ELITE
LaDainian Tomlinson - San Diego Chargers
Tomlinson's 2006 was the best regular season for an NFL
running back...EVER! LT's touchdown total (33 including his
2 passing TDs) doubled the total of every RB last season
(except LJ who managed 19). Bascially, if you had LaDainian
on your roster last year...his TD output was more than any RB
duo your opponent could muster. Tomlinson led the league in
rushing yards (1815) and was just 11 yards behind in total
yardage (2323). If there was a knock on Tomlinson for 2006,
it was that he and his team were possibly too good...LT did
not score in weeks 16 or 17 (most fantasy superbowls). But
if you were lucky enough to have Tomlinson on your roster, he
single-handedly gave you a chance to win your league. With
no indication things will be different in San Diego,
LaDainian Tomlinson will continue as the coveted fantasy
player for 2007...and will certainly go 1st in every fantasy
draft.
2006 Stats Rush yds-1815 Rec yds-508 TDs–31
Steven Jackson - St. Louis Rams
Jackson's 2334 total yards in 2006 led the league as he
complimented his rushing touches with 90 (NINETY) receptions
(and only 3 WRs had more)! Steven Jackson finished slightly
behind Larry Johnson in TD production (16 to LJ's 19), but
SJax scored 10 of his 16 TDs in the final 4 games! Jackson
built a huge head of steam as the season progressed to finish
with 684 yards / 10 TDs in his last 4 games (weeks 14-17).
If Jackson owners made their fantasy playoffs last year, SJ
was enough to push them to a fantasy Superbowl victory.
Steven Jackson is a 231-pound HOSS and will be at the top of
fantasy draft boards...which has some fantasy owners
wondering if he may exceed Tomlinson's numbers given his
dominance on the field at the end of 2006. Head Coach Scott
Linehan learned to utilize Jackson with conviction in '06,
and SJax didn't disappoint.
2006 Stats Rush yds-1528 Rec yds-806 TDs–16
Larry Johnson - Kansas City Chiefs
LaDainian's freakish '06 numbers have many (most of whom had
LJ as their #1 preseason last year) forgetting the output of
Larry Johnson. Although shadowed by LT, Johnson busted out
and pounded defenses for massive yards and more than his
share of TDs. Coach Herman Edwards stated last preseason
that the Chiefs would run the ball 550 times in '06 - and he
proved to be a prophet as Johnson got 416 of them (most in
the league). LJ had nearly exact yardage totals to LT, but
his TD totals and yards per carry paled in comparison.
Regardless, his 2199 total yards and 19 TDs were more than
respectable and rewarded Johnson owners with solid
production. Kansas City will return with a strong offensive
line and determination to run the football. The parting of
QB Trent Green should help the situation in KC and keep the
durable Johnson on the field for similar stats in 2007.
2006 Stats Rush yds-1789 Rec yds-410 TDs–19
Joseph Addai - Indianapolis Colts
Super-sophomore Joseph Addai climbs into the top 5 on our
board for several reasons. The fact that the super-bowl
champion running back rolled over a Bears' top ranked
defense is just one reason why we believe he'll finish with
top 5 fantasy numbers in 2007. Gone is Dominic Rhodes from
the Indy offense...leaving Addai and his versatility to
handle nearly all of the Colt touches out of the backfield.
Like Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James before him, Joseph
Addai inherits a powerful Indy offense that features the RB
heavily in both the running and passing games. Addai may
arguably have the skills equal to or better than either of
his predecessors...and he's in a better offense with Peyton
in his prime.
2006 Stats Rush yds-1081 Rec yds-325 TDs–9
Laurence Maroney - New England Patriots
Like Addai above, Maroney is another of the super-sophs (as
is Bush in New Orleans) in our top 10. And, like Addai,
Laurence Maroney is a benefactor of a top 3 NFL offense. An
additional similarity is the fact that no longer will Maroney
have to yield carries to a veteran (Corey Dillon) with
Dillon's exit in the off-season...leaving Maroney to nearly
all of the touches out of the Patriot backfield in 2007.
