Elite/Franchise Players
Impact Players
>Brian Westbrook, PHI – The dual-threat back has finally tapped his potential
>Edgerrin James, ARI – Should bounce back after taking in a year to adjust to new offense
>Joseph Addai, IND – Solid rookie season; Will only improve after learning the offense
>Reggie Bush, NO – Flashy player that will only see his opportunities increase this season
>Shaun Alexander, SEA – Starting to decline, but still one of the better ones in the league
>Willie Parker, PIT – Came onto his own after taking over the team’s full-time workload
>Willis McGahee, BAL – Running behind a run-oriented attack utilizing cut-back skills
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Solid Players
>Cedric Benson, CHI – His carries will increase, and the talent appears to be there
>Clinton Portis, WAS – Will need to be consistent, or Betts will take over the starting role
>Deuce McAllister, NO – Will lose some touches to Bush, but isn’t a bad 3rd on FFL roster
>Jamal Lewis, CLE – Could thrive on a new team built around the inside running game
>Laurence Maroney, NE – Starting to develop into a solid player, just needs experience
>Ronnie Brown, MIA – Has a lot to prove after hearing criticisms in the off-season
>Rudi Johnson, CIN – May lose some carries to Perry this season as he wore down last year
>Thomas Jones, NYJ – Could post better numbers once he becomes familiar with offense
>Travis Henry, DEN – Could thrive in the new offense, but durability remains an issue
Average Players
>Ahman Green, HOU – Should see numbers increase as Texans plan on using him often
>Brandon Jacobs, NYG – Will take some time before he takes over the full carrying load
>Carnell Williams, TB – Can never seem to stay healthy, otherwise could be a solid starter
>Chester Taylor, MIN – Only a matter of time before he starts losing touches to Peterson
>Fred Taylor, JAX – On the decline, but the Jags gave him a nice contract extension
>Jerious Norwood, ATL – Could take over the starting job from Dunn, due to his size
>Kevin Jones, DET – If he can stay healthy, he has speed and power combo to excel
>LaMont Jordan, OAK – Would be rated much higher on a team with a better line
>Marshawn Lynch, BUF – Has the best chance to produce among all rookie players
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FFL Backup Material Players
>Adrian Peterson, MIN – Will eventually become a star, but is starting out season as backup
>DeShaun Foster, CAR – Could be a top ten back if he can ever stay healthy for a season
>Marion Barber, DAL – Still sharing load with Jones, otherwise could be rated higher
>Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX – Starting to increase in value, but won’t get enough carries
>Tatum Bell, DET – Not an every-down back, but has explosiveness and home-run speed
Bye-Week Fill-ins at Best Players
>Anthony Thomas, BUF – Bills plan on using him as a goal-line back, which could be of help
>Chris Brown, TEN – Questionable work ethic, but is being given a second chance
>Julius Jones, DAL – Seems to be in the doghouse every year, no matter which coach
>Leon Washington, NYJ – Will post some good numbers a couple of times every year
>Michael Turner, SD – Didn’t get to sign elsewhere, but still has big-play potential
>Vernand Morency, GB – Only a matter of time before he loses his starting job to Jackson
>Warrick Dunn, ATL – Starting to be phased out after seeing Norwood develop last season
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Unproven/Rookie Players
>Brandon Jackson, GB – Could be given the starting job, but will need time to adjust to NFL
>Chris Henry, TEN – Could take over the starting role if Brown and White both falter
>DeAngelo Williams, CAR – Has speed and quickness, but will need to see more carries
>Jerome Harrison, CLE – Will need to be ready to step in if Lewis’ fumble problems come up
>Lorenzo Booker, MIA – Specialty-back will have opportunities to make plays early on
Non-ratable Players
>Dominic Rhodes, OAK – Will lose production due to serving 4-game suspension
>Ladell Betts, WAS – Impressed last season; Could end up starting if Portis slumps
>LenDale White, TEN – Much of his success will depend on results of training camp
>Maurice Morris, SEA – If Alexander goes down, Morris is capable of filling in nicely
>Michael Bennett, KC – If LJ holds out, Bennett could be an early-season sleeper
>Mike Bell, DEN – Rating will depend on how he it utilized in camp; Improved hands
>Reuben Droughns, NYG – Could end up taking over if Jacobs fails to impress in his chance
>Ron Dayne, HOU – Was unhappy about Texans signing Green, but will be short-yard back
