Fantasy Football : Drafting Running Backs : The This and That of Fantasy Football

Running backs win championships. This is the primary philosophy you need to be a fantasy football champion. How many times have you seen owners in your league with a quarterback like Kurt Warner not win your league? Do you know why? It's because that owner used a high pick to take Warner, and watched the top-notch RBs fall off the board by the time it was time to pick again. RBs are the most consistent point scorers capable of a one-yard TD plunge even on their worst days. You should take two RBs in the first three rounds if there are quality RBs available, and depending on who's available possibly take RBs with your first two picks. Here are my top RBs.

1. Marshall Faulk, Rams

This is a given. Imagine if Faulk wasn't taken with the first pick. Shockwaves would go the through the draft war room. If you have Faulk and draft wisely the rest of the way, you have an excellent chance to win it all.

2. Ahman Green, Packers

Green will continue to be the Packers' focal point especially when you look at the Pack's receiver corps now led by Terry Glenn. Green has 24 TDs the last two seasons, and has averaged over 4.5 yards a carry during that time.

3. Shaun Alexander, Seahawks

Alexander scored 16 total TDs, second only to Faulk. More impressive is that Alexander only had 12 starts. Remember Alexander's 266 yards rushing against the Raiders with three scores. Wipe the drool off your face.

4. Ricky Williams, Dolphins

Williams played all 16 games for the first time in his three-year career and accounted for 1,756 total yards. He only had seven TDs, but look for that total to increase to at least 12 with the Dolphins, who will feature him a lot more in the red-zone than the Saints did.

5. Edgerrin James, Colts

In a real draft, I don't know if I could call out Edge's name this early, because it's such a risk with his return from a torn ACL. But, Edge has looked great in workouts so far, and he's so much more talented than the other backs in the league. The Colts also get to play the expansion Houston Texans twice.

6. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers

Tomlinson rushed for 1,236 yards and scored ten TDs in his rookie campaign. Imagine what he'll do with a full training camp. Hopefully, it'll help Tomlinson improve on his 3.6 yards a carry average from last season. Tomlinson faded badly after three 100-yard games in his first five games by only reaching the 100-yard mark once the rest of the way.

7. Curtis Martin, Jets

Every year people keep waiting on Martin to fall apart due to all the carries he has logged. But, Martin keeps silencing those critics - last year to the tune of 1,513 rushing yards to go with 10 scores. The only negative is that the Jets seem not to give him the ball as much as they should near the goal-line. After scoring three TDs in Week 10, Martin did not score in the final seven games.

8. Corey Dillon, Bengals

Dillon scored a career-high 13 TDs last season. Imagine what this guy could do if he played on a good offensive team. In Dillon's five NFL seasons, his worst rushing total is 1,129 yards from his rookie season compiled over 14 games. His best rushing total is 1,435 yards gained in 2000. This tells you that Dillon will succeed no matter how bad the Bengals may be. His combination of power and speed makes him unique. Last season, he had a 96-yard run and an 80-yard run the year before.

9. Anthony Thomas, Bears

Thomas had three games of 160 yards rushing or more last year. That can't happen by accident. Despite starting only ten games, Thomas rushed for 1,183 yards and seven scores. In the Bears' run oriented offense, Thomas will easily reach double figures in TDs.

10. Priest Holmes, Chiefs

Is Holmes a one-year wonder? I don't think so. It's not like he hasn't had some form of success in the past. He rushed for 1,008 yards in 1998 and has never averaged below 4.3 yards a carry in any of his four pro seasons. Last season the Chiefs' WR corps was decimated by injuries. The addition of Johnnie Morton and the hopeful return of Tony Gonzalez, who's embroiled in a contract spat, should cause Holmes' TD totals to drop a little, but still expect at least 1,600 combined yards.

11. Stephen Davis, Washington

Davis frustrated many a fantasy owner last season by scoring a paltry five TDs, even though he racked up an NFC leading 1,432 yards. Questions abound if Steve Spurrier's pass-happy offense will adversely affect Davis' numbers. But, how pass-happy can you be when Danny Wuerrfel is your starting QB? Washington will have to utilize Davis heavily to be successful, so he should still produce a solid fantasy season.

12. Eddie George, Titans

Everyone knows Eddie struggled last season mainly because of offseason toe surgery. This led to George's first sub-1,000 yard rushing season (939 yards). But, a healthy George will bounce back strong with at least 1,300 yards rushing. One difference between the Titans now and during George's best seasons is that last year the Titans actually allowed Steve McNair to throw the ball downfield, which could lower George's numbers just a little.

13. Deuce McAllister, Saints 14. Antowain Smith, Patriots 15. Fred Taylor, Jaguars 16. Tiki Barber, Giants 17. Garrison Hearst, 49ers 18. Jerome Bettis, Steelers 19. Travis Henry, Bills 20. Clinton Portis, Broncos