2009 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

Ladainian Tomlinson’s reign as the top fantasy football running back has come to an end, but, don’t worry, there are plenty of running backs chomping at the bit to take over the throne.

For starters, there’s last year’s top point getter, DeAngelo Williams, who has not one but rather 272 reasons as to why he’s worthy to be No.1; alas, one big reason counters those 272 and his name is Jonathan Stewart.

Then, there’s Michael Turner, LT’s former back-up in San Diego, who dominated in his first season as a starter, racking up 1,699 rush yards and 17 TDs as a member of the Atlanta Falcons, but the 377 carries he totaled in 2008 are a cause for concern.

So, who is No.1? None other than Mr. Adrian Peterson. Yes,  the Bruno Boys would take “All Day” Peterson all day with the 1st overall selection in 2009 fantasy football drafts!

 

TIER 1

1. Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings (Bye: 9)

Heading into 2009, Adrian Peterson finds himself justifiably atop of the Bruno Boys running back rankings as he produced 233 fantasy points, trailing only DeAngelo Williams and Michael Turner in 2008.

The sick thing is that this Minnesota Viking is looking to improve on all aspects of his game, including his ball carrying; a category that definitely hurt his fantasy football value some last year as he had 9 fumbles. He did reach double digit touchdowns with 10 and had a total of 1,885 all-purpose yards.

The more impressive thing though is that if you break his season down in quarters, he averaged near or above 100 rushing yards per week, which shows major improvement over his inconsistent play as a rookie. And, consistency is definitely something that you want from your top selection any year.

Look for continued improvement in Peterson’s third season, especially as the Vikings will have more weapons on offense compared to his first two years in the league. That should force opposing defenses to focus a bit more on the passing game and a bit less on the Minnesota rushing attack.

If you are sitting with the top selection in your league, Peterson is someone that you must seriously consider drafting number 1 overall.

 

2. Michael Turner – Atlanta Falcons (Bye: 4)

Last year, Michael Turner turned a lot of heads around the NFL and proved to be a great signing by the Atlanta Falcons after having spent his first four seasons as member of the San Diego Chargers, backing up LaDainian Tomlinson.

In 2008, his eye-popping stats read as follows: 1,740 all-purpose yards, 1,699 of which were on the ground; while running for 17 touchdowns and only 2 losing fumbles.

While there are some out there that prefer a longer history of production from one of the expected top picks in the up-and-coming late summer fantasy drafts, we here at the Bruno Boys know that Turner will once again be on top of his game.

Entering 2009 there is just too much going right for Turner to start questioning his excellence of yesteryear. Let’s start with the man himself. Turner’s confidence is at an all time high and he wants to use last year as a stepping stone, not as his plateau.

While that doesn’t always translate into reality (ask Frank Gore) the situation that Turner is in has another great season written all over the wall. The Falcons passing game should excel this year as last year’s rookie sensation, Matt Ryan, not only has Roddy White to throw to, but also has star tight end Tony Gonzalez as a safety net.

And, although Jerious Norwood is expected to see more time out of the backfield, that doesn’t mean Turner’s stats will take a dive. In fact, it very well could help as this will keep Turner stronger and healthier throughout the year. Turner undoubtedly will play as a top-end RB1 once again as he will be eyeing a repeat of his 265 fantasy point 2008.

TIER 2

3. Matt Forte – Chicago Bears (Bye: 5)

When it comes to NFL rookie seasons, very few running backs in history have enjoyed more success than Matt Forte had with the Chicago Bears last year. Fresh from Tulane, Forte rushed for 1,238 yards, had an additional 477 yards through the air and finished with a total of 12 touchdowns, good enough for 225 fantasy points in 2008, tied for fourth best amongst running backs.

This year the Bruno Boys expect even bigger and better things from this prime-time talent.

Forte proved to be a work horse, having touched the ball 379 times last season. That number will be going down though as the coaching staff wants to keep Forte a bit fresher. But, it is way too early to believe that will translate into less production when it comes to fantasy football.

What Forte may lose this year in rushing stats, he very well should make up through the air. This off-season, the Bears traded for disgruntled former star quarterback Jay Cutler.

Cutler lacks some talent around him to throw the ball to, and with Cutler being a stats person, you can expect a lot of passes to Forte out of the backfield. Once the season starts, expect to see Forte’s name as a top-producer week after week.

