Here are the 2006 keeper league RB rankings as of early February... rookies are not included in the rankings until after the NFL draft. The number after the player's name indicates his age for a majority of the 2006 season. There will be updates as the offseason continues...
RB
1. LaDainian Tomlinson -- 27 -- still the king of the hill, but only because he's younger than Alexander and we know where he's playing in 2006
2. Shaun Alexander -- 29 -- if he goes to a team with a good offense, he will be #1... at 29, he should start to decline soon
3. Larry Johnson -- 27 -- had the most yards in a season after November 1 in the history of the NFL last year, so he's a safe bet for 100ypg and 15TD
4. Clinton Portis -- 25 -- still only 25, he broke out in his second year as a Redskin... look for more involvement in the passing game and less alter egos
5. Edgerrin James -- 28 -- won't be back with the Colts, but still has two or three stud years left as long as his new team uses him correctly
6. Steven Jackson -- 23 -- the young stud will hopefully play an entire season with a healthy Marc Bulger; without him, Jackson was useless
7. Rudi Johnson -- 27 -- Cinci's offense has a great future with Carson, Chad and Rudi... the new "CCR" should be rollin' for several years
8. Lamont Jordan -- 27 -- led all running backs in receptions, and scored a few on the ground as well... a healthy Randy Moss will cut his receptions, but open up running lanes
9. Willis McGahee -- 25 -- only 5 touchdowns last year as the Bills played musical chairs at QB; with some stability at signalcaller, he'll return to top 5 status
10. Cadillac Williams -- 24 -- he's young, he's tough and his coach loves him... you should too, as long as the Buccaneer offensive line stays together
11. Tatum Bell -- 25 -- 33-year-old Mike Anderson can't go forever, and Bell showed enough last year that Mike Shanahan will make him a superstar
12. Julius Jones -- 25 -- battled injury and Marion Barber last season, but still has youth and a run-minded coach
13. Ronnie Brown -- 24 -- he won't be sharing time with Ricky Williams, and if Miami acquires Daunte Culpepper, he'll have more opportunities
14. DeShaun Foster -- 26 -- came on strong at the end of the season after Stephen Davis went down; needs to stay healthy and hold on to the ball
15. Tiki Barber -- 31 -- had the second most all-purpose yards ever last season... at 31, I doubt he'll come close to matching that
16. Chris Brown -- 25 -- was a victim of injuries all around him last year; if the Titans can keep a healthy QB and offensive line, he'll be a star
17. Corey Dillon -- 32 -- age is catching up to him, but his 12 touchdowns last year show that he is a goal line threat, and a powerful inside runner
18. Kevin Jones -- 24 -- one year ago, everyone thought he was the next big thing, but nagging injuries and a quarterback controversy will prove everyone wrong; rebound of the year candidate
19. Willie Parker -- 25 -- this ranking is probably too low for a budding star on a Super Bowl winning team, but I'd like to see him score touchdowns before making him a top-10 pick
20. Brian Westbrook -- 27 -- we'll see how he responds to injury and not having TO to deflect some of the attention in the passing game
21. J.J. Arrington -- 23 -- huge bust as a rookie, but with a tremendous receiving corps around him and two above average quarterbacks, he can't be that bad again
22. Cedric Benson -- 23 -- this is a gamble, but if Thomas Jones can run wild in Chicago, Benson can too; they spent too much on him to let him sit another season
23. Deuce McAllister -- 27 -- injuries, hurricanes, outspoken team officials... not a lot went right for Deuce in 2005; if he comes back healthy, he is a good sleeper pick
24. Warrick Dunn -- 31 -- he's getting old, but still produces... I don't like the fact that he's the #3 option at the goal line, but total yards are still there
25. Domanick Davis -- 26 -- Davis owners are on Reggie alert; if the USC star goes to Houston, Mr. Davis will be looking for a job... maybe to the J-E-T-S?
26. Jamal Lewis -- 27 -- I love Jamal Lewis. Everyone else hates him. He was a superstar not long ago; he looked disinterested and disoriented last season after a terrible offseason... watch to see where he lands and buy him... you'll never get him cheaper... could be 15 spots higher
27. Frank Gore -- 23 -- multiple knee surgeries in past years hinder his top gear, but he performed well in a terrible 49ers offense... major sleeper if SF improves at all
28. Ahman Green -- 29 -- lost for the season due to injury, it's hard to say what his future holds... his QB might be retiring, and GB loses a key offensive lineman each offseason
29. T.J. Duckett -- 25 -- still only 25, he's a giant man waiting for a chance at a full-time job... with Dunn and Michael Vick getting carries, he's only a good goal line option for now
30. Mewelde Moore -- 24 -- the best of a crowded backfield in Minnesota; he provides an electric spark when he's in the game
31. Thomas Jones -- 28 -- I have a hard time believing that he'll be the starter, but if he his, a repeat of 2005 could be in order
32. Ricky Williams -- 29 -- I hate Ricky, you hate Ricky, we all hate Ricky, but he can still run... watch to see who takes a chance on him
33. Lee Suggs -- 26 -- if healthy, he's Cleveland's best running back, and together with Charlie Frye, the Browns could have a formidable offense
34. Greg Jones -- 25 -- he's big, angry and wants the ball, and this is the year Jacksonville gives it to him... potential sleeper if the Jags give him 20+ carries per game
35. Chester Taylor -- 27 -- free agent running back will get a starting job somewhere... has fresh legs and could surprise much like Lamont Jordan did
36. Priest Holmes -- 33 -- "And now... the end is near..." - A Hall-of-Fame run for Holmes is close to the end... think Marshall Faulk in 2005 and don't expect more
37. Fred Taylor -- 30 -- could have been one of the best, but injuries hampered a once promising career... we'll miss you Fred...
