No Adrian: Five Guys To Take Over Minnesota's Peterson For Fantasy's No. 1 Pick

Last week, I posted an article titled, Five Reasons Not to Take Adrian Peterson No. 1 (to read the article, click here). The jist of the article focused on the idea that while Peterson seems to be a unanimous choice as the No. 1 overall pick for the 2009 fantasy season, there are still red flags surrounding the Minnesota Vikings’ running back that fantasy owners should be aware of. The feedback I got from this article was a bit surprising.

To be honest, while writing the piece, I imagined Bruno Boys Nation coming at me with pitchforks and torches for spouting such blasphemy against the new Lord of Fantasy. However, the comments I got proved to be just the opposite.

Many of you out there were thrilled to see someone bring to light the chinks in Peterson’s armor. And many of you in your e-mails asked that I take the argument to the next level and highlight some of the backs that I believe are capable of challenging Peterson for the top spot.

Well, Bruno Boys Nation, as always, I’m here simply to serve your whims (of course, that’s assuming they are within reason), so sit back and take in the Five Guys Not Named Peterson to Consider Your No. 1.

1. Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons)

By now, every fantasy owner is quite familiar with the “370 carry curse” that many experts expect to plague Turner in 2009, but are you really going to let a supposed curse dictate your draft? Ok, maybe the Madden Curse, yes. But, this one, I’m not buying it.

Yes, Turner had a full workload in 2008, but remember, prior to last year, the man hadn’t carried the ball more than 80 times in any of his four seasons in the league, meaning those 376 rushes he had in 2008 aren’t nearly as much a concern as they would be for the likes of a Clinton Portis.

Throw in the fact that defenses now have to worry about Roddy White and Hall of Fame tight end, Tony Gonzalez in the passing game; thereby, preventing them from stacking the box as often against Turner and there’s no reason he shouldn’t at least match the 12 double-digit outings he posted in 2008.

2. Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars)

In his first three seasons in the NFL, MJD has gone for 15, 9, and 14 total TDs. And, as any fantasy owner can tell you, TDs in the fantasy world are golden.

The craziest thing about MJD’s TD totals is that he did all that with Fred Taylor in the mix. Appeasing fantasy owners everywhere, the Jags parted ways with the aging veteran, meaning it’s now the “Jones-Drew Show” in Jacksonville. A back, who has never reached the 200 carry plateau, MJD should easily surpass that mark in 2009 with around 240-260 rushes, making the 209 fantasy points he compiled in 2008 a low-mark for 2009.

Don’t forget, too, that the Jags worked heavily this offseason, using their first (Eugene Monroe) and second round (Eben Britton) picks and signing Pro-Bowl free agent, Tra Thomas, to beef up their offensive line, which was a major weakness last season due to injuries.

To make this simple for all of you, when you think MJD in 2009 simply remember this equation “More Touches + Better O-Line = Big Year Ahead for Thunder Thighs.”

3. Matt Forte (Chicago Bears)

The focal point of the Bears’ offense in 2008, Forte seemed to matter-of-factly put up double-digit fantasy points in 13 of his 16 games as a rookie as he amassed 1,715 total yards and 12 total TDs. Those numbers landed Forte Rookie of the Year honors and push him into the debate regarding the No. 1 overall fantasy selection for 2009.

Considering the cast around him in 2008, Forte’s numbers are even more impressive. You didn’t have to be a genius to know the Bears were going to try and get him the ball, which means defenses were keyed on the rookie each and every down.

Still, Forte did not let that stop him, something fantasy owners should recognize as 2009 is lining up in such a way that things should be a bit easier for Forte when he gets the ball. In acquiring stud quarterback, Jay Cutler, the Bears’ passing game earns immediate respect, resulting in less eight men in the box fronts for Forte to deal with.

4. DeAngelo Williams (Carolina Panthers)

You can’t create a list of guys to take No. 1 in a fantasy draft without including last season’s leading point getter among running backs. The main concern with Williams heading into 2009 is the presence of sophomore running back, Jonathan Stewart. But, with 183 carries in 2008, it wasn’t exactly like Stewart was a non-factor in the Panthers’ game plan.

Williams was just that good, averaging 5.5 yards per carry, which allowed him to do what he did with his 272 carries. In fact, Williams has averaged 5.1 yards per catch in his career as a whole, so while he may get less touches than some of the other big names, that doesn’t mean he’s numbers will be less.

Plus, why not take the guy who had 20 TDs last year with the first pick?

5. LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers)

With the way some fantasy owners have written LT off for 2009, you’d think he had a Shaun Alexander or Larry Johnson-type down year last season. But in reality, LT only had what was considered a “down year” because he’s been so phenomenal throughout his career. After all, the guy still finished sixth among RBs in fantasy points in 2008, only 21 points behind Peterson, and had double-digit outings in 13 of 16 games.

According to Norv Turner, LT looks healthier than ever, prompting the coach to suggest he could easily get over 300 carries in 2009. If that’s the case, LT could easily be back on top after 2009, especially with the chip he has on his shoulder.

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