Fantasy Rankings 2010: Running Backs

1. Chris Johnson - Johnson adds more value than Adrian Peterson as a receiver, which is why he is ranked ahead of AP.
2. Adrian Peterson - Don't be afraid to take Peterson ahead of Johnson, but I'm starting to wonder when he will wear down.
3. Maurice Jones-Drew - Jones-Drew has been a revelation since the Jaguars released Fred Taylor. Drew does it all; run inside or out, catch, and even return kicks.
4. Ray Rice - Rice emerged as a receiver last season, but he may see less passes going his way with the addition of Anquan Boldin.
5. Michael Turner - Many forget how good Michael Turner was in 2008. I don't. Turner is a touchdown machine, making him a fantasy owners' dream.
6. Steven Jackson - Jackson became even more of a receiving threat in 2009 because the Rams lacked solid receivers.
7. Frank Gore - Gore has a lot of wear, and I'm starting to wonder when he will start the downside of his career.
8. DeAngelo Williams - I'd be a little afraid to pick Williams super-early because of the possibility of being passed on the depth chart by Jonathan Stewart.
9. Rashard Mendenhall - Mendenhall has potential to have a huge season in 2010.
10. Cedric Benson - I would not be surprised if Benson had a down season.
11. Ryan Matthews - Matthews enters a very good situation where he could receive 250 carries as a rookie.
12. Ronnie Brown - Brown's injury history keeps him out of the top ten, but he is the Dolphins focal point on offense, and should get a lot of touches.
13. Shonn Green - Expect Green to get even more carries in 2010. This guy is the real deal in my opinion.
14. Ryan Grant - Grant will not blow fantasy owners away, but he is a solid option.
15. Jonathan Stewart - Stewart is in line for the best season of his career. He has a great chance to overtake DeAngelo Williams as the starter.
16. Jamaal Charles - Charles had a great season in 2009, but I expect Thomas Jones to take some carries away from Charles.
17. Beanie Wells - I'm thinking this is too high considering Hightower is still the starter, BUT i'm guessing that will change soon.
18. Pierre Thomas - Thomas should receive more carries in 2010 with the loss of Mike Hart, especially goalline carries.
19. Knowshon Moreno - Moreno is a player I am stumped on. Without Marshall the Broncos will have a lesser passing attack, which means more carries.
20. Joseph Addai - Addai's fantasy value is still valuable because of his work as a receiver and his ability to get into the end zone.
21. LeSean McCoy - McCoy will get a chance to prove that he can carry the load, but also expect Mike Bell to get a lot of carries.
22. Felix Jones - I ranked Jones higher than Barber this year because I think that Jones adds much more value as a receiver, and he should get more carries.
23. Reggie Bush - Bush proved he can be an effective runner late last season, and he will probably be picked earlier in most drafts because of his famous name.
24. Jahvid Best - It appears that Best will have a very large role in the Lions offense this season, not only as a receiver, but also as a runner.
25. Brandon Jacobs - Jacobs will get 1,100+ yards and 7+ touchdowns. That's good enough to be number 25.
26. Matt Forte` - Forte should get more receptions under Mike Martz, but his play in 2009 was disappointing.
27. Ricky Williams - I think this could be a little too high for Williams, but I decided to go for it because the likelihood of a Ronnie Brown injury.
28. C.J. Spiller - Spiller should break plenty of long runs, and get a lot of receptions, similar to Reggie Bush's role in New Orleans.
29. Fred Jackson - Jackson will see a lot of action on first and second down, as well as in short-yardage situations. That means yards and touchdowns.
30. Marion Barber - I think Barber still has some great production left in his tank, but he is defiantly being phased out in Dallas.
31. Ben Tate
32. Clinton Portis
33. Justin Forsett
34. Caddillac Williams
35. Jerome Harrison
36. Ahmad Bradshaw
37. Darren McFadden
38. Donald Brown
39. Thomas Jones
40. Laurence Maroney
41. Chester Taylor
42. LaDainian Tomlinson
43. Michael Bush
44. Tim Hightower
45. Montario Hardesty
46. Willis McGahee
47. Darren Sproles
48. Arian Foster
49. Kevin Smith
50. Steve Slaton