Fantasy Football Player Rankings & Projections
2008 Running Back Preseason Preview
LaDainian Tomlinson
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L.T. has serious competition with
Adrian Peterson for the #1 spot, but the veteran gets a
slight edge because he has done it so many times in the
past. |
1. (tie) LaDainian Tomlinson - Chargers - 2008
Preview:
After years of been the hands down number one running back and the
number one overall player in fantasy football LaDainian Tomlinson
finally has competition with Minnesota Viking stud Adrian Peterson.
but his past record will still get him the nod as number one, though
Peterson is tied with him. LT still lead the league with 1,474 yards
but his TD's went down dramatically from the unheard of 28 in 2006
to a still excellent 15 in 2007. The Chargers have an improving
offense and this should give LT a little bump back up in 2008.
2007 Statistics:
1,474 Yds - 15 TD's - 60 Rec - 475 Yds - 3 TD's
2008 Projection:
1,574 Yds - 17 TD's - 57 Rec - 528 Yds - 3 TD's
2. Adrian Peterson - Vikings - 2008 Preview:
Peterson may have finished number one in 2007 if not for an injury
that cost him 2 1/2 games and only gaining 63 yards in his last
two games. Other than that, Peterson looked like Superman in 2007.
The Vikings have a big strong offensive line and the team will be
built around Peterson thus giving him every opportunity to dethrone
Tomlinson as the number player in fantasy football. The big question
for Peterson will be his potential for touchdowns. The Viking passing
game was weak in 2007 and Tarvaris Jackson is not a #1 quarterback
yet. The Vikings do have a talented Sidney Rice at receiver and
they signed Bernard Berrian from the Bears so there is some hope
for improved TD totals in '07.
2007 Statistics:
1,341 Yds - 12 TD's - 19 Rec - 268 Yds - 1 TD's.
2008 Projection:
1,645 Yds - 17 TD's - 36 Rec - 388 Yds - 2 TD's.
3. Brian Westbrook - Eagles - 2008 Preview:
Westbrook's downfall has always been the injury bug and doubt a
few scares over the last two seasons, he has remained basically
injury free. With the confidence that he will play a full season
he must be considered one of the best players in fantasy football.
His receptions and rushing yardage have both increased in each the
previous three seasons culminating in a career highs of 90 receptions
and 1,331 rushing yards in 2007. The other downfall of Westbrook
is his lack of goal line touches. This hasn't changed, but he managed
12 touchdowns by ground and air in 2007. It would be hard to imagine
Westbrook taking another step up in his statistics, but only a small
drop off is expected.
2007 Statistics:
1,333 Yds - 7 TD's - 90 Rec - 771 Yds - 5 TD's.
2008 Projection:
1,245 Yds - 7 TD's - 82 Rec - 698 Yds - 4 TD's.
4. Steven Jackson - Rams - 2008 Preview:
2007 was a disaster for the entire St. Louis Rams offense including
Steven Jackson. The injury to tackle Orlando Pace took its toll
on the entire offense. Jackson himself missed 4 games due to injury.
In 2006 Jackson brokeout as a Fantasy Stud with over 1,500 yards
rushing and 90 receptions giving him better than Westbrook-like
numbers plus Jackson gets goal line touches. There is no reason
that Jackson shouldn't return closer to his 2006 form and challenge
Westbrook for the #3 overall player in fantasy football.
2007 Statistics:
1.002 Yds - 5 TD's - 38 Rec - 271 Yds - 1 TD.
2008 Projection:
1,418 Yds - 11 TD's - 62 Rec - 554 Yds - 3 TD's.
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5. Joseph Addai - Colts - 2008 Preview:
Addai was one of the top players in fantasy football until late
in the season when minor injuries and the Colts resting players
ate away at his stats. He only had 38 carries in the last 4 games.
Addai has everything you want in a fantasy back; big-play ability,
goal line touches, good hands and plays on a big-time offense.
Expect a tick up in his overall stats at minimum and at maximum
Addai has the ability to surpass both Westbrook and Jackson and
finish as the #3 overall player in fantasy football.
2007 Statistics:
1.072 Yds - 12 TD's - 41 Rec - 364 Yds - 3 TD's.
2008 Projection:
1,248 Yds - 13 TD's - 44 Rec - 384 Yds - 2 TD's.
6. Frank Gore - 49ers - 2008 Preview:
Gore was expected to have a huge fantasy season in 2007 with the
upstart San Francisco 49ers, but the 49ers never "uped"
for the start, in fact, they regressed. Going into 2008 the only
real question about Gore's fantasy value is how the 49ers offense
will play. A lot of how you feel about Gore's draft position will
depend on how you feel about Alex Smith because if he can't come
through the defenses will key on Gore and he will have a 2007 repeat.
San Francisco did get some help by signing veteran receivers Isaac
Bruce and Bryant Johnson as well as running back DeShaun Foster
to go along with tight end Vernon Davis. A healthy Alex Smith should
improve with these weapons and thus Gore should retain much of his
2006 fantasy value.
2007 Statistics:
1,102 Yds - 5 TD's - 53 Rec - 436 Yds - 1 TD.
2008 Projection:
1,388 Yds - 9 TD's - 48 Rec - 385 Yds - 2 TD's.
7. Clinton Portis - Redskins - 2008 Preview:
The return of Clinton Portis as a fantasy star was almost as surprising
as his sudden decline. It was just 2005 when Portis rushed for 1,516
yards and 11 touchdowns so it seems his injury-plagued 2006 was
an exception. In addition fantasy owners worried about Ladell Betts
stealing time. This simply never materialized, though Betts could
still be a factor in 2008. The Redskins have a good offense lead
by young quarterback Jason Campbell and have a very good offensive
line to run behind. Portis is in his prime and should have a couple
top-notch fantasy seasons in him, but injury worries and Betts looking
for more time will likely keep Portis from reaching the top ten.
2007 Statistics:
1,262 Yds - 11 TD's - 47 Rec - 389 Yds - 0 TD.
2008 Projection:
1,303 Yds - 12 TD's - 43 Rec - 352 Yds - 1 TD.