38. Mike Anderson -- 33 -- and you thought Shanahan was joking when he said "Mike Anderson is my starter" for 2005; he will be joking in 2006 now that the Bell has tolled
39. Travis Henry -- 28 -- still has good legs after doing nothing the last two seasons... could be a starter in Tennessee or moved somewhere else
40. Cedric Houston -- 24 -- all NFL teams start a running back in their offense... for now, he's the man for the Jets, but watch free agency and the draft closely
41. Chris Perry -- 24 -- former Michigan star is a good backup to Rudi, and catches passes when used as a third down back... if Rudi goes down, he could be a top 12 RB
42. Onterrio Smith -- 25 -- the Whizzinator aside, Smith is looking for big things in 2006; expect a trade to give him a chance at starting
43. Michael Turner -- 24 -- speed demon from Northern Illinois showed he can produce if LT is injured... don't bank on much production in 2006
44. Marion Barber -- 23 -- battled with Julius Jones for time in the Dallas backfield last year... Jones should assume the starter's role, but watch this race
45. Marcel Shipp -- 28 -- not a gifted runner by any means, but if he's named the starter in that high-powered Arizona offense, he becomes a top 20 RB
46. Kevan Barlow -- 27 -- confidence and performance slipped after losing the job to Frank Gore... if he isn't the starter, he might land on a different squad
47. Curtis Martin -- 33 -- he's so old, dirt calls him "dad" -- Hall-of-Famer might have one more Emmitt-like 800yd, 8TD season left in him... or he might start collecting Social Security
48. Michael Bennett -- 28 -- still has the speed, but doesn't have the job... if he lands somewhere as a starter, he'll be injured after four games
49. Michael Pittman -- 31 -- drug and personal problems behind him, he contributed when asked last season... he should remain Cadillac's backup and produce when in the game
50. Brandon Jacobs -- 24 -- less than 40 carries last year, but 7 touchdowns... this 265lb back could see more time with Tiki Barber getting no younger
51. Shaud Williams -- 26 -- will be primary backup to Willis McGahee, and if slick Willie goes down, is quick enough to do some damage... at 5'7", he's hard to bring down
52. Ladell Betts -- 27 -- had some success behind Clinton Portis, but with CP entrenched as the franchise back, Betts would have a better chance starting elsewhere
53. Ryan Moats -- 23 -- wasn't supposed to get any playing time last year, but the 5'8" rookie from LSU gained more than five yards per carry and should be the backup to injury prone Brian Westbrook
54. Justin Fargas -- 26 -- I don't know why he's this high on the list, except that he still has speed and needs a chance to show his skills
55. Nick Goings -- 28 -- every year I say he won't contribute because he's buried on the depth chart and every year he produces... I'll say it again: avoid him
56. Dominic Rhodes -- 27 -- probably won't be the starter in Indianapolis, but it's worth watching to see who the Colts bring in as a starter
57. Verron Haynes -- 27 -- should be the backup to Willie Parker next year... doesn't bring anything special to the table, but the Steelers run so much that he could produce
58. Vernand Morency -- 26 -- young runner could be the backup to Reggie Bush in Houston, could be fourth on the depth chart, or could be in your flag football coed league next year
59. Maurice Morris -- 26 -- speedy kick returner not likely to get a starting gig, in Seattle or anywhere, but if the Seahawks have an open competition, he could shine
60. Arlen Harris -- 26 -- will emerge as the #2 guy in St. Louis, which could get him a few token carries and some third down catches
61. Adrian Peterson -- 27 -- with a healthy Cedric Benson, AP isn't likely to see many carries, but if Thomas Jones is traded, he's a valuable backup
62. Artose Pinner -- 28 -- a bull of a running back, he figures to get a few carries in 2006, if not serve as the primary goal line back
63. Samkon Gado -- 23 -- something about being undrafted from Liberty doesn't sit well with me... do you honestly believe he'll have a good sophomore year in the NFL?
64. Ciatrick Fason -- 23 -- decent sized back in a muddy picture in Minnesota; he actually led the team in rushing TD with 4 in only 32 carries
65. Anthony Thomas -- 27 -- still some fuel left in the train... watch where he plays in 2006 and if he can function as a backup
66. Tyson Thompson -- 25 -- currently #3 in Dallas, but he's a big back in the Eddie George mold who returns kickoffs... could have significant time if Jones and Barber are injured
67. Derrick Ward -- 26 -- the Giants like his 5'11" 233lb frame and his ability to cut to the outside... if Tiki goes down, Ward and Brandon Jacobs could be the new Thunder and Lightning
68. Alvin Pearman -- 24 -- good third down back caught 32 balls last year in limited playing time, but fumbles knock his stock down
69. Ron Dayne -- 28 -- I know... here come the fat jokes... but maybe it's time to take him seriously; he played last year at 245lbs and could get carries in 2006 in a potent Denver offense
70. Stephen Davis -- 32 -- walked with Moses... actually was 2nd in the NFC last year with 12 touchdowns, but should retire, paving the way for DeShaun Foster as the full time back
