Fantasy Football Player Rankings & Projections

2010 Top Twenty Preseason Preview

 

Adrian Peterson

There is a definite scramble for the number one running back slot in 2010 and thus the number one overall spot, but Peterson's big-play ability combined with his goal line prowess makes him the ideal choice.

1. Adrian Peterson - Vikings - 2010 Preview:

Peterson has his weaknesses. He struggles to hold onto the football. He isn't a serious threat in passing situations. He is injury prone. But there is no doubt that he is the top-running back in the league. In what can be considered a "down-year" for Peterson, he won the rushing title and scrambled for 10 TDs. Adrian Peterson rushed for at least 75 yards in all but one game: a level of consistency unmatched by any other running back. He is the favorite to win lead the league in rushing yet again, and vows to be more incorporated in the passing game in 2010. Once the touchdowns come, he'll be unstoppable.

2008 Statistics: 1,760 Yds - 10 TD's - 21 Rec - 125 Yds - 0 TD's

2009 Projection: 1,796 Yds - 12 TD's - 23 Rec - 156 Yds - 1 TD

 

2. Matt Forte - Bears - 2010 Preview:

He may not be the best running back in the league, but he is arguably the most all-around. In his rookie season, Matt Forte was a true threat in Chicago as a rushing, receiving and blocking force. Forte lacks the explosiveness of other elite running backs, but he is an every-down back that has the possibility of touching the ball on every single play. The emergence of Jay Cutler will certainly bring some change to the Bears' offense in 2010. They might rely less on the running attack, but this could bode well for Forte as he will draw less attention from defenses and see more action in the passing game. He should be a lock for 300 carries, 1200 yards and 50 receptions.

2008 Statistics: 1,238 Yds - 8 TD's - 63 Rec - 477 Yds - 4 TD's

2009 Projection: 1,313 Yds - 10 TD's - 58 Rec - 501 Yds - 4 TD's

 

3. Maurice Jones-Drew - Jaguars - 2010 Preview:

Who does everyone expect to double his numbers from last year? That's right: MJD. His 5'7" stature makes us wonder if he is equipped to handle anything around 300 carries in a season. Plus the fact that he has never eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in his career might seem a little nerve-wracking. But despite his disadvantages, Jones-Drew is a phenomenal goal-line and a formidable receiving option. While the rushing yards might not be spectacular for him in 2010, he can score a lot of fantasy points by being a presence on the field in every situation. He could be the healthy Brian Westbrook of 2010.

2008 Statistics: 824 Yds - 12 TD's - 62 Rec - 565 Yds - 2 TD's

2009 Projection: 1,164 Yds - 13 TD's - 67 Rec - 605 Yds - 2 TD's

 

4. Michael Turner - Falcons - 2010 Preview:

Everybody saw Turner as a potential sleeper in 2008. What they didn't expect was the result: a 1,700 yard, 17 TD running back that powered a team from the NFC South's basement to a playoff powerhouse. 2008 was Turner's first true season as a running back, so expect him to have the healthiness to shoulder 350 more carries this year. Draft with caution, however. The last person to take as many carries as Turner did in 2008 was Larry Johnson. Before that: Shaun Alexander. But, his offensive line is young and strong, and the entire offense should continue to improve in 2010. Optimistically, his stats should be in the same ballpark as last season's

2008 Statistics: 1,699 Yds - 17 TD's - 6 Rec - 41 Yds - 0 TD's

2009 Projection: 1,582 Yds - 14 TD's - 8 Rec - 39 Yds - 0 TD's

 

5. Steven Jackson - Rams - 2010 Preview:

Will 2010 be the "redemption" year for Steven Jackson and the St. Louis Rams? After a tremendous 2006 season, where he posted over 1,500 yards and 90 receptions, he missed most of 2007 with a groin and back injury, and a significant part of 2008 with a quad injury. When Jackson is healthy, he can be the most dominant running back in the entire league. Even behind an atrocious offensive line, Jackson posted respectable numbers in 2008. This offseason, the Rams drafted a tackle with the 2nd overall pick and bulked up at fullback and center. They strengthening of the offensive line should help Jackson's numbers if he can stay healthy - a near impossible task. Expect him to improve drastically on the last two seasons, but drafting Jackson is high risk, high reward.

2008 Statistics: 1,043 Yds - 7 TD's - 40 Rec - 379 Yds - 1 TD

2009 Projection: 1,398 Yds - 11 TD's - 56 Rec - 494 Yds - 2 TD's

 

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6. Chris Johnson - Titans - 2010 Preview:

Chris Johnson is easily the fastest established running back in the league. He was the speediest guy in the entire 2008 draft, and seemed to mesh perfectly into the two-running-back system in Tennessee. There will be games when he might compile negative yardage, but when he gets room to run, he cannot be caught. But Lendale White ate away at the goal-line carries last year, recording six more touchdowns than the East Carolina graduate. Entering '09, we expect Johnson to mature as a runner and see an advanced role in the offense. Lendale White will still be there to prevent Johnson from becoming an unstoppable player, but if White's poor off-field behavior persists, Johnson could catapult into fantasy stardom.

2008 Statistics: 1,228 Yds - 9 TD's - 43 Rec - 260 Yds - 1 TD's

2009 Projection: 1,303 Yds - 9 TD's - 49 Rec - 352 Yds - 2 TD's

 

7. Ladainian Tomlinson - Chargers - 2010 Preview:

In what was his worst season of his entire career, Ladainian Tomlinson still managed to post 1,100 rushing yards and double-digit rushing touchdowns. He is no longer the most dominant running back in the league, but we still believe he's got some gas left in him at age 30. But, LT is clearly on his way down in San Diego. The front office nearly cut him this offseason. Plus, they placed a franchise tag on Darren Sproles. And although Norv Turner raves that Tomlinson will be the league's best running back this season, we don't buy it. Sproles isn't strong enough to drain LT's fantasy value, but he will undoubtedly keep him from doing anything too remarkable. With that said, you know you are going to get good, consistent fantasy production out of Tomlinson and that keeps the veteran in the top ten.

2008 Statistics: 1,110 Yds - 11 TD's - 52 Rec - 426 Yds - 1 TD

2009 Projection: 1,259 Yds - 12 TD's - 46 Rec - 401 Yds - 2 TD's