Stockwatch: A pre-draft look at Fantasy RBs

Last year, Michael Turner went from San Diego as LaDainian Tomlinson's backup to the starter in Atlanta, and he became a Fantasy star. This offseason, with other running backs changing teams to possible suspensions and players returning from injury, there have been plenty of moves that could impact your draft. Below are 10 running backs whose value has fluctuated either positively or negatively since the Steelers won the Super Bowl.

Cedric Benson, Cincinnati It looked like Benson's career was over when the Bears let go of him. But he signed with the Bengals last October and played well enough to earn a two-year contract this offseason. He finished the year with 747 rushing yards and two touchdowns and 20 catches for 185 yards in only 10 starts. If Carson Palmer (elbow) can return at 100 percent, the Bengals offense should be a solid unit again. And Benson has emerged as a quality No. 3 Fantasy running back with the chance to start during the year if picks up where last season left off. He ended 2008 with 282 rushing yards and a touchdown against Cleveland and Kansas City.

Frank Gore, San Francisco Gore's rushing and receiving totals have declined each of the past three years. Now there's talk of possibly sharing carries with coach Mike Singletary and new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye wanting to install a "physical running team," according to general manager Scot McCloughan. "I think nowadays you have to have that type of system in the NFL, especially with our approach on offense," McCloughan said. "You don't just need a change of pace guy, but you need two backs that can have production." Gore will still get the majority of touches, but for a player on the decline, this is a step in the wrong direction.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville There are so many reasons to love Jones-Drew now that Fred Taylor is out of Jacksonville. Jones-Drew has scored at least nine touchdowns in all three years and gained more than 1,100 total yards each season. But he's never had 200 carries in one year or started more than three games. He's also entering a contract year, which should provide extra motivation, and he's ready to prove he can be an every-down back. Jones-Drew went from a sure-fire No. 2 Fantasy running back to a Top 3 selection. After Adrian Peterson and Michael Turner go off the board, Jones-Drew should be the next player drafted in all leagues.

Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo We know Lynch is going to be suspended, we just don't know for how many games. Hopefully it's just two games, but the Bills might be getting fed up with his off-field antics. Fred Jackson has proven he deserves more touches, and Lynch also didn't progress to the level we hoped in 2008 after a solid rookie season. His rushing yards and attempts went down despite two more games played. He did improve as a receiver, but with Terrell Owens now in the fold, Lynch will lose catches. Lynch is still worth drafting as a No. 2 Fantasy running back, but don't reach for him before the middle of Round 2.

LaMont Jordan, Denver It's no secret that new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels likes players he's familiar with (right Jay Cutler?), and Jordan is following McDaniels from New England. Jordan will have plenty of competition for playing time from a slew of running backs with Correll Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington, Ryan Torain and Peyton Hillis. But if McDaniels leans on Jordan, then his Fantasy value will rise. You're not going to spend a high draft pick on Jordan, but he could be worth a late-round flier. And if he wins the job or gets goal-line carries, then he could turn into a sleeper.

Sammy Morris, New England Morris remains the best Fantasy option at running back in New England, but he lost some value this offseason when New England added Fred Taylor. With Taylor, Morris, Kevin Faulk, a healthy Laurence Maroney (shoulder) and more playing time for BenJarvus Green-Ellis, it's hard to count on any of New England's running backs on a weekly basis. But Morris has proven he can be good when given a healthy amount of carries, which is something no one can guarantee coming into the year. And if Taylor, 33, continues to drink from the Fountain of Youth, then he could supplant Morris as the Patriots best running back.

Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Thomas had a breakout year in 2008 and will come into this season as a No. 2 Fantasy running back. And if Reggie Bush gets hurt again, Thomas could become a No. 1 option. Bush hasn't played a full season in the past two years, and Deuce McAllister is gone. Give Thomas the majority of carries, and he could reach 1,500 total yards and 15 touchdowns. In 2008, Thomas had 909 total yards and 12 touchdowns with only 129 carries and 31 catches. You always want players who get touches in an explosive offense, and the Saints will put up plenty of points this year. That means Thomas could be a star.

Steve Slaton, Houston One of the worst things being talked about this offseason is that Chris Brown is going to be a factor this year. That means the former Titan will take production away from Slaton, who had a breakout rookie season in 2008. The Texans are saying Brown can be used to "do a little more pounding, red zone, short yardage, those types of things," coach Gary Kubiak said. Slaton had more than 1,500 total yards and 10 touchdowns, and while he remains a No. 1 Fantasy running back coming into the year, he would lose value if he loses scoring opportunities. It's good that Brown gives you another option as a reserve, but not at Slaton's expense.

Derrick Ward, Tampa Bay Ward is the closest running back we'll get to Michael Turner this year because he went from a backup with the Giants to a starter with the Bucs. Ward might lose carries to Earnest Graham and Cadillac Williams and even scoring opportunities to Graham, but Ward has the chance to be a breakout player. He was the No. 2 option behind Brandon Jacobs last year but still ran for 1,071 yards and two touchdowns and caught 46 passes for 408 yards. In a standard league, he finished as a No. 2 Fantasy running back, and that was with less than 200 carries and only three starts. With more playing time comes increased success, which will happen to Ward in 2009.

LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Tomlinson has gone from the No. 1 overall selection to a potential second-round draft pick. Now, I would say getting Tomlinson in the second round is a steal, but he's not going to produce at the same level we're used to seeing. The Chargers are committed to using Darren Sproles more after giving him the franchise tag, and Tomlinson showed last season that wear-and-tear is slowing him down, first with the nagging toe injury and then the groin problem. He's also going to be 30 when the season starts and has over 2,500 carries in eight seasons. There's still value in Tomlinson, but he's not an elite rusher anymore.

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