Laurence Maroney is a beast extremely capable of pounding
opposing defenses for 4 quarters. Maroney was used to 200
yard games at the University of Minnesota when the Gophers
held any type of lead...and expect more of the same in New
England this season as the Patriots destroy teams on both
sides of the ball. The 21-3 halftime score in Indy at the
2006 AFC conference championship game is an indication that
New England will pile on the insurance points this year...
and Maroney will play a major role in the slaughters.
2006 Stats Rush yds-745 Rec yds-194 TDs–7
Shaun Alexander - Seattle Seahawks
Alexander went off with 28 TDs in 2005 only to be followed by
a down season last year. The injury bug finally caught up
with "Alex the Great" after becoming the league's best
rusher over the previous 5 seasons. And Seattle was not the
same without Alexander's presence for a full year. Always a
workhorse, Alexander is expected to bounce back in 2007
without missing a beat. Upon a healthy return this Fall,
he'll continue as the focal point of the Seahawk offense...
and should be good for 15+ TDs and 1500+ yards.
2006 Stats Rush yds-896 Rec yds-48 TDs–7
ROCK SOLID
Frank Gore - San Francisco 49ers
Frank Gore rushed for 1695 yards (3rd most in the NFL) with
the San Francisco 49ers...a team previously thought to remain
in the cellar for all of 2006. Gore was as consistent as he
was dominant with a total yardage performance of 2180 (4th
behind SJax, LT, and LJ). FG's TDs totaled just 9, but 6 of
his TDs came in the last half of the season. The whole NFL
noticed Gore's feats last year and so did the Niners...who
responded by beefing up their offense this past off-season
around Gore. It's true that Gore had a brilliant year in
'06, but he still comes with some risks. Aside from the fact
that Gore isn't yet in a high-powered offense (eg: Indy, Pats,
SD, etc.), he has a history of 2 blown knees and 2 repaired
shoulders...just enough to bump him out of ELITE status for
2007.
2006 Stats Rush yds-1695 Rec yds-485 TDs–9
Brian Westbrook - Philadelphia Eagles
Even with the departure of Donovan McNabb due to injury, "Mr.
Versatility" continued to put up nice numbers in 2006. With
77 receptions (huge for a RB), Westbrook led the Eagles in
catches and rewarded fantasy owners huge in leagues
compensating RBs with receptions. Westbrook's TD total (11)
tied him at 9th overall among running backs, but his combined
yardage-TD factor were enough to boost him up to 6th in
fantasy RB value for the year. Westbrook is an all-around RB
that is as much of a wide receiver as he is a running back.
2007 will be another year where Westbrook gets the bulk of the
passes in the Philly offense (73 receptions in '04, 61 in '05,
and 77 last year!). Westbrook is Philly's best back and their
best receiver...he'll again get his numbers and be a quality
fantasy performer performer for another year.
2006 Stats Rush yds-1217 Rec yds-699 TDs–11
Reggie Bush - New Orleans Saints
Deuce McAllister kept me from ranking Reggie Bush in the top
ten last season, but Bush's talent is just too much to keep
him off of the field this year. Anyone who watched Reggie
Bush understands his ability to bust huge plays anytime he
touches the ball. Deuce will likely continue to be the
workhorse in the Saint offense, but keep in mind that Bush
caught 88 (EIGHTY-EIGHT) passes with McAllister as the
featured running back!!! The versatility in the New Orleans
offense with the likes of Brees, McAllister, Bush, Colston,
and 1st round rookie WR Robert Meachem will scare opposing
defenses and provide Reggie Bush owners an opportunity to
score fantasy points in every way possible...including
special teams for leagues who reward performances in the
return game.
2006 Stats Rush yds-565 Rec yds-742 TDs–9
Rudi Johnson - Cincinnati Bengals
Rudi put up 12 TDs in 2006 and was able to spread his scoring
across the year...which was some nice consistency for his
fantasy owners. And coincidentally, Rudi's numbers were
nearly identical to 2005 totals (12 TDs and 1400+ rushing
yards). Many Bengal fans expected huge stats for Rudi in
Cincy's growing experience on offense, but Johnson again
stayed the course - and he'll probably repeat in 2007. Until
the Bengals find a more versatile pass-catching back in the
backfield, they'll stick to Rudi Johnson's North-South
running style and his consistent 12 TD / 1400 yard seasons.
