Fantasy Football Guide for 2009 - Running Backs

Though, individually, quarterbacks are the most valuable position in fantasy football, running back is the most scarce position and it is vital to the success of any team to have atleast two top 10 running backs on their team. It is even more essential to having one of these top 5 running backs to aid your fantasy team this year.

1. Adrian Peterson - It doesn't even matter how good the Viking's line is, Adrian Peterson is hands down the best back in football. He racked up 1,760 yards on the ground last year and recorded 10 touchdowns. He was the most consistent back in the league and if he didn't get hurt he could have easily had a 2,000 yard season. With recent rumors that are beginning to seem more and more true with Brett Favre signing with the Vikings, Minnesota will have a solid quarterback to go with the rest of its offense. Adrian Peterson should be the easiest pick of the 2009 NFL Fantasy Drafts around the country.

2. Michael Turner - Though Adrian clamed the top spot in this year's preview, Michael Turner is probably the safest pick in this year's draft. With an emerging offense that showcases Roddy White, Michael Jenkins, Matt Ryan, and Tony Gonzalez, the opposing defenses will have too many people to account for which will open Turner up for an even bigger year than he had last year. Last year Turner recorded 1,699 yards and 17 TD's which were some of the best numbers in the league last season. There should be no reason why Michael Turner won't have as great of a year this year as he did last season.

3. Matt Forte - One of the biggest emerging players in the NFL. As Jay Cutler and Orlando Pace joined the Chicago Bears, there is no reason why Forte cannot amass a solid 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns. He shocked everyone in the NFL by putting up the numbers he did last year, but now he has more players around him which can only make him better. Could be one of the biggest steals in this year's fantasy draft, or one of the biggest busts. It's your call, but in my opinion I think he will be a fantasy stud in the 2009 campaign.

4. Brandon Jacobs - Now that Brandon Jacobs is no longer sharing carries with Derrick Ward, he should only improve upon last year's numbers. Along with the fact that Brandon Jacobs can muscle it in on the goal line, he should have no problem adding on his 15 touchdowns that he scored last season. Although Ahmad Bradshaw is still backing up Jacobs, Bradshaw's carries began to tail off as the year went on because Ward began to see more carries. With Derek Ward on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, you can be completely confident with drafting Brandon Jacobs as your number 1 back this upcoming draft.

5. DeAngelo Williams - Yes, I did leave LaDainian Tomlinson off of this year's top 5 list. His glory days are over. But now its DeAngelo's turn. He was almost considered to be a bust and falling off to Jonathan Stewart for the Panthers, but after last year's 18 touchdowns and amassing over 1,500 yards he is primed for another stellar season assuming that Jonathan Stewart doesn't get a majority of the carries. Whether there is a large difference in carries or if they end up being about 1:1, DeAngelo Williams has set his self on the national radar as a top teir running back in the NFL.