Every fantasy football guru knows that the key to winning your league lies in your running backs. Yahoo! Fantasy Sports has released its pre-season rankings and to no one’s surprise the top 10 players are running backs. However, being a fantasy all-star myself, I know that the pre-season rankings never accurately reflect this coming season’s actual post-season rankings. So, I have provided a list of who the top 10 RBs will be at the end of the season.
Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football (IVANCAMPOS.COM rankings in bold)
1. LaDainian Tomlinson
(#1-This is a no-brainer. LT is the best, but not necessary to win your league)
2. Steven Jackson
(#3 - My starting RB from last year can reach the end zone from the ground or air)
3. Larry Johnson
(#2 - LJ should challenge LT in terms of rushing yards, but is not a great pass catcher)
4. Joseph Addai
(OVER-RATED - #6 - Let someone else draft the Super Bowl Champion RB as the Colts’ line has yet to prove itself)
5. Shaun Alexander
(#4 - Alexander’s numbers fell off due to injury, but expect a strong comeback this season)
6. Frank Gore
(#5 - I was able to steal Frank Gore with my second to last pick last season, expect this former U. of Miami star to continue shining in ‘07)
7. Rudi Johnson
(#7 - Expect his numbers to fall slightly as Palmer and Cinco-Ocho hook up more often in 2007)
8. Laurence Maroney
( OVER-RATED - The paper champion Patriots will have their receivers covered game after game, can Maroney dominate a game…I doubt it)
9. Brian Westbrook
(#9 - With Donnie Mac back in fold, Westbrook should return to prominence)
10. Willie Parker
(OVER-RATED - In the post Cowher era, Parker is a decent back for a team on the decline)
11. Travis Henry
(OVER-RATED - Would avoid him as Henry should not be a top 1 or 2 back in any league)
13. Ronnie Brown
(SLEEPER - #8 - My second RB last year, ran into the injury bug, if Trent Green can bring some QB stability to Miami, expect ex-Charger Offensive (LT) Coordinator Cam Cameron to bring some of the same to Miami)
14. Reggie Bush
(SHARING - Sure he can receive and return kicks, but with Deuce stealing red zone carries, Reggie is spectacular to watch , but not a great fantasy option)
15. Maurice Jones-Drew
(SHARING - Fred “Injured” Taylor will take away some of Jones-Drew’s attempts, unless Taylor gets injured againg, Jones-Drew is not a top 20 pick)
16. Brandon Jacobs
(SLEEPER - Getting Tiki Barbers carries should help this power runner’s red zone scores)
17. Willis McGahee
(SLEEPER - #10 - With the Ravens D, McGahee should not have to work as hard to score this season)
18. Cedric Benson
(SLEEPER - Benson is now the man in Chicago, if Grossman can minimize turnovers, expect big numbers with help from the Bears big D)
OFF THE RADAR, GIANT SLEEPERS - Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, Thomas Jones - Pick these number two RBs ahead of the OVER-RATED players. There is some risk, but the next Frank Gore should come from here)
