Ranking The RBs

It is what it is.

Legend - U means Upside... D means Decline...I means Injury Prone... R means should Retire

1. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers --- Has been the best back in the league for a bunch of years now, and there is no end in sight for LT. His TD total dropped dramatically last year, but has only missed one start in his career. With Michael Turner out of the picture, LT should get even more touches.
2. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles --- Still underrated, may be the best all-purpose back in the league. Set a career high with 15 total TDs last year, and has become the staple on the Eagles offence. There are concerns, however, as he has never started a full 16 games.
3. Steven Jackson, St Louis Rams (U) --- Is a monstrous force between the tackles, and also is a real threat out of the backfield. If he can stay healthy, the Rams will move back into playoff contention.
4. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings (U) --- Enjoyed an amazing rookie season, breaking the single game rushing record. Also won Offensive Rookie of the Year, and ran for over 1200 yards. However, he struggled with injuries, and was a non-factor down the stretch. Needs to improve his consistancy.
5. Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens --- Improved a lot during his first season in Baltimore, and moved higher in the rankings when it comes to RBs. Showed great speed and power, and has improved his skills at receiving out of the backfield.
6. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts (U) --- Rushed for over 1000 yards despite struggling with injuries last season. The Colts brought back Dominic Rhodes to take some pressure off Addai. Addai has great speed, and has improved his skills running between the tackles.
7. Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys (U) --- A huge power back with surprising speed. Came into his own last year, earning a Pro Bowl berth. He needs to improve even more this year, as he will inherit the starting role from the departed Julius Jones.
8. Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers --- Amazing speedster who excels in Pittsburgh's running game. His yards-per-carry average went down last year, but they expect that to right itself with the drafting of rookie Rashard Mendenhall. A bit on the smallish side.
9. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers (U) --- His numbers dropped dramatically last season, but that could have been due to the struggles at the quarterback position. Gore needs to become more consistant, and work on his receiving out of the backfield.
10. Fred Taylor, Jacksonville Jaguars --- Has enjoyed the best years of his career splitting time with Maurice Jones-Drew. Taylor still has great speed and toughness, but he is getting up in years. Could start to decline, but splitting carries has been great for his career.
11. Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins (U/I) --- Was on his way to a fantastic season before suffering an injury. Needs to rebound quick if the Dolphins want to move towards contention. Has great speed, but has struggled with injuries.
12. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars (U) --- A genuine scatback who has amazing burst and has a low center of gravity. Has rejuevenated the career of teammate Fred Taylor. May want more carries, but with his size, it is good for him to split carries.
13. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins --- Hasn't been the same since he left Denver, but Portis still has great skills. Should benefit greatly from improved play from QB Jason Campbell, and is expected to become more of a force out of the backfield.
14. Jamal Lewis, Baltimore Ravens (D) --- Lewis had a great season for the Browns, and was rewarded with a new contract. Is getting up in years, however, and needs to prove he can keep it up. Lewis is huge, and has decent speed, but struggles bursting through the line.
15. Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs (U/I) --- Needs to stay healthy this year, but has good skills. Is a powerful runner who gets too many touches. Is a decent receiver out of the backfield, but he needs to limit his touches this season to be successful.
16. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills (U) --- Was the second best rookie RB last season. Showed great skills as both a runner and receiver, and is expected to develop even more this year. The Bills had better hope nothing comes out of his recent arrest, or it could be a long year.
17. Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots (U/I) --- Doesn't get enough attention because he plays for the pass-happy Patriots. Expect the Pats to run the ball more this year, and that will lead to more touches for Maroney. Has good size and speed, and could turn into a great RB.
18. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons (U) --- Turner steps into the starting job in Atlanta, and needs to prove he can do it as a starter. Has amazing speed and power, and should fit nicely into Atlanta's scheme. The Falcons want to run the ball a tonne, so Turner will have to be awesome.
19. Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints (U) --- Yikes, needs to shake the label of draft bust in his third season. Will move back into his complementary role with Deuce McAllister returning, but will be expected to improve upon his measly 3.7 career yards-per-carry average.
20. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants (U) --- Big, beastly man who bulls his way through tackles, and shows deceptive speed. Needs to improve even more this year, as he has youngster Ahmad Bradshaw nipping at his heals. Jacobs also needs to avoid the injury bug.
21. Edgerrin James, Arizona Cardinals (D) --- Getting up in years, but is still a solid starter. Coach Ken Whisenhunt says they want to run more by committee this year, so James could be more effective. Has lost a step, but still possesses good skills.
22. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers (U) --- Grant was the second best RB in the league during the last ten games of the year. Grant also stepped up in the clutch, running for over 200 yards in the playoffs. Need to prove that this all wasn't a big fluke, but has great skills.
23. Chester Taylor, Minnesota Vikings --- Lost his starting job, but still managed to run for over 800 yards. Is the best backup in the league, and will step in nicely if the Vikes need him to. Is not the most skilled back, but makes up for it with his burst and speed.
24. Darren McFadden (rookie), Oakland Raiders (U) --- Considered the best rookie to come out this year, McFadden is blessed with amazing speed. Has drew comparisons to everyone from Reggie Bush to Adrian Peterson. Could struggle to adjust to the NFL game.
25. Justin Fargas, Oakland Raiders --- Turned into a great starter last year, but needs to fight for carries in a crowded backfield. Fargas has great speed, and has adjusted to life as a starter.
26. Deuce McAllister, New Orleans Saints (I) --- Comes back this year to split time with Bush. McAllister needs to avoid the injuries that have plagued him during his career. His speed has dropped off, but he is still a very powerful runner.
27. Kevin Jones, Free Agent (I) --- The best free agent back available. Has good size and speed, but has struggled to stay healthy. Needs to gain strength back in his knee, and prove to a team that he has some playing left in him.
28. Julius Jones, Seattle Seahawks --- A solid starter who was given up on in Dallas. Jones doesn't have great speed, but is tough and will catch a lot of balls if asked. Needs to beat out Maurice Morris for playing time.
29. Jonathan Stewart (rookie), Carolina Panthers (U) --- A great talent who could really develop into a great. Has good size, but needs to recover from offseason foot surgery. Will have to win the job from incumbent starter Deangelo Williams, but shouldn't struggle to get carries.
30. Lendale White, Tennessee Titans (U) --- Has great power and more speed than he is given credit for. Will put up consistant touchdowns, but may lose carries to rookie Chris Johnson. Needs to improve his blocking.
31. Cadillac Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (U/I)
32. Selvin Young, Denver Broncos (U)
33. Shaun Alexander, Free Agent (D)
34. Felix Jones (rookie), Dallas Cowboys (U)
35. Leon Washington, New York Jets (U)
36. Thomas Jones, New York Jets
37. Ahman Green, Houston Texans (D)
38. Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals (D/I)
39. Cedric Benson, Free Agent
40. Rashard Mendenhall (rookie), Pittsburgh Steelers (U)
41. Matt Forte (rookie), Chicago Bears (U)
42. Maurice Morris, Seattle Seahawks
43. Kevin Faulk, New England Patriots
44. Kolby Smith, Kansas City Chiefs (U)
45. Tatum Bell, Detroit Lions (U)
46. Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (U)
47. Lorenzo Booker, Philadelphia Eagles
48. Chris Johnson (rookie), Tennessee Titans (U)
49. Ladell Betts, Washington Redskins
50. Dominic Rhodes, Indianapolis Colts