1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
2. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
3. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
4. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
5. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers
6. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
7. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
8. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
9. Steve Slaton, Houston Texans
10. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars
11. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
12. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers

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5. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
Although the Niners have had a difficult year, Frank Gore has had a bit of a bounce back season. Last year, he was a fantasy football disappointment but he’s been well worth his preseason draft positions in 2008. Down the stretch, Gore should be a very good option — especially if Shaun Hill can continue having success at quarterback.

4. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
Coming into the 2008 fantasy football season, it was difficult to figure where to put Michael Turner on the running back rankings. But after signing with the Falcons in the offseason, he’s made Atlanta look smart by being a very good running back. Against teams with weak run defenses, he’s especially deadly.

3. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
Clinton Portis was actually at the top of this list until recently when he got banged up. If he can get healthy, he’s going to get a lot of carries to end the season. If not, his fantasy owners may have to look elsewhere. However, filling his huge shoes will be close to impossible.

2. Thomas Jones, New York Jets
The true surprise of the 2008 running back rankings has to be Thomas Jones. He didn’t look too good last year in 2007 and many fantasy experts were wondering whether he could lose his starting job. Not only has Jones remained the starter, he’s been arguably the most explosive fantasy back in the NFL this season.

1. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
The Super Bowl champion Giants have the best fantasy running back at the moment. Jacobs is almost impossible to bring down in one-on-one situations and he has a nose for the endzone. As long as the Giants keep giving him the rock and as long as he stays healthy, he could very well be the best fantasy running back in 2008.

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RB Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
Although the St. Louis Rams showed a little bit of life a couple weeks ago, they seem to have reversed a bit. Against the New York Jets last weekend, they got demolished — with a lot of the damage coming from running back Thomas Jones. That’s why Frank Gore is such a good start this week. Gore has played very well this week and this juicy matchup has him at the top of the running back list in Week 11.

WR Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers
When it comes to bad defenses, it doesn’t get much worse than the Detroit Lions. The Lions will face off against the Panthers this week, which likely means a big game for Steve Smith. Smith will draw a lot of attention, no doubt, but Detroit still won’t be able to stop him. The only way Smith doesn’t explode is if the Panthers are up early and stop passing the ball.

TE Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
Tony Gonzalez has a very good matchup this weekend against the New Orleans Saints. With Tyler Thigpen playing very well at quarterback, Gonzalez is now a threat to have a big game each and every week. Coming off of a quality fantasy football performance, look for him to follow it up with more big numbers in Week 11 of the fantasy season.

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1. Adrian Peterson
After a great rookie season, AP is proving it wasn’t a fluke.

2. LaDainian Tomlinson
His career may be winding down LT has too much history to pass up.

3. Brian Westbrook
When healthy, Westbrook remains arguably the best fantasy RB.

4. Clinton Portis
He’s been great in 2008 and should be able to keep it up in 2009.

5. Matt Forte
Multidimensional Bears RB will be tough to overlook next season.

6. Brandon Jacobs
With the Giants looking like a powerhouse, Jacobs will retain value.

7. Marion Barber III
Even though not as explosive in 2008, he’s still a TD threat.

8. Frank Gore
Gore continues to prove he’s one of the most talented backs in NFL.

9. Michael Turner
Against poor defenses, Turner is money.

10. Chris Johnson
If LenDale wasn’t in the way, he’d be top five pick.

11. Steve Slaton
The Texans offense is getting better and Slaton is growing in value.

12. Tom Brady
Those 50 touchdowns won’t be easily forgotten.

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1. LaDainian Tomlinson – Tomlinson should be a stud once again.
2. Adrian Peterson – AP has the high ceiling of anyone in fantasy football.
3. Brian Westbrook – Westbrook is an all-around producer on the field.
4. Steven Jackson – Somewhat of a risk but should be very solid.
5. Marion Barber III – Likely to be a touchdown machine this year.
6. Joseph Addai – If he gets enough carries, he could finish top five.
7. Marshawn Lynch – Second year pro with very good potential.
8. Frank Gore – Look for him to bounce back off of a sub par year.
9. Clinton Portis – Always seems to do better than projected.
10. Larry Johnson – Injury risk but was a fantasy stud not too long ago.

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After studying drafts I have been in and other fantasy football draft information available throughout the internet, I’ve calculated that this is how the average fantasy football draft first round looks so far in 2008:

1. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
3. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
4. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
5. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
6. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts
7. Marion Barber III, Dallas Cowboys
8. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
9. Randy Moss, New England Patriots
10. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
11. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills
12. Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs

Will Randy Moss climb higher in 2008 fantasy football drafts?

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A total of ten running backs are being drafted within the top twelve overall picks in typical 2008 fantasy football drafts. Who are those ten running backs and in which order are they being drafted?

1. LaDanian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
3. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
4. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
5. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts
6. Marion Barber III, Dallas Cowboys
7. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
8. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
9. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills
10. Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs

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Frank Gore – With Mike Martz at the helm, Frank Gore’s numbers will likely take another hit in 2008. His numbers in 2006 may end up being an anomaly.

Larry Johnson – The Kansas City Chiefs are just a bad team and Larry Johnson won’t have much running room to do anything.

Ryan Grant – Inspiring breakout performance last season but expecting lightning to strike twice is wishful thinking.

Jamal Lewis – Last season, Jamal Lewis wanted revenge. This season Lewis’ age will likely catch up to him.

Ronnie Brown – Bill Parcells and the Miami Dolphins don’t have any reason to be indebted to Ronnie Brown. Tread carefully.

Willie Parker – Willie Parker didn’t get many touchdowns last season and this season the Steelers used a first rounder on a running back.

Selvin Young – The Broncos should gain a lot of yards on the ground this season. The problem is guessing which of their dozen running backs to pick.

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1. LaDainian Tomlison – He’s been too good for too long to pass up.
2. Adrian Peterson – He has as much upside as any player in 2008.
3. Steven Jackson – Struggled in 2007 but should bounce back.
4. Brian Westbrook – Only injury concerns keeps him from top three.
5. Joseph Addai – Role should get even bigger this year for Colts.
6. Marion Barber III – Touchdown should be plentiful in 2008.
7. Larry Johnson – Can he bounce back and become a force?
8. Clinton Portis – Portis is underrated and could shine again.
9. Frank Gore – Mike Martz makes Gore a riskier pick than usual.
10. Marshawn Lynch – If he stays out of trouble, he’ll produce.

Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills

Coming Soon … Running Back Rankings – 1 thru 25

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Can Matt Ryan be the savior?

2. Miami Dolphins
Bill Parcels will eventually turn the Miami Dolphins around but it won’t be in 2008. On the offensive side of the field, the Dolphins don’t have many playmakers. On defense, the Dolphins’ best player, Jason Taylor, is unhappy. The Dolphins will be lucky to win five games in 2008.

3. Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions offense underperformed last season and now they look to be even less talented on that side of the field. Defensively, the Lions won’t be better than an average unit. In 2007, it looked like the Lions could surprise. Now it looks like the Lions are headed back to the bottom.

4. Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders actually have a bright future, but 2008 promises to be a struggle. JaMarcus Russell will the be quarterback and he’ll undoubtedly struggle early in his NFL career. However, once Russell figures it out and rookie Darren McFadden comes into his own, the Raiders should be able to turn it around — in 2009.

5. San Francisco 49ers
A few NFL experts are picking the San Francisco 49ers as a sleeper pick for the 2008 season. I remain skeptical. Alex Smith at quarterback hasn’t shown much. His wide receivers aren’t too impressive. Frank Gore is good but the 2007 season proved the Niners need more than Gore to win games.

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