NFL: Fantasy Football: Ranking the Top 10 Running Backs in 2006

As a fantasy football team owner, you should pay close attention to the elite running backs in the NFL during training camp. A good and consistent running back can produce lots of points for your team every week. It is also important to study the players around your desired running back. Find out what is the main game plan of the team your running back plays for. If a specific rusher plays for a team that passes the ball more than running the ball, then you may want to look at another player. For every player that you wish to draft, research their statistics from previous years and past injuries. When looking at a running back to feel a roster spot for your fantasy football team, check for receiving yardage and receiving touchdowns. A rusher who can run and catch is a bonus to your team. A rusher who can run and catch is a bonus to your team.

Top 10 Running Backs

10. Steven Jackson – St. Louis Rams
Jackson started to make some noise in 2005 with 1046 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. This year, the Rams expect Steven Jackson to carry the load in the backfield. Look for Jackson to have a very good year.

9. Carnell “Cadillac” Williams – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 2005 rookie of the year will be ready to roll for the upcoming 2006-2007 season. Williams is a consistent running back that will get decent yards every week as well as good amount of touchdowns throughout the season.

8. Lamont Jordan – Oakland Raiders
Lamont Jordan had a solid year in Oakland with 1025 yards rushing and 9 touchdowns. Jordan is another consistent rusher that should compliment your fantasy football team very well. Lamont Jordan is also good at catching passes out of the backfield. Last year he caught 70 passes for 563 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns.

7. Rudi Johnson – Cincinnati Bengals
In the last 2 years, Rudi Johnson has rushed for almost 3,000 yards and 24 rushing touchdowns. One year I had Johnson on my team as a backup running back. Due to an injury to my starting rusher, I reluctantly put this unknown player in the line-up. He helped me when 5 games straight.

6. Clinton Portis – Washington Redskins
Portis proved the critics wrong when he broke the franchise rushing record with 1516 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2005. This year, its very possible that Clinton Portis can exceed the Redskins rushing record due to the additions of receivers Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El. The passing game will free up room for Clinton Portis to run wild in 2006.

5. Edgerrin James – Arizona Cardinals
James is a complete NFL running back that will finally put the Cardinals on the map. He will also produce many points for your fantasy football team. Edgerrin scored 14 times in 2005 and has averaged about 1500 yards rushing in his last two seasons with the Colts.

4. Tiki Barber – New York Giants
The older Tiki Barber gets the better he is as a NFL running back. Barber ran for 1860 yards and caught more than 50 passes for 530 yards. The best stat that will make fantasy football team owners happy is the decline in fumbles from Barber.

3. LaDainian Tomlinson – San Diego Chargers
Tomlinson can run the football, throw for touchdowns, and catch passes out of the backfield; a fantasy football owners dream. I expect another great season out of LaDainian this upcoming season.

2. Larry Johnson – Kansas City Chiefs
After the injury to Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson took the NFL by storm with 1750 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns in only 9 starts. Now that Johnson is the starting running back for the Chiefs this season, he could make more yards.

1. Shaun Alexander – Seattle Seahawks
He owns the NFL record for touchdowns and led the league in rushing yards in with 1,880 in 2005. Shaun Alexander is finally receiving the credit he deserves from the media. However, he is not a stranger to fantasy football team owners. Rank him high, very high.