portis—Washington Redskins
As long as Portis can stay healthy, he's a RB1, and a great asset to any fantasy team.
Considering the Redskins are still knee-deep in the Jason Campbell experiment, Portis should see plenty of touches, as well as some receptions out of the backfield.
Don't worry about this talk about Ladell Betts "looking great" in OTA's. Everyone says that. Portis is their guy. Draft him with confidence.
12. Chris Johnson—Tennessee Titans
Johnson's situation may work out a lot like Williams' (above), but in the opposite way. He is clearly the future for Tennessee at running back, so his overall touches should only increase, and I wouldn't be shocked if Jeff Fisher gave him some of Lendale White's goal-line attempts.
Johnson has the physical running style to run into massive linemen, but has the speed and agility to bounce outside, as well.
If he can keep improving as a receiver, he could be even more dangerous.
13. Marion Barber—Dallas Cowboys
Barber's value ultimately hangs on what happens with the Dallas offense. How much will Felix Jones and Tashard Choice be used, and when? Reports are leaning more towards Barber and Jones being on the field together much of the time, which could be either good or bad for Barber's value.
I still feel that Marion Barber hasn't played his best football, and if everything goes according to plan, he could be looking at 1,300 yards and 12 scores.
It should be noted that nothing ever goes according to plan.
14. Brandon Jacobs—New York Giants
Just to help with the usual wear and tear Jacobs endures through the season, the Giants will continue to give him breathers with Ahmad Bradshaw.
Considering Jacobs has missed eight games in the past two years, that's probably a good move.
Still, that flaw in Jacobs' game is almost a strong suit, because it reveals his production in limited action.
In 25 games with New York as the starter, Jacobs has more than 2,100 rushing yards, and 19 touchdowns.
The only question is, do you get 2007's four-touchdown Jacobs, or the paydirt machine (15 TD) from last season?
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