Just like the QB rankings I posted, I'm only providing my top 10.

The rankings are based off the following scoring rules:

10 RuYds = 1pt
10 ReYds = 1pt
FL = -2pts
TD = 6pts

1. Maurice Jones-Drew: 1320 RuYds - 620 ReYds - 14 TTDs - 4 FL = 270pts
2. Steve Slaton: 1470 RuYds - 440 ReYds - 12 TTDs - 3 FL = 257pts
3. Adrian Peterson: 1740 RuYds - 120 ReYds - 13 TTDs - 4 FL = 256pts
4. DeAngelo Williams: 1550 RuYds - 110 ReYds - 15 TTDs - 0 FL = 256pts
5. LaDainian Tomlinson:1250 RuYds - 400 ReYds - 14 TTDs - 0 FL = 249pts
6. Clinton Portis: 1520 RuYds - 200 ReYds - 11 TTDs - 4 FL = 230pts
7. Matt Forte: 1075 RuYds - 520 ReYds - 12 TTDs - 1 FL = 229pts
8. Chris Johnson: 1370 RuYds - 290 ReYds - 11 TTDs - 2 FL = 228pts
9. Michael Turner: 1410 RuYds - 30 ReYds - 14 TTDs - 2 FL = 226pts
10. Larry Johnson: 1400 RuYds - 330 ReYds - 10 TTDs - 3 FL = 221pts

I wanted to note that RB's look stronger then last year.

From my projections, it looks like there may be 22 RB's capable of starting full-time this week. Full-time starters in my book are RB's who are projected to score 160 points or more in a year (that's at least 10 points/week).

Out of those 22 RB's, the jury's out on 5 of them. Steven Jackson, Darren McFadden, Brian Westbrook, Joseph Addai, and Fred Jackson. S. Jackson SHOULD be alright physically but it's the line that worries me. Westbrook is battling an injury that could leak into the preseason. And Addai and F. Jackson might end up sharing the loads. Addai getting the majority of the carries while Jackson hands it over to Marshawn Lynch when he comes back but Jackson still should get quite a few touches. I really think that Jackson will earn his keep in the 3 games that Lynch most likely will be suspended for, and Buffalo will turn into a 2 pronged attack (in regards to the running game). And McFadden should be healed up but I'm concerned he Oakland won't give him the touches, but we'll see as the season approaches.

In a typical 12 team-2 RB start league, for the first time in 8 years, I might suggest skipping a RB in round 2. The first 22 guys are solid (a couple you may want to handcuff), but I could definitely see picking another position player in round 2 based on your league. But I'm not to that point yet to analyze that.

A dark horse this year could possibly be Cedric Benson. If he stays out of trouble, I think he has the ability to barely eclipse 1,000 yards rushing, which is good for a #3 RB. But he could turn into a #2 RB if CLE stops playing musical chairs with their line and a couple guys step up, but that's highly unlikely. But it's worth a watch.

Thoughts...

There are about 20 RBs I would take ahead of LJ.
Turner/Peterson should be top 2.
Westbrook needs to be on here.
Tomlinson is borderline top 10.

This top 10 goes to show the value of top-tier WRs in 2009. Look at all the solid RBs not on this list (Ward, Jacobs, Grant, Lynch, Westbrook, Jackson, McGahee, Taylor, Barber III, Stewart, Gore).

My strategy this year might be to let everyone fight for the RBs while I stack my team with Larry Fitzgeralds and Andre Johnsons. My RBs will come in rounds 3, 4, 5...

20 RB's? Come on now, LJ is back in camps and the past is forgotten. 1400 yards and 10 TDs. Did he burn you last year?

Although Peterson is a freak when it comes to gaining rushing yards, he doesn't get as many TD's as you'd expect and he's not a big threat as a receiver out of the backfield either. Plus he fumbles a lot. Those factors are too great to jump ahead of Jones-Drew and Slaton who eat up yards receiving and rushing, plus score just as many TD's. And Turner is a great RB no doubt, but his lack of receiving yards really hurts his stock in fantasy. Plus he'll get a few less touches this year to preserve him and keep Norwood happier. And the point differential between 2-5 are so minimal, any of those players would be a great first pick.

If I projected Westbrook to play a full season, he would be on here. But he doesn't need to be in the top 10 just because he's Brian Westbrook. The injury he's facing could cause him to miss some of the preseason, and that's just a bad sign for Westbrook. I'm always pretty high on Westbrook despite his injury risk every year, but now that he's already facing an injury, I have his stats projected over a 12 game season.

910 Rushing Yards - 350 Receiving Yards - 10 Total Touchdowns - 1 Fumble Lost

Like I've mentioned, these are my pre-training camp rankings. Anything could change. But at this moment, the season's not looking to bright for Mr. Westbrook. And so his stats are projected accordingly.

A lot of people are down on Tomlinson and rightfully so. But, this guy still has one good season left. He's 29 (will be 30 this year) and still has less then 3000 attempts. He was also banged up for the first time in his career last year and I expect a more healthier Tomlinson this year. So a projection of 1250 ruyds - 400 reyds - 14 TTDs - 0 FL isn't out of the question. But keep in mind, I've posted these with the tag of "pre training camp", as the season gets closer, we get a much better perspective of things.

______________________

Holding out for your RB's all the way to the 5th round is way to much for me. The point differential between the top 10 RBs and other positions is very low (just like every year), so the emphasis is still very strong to get a RB in round 1. I could definitely see skipping round 2 this year, but not skipping round 3 as well. In a typical league, round 4 will probably warrant you guys like Fred Jackson or Cedric Benson. I would not want those guys as my #2 RB and I don't want to even fathom what my #2 RB would be if I waited to pick him in the 5th round.

Vots,

I really like all the work you put into this. I find very few people who are as obsessed with fantasy football as I am, and I like the company. I have already done my preliminary rankings for my league, and I must say I disagree with you on Larry Johnson. He is my 34th ranked RB heading into the season, at least as far as projected points go. He might be a safer pick than some of the guys ahead of him, which may bump him up a little, but I just think he's in a bad situation. KC has a poor line, a new pass happy coach, and LJ never stays happy very long. I actually wouldn't be suprised if he gets dealt before the season.

I would post my rankings, but I think a few of the guys in my auction league might bum around here, so I don't want to give them away until after the auction is complete. I'm sure my rankings will change as the season nears, but I will be extremely unhappy if LJ ends up as one of my top 2 RB's.

I do agree with you on LT. I think he is being written off by way too many fantasy "experts". He still finished very high in scoring for fantasy RB's last year, just not up to his usual ridiculous standard. He might not be the surefire #1 anymore, but I think he's clearly still a mid to high first round pick.

its LJ thats bad, its the oline. when the priest and he broke out those few years, they had an unbelievable offensive line. their oline is still suspect and therefore he is definately not top 10.

Pre training camp rankings. If Johnson looks good, he'll stay the same. If he looks bad, I'll adjust accordingly. Until then...