A look at the top 15 fantasy football running backs of 2010.
1. Chris Johnson, Titans: The 2nd year running back from East Carolina was simply too good to not be 1st place on our running backs list. He made former 2nd round pick LenDale White invisible in Tennessee.
2. Adrian Peterson, Vikings: Although he’s lost his perch on most people’s ’10 RB list, Peterson is as close to a 1A as there has been in quite a while. Whether Favre stays in Minnesota, or not, Peterson is the surest bet in the NFL to post gaudy fantasy numbers. Vikings backup RB and 3rd down back, Chester Taylor, may be on his way out of Minnesota, as well, which will only help Purple Jesus put up more big-time numbers.
3. Ray Rice, Ravens: 2009’s biggest break-out player, Rice is on the verge of stardom in Baltimore. He’s got a great o-line anchored by rookie Michael Oher, a great young QB in Joe Flacco, and a team rumored to be looking to upgrade their WR corps in the off-season. A stronger passing game can only help open things up for the soon-to-be 3rd year back from Rutgers.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars: As expected, Jones-Drew had a great year for the Jaguars, and possibly more importantly, dispelled any thoughts of his inability to carry a full workload. MOJO has a talented and young o-line and an improving pass-game with the emergence of WR Mike Sims-Walker. If Garrard can figure out a way to improve consistency and make the Jags passing game more of a threat, MOJO can only improve.
5. Steven Jackson, Rams: Once again in 2010, Jackson will have nobody to compete with in the backfield. Should ’09 1st round pick OT Jason Smith be more consistent, Jackson could thrive in, what should be, an improve offense next season. The quarterback position is the glaring need for the Rams at the moment. Michael Vick would be an interesting fit in St. Louis.
6. Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers: Mendenhall might be a bit higher on this list than most others, but I love his potential. He finally broke out of his shell in ’10 and had some great performances. Rumor has the Steelers looking to revert back to emphasizing the run in ’10. The roles of aging Willie Parker and backup Mewelde Moore look to be diminished next season.
7. Michael Turner, Falcons: Turner took a step backwards in 2009. Injuries did not help his situation, however. The scary thing about Turner is that it looks like the huge workload in ’08 really affected his ’09 play. It leads you to believe the Falcons might be eager to make this more of a timeshare to lengthen Turner’s ability to be a productive runner.
Cedric Benson
8. Cedric Benson, Bengals: It is a common predisposition to think Benson is getting old and his days as an effective NFL runner are coming close to an end. However, this could not be further from the truth. Although it has been quite a few years since he was drafted in the 1st round by the Bears, he’s just now coming to realize his full potential. He was a true workhorse running back in ’09 and it looks like we might see more of the same in ’10. The only threat to steal carries from Benson will be 2nd year back Bernard Scott who’s flashes of talent were few and far between in his rookie season.
9. Frank Gore, 49ers: Gore’s talents were limited in ’09 due to a more pass-focused 49ers offense. The team was more confident with the ball in the air with a consistent Alex Smith, an emerging Vernon Davis, and 1st round pick Michael Crabtree flashing potential late in the season. You have to think Mike Singletary and his crew will figure a way to get Gore his fair share of touches next season.
10. Matt Forte, Bears: The Bears offense fell apart last season, and Forte fell hardest. The 2nd year running back was not able to come near his rookie totals. It’s tough to explain why his numbers fell so hard, but hope is on the way in new OC Mike Martz. Martz led Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk and the Greatest Show on Turf and has great new weapons in Jay Cutler and Matt Forte. Look for Martz to effectively utilize Forte in 2010.
11. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs: Charles really impressed in 2009. Despite his lack of size, the former Texas Longhorn consistently posted stellar numbers for fantasy owners last season. While there is the threat of injury to a running back of his stature, he stayed healthy last season despite carrying a full workload for much of the season. An improved passing game from Matt Cassel, Dwayne Bowe and friends can only help matters for Charles.
12. Fred Jackson, Bills: I have the distinct feeling that F-Jax will be ignored come fantasy draft day, once again. He came out of the gates in ’09 blazing while fellow Bills RB Marshawn Lynch was suspended. Even though Bills coaches put Lynch back in the starting role following his suspension, F-Jax continue to steal the show with his impressive ability follow his blockers and hands out of the backfield. There are rumors that Lynch may be on his way out of Buffalo. Should this happen, expect to see Jackson move up on this list.
13. Beanie Wells, Cardinals: Wells didn’t have much of chance to show what he’s got in 2009. Fellow Cards’ RB Tim Hightower started the vast majority of the season and was in on most 3rd downs because of his pass-catching abilities. When Arizona finally decided to give Wells an opportunity to carry a large workload late in the season, they remembered why the invested a 1st round draft pick on him. Wells is a deadly combination of big, fast and elusive and will take a strangle hold on the Cardinals RB role quickly in 2010. The loss of Kurt Warner will only increase Wells’ ’10 workload as Matt Leinart and the Cardinals offense will have to rely on the run more than ever before.
14. Knowshon Moreno, Broncos: Moreno split carries with Correll Buckhalter the entire season in ’09. He showed glimpses of the flashy play-making ability of his Georgia days and looks to make a big splash in 2010. Buckhalter’s role, if any, is still up on the air in Denver. If Moreno had the opportunity to play a full role in the Broncos backfield, he has top 5 potential.
15. Jerome Harrison, Browns: First it was Jamal Lewis. Than it was James Davis. Than it was Chris Jennings. All along Harrison was showing flashes of potential but the other RB still got the larger workload. Finally, after all were injured, Harrison got his opportunity to carry a full workload and surely made the most of it. Harrison is another small guy but proved he can take the punishment of 20+ carries.