by Chris Mooney
Here are my initial pre-season RB rankings (based on yardage scoring systems):
- LaDainian Tomlinson – There are rumblings he’ll be more involved in the passing game.
- Stephen Jackson – Poised for a monster season. Set goal of 2500 total yards. May be relied on more if Holt’s knee is not 100%.
- Joseph Addai – I know this a bit of a surprise, but Addai is not sharing carries and is on a great offense.
- Frank Gore – Hand should be fine by start of regular season. Let’s hope it doesn’t increase his fumbling problem.
- Larry Johnson – On top of a potential hold out situation, not real high on Johnson due to O – Line and QB issues that will cause Defenses to stack the line.
- Brian Westbrook – A yardage king, but injuries concern me. Need to see how McNabb plays coming off his injury and if there will be a passing game.
- Reggie Bush - I don’t like the fact that he shares carries, but he’ll play wideout too and get plenty of catches…and TD’s.
- Ronnie Brown – Not sharing carries, and Cam Cameron has devoted more emphasis on the running game. Maybe he’ll use some of the same schemes he used for LaDainian while Cameron was offensive coordinator for the Chargers last year.
- Laurence Maroney – Shoulder should not be a problem and revived passing will open up the run. Oh yeah….No Corey Dillion.
- Shaun Alexander – Even in yardage leagues, hard to pass on Alexander here. Still a TD machine.
- Travis Henry – With Shanahan you never know, but if Henry stays healthy, he’ll be a workhorse. Not too worried about Mike Bell.
- Edgerrin James – Every down back and even with the Fitzgerald/Boldin combo, Arizona may run more this year. Look for more fantasy points this year from Edge.
- Rudi Johnson – Not a lot of upside, but will get the bulk of the carries, including goaline carries.
- Willie Parker – Will probably lose carries to Davenport, but can’t ignore Parker’s explosiveness.
- Cedric Benson – I like Benson as a breakout candidate. He’ll be an everydown back and will be included more in the passing game.
- Maurice Jones-Drew – Shares carries with Fred Taylor, but will get his touches.
- Ahman Green – Dayne will vulture some goaline carries, but Green has looked good thus far.
- Thomas Jones – He’ll get most of the touches, and the Jets O-line is looking good.
- Willis McGahee – Not a strong camp so far, but he’ll be a workhorse for the Ravens.
- Clinton Portis – Knee is already a problem. Draft with caution.
the rest…..Marshawn Lynch, Brandon Jacobs, Deuce McAllister, Carnell Williams, Julius Jones, DeAngelo Williams, LaMont Jordan, Jamal Lewis
RB MVP – Stephen Jackson
RB Value Pick – Cedric Benson - He’s an every down back that you may be able to get in the 4th round. Hopefully you’ve already drafted a stud RB, and two stud WR’s (or one stud WR and a stud QB).
RB Bust Pick - Clinton Portis may be the easy pick here, but I’m going with Willis McGahee.