2006 Stats Rush yds-1308 Rec yds-124 TDs–12
Willie Parker - Pittsburgh Steelers
Fast Willie was "up and down Willie" throughout the season.
Parker had 7 games of 125+ yards and scored multiple TDs in
most of those games, but he also had 4 games where he put up
47 yards or less (and didn't have a score in any of those 4
games). While getting a considerable number of touches,
Parker's yards per touch are fairly low. Although
inconsistent, Parker's 16 total TDs and respectable yardage
were enough to boost him to 4th overall of NFL fantasy RBs
for '06. "Fast Willie Parker" was a phenom who busted out in
2005 and carried over to '06 as the un-drafted free-agent
seemingly came out of nowhere to shock nearly everyone with
his quickness and elusiveness. Parker is top dog in an
offense that likes the run, but considering Pittsburgh's woes
last season, they'll need to change things up a bit to be a
little more competitive - and Willie isn't much of a pass
receiver out of the backfield.
2006 Stats Rush yds-1494 Rec yds-222 TDs–16
SOLID
Cedric Benson - Chicago Bears
The Bears face 2007 as the defending NFC Champions and
without a controversy at running back. Thomas Jones left for
the Jets leaving Cedric Benson to carry 90% of the load.
When on the field last year, Benson was supreme...but not
enough to upseat Jones. CB is a huge sleeper candidate as
a versatile/strong RB behind a solid O-line (despite a QB
who makes ill-advised throws when the team should be running
the football). Benson may not come cheap, but he could end
up being one of the best values in this year's running back
crop. At present, I have Benson ranked 12th...but expect him
to make the most of his many touches in the Bear offense to
easily finish in the top 10 by season's end.
2006 Stats Rush yds-647 Rec yds-54 TDs–6
Edgerrin James - Arizona Cardinals
I just have to wonder if Edge ever thought he made a mistake
in moving to Arizona...especially after Indianapolis won the
Superbowl!?! James was lucky to make it back to the line of
scrimmage on many of Arizona's plays in 2006 - largely due to
an inexperienced QB and a horrible offensive line. But Edge
is still one of the top RBs in the NFL, and the Cardinals are
starting to improve their offense. The addition of RT
Levi Brown and a year beneath sophomore QB Matt Leinart should
help the Cardinal offense and Edgerrin James to approach more
respectable numbers in 2007.
2006 Stats Rush yds-1159 Rec yds-217 TDs–6
Thomas Jones - New York Jets
Thomas Jones has always been an underrated back with mucho
natural ability. The stint in Chicago allowed Jones to show
his wares, but an unforeseen draft of Cedric Benson forced a
split of carries for the Bear rushers...although Jones
clearly had his share of touches for the Superbowl runner-up.
The move to New York solidifies a lock on the starting RB for
TJ, but opens some questions about the ability of the Jets
and their offensive line to support him. If Jones is able to
stay healthy, look for him to put up 1800 total yards with a
dozen TDs for the Jets and his fantasy owners.
2006 Stats Rush yds-1210 Rec yds-154 TDs–6
Clinton Portis - Washington Redskins
Portis' explosion in 2005 placed him in the top 5 on many
draft boards going into 2006. But a pre-season shoulder
injury had Portis moving down the fantasy charts. "Mum" was
the word in Washington regarding the injury, but the Skins
tipped their hand a bit with the trade for T.J. Duckett from
Atlanta. As expected, Portis' shoulder injury lingered until
an eventual knee injury sidelined him in week 10...allowing
Ladell Betts to step up and raise eyebrows by some. Don't
expect a RBBC in Washington, but Portis' needs to step up and
handle the load...and if he regains his former self, Portis
will be good for some top 10 fantasy numbers to finish the
season.
2006 Stats Rush yds-523 Rec yds-170 TDs–7
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