My 2009 Rankings: Top 25 RB's

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After doing a list of quarterback rankings, I now turn my head to the running backs.

To make sure it's clear, I am ranking these running backs in terms of how I believe they will do this upcoming season. I've decided to look at the top 25 starting RB's. Anyone that is a backup, such as Jonathan Stewart or Ahmad Bradshaw were not included.

25. Jamaal Lewis—Cleveland Browns

2008 stats—279 carries, 1,002 yds, four TD's

Lewis is getting old. There is no other way to look at it. He is far from his 2,000 yard season in 2003, and even though he had 1,002 yards last year, I don't see him reaching that 1,000 plateau this year.

24. Lary Johnson—Kansas City Cheifs

2008 stats—193 carries, 874 yds, five TD's

We all remember the days of anticipating the LT vs. LJ matchups between Johnson and LaDainian Tomlinson. Now LJ's great days are over. He has had two consecutive sub-par seasons and that's what he'll have again this year.

23. Reggie Bush—New Orleans Saints

2008 stats—106 carries, 404 yds, two TD's

Reggie Bush no longer has Deuce McAllister playing starting running back, and now he is the starter. Pierre Thomas will be getting some carries this year, but I think Bush will start to improve. My prediction...around 800 yards.

22. Knowshon Moreno—Denver Broncos

2008 stats—N/A

After last year with the year of rookie running backs, Moreno is the only one I can see having a big impact as a starter. I know at the this moment he hasn't been named the starter, but I think he will become the starter during the season.

21. Derrick Ward—Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2008 stats—182 carries, 1,025 yds, two TD's

I will personally be watching Derrick Ward closely this year. As a former member of the New York Giants, I hope Ward does well, but I don't know if he will be good on his own this year, without the big Brandon Jacobs.

20. Frank Gore—San Fransisco 49'ers.

2008 stats—240 carries, 1,036 yds, six TD's

Only playing in 14 games last year, Gore racked up 1,036 yards and six TD's. If Gore can stay healthy this year, he can rush for around 1,100, but I could also see him ending the season around 800 yards.

19. Ronnie Brown—Miami Dolphins

20008 stats—214 carries, 916 yds, 10 TD's

Ronnie Brown's stats have gone up and down since coming into the league in 2005. He has only rushed for 1,000 yards once in his career (2006). He can go for 1,000 yards or around 600. He is going to be a questionable RB going into this season, and I'm thinking he will have just an average season.

18. Joseph Addai—Indianapolis Colts

2008 stats—155 carries, 544 yds, five TD's

Joseph Addai is a good RB, but I am uncertain how he will do this upcoming season. Only rushing for 544 yards and five TD's in 12 games last season, Addai is a big question mark for me this year.

17. Maurice Jones-Drew—Jacksonville Jaguars

2008 stats—197 carries, 824 yds, 12 TD's

It's going to be interesting to see what Maurice Jones-Drew can do this season. He will either be a better RB, because Fred Taylor has gone to New England,  or he could do worse without Taylor there. I think Jones-Drew will have a good season though, probably a little better than last year.

16. Thomas Jones—New York Jets

2008 stats—290 carries, 1,312 yds, 12 TD's

Thomas Jones could be the main focus point for the Jets' offense this upcoming season with the QB situation still in question. While Leon Washington will be taking some of the carries from Jones, this season could be a very good one for him.

15. Marshawn Lynch—Buffalo Bills

2008 stats—250 carries, 1,036 yds, eight TD's

Marshawn Lynch would probably be higher on this list, if he wasn't suspended for the first three games. That being said, Lynch probably won't rush for 1,000 yards this season for that reason. However, Lynch is still among the leagues best.

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