Updated 2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs

The NFL preseason gets underway a month from Thursday (Hall of Fame game between Cowboys and Bengals).

Over the next month, we will release our rankings keeper rankings, point-per-reception (PPR) rankings and our top 150 cheat sheets as well as in-depth player analysis and projections.

For now, here is our updated list of the top 40 running backs for fantasy football:

1. Chris Johnson, Titans : 2,006 yards. 11 straight 100-yard games.

While those numbers would be nearly impossible to repeat, Johnson can take it to the house on any given play with his 4.24 speed. The question is: Will he do so for his $550,000 salary ?

On a positive note, a compromise to the contract situation may be reached before the start of the season, per Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean .

2. Adrian Peterson, Vikings : In three NFL seasons, Peterson has rushed for 1,300+ yards and 10+ touchdowns every year. His fumbling issues are well-documented, but he also had his best season as a receiver (43 receptions for 436) in 2009.

3. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars : In his first season as the featured back, Pocket Hercules delivered with 1,391 rushing yards, 374 receiving yards on 53 receptions and 16 combined touchdowns.

My only concern? MJD had two games with single-digit rushing attempts.

What if that happens against Washington in Week 16?

4. Ray Rice, Ravens : Rice led RBs in receptions (78) and receiving yards (702) in 2009. He was one of only two backs to have over 2000 yards from scrimmage.

5. Michael Turner, Falcons : An ankle injury in Week 10 essentially wiped out the rest of his season, but he was getting into a groove before the injury (428 rushing yards on 47 carries (9.1 YPC) and three touchdowns in 2 1/2 games). I

n his 27 games as a Falcon, Turner has rushed for more touchdowns (27) than he has receptions (11).

(Note: although these rankings are not based on a point-per-reception scoring, I will release my PPR rankings within the next two weeks.)

6. Frank Gore, 49ers : With two first round picks in the 2010 NFL Draft, the 49ers drafted two offensive linemen (Trent Williams and Mike Iupati), which is obviously a benefit to Gore.

In addition to rushing for over 1,000 yards in the past four years, he has also averaged 52 receptions per season during that span.

7. Steven Jackson, Rams : With the Rams' lack of offensive weapons to complement Jackson, opposing defenses know what is coming. But Jackson still finished second in the NFL in rushing in 2009 despite being hampered by back issues for the second half of the season.

8. Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers : Starting in Week four, Mendenhall rushed for 1,068 yards and seven TDs in the final 13 games of the season (that's a 1300-yard pace). With Fast Willie in D.C. now, a repeat (or even an improvement) of that pace seems likely.

9. Ryan Grant, Packers : As the runner for one of the league's best aerial assaults, Grant should continue to see a lot of seven-men fronts and open lanes to run.

Only four RBs rushed for more yards (1,253) and TDs (11) than Grant in 2009.

10. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers : Despite missing three games last year, Williams has rushed for 2,632 yards and scored 27 touchdowns (25 rushing and two receiving) in the past two seasons.

His only drawback? Backfield mate Jonathan Stewart has rushed for close to 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns during that same span.

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See our top 40 running backs for fantasy football.

Also, check out our other 2010 Fantasy Football rankings: Top 25 QBs | Top 50 WRs | Top 20 TEs