If you can land a solid group of running backs for your 2009 fantasy football team, your fantasy season is likely to be a success. While there aren’t tons of bust-proof options, the RB rankings this year is relatively deep.

Here’s a look at our top 25 running backs in 2009 for fantasy football purposes:

In fantasy football, no position is as important as running back. If you have a group of quality fantasy running backs, your fantasy team has a big advantage. Here is a look at the top of our 2009 fantasy football running back rankings:
1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
The signing of Brett Favre should cement Adrian Peterson’s spot at the top of the fantasy RB rankings for 2009.
2. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
Although it is scary how much he touched the football last year for the Falcons, Michael Turner is too good and in too good of an offense to ignore.
3. Maurice Jones-Drew, …read more

1) Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
Turner has a good matchup and is running well.
2) Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Peterson has talent will get a ton of touches.
3) Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
Perhaps the most explosive of all the RBs.
4) LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
Not as dominant but will still produce.
5) Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts
Good matchup despite makes him startable.
6) Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins
Tough matchup but could surprise.
7) LeRon McClain, Baltimore Ravens
RB by committee but should get touches.
8) Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals
Only a TD threat at this point.

Although the 2009 fantasy football season is a long ways away, here’s an early look at a mock draft of the first round. It should be noted that the first round of the 2009 fantasy football draft looks like it will be all running backs in virtually every format.
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

1. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers
It’d be difficult to get much hotter than DeAngelo Williams is right now. He has 11 touchdowns in his last six games. In five of those six games, he rushed for more than 100 yards. In the other one, he had four touchdowns.

2. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
Although Briant Westbrook went through a slump, he’s come up huge the last two weeks. He has six total touchdowns during the span — three rushing and three receiving. He also has more than 330 total yards in the last two weeks.
3. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints
In the last …read more

QB Matt Cassel, New England Patriots
Don’t look now but Matt Cassel is doing a very good Tom Brady imitation. He once again produced a very fine week of fantasy football stats in Week 12. He finished the game against the Miami Dolphins with 415 yards passing and three touchdowns. All three of his touchdowns were to Randy Moss.
RB Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
In many fantasy football drafts this year, Michael Turner was a third rounder. Those fantasy owners who drafted him have to be very happy, especially in Week 12. He finished the week with 117 yards and four touchdowns. Turner …read more

In fantasy football leagues that score 1 point per 15 yards and 6 points per touchdown, here’s a look at the top five running backs for the 2008 season:
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 …read more

It’s never too early to look at next year in the world of fantasy football. Here’s a look at a 2009 fantasy football mock draft. It’s early but this could very well be what we see next year in fantasy drafts.
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 …read more

Quarterback – Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles
In Week 1, Donovan McNabb proved when he’s still a fantasy football force to be reckoned with. He finished the game with 361 yards and three touchdowns and no interceptions. He may become a major steal for the 2008 fantasy football season.
Running Back – Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons’ big offseason signing paid dividends right away in Week 1. In 22 carries, Turner had 220 yards and two touchdowns. While he obviously will come back down to earth, Turner could very easily finish the season as a top ten fantasy football …read more

We’ve already looked at the first round and the second round fantasy football mock draft for 2008. Here is the third round:
1. Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns
2. TJ Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati Bengals
3. Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots
4. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers
5. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals