2009 Fantasy Football: Top 10 Running Backs

Here is a list of the Top 10 running backs for the 2009 season:

1. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) - Peterson has emerged as the top running back in the NFL and despite playing along side Chester Taylor, who gets a lot of carries and touchdown opportunities himself, he should be primed to have even bigger numbers that years past.

2009 Projected Stats: 1,900 Rushing Yards, 200 Receiving Yards, 15 TDs

2. Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons) - Turner had many carries last season and totaled in 17 TDs. Don't expect his numbers to be quite as good but he should still have another stellar year.

2009 Projected Stats:1,650 Rushing Yards, 100 Receiving Yards, 14 TDs

3. Matt Forte (Chicago Bears) - The addition of Jay Cutler should surely open up the Bear's running game and Forte will greatly benefit. Expect his numbers to increase from last season.

2009 Projected Stats: 1,550 Rushing Yards, 350 Receiving Yards, 13 TDs

4. Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars) - With Fred Taylor no longer on the Jags, Jones-Drew will get the bulk of the carries. He should also get more receptions than last year and have an overall solid season.

2009 Projected Stats: 1,350 Rushing Yards, 400 Receiving Yards, 14 TDs

5. DeAngelo Williams (Carolina Panthers) - Williams is coming off a tremendous year after tallying 20 total touchdowns. Don't expect him to have the same numbers with Jonathan Stewart getting more playing time, but he will still have a very productive season.

2009 Projected Stats: 1,300 Rushing Yards, 200 Receiving Yards, 13 TDs

6. Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) - Johnson has a great rookie campaign in 2008, and with more experience under his belt, expect his numbers to be higher than last season.

2009 Projected Stats: 1,400 Rushing Yards, 350 Receiving Yards, 11 TDs

7. Steve Slaton (Houston Texans) - It took a few games for Slaton to really get going in his first year last season, but he still finished with a great year. Look for Slaton to be strong out of the gate and get more carries this season.

2009 Projected Stats: 1,300 Rushing Yards, 400 Receiving Yards, 10 TDs

8. Clinton Portis (Washington Redskins) - Portis should see many carries this season as the Redskins offensive line has improved. Expect similar and probably better numbers than last season.

2009 Projected Stats: 1,350 Rushing Yards, 200 Receiving Yards, 10 TDs

9. LaDanian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers) - Tomlinson had a somewhat disappointing season last year by L.T. standards but still had very solid production. If he stays completely healthy in 2009, he could be a sleeper pick in your fantasy draft.

2009 Projected Stats: 1,200 Rushing Yards, 200 Receiving Yards, 11 TDs

10. Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams) - The Rams will be running the ball a lot this year under new Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo so expect Jackson to benefit. He needs to stay healthy to have production like he had back in 2006.

2009 Projected Stats: 1,150 Rushing Yards, 300 Receiving Yards, 10 TDs

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?page=NFLDK2K9_ranksRB