Running backs are the backbone of every fantasy team.  I’m not a gambling man (I keep telling myself this) but I would put money on the fact that if you won the league you had either LaDainian Tomlinson or Steven Jackson on your team.  The best backs not only get you rushing yards but are very talented at catching balls out of the backfield.  Sure LT ran for over 1,800 yards, but he also caught 56 balls for over 500 yards.  Steven Jackson ran for over 1,500 yards and led all backs with 90 receptions for over 800 yards!  When you have a versatile back, that will give your team the edge every time.  Some other notable RB’s that can be great receivers are Brian Westbrook, Reggie Bush, Frank Gore, and Larry Johnson.  So sit back and relax while I go over in order the running back class of 2007.

1.    LaDainian Tomlinson – RB San Diego Chargers
LaDainian Tomlinson had a record-breaking year in 2007, scoring 31 total TD’s.  He also led all RB’s with 1,815 yards and also caught 56 balls for 508 yards.  LT is on a stellar team in San Diego (“Which of course in German means a whale’s….”  ok nevermind) which means great opportunities for LT to just run the ball and run the clock out.  I’ll make this real easy:  If you have the #1 pick in your draft, this is the guy to pick.

2.    Steven Jackson – RB St. Louis Rams
Steven Jackson enjoyed his best season yet, amassing 1,528 yards and also catching 90 balls for 806 yards.  He scored 16 TD’s along the way, but towards the end of the season (fantasy playoff time) he was money.  Jackson is on a team chock full of offensive weapons, but he still remains a central figure in their scheme.  The odds of him catching another 90 balls aren’t so good with the additions of WR Drew Bennett and TE Randy McMichael, but he will still be a huge contributor. 

3.    Larry Johnson – RB Kansas City Chiefs
Larry Johnson put up very solid numbers in 2006 with 1,789 yards rushing and 410 yards receiving.  He scored 19 TD’s also, and looks to keep the momentum going.  He has carried the ball a lot the past 2 seasons, but he is still young, and can handle the abuse, so look for him to be a key asset this season in KC. 

4.    Frank Gore – RB San Francisco 49ers
Frank Gore had a fantastic 2006 season rushing for 1,695 yards and 485 yards receiving.  He put up 9 total TD’s and caught 61 passes.  Gore is a centerpiece on a very young, but talented 49ers team, so the best is still yet to come.  With QB Alex Smith getting better game by game, that will take a lot of the pressure off Gore, and open things up even more.  Look for big things from Gore in 2007.

5.    Shaun Alexander – RB Seattle Seahawks
Shaun Alexander, while healthy in 2006, put up decent numbers.  The only problem is he missed 6 games with a broken foot.  Was it the Madden curse????  No one will ever know (I think I have a pretty good idea, however).  With all of the hype right after his record setting TD season of 2005, I would look for Shaun to rebound nicely in 2007.  He should be good for 11-12 TD’s and over 1,300 yards.  A very solid #5 pick.
 

6.    Brian Westbrook – RB Philadelphia Eagles
Brian Westbrook had a very solid 2006 season, rushing for 1,217 yards and catching 77 balls for 699 yards.  He scored 11 total TD’s, and played an intricate role in the Eagles offense game in and game out.  The main stat for Westbrook in 2006 was playing in 16 games…he has been prone to injury, but last year, he asked for the ball, and stepped up big time.  Look for the same in 2007 from Westbrook.

7.    Joseph Addai – RB Indianapolis Colts
Joseph Addai enjoyed a nice rookie season, even though he split time with Dominic Rhodes.  Addai rushed for 1,081 yards and scored 8 total TD’s.  He also caught 40 balls for 325 yards.  He is a versatile back no an explosive team, which means big things for 2007!  Look for his yards to be around the 1,300 mark and receptions in the neighborhood of 50 catches.

8.    Rudi Johnson – RB Cincinnati Bengals
Rudi Johnson is a beast on the field, rushing for 1,309 yards and 12 TD’s last season.  He only had 23 receptions last year, but he is still a consistent performer week in and week out.  Provided the rest of the Bengals will stay out of jail, they should have a solid team, which means lots of points being put up and Rudi will be a huge beneficiary of that.