 

4. Maurice Jones-Drew – Jacksonville Jaguars (Bye: 7)

As a running back that shared time with Fred Taylor the last three seasons, Maurice Jones-Drew has performed admirably well, ultimately resulting in him finishing in the top-10 for fantasy points amongst running backs last year with 203.

Jones-Drew combined for a total of 1,389 all-purpose yards during the 2008 season, while punching in 12 touchdowns on the ground and adding 2 more through the air. In fact he has proven to be a touchdown machine during his early career, averaging more than 12 a season. 

With all that being said, it is time for Jones-Drew to take it to the next level, and we here at the Bruno Boys believe he will.

There is plenty to be excited about from this fourth-year running back heading into the next fantasy football season. First of all, he will now get the opportunity to be the complete featured back as Taylor was let go and later signed by the New England Patriots.

The Jacksonville Jaguars coaching staff wants to get the ball in the hands of Jones-Drew more, and that will definitely happen. He is their primary goal-line back and a great receiving option out of the backfield.

Secondly, the fact that he has only started four games in his NFL career should not deter you. Just ask the Michael Turner owners from last season, or even better yet, the ones that passed on him. When Jones-Drew has the ball, he is productive.

Better yet, he is excitingly-productive. Although he hasn’t started much, he had become the Jags primary back in 2008. More touches this season will translate to even more impressive numbers, which in turn will push Jones-Drew into a top-5 among fantasy running backs. 

 

5. Steven Jackson – St. Louis Rams (Bye: 9)

Undoubtedly one of the better talents in the NFL at the running back position, the thing that has held Steven Jackson back the past few seasons is his inability to remain healthy for the St. Louis Rams.

In fact, the reason he is so intriguing and keeps making everyone say to themselves, “What if Steven Jackson Stays healthy?” is that when he is suited up the man produces. Despite playing in only 12 games in each of the past two years, he has produced similar to better numbers than the majority of the running backs in fantasy football.

He ranked thirteenth last year in fantasy football points at his position with 175, and if averaged over a 16 game season, would have had 233. That would have tied him with a running back by the name of Adrian Peterson.

Here at Bruno Boys headquarters we realize that this pick comes with some risk. Jackson is the exact type of player that will most likely be a bargain or a bust. But, a bargain at No.5? Yes! He has the talent and will see a workload that will bump him back into the upper echelon in fantasy football as long as he remains healthy.

Look for Jackson to enjoy his best season since 2006 and easily out produce his 2008 numbers of 1,421 all-purpose yards and 8 touchdowns. In fact, if Jackson starts 15-16 games, look for him to approach 1,800+ total yards and at least double-digit touchdowns, making him a running back definitely worth the risk, if you don’t mind rolling the dice.

TIER 3

6. DeAngelo Williams – Carolina Panthers (Bye: 4)
7. LaDainian Tomlinson – San Diego Chargers (Bye: 5)
8. Brian Westbrook – Philadelphia Eagles (Bye: 4)
9. Chris Johnson – Tennessee Titans (Bye: 7)
10. Clinton Portis – Washington Redskins (Bye: 8)
11. Frank Gore – San Francisco 49ers (Bye: 6)
12. Steve Slaton – Houston Texans (Bye: 10)

TIER 4

13. Brandon Jacobs – New York Giants (Bye: 10)
14. Marion Barber – Dallas Cowboys (Bye: 6)

TIER 5

15. Marshawn Lynch – Buffalo Bills (Bye: 9)
16. Ryan Grant – Green Bay Packers (Bye: 5)
17. Kevin Smith – Detroit Lions (Bye: 7)
18. Ronnie Brown – Miami Dolphins (Bye: 6)
19. Thomas Jones – New York Jets (Bye: 9)
20. Joseph Addai – Indianapolis Colts (Bye: 6)

TIER 6

21. Darren McFadden – Oakland Raiders (Bye: 9)
22. LenDale White – Tennessee Titans (Bye: 7)
23. Larry Johnson – Kansas City Chiefs (Bye: 8)
24. Jonathan Stewart – Carolina Panthers (Bye: 4)
25. Pierre Thomas – New Orleans Saints (Bye: 5)

To see the rest of the rankings and to read all 65 RUNNING BACK player profiles and check out the rest of our 2009 FANTASY FOOTBALL RUNNING RANKINGS click this link... FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL PLAYER RANKINGS