11. Brandon Jacobs
The bruising back scored 15 TDs in 2008 and rushed for a thousand yards in his just 13 games. This year, with the uncertainty at receiver, the running game becomes even more of a focal point and that means a lot of Jacobs.
12. Steve Slaton
Initially pegged as a third down back, Slaton showed he was much more. Now’s he’s considered one of the building blocks for the franchise and after 1,282 and nine TDs it’s easy to see why. With Andre Johnson commanding much of the defenses attention, look for Slaton to once again flourish.
13. Frank Gore
Gore’s a talented back who has taken a few steps back over the past few seasons. The entire 49ers’ offense has for that matter. Things are looking brighter by the Bay this season and perhaps the weapons on the outside will open things up once again for Gore.
14. Marion Barber
Barber’s as tough a runner as they come, but the real question is whether he’s durable; last season didn’t answer that in the affirmative. Still, with a big offensive line and a pro bowl QB, Barber will be featured and should produce.
15. Larry Johnson
2008 was a wash as he went down with an injury shortly after the midpoint of the season. With the improvements to this year’s version of the offense, notably at QB, look for LJ to be a nice surprise this year and a nice fantasy sleeper pick.
16. Ronnie Brown
Most of Brown’s fantasy value in 2008 came from his five TD effort (one passing) against the Patriots in Week three. Overall he finished with 11 total TDs and just under a thousand yards rushing. Now fully recovered from his knee injury a few years back, look for Brown to carry a heavy load and produce in 2009. He’s very dangerous in the Wild Cat formation too.
17. Thomas Jones
Jones had a very strong 2008 campaign and finished fourth in fantasy football scoring. This year he’s bickering over his contract, playing with an inexperienced QB, and all but certain to lose carries to Leon Washington. He still should have a solid season, just not like last year.
18. Joseph Addai
Addai was a top five fantasy back last year but injuries ravished his season. And now Indy used their top pick on Donald Brown out of UConn which doesn’t bode well for Addai. If the offensive line comes together, and he can stay healthy, he’ll end up ranked much higher than this pre-season ranking.
19. Kevin Smith
The second-year back from the 0-16 team had a solid rookie campaign coming on strong in the end. Calvin Johnson always keeps the safety out of the box and Smith showed he could run inside, or outside, so expect improvement in his sophomore season.
20. Ryan Grant
The wonder back of 2007 certainly didn’t transfer it over to 2008, but a lot of that can be attributed to his training camp injury after his holdout. With no hold out this year, and a very good offense around him, look for Grant to bounce back.
kutu62
August 11th, 2009 at 22:18
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Ryan Grant should please everyone this year. His ADP is 33 which is a great value and make Grant a hidden gem.
Deborah Lagarde
August 19th, 2009 at 14:38
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A few months ago you listed Ronnie Brown as the best RB in the AFC East and yet now you don't even mention him on your top twenty (putting Lynch and Jones on it, but not Ronnie Brown?) Guess you changed your mind…Weird.
Deborah Lagarde
August 19th, 2009 at 18:38
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A few months ago you listed Ronnie Brown as the best RB in the AFC East and yet now you don't even mention him on your top twenty (putting Lynch and Jones on it, but not Ronnie Brown?) Guess you changed your mind…Weird.
Pro Football 101 » Fantasy Busts: RB in 2009
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:51
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[...] be cautious come fantasy draft time; grab him too high and you could regret it. Share and [...]