Fantasy Football Running Back Preseason Power Rankings

Power Rankings are everywhere these days, but not so much in the fantasy world. This is the first week of fantasy running back power rankings. Running backs are the most important part of any fantasy team. The picture will become much clearer after week one. The top 32 backs are written-up and the other 18 are just listed. Here are the top-50 fantasy running backs:

1. Ladanian Tomlinson, Chargers

Tomlinson is by far the top running back out there to start the season. His 31 touchdowns last season speak for themselves.

2. Steven Jackson, Rams

Steven Jackson moves up a spot with Larry Johnson not being 100% to start the season. Jackson should see a lot of touches this season and he should also find the endzone a lot.

3. Frank Gore, 49ers

Frank Gore was the NFC's leading rusher last season, but yards don't mean as much as touchdowns. Gore needs to improve on his touchdown total but with the improved 49ers offense he should be able to get a decent number. Gore is a nice top-5 pick.

4. Shaun Alexander, Seahawks

Shaun Alexander looks poised for a comeback year after his disappointing 2006 season (Madden curse, anyone?). His age is a question mark, but he will be the number one back in Seattle.

5. Larry Johnson, Chiefs

The only reason Johnson is this low in the rankings is because he has missed most of the preseason and will not be in 100% game shape for the start of the season. He should move up later in the season.

6. Joseph Addai, Colts

Joseph Addai will inherit the number one back position in Indianapolis this season and he will get his fair share of touches. While the Indy offense is pass-oriented, Addai should rush for some big gains with the passing opening up the run. Addai will score a good number of touchdowns as well.

7. Brian Westbrook, Eagles

Brian Westbrook does it all. He receives and catches at a great clip and Donovan McNabb has said he will gain over 2,000 total yards this season. Westbrook is another back who needs to find the endzone a little more.

8. Willie Parker, Steelers

Willie Parker has had two good seasons rushing for the Steelers. After his breakout year two seasons ago he has been rather consistent. He does need to find a way to fumble less.

9. Reggie Bush, Saints

Reggie Bush is a top-3 electrifying running back but he is only top-10 for fantasy. Until a time when he does not split carries he cannot be too high on the list. His return and receiving abilities do a good job making up for his lack of carries.

10. Willis McGahee, Ravens

Willis McGahee finds himself in a new home this season and that may be great news for him and his fantasy owners. McGahee is now on the team that helped Jamal Lewis top 2,000 yards only a few seasons ago.

11. Laurence Maroney, Patriots

Maroney is a little scary as a fantasy back because no one is quite sure how good he will be. He definitely has the talent, but he did fade down the stretch last season. He also will probably not play much on third downs with the combo of Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris looking to replace him in that situation.

12. Cedric Benson, Bears

Cedric Benson is finally the number one back in Chicago after a somewhat impatient wait by him and the fans. Benson will now be expected to carry the load and some question whether he can do it or not. He should put up some fantasy stats, but he may fade down the stretch when his carry numbers rise.

13. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars

Jones-Drew was a touchdown machine last season and he should put up about the same amount this season. He should get more touches as a running back with Taylor getting older and his receiving contributions will continue. He will not surprise defenses anymore, though, and this is a concern to his owners.

14. Rudi Johnson, Bengals

Rudi Johnson was ranked high in a lot of drafts but he is reaching the age of decline for running backs. Johnson will be a part of a great offense in Cincinnati, but Chris Perry might steel some reps from him. Kenny Irons going down in the preseason helps Johnson's value.

15. Edgerrin James, Cardinals

Edgerrin James had a down year last year, at least for him, and the question is will this continue? The Cardinals offensive line is very suspect and that will hurt him. James has the talent, but he is getting up there in age.

16. Ronnie Brown, Dolphins

Ronnie Brown is always promising, but the Dolphins offense is horrible. Brown owners need Trent Green to open up the field for Brown, or it will be a long season of sub 100-yard games.

17. Travis Henry, Broncos

Henry is going to one of the best running teams in the NFL, but he never seems to stay healthy. If he can stay healthy, and not fumble, he will be a good pickup.

18. Clinton Portis, Redskins

Portis went down last season and left the door open for Ladell Betts to show what he can do. This will probably lead to Portis losing carries this season and splitting more with Betts. Betts and Portis make a good combo, but any split backs are bad for fantasy owners. Look for Betts to take goal line carries as well.

19. Brandon Jacobs, Giants

Brandon Jacobs looks poised for a breakout year. He should also get a good number of goal line carries, which usually equals points. He should be a solid second-string back for any fantasy team.

20. Deuce McAllister, Saints

McAllister should still get a bulk of the carries in New Orleans. Look for him to have very similar numbers as last year.

21. Thomas Jones, Jets

Thomas Jones will now carry for the Jets. The offensive line for the Jets is alright but Jones is getting older. His numbers should decline and Leon Washington could steal some of his carries and touchdowns.

22. Marshawn Lynch, Bills

Marshawn Lynch looks like the annual breakout rookie but he has had a bad preseason. He definitely has the talent but taking him too high is a huge risk for your draft.

23. Adrian Peterson, Vikings

Adrian Peterson is candidate number two for breakout rookie running back. He will split time to start but he could earn the full workload if he plays well enough. He has some amazing talent and his size will allow him to get goal line touches.

24. Marion Barber III, Cowboys

Barber looks more likely to get the bulk of the workload in Dallas. Barber and Jones will split carries, but Barber will get the goal line touches, which should equal touchdowns. Take Barber before Jones in your draft.

25. Cadillac Williams, Buccaneers

Williams had an awful season last year with only 1 rushing touchdown. He is calling for more carries this season, which will help him and Jeff Garcia should be able to open the field for him better than the quarterbacks of last season.

26. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers

DeAngelo Williams has some great talent, but he will still split carries with DeShaun Foster. Williams probably will not get the goal line touches, but he is more able to break a long run for a TD.

27. Ahman Green, Texans

Ahman Green may not have much left in the tank and he has one of the worst offensive lines in front of him. He is still a starter, though, so this gives him some value.

28. Jerious Norwood, Falcons

Jerious Norwood should be the starter for the Falcons soon, but when? Norwood has some great talent and will also most certainly get goal line carries.

29. Jamal Lewis, Browns

Jamal Lewis is getting pretty old, but he may have a chip on his shoulder this season. He is not worth a top-2 running back pick, but he could have some great value as a third back.

30. Chester Taylor, Vikings

Chester Taylor figures to lose more and more carries as the season goes along. Peterson should get better as time goes on and Taylor will lose fantasy value.

31. Warrick Dunn, Falcons

Warrick Dunn still looks like the starter in Atlanta, but Norwood should get the bulk of the carries by the end of the season.

32. Julius Jones, Cowboys

Jones will get some carries and he has something to prove this season. Another disappointing year and he may not be on the Cowboys next season. He could have some value as a third back.

and the rest...

33. DeSahun Foster, Panthers

34. LenDale White, Titans

35. Fred Taylor, Jaguars

36. LaMont Jordan, Raiders

37. Michael Turner, Chargers

38. Ladell Betts, Redskins

39. Vernand Morency, Packers

40. Brandon Jackson, Packers

41. Tatum Bell, Lions

42. Chris Brown, Titans

43. Kevin Jones, Lions

44. Dominic Rhodes, Raiders

45. Leon Washington, Jets

46. Reuben Droughns, Giants

47. Mike Bell, Broncos

48. Anthony Thomas, Bills

49. Sammy Morris, Patriots

50. Brian Leonard, Rams