9.    Willie Parker – RB Pittsburgh Steelers
Willie Parker has come out of nowhere to be a solid RB in the NFL.  Last year he rushed for 1,494 yards and 16 total TD’s.  The Steelers are still a team that will rely on the run, so expect Parker to continue to put up quality numbers.  The improvement of Big Ben will only help spread the defense and give Parker more room to run.  Look for him to do much of the same in 2007.

10.    Clinton Portis – RB Washington Redskins
Clinton Portis had an injury plagued 2006 season, missing 8 games.  Backup Ladell Betts filled in amazingly well, but Portis still is the main man in the Capital.  Portis has averaged over 1,400 yards his first 4 season, so look for more of the same this year, provided he is healthy all year. 

The best of the rest:
11.    Reggie Bush – RB New Orleans Saints:  2nd in receptions amongst RB’s in 2006, look for very solid numbers in 2007.
12.    Willis McGahee – RB Baltimore Ravens:  New winning team means more carries for McGahee.  1,300 12 TD’s?  Whatchu talkin’ bout Willis?!?!
13.    Laurence Maroney – RB New England Patriots:  Great rookie year, now feature back with Dillon gone, and on even more explosive offense.
14.    Ronnie Brown – RB Miami Dolphins:  New QB to take the pressure off the running game, and Ricky still seems a little ‘cloudy’…cough…cough.
15.    Travis Henry – RB Denver Broncos:  New team, and it seems as if he is the main man in Denver.  Could mean huge things provided Henry can stay healthy.
16.    Edgerrin James – RB Arizona Cardinals:  Rough 1st year in ‘Zona, but look for Edge to get more comfortable, and the offense to flourish.
17.    Cedric Benson – RB Chicago Bears:  With Thomas Jones gone to NY, Sir Cedric is the main man.  Can he handle the load?  I think so.
18.    Marshawn Lynch – RB Buffalo Bills:  Stepping into the starting role, Lynch should do just fine in his rookie year.
19.    Maurice Jones-Drew – RB Jacksonville Jaguars:  Jones-Drew had an awesome rookie year scoring 15 total TD’s.  Look for his scoring to remain the same.
20.    Thomas Jones – RB New York Jets:  Jones leaves the run happy (and with good reason) Bears, and joins the Jets, and their new, but talented O-Line….Jones will thrive.
21.    Adrian Peterson – RB Minnesota Vikings:  You would think this spot would belong to Chester Taylor, but Peterson is the future, and after week 5, he will be the main man.
22.    Deuce McAllister – RB New Orleans Saints:  Deuce put up solid numbers in 2006, and will look to do so once again in 2007, so long as he is healthy.
23.    Carnell Williams – RB Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  This is a HUGE bargain pick here.  Judging from 2006, this is where he belongs, but going by his potential, he could be in the top 15.
24.    Brandon Jacobs – RB New York Giants:  No more Tiki, but I doubt Droughns will steal the limelight from Jacobs.  Expect the same amount of TD’s, but more yards in 2007.
25.    Brandon Jackson – RB Green Bay Packers:  Brett Favre might be happy GB has some young blood in the backfield.  Jackson steps into the starting role with Ahman Green going to Houston.
26.    Marion Barber – RB Dallas Cowboys:  Scored 16 total TD’s in 2006, but look for a bit less in 2007.  Still the man at the goal line in Dallas.
27.    Jamal Lewis – RB Cleveland Browns:  Scored 8 TD’s in last 9 starts in Balt.  Moving to a mediocre offense, but still a decent talent.
28.    Warrick Dunn – RB Atlanta Falcons:  Be wary of Dunn this year…not only is he 32, they might also lose their starting QB very early, so stay away from Atlanta.
29.    DeAngelo Williams – RB Carolina Panthers:  Look for more action from Williams in ’07, as he looks to take the reins away from Foster in Carolina.
30.    Julius Jones – RB Dallas Cowboys:  Rushed for over 1,000 yards in ’06, but Barber is still main TD man in Dallas, but don’t forget about Jones….