Top 21 Rb's

[The Great Gambini]

I still think portis will be a top three back after he gets traded.

Well, you pretty much need him to be, the way the rest of your team is lookin.

[NFLknowitall]

My list:

1) Ladanian Tomlinson
2) Priest Holmes
3) Jamal Lewis
4) Ahman Green
5) Deuce McAllister
6) Clinton Portis
7) Shaun Alexander
8) Marshall Faulk
9) Fred Taylor
10) Ricky Williams
11) Edgerrin James
12) Stephen Davis
13) Curtis Martin
14) Tiki Barber
15) Travis Henry
16) Eddie George
17) Kevan Barlow
18) Domanick Davis
19) Corey Dillon
20) Anthony Thomas
21) Brian Westbrook

I'm just using this list as an example. If you guys notice, every year 4 or 5 runningbacks who were in the top 10 are replaced by new top 10 backs. I believe the secret to success is making the right choice on who those next 4 or 5 RB's who are going to make that leap might be. If you just keep going on last years stat's it doesn't work out too well. Let's see someone add Kevin Jones and Stephan Jackson to their list for starters.

Don't tell me that you don't know what team the rookies will play for.... b/c you don't know were Dillon, Staley, Hearst, Garner etc will be either. Who is most likely to drop out of the top 10? And who are the most likely 5 players to make the jump? That is the quest.

[springfield atoms]

i kinda grade RBs by tier.....


the top teir are the three studs based on last year's performances.....these are not only the best RBs, but among the best players in all of fantasy football...


ladanian tomlinson
ahman green
priest holmes


the second group is guys who are at the top of the RB charts and have a possiblity of jumping into the top tier....(in no particular order)

duece mcallister
jamal lewis (legal questions)
clinton portis
ricky williams
shaun alexander
marshall faulk

just to comment on williams, as someone said below, he had 1700 total yards and double digit TDs in a DOWN season...i think he gets underrated and could jump back to 2002 numbers. when faulk plays, he is still a stud.


group no. 3 are guys who are solid players and somewhat consistent. if they are your no. 2 back you have a great combo, but if they are your no. 1 back i think you are a little behind. some of these guys may sneak into group two, but they have little chance of group one.....course, they could also fall out pretty far as well...


ed james
curtis martin
fred taylor
stephen davis
tiki barber (barely here)
travis henry (the mcgahee effect??)



group 3a

these are guys who MIGHT be in group 3, but there are just some questions about them....younger guys getting nod for first time, etc....


domanick davis
rudy johnson
kevan barlow
marcel shipp

barber and henry might fit here as well



group 4 vets who have been productive but are slowing down....


eddie george
duce staley
corey dillon

group 4a: guys who have shown the potential to step up...but can they do it given the full time chance


suggs
westbrook/buckhalter
chris brown


i honestly think the key with RBs is that if you don't have a stud, you HAVE to watch the FA market for hot players.

i mean, guys like davis, westbrook, rudi and other players seem to pop up every season. even if its only for a 3-4 game stretch, these guys can make a difference.

[NFLknowitall]

1st Tier:
1) Ladanian Tomlinson (agreed #1 overall)
2) Priest Holmes (still tough at age 31)
3) Ahman Green (getting better every year)
4) Deuce McAllister (9 100 yard games!)
5) Clinton Portis (Redskins affect?)
2nd Tier:
6) Shaun Alexander (Holmgren doghouse?)
7) Jamal Lewis (drug dealer = ??)
8) Ricky Williams (can he bounce back)
9) Kevan Barlow (expecting a big year)
10) Fred Taylor (can he stay healthy?)
11) Edgerrin James (knee fully healed)
12) Stephen Davis (splitting with Foster=RBBC)
13) Rudi Johnson (can he handle the full time job?)
14) Domanick Davis (can he last 16 games?)
15) Stephan Jackson (he can run over or around you)
3rd Tier:
16) Tiki Barber (fumbles=Coughlin doghouse?)
17) Travis Henry (McGahee ready=RBBC)
18) Corey Dillon (where will he be?)
19) Kevin Jones (215lbs. with 4.4 speed)
20) Brian Westbrook (breakout ability, injury prone?)
21) Michael Bennett/Onterrio Smith/Moe Williams (RBBC)
3rd Tier:
22) Greg Jones (250lbs freight train, possible Cowboy)
23) Curtis Martin (to old to carry the load?)
24) Marshall Faulk (to old, slow and brittle)
25) Eddie George (Brown will replace)
26) Anthony Thomas (still the starter?)
27) Willie Green/Lee Suggs (Who will it be?)

As you can tell, I still have a lot of questions to be answered. Time will tell.

[ABC]

Not taking into account any of the rookies this year since we don't know which team they will be on.

** in no particular order **

1ST TIER:
-----------
ladanian tomlinson
priest holmes
ahman green
jamal lewis
clinton portis (even with the Redskins)

2ND TIER:
-------------
deuce mcallister (on the verge of moving into the top tier)
shaun alexander (on the verge of moving into the top tier)
ricky williams
marshall faulk
edgerin james

3RD TIER:
-------------
stephen davis
tiki barber (on the verge of moving down to the 4th tier)
travis henry
domanick davis
rudi johnson
kevan barlow (on the verge of moving into the 2nd tier)
Micheal Bennett
marcel shipp

4TH TIER:
-------------
curtis martin
eddie george
duce staley
corey dillon
chris brown
Justin Fargas
Ontario Smith
Deshawn Foster

[UtopianHopes]

Hey, what the hype on Domanick Davis? I know he rushed for a 1,000 yards, but are you sure not to be a little cautious. Due to the fact that the texans did spend a second round pick in the supplemental draft for Tony Hollings. Barlow doesn't look tempting considering the recent moves by the 49ers, it rumor that they will trade t.o. and garcia will be release. Seriously, who going to help barlow out? I don't think he can carry a whole offense by himself.


Also, isn't drafting rookies like jackson and jones more appealing then going with davis or barlow (it obvious teams with need at that position will draft them and rb is one of the easier position to adapt to in the nfl. It been proving in the past).