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5. Matt Forte (Chicago Bears)
Projection: 300 carries, 1200 yards, nine touchdowns, 58 receptions, 450 yards three touchdowns
Forte burst onto the scene last year with a monster rookie season. He carried the ball 316 times for 1238 yards and had 63 receptions for 477 yards and 12 total touchdowns.
With Jay Cutler at quarterback, he may see fewer eight-man fronts and should put up similar numbers to his rookie year, both running and receiving.
He will be a sure-fire first-round pick.
6. Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams)
Projection: 315 carries, 1325 yards, 11 touchdowns, 55 receptions, 450 yards, one touchdown
After two injury-filled seasons, Jackson hopes to bounce back.
New head coach Steve Spagnuolo has said that he plans to use Jackson as the centerpiece of the offense, which means 20-30 carries a game. If he can stay healthy, he is a monster and one of the best backs in the league.
Even with his injury history, his upside continues to make him a first-round pick.
7. DeAngelo Williams (Carolina Panthers)
Projection: 270 carries, 1275 yards, 11 touchdowns, 20 receptions, 150 yards, one touchdown
This guy was the surprise of 2008.
Williams wasn’t even expected to be the starter when the team drafted Jonathan Stewart, but Stewart had injury problems, and Williams took full advantage of the playing time.
Stewart still carried the ball 183 times for 833 yards and scored 10 touchdowns, but that didn’t stop Williams from having the most fantasy points for a running back. He carried the ball 274 times for 1518 yards and scored 20 total touchdowns.
Stewart will eat into his carries a bit, but Williams is still the No. 1 guy. Expect him to be a first-round pick in most drafts.
8. Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers)
Projection: 285 carries, 1200 yards, eight touchdowns, 45 receptions, 365 yards, two touchdowns
For two years we have been waiting for Gore to have that follow up to his 2006 breakout year, and both years we were left a little disappointed. He has missed three games in the past two years and hasn’t been nearly as effective.
He now has another new offensive coordinator, and head coach Mike Singletary has said that the 49ers will be a run-first team.
Look for Gore to go in the first round, but don’t be surprised to find him in the second.
9. Steve Slaton (Houston Texans)
Projection: 295 carries, 1255 yards, eight touchdowns, 50 receptions, 325 yards, two touchdowns
The 2008 sleeper of the year produced huge numbers as a rookie. Slaton carried the ball 268 times for 1282 yards and caught 50 passes for 377 yards with 10 total touchdowns.
He no longer has Ahman Green to split carries with and is in the perfect offensive scheme for his style of running.
Look for Slaton to put up similar numbers to his rookie year, and look for him to come off the board in the first two rounds.
10. Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans)
Projection: 260 carries, 1200 yards, nine touchdowns, 40 receptions, 325 yards, two touchdowns
No more Smash and Dash? Well, only in name.
Johnson has broken out into his own and created his own new nickname. However, his fantastic rookie year looks to make him a fantasy stud. He had 1228 yards on 251 carries and 10 total touchdowns.
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