Top 10 2009 Fantasy Football Running Backs

It seems as if NFL running backs age according to dog years instead of the human timetable as quickly as the stud running back's star fades. Marshall Faulk, Priest Holmes and LaDainian Tomlinson have all taken their turns as the top fantasy football running backs in recent years, then dropped like a philandering politician's approval ratings.

Now there is a new generation of star fantasy football running backs led by Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings. As those of us who play fantasy football know all too well, in most fantasy football leagues the running back position is the most critical and depth is a must.

Here is my list of the top 10 fantasy football running backs for 2009 at the most critical running back position.

10. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants. While Jacobs has a history of missing games every year due to injury, you can pencil Brandon jacobs in for 1,200 or so yards, but more importantly, 15 or more touchdowns. You won't get a lot of receiving yards out of this punishing runner, but on the plus side, Derrick Ward is gone. While Jacobs will still split time in the Giants' ball control offense, look for Jacobs to get a few of the carries that would have gone to Ward.

9. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers. While LT is clearly on the wane, he still should be good for over 1,000 yards and 10+ touchdowns once again. More importantly, last season in an "off year", Tomlinson had 52 catches for 426 yards and a TD.

8. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers. This Gore will not likely win an Oscar or Nobel Peace Prize, but with pass happy Mike Martz out as offensive coordinator and head coach Mike Singletary more of a smash mouth kind of guy, look for Frank Gore's carries to increase in 2009. The Niners lack of a proven QB could hurt, but with Martz out, the team will not give up on the running game as quickly.

7. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins. While Portis will never put up the numbers like he did in Denver's offense, the multi-faceted Portis put up over 1,700 total yards in 2008 with 9 scores. With a consistently effective quarterback, Portis would rank higher, but this Clinton should have another couple of good years in D.C.

6. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles. Only a history of injury keeps Westbrook from moving higher up the ranks among fantasy football running backs. Although Westbrook's rushing stats in 2008 were down, this mighty mite had over 400 yards receiving to total 1,338 total yards and 5 scores receiving to total 14 TDs overall.

5. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars. MJD's numbers should rise with longtime partner Fred Taylor in New England. Word is the Jags are featuring Jones-Drew in 2009 and with an impressive 62 receptions last season, this Barry Sanders' "mini-me" doesn't have to come out on 3rd down. MJD's total of 1,389 total yards and 14 scores in 2008 should go even higher as a fantasy football running back in 2009.

4. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers. After splitting time with others in previous years, DeAngelo Williams had a breakout season in 2008 with 1,636 yards rushing and receiving combined and 20 total touchdowns. The dash in the smash and dash combo with Jonathon Stewart had several long runs last year in a run-oriented offense. While Stewart will take away some of Williams' carries in the redzone, this dynamic runner should be a premier fantasy football running back again in 2009.

3. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons. Ever since seeing this guy play for Northern illinois in college, I always thought Turner would be a star if given the featured role in an NFL offense. Last season Turner proved himself in a big way with 1,699 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns. 2009 could be even better with Matt Ryan having a year under his belt at QB and defenses not being able to load the box with defenders. If this guy were a vehicle, a Hummer comes to mind immediately.

2. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears. With 1,715 total yards and 12 total TDs in 2008 as a rookie, Forte surpassed the totals of more famous running backs from the 2008 NFL draft. With the arrival of Jay Cutler in the Windy City, Forte's numbers in 2009 should be even better. An outstanding receiver, if Adrian Peterson slips or misses a few games with injuries, Forte could even turn out to be the #1 fantasy football running back in 2009.

1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings. In a 16 game season, assuming Peterson is able to avoid injury, with even a competent QB it's only a matter of time before Peterson hits the 2,000 yard mark. It just might happen in 2009, especially if Brett Favre comes out of retirement yet again, giving the Vikes a downfield passing threat they have lacked since the departures of Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper. That's assuming Favre's arm is sound for a 16 game season. Even with Tarvaris Jackson under center, Peterson should be good for 1,800-2000 total yards and 12-15 TDs, making Adrian Peterson the #1 fantasy football running back in 2009.