| Running Back Rankings |
| Rank |
Team |
Player |
Rush Yds |
Yards Per Carry |
Receptions |
Rec Yards |
Total TDs |
| 31 |
 |
Brandon Jackson |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
A second-round pick out of Nebraska, Jackson has the perfect blend of speed and vision for Green Bay's "one-cut" running scheme. He's a little injury-prone, and Jackson struggled with blitz pick-ups and other nuances of the NFL early in training camp. But with only veteran Vernand Morency battling him for playing time, Jackson could easily emerge as the NFL's top rookie rusher this season.
|
| 32 |
 |
Julius Jones |
1,084 |
4.1 |
9 |
142 |
4 |
|
Jones has a lot of talent, and the retirement of former head coach Bill Parcells should make him a happier back. But even if he posts another 1,000-yard season, Jones does so little in the passing game. And teammate Marion Barber III will likely sub in for Jones in the red zone again, meaning few scoring opportunities for Jones. |
| 33 |
 |
DeShaun Foster |
897 |
4.0 |
32 |
159 |
3 |
Foster has a chance to beat out DeAngelo Williams for the starting job in Carolina. But a long, long injury history have caused the Panthers to look ahead to life without Foster. Even if Foster is in the starting lineup Week 1, the Panthers will likely go with RB of the Future Williams late in the year.
|
| 34 |
 |
LenDale White |
244 |
4.0 |
14 |
60 |
0 |
White is in a three-way battle for playing time with veteran Chris Brown and second-round draft pick Chris Henry. White is the most talented of the three, but attitude and conditioning problems have held him back. White should be a force near the goal line because of his size (6' 1", 235 lbs.) and ability to run inside. But he didn't find the end zone even once as a rookie.
|
| 35 |
 |
Fred Taylor |
1,146 |
5.0 |
223 |
242 |
6 |
|
Taylor in enetering what seems like his 89th season as the Jags' starting running back. The 31-year-old is still going strong, but the younger (and more talented) Maurice Jones-Drew will continue to eat into Taylor's playing time. |
| 36 |
 |
Ladell Betts |
1,154 |
4.7 |
53 |
445 |
5 |
|
After taking over the starting job late last year, Betts looked like one of the best all-around backs in the league. He picked up 1,152 yards from scrimmage in just nine games as a starter. But if Clinton Portis is healthy enough to play, Betts will likely be back in a part-time role.
|
| 37 |
 |
Warrick Dunn |
1,140 | 4.0 | 22 | 170 | 5 |
|
Dunn is coming off a third straight 100-yard season, but he had to undergo back surgery in the off-season. Now 32-years-old, the 180-pound Dunn has lasted longer than most backs his size. With second-year RB Jerious Norwood ready to take on a bigger role, look for Dunn's playing time to dwindle.
|
| 38 |
 |
LaMont Jordan |
434 |
3.8 |
10 |
74 |
2 |
|
Jordan was one of the most disappointing performers in fantasy football last season. He'll have a chance to carry a big load early in the season (free agent signee Dominic Rhodes is suspended for the first four games, and rookie Michael Bush has been slow to recover from a broken leg). Jordan might have to impress new head coach Lane Kiffin just to get any playing time later in the season. |
| 39 |
 |
Kevin Jones |
689 |
3.8 |
61 |
520 |
8 |
|
Jones's recovery from a major foot injury could keep him out of action early in the season, but he's coming along faster than originally thought. But he could have a tough time overtaking Tatum Bell for the starting job if Bell gets off to a fast start. Don't expect to see the old Kevin Jones until the 2008 season.
|
| 40 |
|
Dominic Rhodes |
641 |
3.4 |
36 |
251 |
5 |
|
After a strong post-season showing during the Colts' Super Bowl run last season, Rhodes signed with Oakland as a free agent and looked to be the favorite to win their starting job. But he was suspended for the first four games of the season after pleading guilty to a reckless driving charge. He'll have a good chance to overtake LaMont Jordan when he returns.
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