2008 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings
by Paul Eide
Fantasy Football Director
9/2/08


1. LT- In first seven seasons averaged 1,521 yards rushing and 18 total TD.
2. Brian Westbrook- 2,104 total yards, 12 total TD and 90 rec in 2007.
3. Joseph Addai- Most Red Zone attempts among all NFL RB’s. 12 TD in 56 tries.
4. Adrian Peterson- Will not start all 16 games. Hasn’t started an entire season since 2004
5. Marion Barber- 33 TD in 3 seasons. Now the #1. Undervalue and kick yourself all yr.
6. Clinton Portis- Increased role in Zorn’s offense means increased fantasy numbers.
7. Steven Jackson- Hold out is more serious than initially thought. Injury risk.
8. Larry Johnson- What if Chiefs O is as good as it was on first drive vs. Bears?
9. Jamal Lewis- Running behind possibly the best line in football.
10. Marshawn Lynch- Should get more support via the pass this year.
11. Thomas Jones- “Favre Effect” + drastically improved O-line make him big sleeper.
12. Willis McGahee- Knee surgery three weeks before opener dents value significantly.
13. Ryan Grant- Remember, Packers spent first round pick on Brandon Jackson a yr ago.
14. Michael Turner- Will get carries befitting a #1 RB if nothing else. Line is only ?.
15. Frank Gore- If you think this is too low, draft him yourself & see how overrated he is.
16. LenDale White- 4th most Red Zone attempts in 2007. Scored 7 TD in 51 attempts.
17. Edgerrin James- Coming off best season for a Cards RB since 1983.
18. Earnest Graham- Starter by default; 10 rushing TD and 49 rec in ’07.
19. Darren McFadden- Was drafted to start but will share carries.
20. MJD- Is this the year Fred Taylor is made obsolete?
21. Brandon Jacobs- Contract year in ‘08; gets all goal line carries regardless of RBBC.
22. Rudi Johnson- Surprisingly, only 28 years old. Hamstring injury was just bad timing.
23. Reggie Bush- Only real value is in PPR leagues; 161 recs in last two years.
24. Willie Parker- Lowered value per Mendenhall? 1,202 yards &5 TD in Bettis’final yr.
25. Fred Taylor- Only missed 2 games in last 2 years. Just three 20+ carry games in ’07.
26. Laurence Maroney- Competing w/Jordan, Morris and Faulk for carries all year.
27. Ronnie Brown- Has been limited in camp because of knee injury.
28. Justin Fargas- The RB everyone forgets about; w/McFadden/Bush questions abound.
29. Selvin Young- Injury to Torain creates uptick in value.
30. DeAngelo Williams- In 2 years, has accumulated 4.6 ypc, 1,218 yards and 5 TD.
31. Jonathan Stewart- Admitted that toe injury is still a concern.
32. Matt Forte- Addition of Kevin Jones, weak O-line don’t help value.
33. Ricky Williams- With Brown’s injury and Williams as only backup, strong sleeper.
34. Chester Taylor- AP will not start all 16 games.
35. Kevin Smith- Will battle Tatum Bell for starting role.
36. Maurice Morris- Splitting carries with Jones to start the year.
37. Julius Jones- Will split carries with Maurice Morris to start the year.
38. Rashard Mendenhall- Explosive, can score in a variety of ways.
39. Tatum Bell- Will battle Kevin Smith for starting role.
40. Aaron Stecker- Five TD in 31 Red Zone Attempts. Don’t trust Deuce.

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