Rankings of Fantasy RBs

[Scott M]

Well, I finished runner up two consecutive years in salcap FF. Two years ago I rode LT like a horse, then he slumped at Larry Johnson blew up in the last 4-6 games. This last year, I reversed course and took LJ for a full 16 games, and watched LT set the single season touchdown record. This year I don't know who to take. Any predictions?

I'll start with a top dozen + 1

1) LT (Too consistent to be anywhere else)

2) Steven Jackson (Coming on strong!)

3) Larry Johnson (Hopefully the O line is a little better)

4) Frank Gore (Really coming on Strong but broke his hand)

5) Shaun Alexander (still solid)

6) Joe Addai (getting better and better, quite a playoff run)

7) Willie Parker (Run first Steelers)

8) Rudi Johnson (Very consistent last few years)

9) Laurence Maroney (More carries w/o Dillon and Moss to spread field)

10) Ronnie Brown (Should be more consistent and get the ball more, good line and fullback)

11) Willis McGahee (Baltimore likes to run it all day)

12) Reggie Bush (adjusted to the NFL, great playmaker, also get special teams points)

13) Maurice Jones-Drew (ended strong last season, should get most of the carries)

[Fishin Beast]

Steven Jackson will be beast. Maroney is also a great pick.

[metrojoe]

What about Westbrook?

[Scott M]

I left him out cause he hasn't had 1,000 yards and always seems to get hurt. But he definately comes to mind. Should be a middle round solid pick in H2H leagues.

[maros91]

I think Jackson, Gore, and Jones-Drew are going to explode this year. This is my last year keeping Jackson in a keeper league.

[Nate McVey]

Thomas Jones and Kevin Jones will be good picks this year as well.

[xedge2002]

Kevin Jones is coming back from a Lisfranc foot fracture which can be career threatening. I heard when he initially injured it he may not even play this year. Lately I have heard that he may play but I'm not holding my breath on him. But I do agree that Thomas Jones should be a good RB this year, he should be a good #2 RB on a fantasy team.

[Juan Grande]

I'm in two leagues and both league champs had Westbrook last year. When healthy, he's easilly a top 7 back.

Seems like Maroney should have a huge year. NE likes to run the ball in the red zone and with defenses chasing Moss, Stallworth, Welker, etc. around the field there should be plenty of running room.

What do you guys think of Brandon Jacobs?

[Jarrod32]

Westbrook is kind of dependent on your scoring system. If you reward yards, Westbrook will give you good points...rushing and receiving...every week, with a few TD thrown in. In that case, he needs consideration as a top RB.

If your scoring system is tilted more heavily toward TD, then Westbrook moves down quite a few slots.

[Farley]

Jacobs in a TD heavy leauge will be one of the best. Yardage heavy, probably not as good.

Lots of experts saying he's too big and reckless not to get hurt.

[Juan Grande]

I think losing Tiki Barber is going to hurt them a lot. He was great all purpose back and I'm not sure Jacob's battering ram style is going to work as an every down back.

Sure, he looked good knocking people over from one yard out, but Tiki did all the work to get them down there.

What kind of year do you think Maroney will have? I find it strange that Addai is forecasted as a top five pick and Maroney not until the second round. They both play in elite offenses and don't have to split carries. Is it the injury risk that lowers Maroney's value?

[Farley]

In the mock drafts I've looked at so far Addai has gone late in the first round. I think NE's aquisition of Moss has something to do with it and also Maroney had 745 yds and 6TD's where Addai had 1081 yds and 7 TD's rushing last year. Also Addai might have slightly better hands, and the surgically repaired shoulder of Maroney defenitly doesnt help him in the rankings.

I think he'll have a great year though with Moss and Stallworth, not to mention Brown and Caldwell spreading out the defense.