It appears that the fantasy trend of high-drafting running backs will extend into 2010. Where quarterbacks were once highly coveted among the fantasy draft crowd, the emergence of the stud, all-purpose RB who can carry his team to the playoffs is now the norm.
When one examines the top NFL weekly picks for fantasy drafts this year throughout the preseason, this trend is undeniable. Atop the list-at least according to NFL.com-are Tennessee's Chris Johnson-the leading rusher in the league last year with 2,006 yards, Minnesota's Adrian Peterson, Jacksonville's pocket Hercules himself Maurice Jones-Drew, Baltimore's Ray Rice (running from Rutgers, according to NFL Network's Chris Berman), and San Francisco's Frank Gore. Interestingly, the top NFL weekly pick among quarterbacks is Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers. Perennial favorites Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are ranked 10th and 22nd, respectively. Even the top QB from 2009 and Super Bowl winner Drew Brees is 8th.
Looking back a year, of the top ten fantasy NFL weekly picks eight were RBs: Adrian Peterson, Atlanta's Michael Turner, Chicago's Matt Forte, Maurice Jones-Drew, St. Louis' Stephen Jackson, San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson, Chris Johnson, and Carolina's DeAngelo Hall. Drew Brees was the highest-ranked QB at 14th, Tom Brady at 20th, and Peyton Manning at 24th.
So why the recent draft frenzy over running backs? It is my opinion that the position has become infinitely more specialized as of late. Take, for example, former San Diego Charger LaDainian Tomlinson-now a Jet-who, in 2006, broke a number of long-standing records and essentially guaranteed himself a spot in Canton one day. Among these records-all-time single season TDs (31), all-time single season rushing TDs (28), and all-time most points scored in a single season (186); not to mention a slue of other accolades making him perhaps the most prolific running back in recent NFL history.
Accordingly, the running back position has undergone a considerable degree of evolution and contemporary players have embraced the all-purpose mentality which has contributed to their increased popularity among the fantasy crowd and bucking the former trend of a franchise QB leading one's team. Only time will tell whether this trend is simply a temporary fad or one to persist as the position continues to become more specialized.
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