Predicting Fantasy Football's Top 10 for 2009

The season just ended yesterday, but that's no excuse to stop thinking about fantasy football. Remember, it's never too early (wow, flashback). Obviously you are now thinking about keepers -- don't worry, we'll have bunches of dynasty diaries over the next couple weeks -- and looking ahead towards the elite players.

This season was certainly the year of the passer. In Fleaflicker standard scoring leagues, the top seven overall scorers were quarterbacks, including Matt Cassel. Chad Pennington and David Garrard in the top 15, and Tyler Thigpen was 16th. This is overall, guys. This is also why we warned against picking quarterbacks too early at the beginning of the season. I'll take this opportunity to warn against that again. Do not pick a quarterback in the first round. You only have to play one, and -- as you can see -- there are easily 12 serviceable starting quarterbacks.

Running back, on the other hand, has the moneymakers. I'm stubborn, and I still believe in RB-RB for the first two rounds. Even if you disagree, you at least need to get one within the first two rounds. So you'll notice the top 10 is full of them.
1. Adrian Peterson
He was outscored by three other backs this year, but none of them were first-rounders. He's the safest pick, the most explosive player, and the Vikings will continue to build the offense around him. He'll be here for a few years.

2. Michael Turner
The Falcons aren't planning on cutting back his workload, and the presence of Jerious Norwood actually helps him. As Matt Ryan improves, this offense is going to become a machine.

3. DeAngelo Williams
An interesting case, this one. He's never done anything remotely like this before, but has he really ever had the chance in good circumstances? He's still young, and even when Jonathan Stewart cuts into his chances, he gets touches.

4. Steven Jackson
The Rams offense can't get any worse, and you just saw what he can do against a quality defense when healthy. Do not write him off based upon this season.

5. Clinton Portis
The Redskins have enough pieces in place to build a quality offense around him, and we saw what he could do earlier this season.

6. Marion Barber
He'll come back with a vengeance next year.

7. Brian Westbrook
Just too good to pass up at this point in the round.

8. Matt Forte
We've seen the durability, the good hands, and a nose for the end zone. He'll only get better as the Bears continue to try and improve the offensive line.

9. Andre Johnson
I'm talking records ... he can shatter anything. You can get a studly running back on the way back to team with him.

10. Chris Johnson
I like him to continue taking work from LenDale White, and he'll spring for long runs enough to negate the lost goal-line touches.

Also in the discussion, worth taking next: Steve Slaton (I could actually see him going over Chris Johnson -- it was tough to leave him off), Maurice Jones-Drew, Brandon Jacobs, Larry Fitzgerald, Marshawn Lynch, Frank Gore, and Derrick Ward, if he gets a full-time gig somewhere else.

Will be in the discussion, but I'm urging you to avoid: Quarterbacks, LaDanian Tomlinson, Thomas Jones, Joseph Addai and maybe even Ronnie Brown.