Top 5 RBs

These rankings are based on a standard redraft league.
YPC = Yards Per Carry
YPG = Yards Per Game (Always based on 16 games)


5. Frank Gore - San Francisco 49ers
Experience: 3rd Season
Bye Week: 6

1 Year Total (2006):
Yards Rushing: 1695 (5.4 YPC)
Yards Receiving: 485 (30.3 YPG)
Touchdowns: 9

Last season's breakout sensation.
He has very limited wear & tear, but is recovering from a broken hand. Gore has arguably the biggest bandwagon beyond the Top 2 RBs.
Will he launch himself up amongst LT and S-Jax this season?

Concern: Gore has only 1 season as a feature back. His comfort level using his broken hand is a major key...will it cause him to fumble? Will he be as effective in the passing game?
He tends to struggle at the goal line, therefore, I can't rank him up there with the touchdown machines above.

Upside: I don't think last season was a fluke at all. Gore plays in a rapidly emerging offense, for a rapidly improving team. The 49ers went out and brought in all sorts of help via free agency. His ceiling is higher than Alexander's.

4. Shaun Alexander - Seattle Seahawks
Experience: 8th Season
Bye Week: 8

3 Year Averages (2004-06):
Yards Rushing: 1491 (4.6 YPC)
Yards Receiving: 99 (6.2 YPG)
Touchdowns: 17

The former TD King's value is down slightly this season following his 2006 (10 starts) that was marred by a broken foot. Prior to that, Alexander had always been a highly reliable workhorse...those are the only 6 games he's missed in his NFL career.
His 3-year splits are skewed low due to his lost 2006. The guy puts up impressive numbers year in and year out.

Concern: There is no denying that Alexander has endured a tremendous workload. He's had 325+ carries per year every season, not counting 2006, since 2003. He figures to slow down sooner rather than later. His YPC dipped from 5.1 in 2005 to 3.6 in 2006, but that is due more to the injury than to declining skills. Won't give you much of anything in the passing game.

Upside: He's still a touchdown machine. That is exactly what you want in fantasy. Prior to 2006 he was basically as automatic as they come. The fact that some people are concerned about his return makes him a gift if he slides past #4 overall.

3. Larry Johnson - Kansas City Chiefs
Experience: 5th Season
Bye Week: 8

2 Year Averages (2005-06):
Yards Rushing: 1770 (4.7 YPC)
Yards Receiving: 377 (23.6 YPG)
Touchdowns: 20

2005. 9 games started. 1750 yards. 20 TDs.
What else really needs to be said about LJ's ridiculous potential? The guy averages over 2000 combined yards per season.
He's a 5th year back, but is only entering his 3rd year as the featured back.
Despite the presence of Tony Gonzalez, he easily remains the Chiefs' #1 red zone option.

Concern: RBs with Johnson's 2006 workload (416 carries) have historically nosedived in the following seasons and never recovered. See Jamal Anderson and Jamal Lewis. He has an awful QB situation, the Offensive Line is patchwork and old. Has not yet officially signed his contract extension.

Upside: Despite those facts, LJ is still young and will be constantly fed the ball. The contract extension is imminent. Plus, just look at those 2005 numbers.

2. Steven Jackson - St. Louis Rams
Experience: 4th Season
Bye Week: 9

2 Year Averages (2005-06):
Yards Rushing: 1287 (4.3 YPC)
Yards Receiving: 563 (35.1 YPG)
Touchdowns: 13

Jackson only started 3 games in 2004, therefore, his stats are not included from that season.
The Rams still love to air it out, but he'll likely give you more receiving yards than LT, plus with 3 fewer seasons of wear & tear, his ceiling may actually be higher. If you don't have the #1 overall pick in your draft, you really can't go wrong taking Jackson at #2. There are question marks for each and every RB afterwards.

Concern: He's only had 1 season to prove himself, but I'm sold.

Upside: He's young, has had a limited workload so far, and much like Tomlinson, he has excellent weapons surrounding him to limit defensive pressure.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson - San Diego Chargers
Experience: 7th Season
Bye Week: 7

3 Year Averages (2004-06):
Yards Rushing: 1537 (4.5 YPC)
Yards Receiving: 440 (27.5 YPG)
Touchdowns: 23 (Not including Passes)

Is there really any debate here?
Averaging nearly 2000 combined yards and 23 TDs per season?! That's just obscene. If you don't take LT with the #1 pick, you should just mail in your payment and not bother with any further participation.

Concern: He's had a very high workload throughout his career. The Chargers' primary game plan is still LT right, LT left and LT up the gut...with a little LT in the flats for flavor. Realistically, no chance of matching last season's insane output.

Upside: With Philip Rivers gaining growth and becoming a comfortable NFL QB, along with excellent weapons in Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson, defenses cannot simply stack the box in order to attempt to limit LT.