1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
2. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars
3. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
4. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
5. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
6. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
7. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers
8. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills
9. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Phillies
10. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
11. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
12. Thomas Jones, New York Jets
13. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
14. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens
15. Steve Slaton, Houston Texans
16. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
17. Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys
18. Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
19. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders
20. Cadillac Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
21. Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals
22. Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins
23. Julius Jones, Seattle Seahawks
24. Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions
25. Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers

Adrian Peterson - Minnesota Vikings (Image: Zuma Press)

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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, Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Jones-Drew finally has the starting job to himself this year. Can he be a dominant starter or is he built to be a backup?

4. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
In recent history, LaDainian Tomlinson has always been near the top in the fantasy football running back rankings. But after a so-so season, the end might be near in his stellar career.

5. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Last season, Matt Forte was a very good rookie who seemed like he was built to produce in fantasy football for a long time.

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Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers
Willie Parker is going against a very difficult defense but he was fantastic last week and has proven he can produce in big games. The Steelers love to run the ball and will give Parker carries continuously as long as he’s producing halfway decently.

Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens
Though he’s been inconsistent for virtually the entire season, it’s now or never for the Ravens to use Willis McGahee. He was the team’s best running back last game and he’ll likely get an extended look against the Steelers. He’s not a very good start but he has touchdown potential.

Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals
Speaking of touchdowns, that’s what you would be hoping if you start Tim Hightower. His rushing yards per attempt number has been down recently but he’s still the back the Cardinals give the rock to near the goal line. That alone makes him viable.

Photo credit: Newscom

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2. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
Westbrook is most talented back still alive.

3. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
Jacobs will run even harder than usual.

4. Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers
Solid matchup could produce big stats.

5. Darren Sproles, San Diego Chargers
Potential sleeper could surprise again.

6. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
Tough defense but Johnson is explosive.

7. Le’Ron McClain, Baltimore Ravens
He’s a touchdown threat every game.

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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.

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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.

Photo: Newscom

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Clinton Portis of the Redskins is running up the rankings.

After Week 7 of the 2008 fantasy football season, it’s getting obvious who the top dogs are when it comes to fantasy running backs. Here’s our list of the 2008 running back rankings going forward for the rest of the fantasy football season:

1) Adrian Peterson
2) Clinton Portis
3) Marion Barber
4) LaDainian Tomlinson
5) Michael Turner
6) Brandon Jacobs
7) Brian Westbrook
8) Marshawn Lynch
9) Frank Gore
10) Steven Jackson
11) Matt Forte
12) Steve Slaton
13) Ronnie Brown
14) Chris Johnson
15) Maurice Jones-Drew
16) Jamal Lewis
17) Earnest Graham
18) Ryan Grant
19) Larry Johnson
20) Reggie Bush
21) Joseph Addai
22) Willie Parker
23) Thomas Jones
24) Edgerrin James
25) Jonathan Stewart

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1. Adrian Peterson
2. LaDainian Tomlinson
3. Marion Barber
4. Marshawn Lynch
5. Brian Westbrook
6. Frank Gore
7. Steven Jackson
8. Clinton Portis
9. Michael Turner
10. Matt Forte
11. Joseph Addai
12. Reggie Bush
13. Brandon Jacobs
14. Larry Johnson
15. Earnest Graham
16. Steve Slaton
17. Maurice Jones-Drew
18. Chris Johnson
19. Willie Parker
20. Jamal Lewis
21. Ronnie Brown
22. Jonathan Stewart
23. Darren McFadden
24. Ryan Grant

Marshawn Lynch has a chance to move up even higher in upcoming weeks.

Photo: Newscom

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1) Adrian Peterson
2) Brian Westbrook
3) LaDainian Tomlinson
4) Marion Barber
5) Clinton Portis
6) Steven Jackson
7) Frank Gore
8) Marshawn Lynch
9) Joseph Addai
10) Willie Parker
11) Matt Forte
12) Michael Turner
13) Brandon Jacobs
14) Reggie Bush
15) Earnest Graham
16) Larry Johnson
17) Jamal Lewis
18) Thomas Jones
19) Ryan Grant
20) Maurice Jones-Drew
21) Darren McFadden
22) Chris Johnson
23) Jonathan Stewart
24) Willis McGahee
25) Edgerrin James
26) Chris Perry
27) Julius Jones
28) Kevin Smith
29) Steve Slaton
30) Laurence Maroney

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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.

Post from: Expert Fantasy