My 2009 Rankings: Top 25 RB's

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14. Brian Westbrook—Philadelphia Eagles

2008 stats—233 car, 936 yds, nine TD's

Westbrook is going to be an interesting RB in the first couple of weeks. He had surgery in the offseason and we will have to see how he responds to that. Westbrook will most likely also be losing some carries to rookie RB LeSean McCoy.

13. Ryan Grant—Green Bay Packers

2008 stats—312 carries, 1,203 yds, four TD's

Since coming into the NFL, Ryan Grant has been a good RB. From 956 yards in 2007, to 1,203 yards in 2008, Grant will most likely make another improvement in his game.

12. Matt Forte—Chicago Bears

2008 stats—316 carries, 1,238 yds, eight TD's

Yet another breakout rookie, Forte was one of the main parts of the Bears' offense last season. This year, with the addition of Jay Cutler, the Bears are going to be dangerous. Expect another great year from Forte, putting up similar stats to last year.

11. LaDainian Tomlinson—San Diego Chargers

2008 stats—292 carries, 1,110 yds, 11 TD's

I don't understand the hating on LaDainian Tomlinson. A couple of years ago he could do no wrong. He has never missed a regular season game and has rushed for 1,000 yards every year he has been in the NFL. Now everyone wants to take a shot at a guy for missing the postseason, who is still one of the best in the league. He will now be splitting time with Darren Sproles, but I still think this will be a big year for LT.

10. Steven Jackson. St Louis Rams

2008 stats—253 carries, 1,042 yds, seven TD's

Like Willie Parker, last season Jackson only started 11 games due to injury. We have all seen what Jackson can do when healthy though, and I think he's on his way to returning to form this season.

9. Willie Parker—Pittsburgh Steelers

2008 stats—210 carries, 791 yds, five TD's

Last season, Parker only played 11 games due to a knee injury, bringing backup Rashard Mendenhall into the offensive role. However, if Parker can stay healthy, then this could be a very productive season for him. I would say that, if healthy, he could rush for around 1,200 yards with eight TD's.

8. Brandon Jacobs—New York Giants

2008 stats—219 carries, 1,089 yds, 15 TD's

Now that Derrick Ward is gone to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brandon Jacobs will be sharing carries with Ahmad Bradshaw. While I think Bradshaw will have success, he won't be as good as Ward was and I think Jacobs will get more carries. He is one of the most dominant RB's in the league, with the way that he punishes defenders. I see Jacobs piling up 1,250 yards and 15 TD's.

7. Clinton Portis—Washington Redskins

2008 stats—342 carries, 1,487 yds, nine TD's

Clinton Portis was considered to be one of the candidates for MVP last season. Portis is still one of the top running backs in the league and is probably the biggest key of the Washington Redskins' offense. I think his stats will pretty much be the same as last year.

6. DeAngelo Williams—Carolina Panthers

2008 stats- 273 carries, 1,515 yds, 18 TD's

In his first season as a starter last year, Williams had great success along with 2nd string RB and rookie Jonathan Stewart. This year he will most likely have the same amount of success, piling up similar stats compared to last year, with maybe fewer TD's.

5 . Marion Barber—Dallas Cowboys

2008 stats—238 carries, 885 yds, seven TD's

Another RB that will be sharing carries, with possibly two other guys, I think Marion Barber is going to have great success this season. Even though the Cowboys' running game will be like the New York Giants last year, with Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice all getting a good share of carries. He will probably have around 1,200 yards and 10 TD's.

4. Steve Slaton—Houston Texans

2008 stats—268 carries, 1,282 yds, nine TD's

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