March RB Rankings

Tier one
1. Adrian Peterson (MIN)
Minnesota now has a QB who can keep the pressure of off him.

2. Clinton Portis (WAS)
Washington's offense should begin and end with him this year

3. Michael Turner (ATL)
Amazing runner, but each year Matt Ryan progresses, the Falcons will throw more and therefore Turner's numbers will dip slightly.

4. DeAngelo Williams (CAR)
Threat to score every time he touches the ball. Beware of an increased load for Jonathan Stewart though.

Tier two
5. Brandon Jacobs (NYG)
Now that Ward is gone, expect the mountain of a man Jacobs recieve 300+ carries, if he stays healthy.

6. Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX)
No longer has to share touches with Fred Taylor

7. Matt Forte (CHI)
Was Chicago's do-all and end-all player on offense last year. They haven't added much so expect more of the same.

8. Steven Jackson (STL)
Would be top 3 if he wasn't so injury prone (and if the Rams had an O-line)

Tier three
9. Chris Jonson (TEN)
Sensational rookie campaign, but runners that rely so much on speed always worry me...

10. Brian Westbrook (PHI)
The most versatile running back since Marshall Faulk, he just has a problem staying on the field.

11. Steve Slaton (HOU)
A perfect fit for the zone run scheme. Expect another great year.

12. Frank Gore (SF)
A versatile back who can contribute greatly...when he is healthy and playing on the west coast.

13 LaDanian Tomlinson (SD)
His YPC should head north of the 4.0 mark again, but Sproles will steal quite a few touches.

14. Marion Barber (DAL)
Punishing runners tend to have very short runs atop the fantasy world. Has his body taken too much abuse?

Tier 4
15. Ronnie Brown (MIA)
Now that he is over a year removed from his torn ACL, he should be quite a dynamic all around back again.

16. Thomas Jones (NYJ)
He's over 30, has a QB nobody is afraid of, and has a terrific athlete behind him. Bust watch!

17. Kevin Smith (DET)
Really came on strong the end of last year, but he plays for the Lions, that is never good.

18. Darren McFadden (OAK)
The Raiders have 2 starting material RBs in the backfield, he's had an injury history, and a below average O-Line. Don't put too much stock in him.

19. Willie Parker (PIT)
Shared carries with Mewelde Moore last year, and often times got outperformed. Now Mendenhall will be added to that mix.

20. Jonathan Stewart (CAR)
A load at runningback, he will be a very solid #2 this year.

Tier five
21. Ryan Grant (GB)
Didn't prove that the 2007 Ryan Grant was who he really is.

22. Joseph Addai (IND)
Banged up all of last year, something tells me he'll continue to be injured this year.

23. Pierre Thomas (NO)
Will take over the Deuce McAllister role, only will play it much more effectively. Still, the Saints will throw it 40+ times a game, leaving little value for Thomas

24. Cedric Benson (CIN)
Really came on strong down the stretch. Has he finally figured it out?

25. Larry Johnson (KC)
A definite canidate for suspensions, fines, benchings, etc.

26. Derrick Ward (TB)
Tampa has 3 or 4 runners who could all start. Be wary.

27. Willis McGahee (BAL)
Look for the Ray Rice to begin in Baltimore sooner rather than later

28. Marshawn Lynch (BUF)
If Fred Jackson performs well in his place, he could have trouble finding the starting lineup again.

29. Jamal Lewis (CLE)
He's old, he's slow, he's lucky he's Cleveland's only real option at RB (right now)

30. Sammy Morris (NE)
Will share carries with a stable of New England runners

31. Fred Jackson (BUF)
Performed better than Lynch last year. I expect the same this year.

32. Tim Hightower (ARI)
Has the goalline duties locked up, but will he be the go to guy for the rest of the field?

33. Leon Washington (NYJ)
Dynamic playmaker could steal several touches from started Thomas Jones

34. LenDale White (TEN)
I'm not sure he could break a 5.0 flat in the 40, but he will get his touchdowns

35. Darren Sproles (SD)
See: Leon Washington

36. Ray Rice (BAL)
I predict he takes over the starting job 6 weeks in.

37. Reggie Bush (NO)
A scat type back coming off microfracture surgery? No, thanks

38. Maurice Morris (SEA)
Was Seattle's most effective runner last year. (Congrats?)

Tier seix
39. Tashard Choice
40. LaMont Jordan
41. Jamaal Charles
42. Earnest Graham
43. Felix Jones
44. Ahmad Bradshaw
45. Carnell Williams
46. Justin Fargas
47. Michael Bush
48. Rashard Mendenhall
49. Mewelde Moore
50. Le'Ron McClain
51. Julius Jones
52. Warrick Dunn
53. Ricky Williams
54. Fred Taylor
55. Edgerrin James