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He has blazing speed and the ability to make people miss, so look for Johnson to get more touches this year. But he will still share carries with LenDale White, especially around the goal line.
Johnson will be gone within the first two rounds, so don’t expect to be able to wait for him if you want him.
11. Marion Barber (Dallas Cowboys)
Projection: 255 carries, 1050 yards, 11 touchdowns, 40 receptions, 320 yards, one touchdown
Marion the Barbarian was a bit of a bust last year, only rushing for 885 yards and just seven touchdowns, though he did catch 52 balls for 417 yards and added another two touchdowns.
However, that is nothing close to what we expected from him, especially with him finally being the No. 1 guy with Julius Jones going to Seattle. He was banged up toward the end of the year, and his numbers suffered from those injuries.
He will now lose some carries to a healthy Felix Jones and Tashard Choice, but he should be the goal line back and should bounce back and have his first 1000-yard season.
Look for him to go in the first two rounds.
12. Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants)
Projection: 255 carries, 1175 yards, 13 touchdowns, 10 receptions, 50 yards
Jacobs did what he was supposed to do last year. He used his combination of size and speed to score 15 touchdowns, with 12 coming from inside the five-yard line.
The one problem with Jacobs has been his inability to stay healthy for a full season. He has missed eight games in the last two years.
With Derrick Ward now in Tampa, Jacobs will likely get more carries and should reach the 1000-yard mark for the third straight year.
Look for the big monster to come off the board within the first two rounds.
13. Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles)
Projection: 240 carries, 1055 yards, eight touchdowns, 50 receptions, 425 yards, four touchdowns
Here’s a guy who just can’t ever stay healthy for a full season. He has never played all 16 games in his seven years in the NFL.
However, he is the focal point of that offense when in the game, and you can’t deny his skill set is perfect for a fantasy running back.
The risk of drafting him is the injury factor, but the reward is possibly having a top five running back on your team.
Look for Westbrook to fall toward the second or third rounds, and definitely don’t reach for him in the first, unless you really, really want him.
14. Clinton Portis (Washington Redskins)
Projection: 300 carries, 1275 yards, nine touchdowns, 30 receptions, 200 yards
Portis was fantasy’s best running back the first half of 2008, rushing for 944 yards and seven touchdowns. However, he fell off the second half with just 543 yards and two touchdowns.
Portis doesn’t have much to worry about in losing carries, but Ladell Betts is rumored to get a few more carries this year.
However, Portis is still the No. 1 guy and is still going to be taken in the first two rounds.
15. Thomas Jones (New York Jets)
Projection: 255 carries, 1100 yards, 10 touchdowns, 25 receptions, 150 yards, one touchdown
Jones enjoyed his career-best season last year, scoring 15 total touchdowns and rushing for 1312 yards behind a revamped offensive line and with Brett Favre at quarterback.
This year, there’s no Favre, but the O-Line is still the same. They also still haveTony Richardson, who is the best blocking fullback in the game.
However, Leon Washington is expected to take some of his carries, and the Jets drafted Shonn Greene to take even more.
Jones is not happy with his contract and may be playing to try and get a new one, so expect a good year, but not like last year.
He should go in between rounds two and four.
16. Kevin Smith (Detroit Lions)
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