6-10 Fantasy Football Running Backs

6. Clinton Portis – In 2005, Portis had another good season rushing for more than 1500 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Washington offense should be more explosive with the additions of wide receivers Antowan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd giving Mark Brunell plenty of targets along with Santana Moss. That should open up running lanes for Portis and force defenses not to key so much on him. Portis is a great back and will be a solid point producer once again for fantasy owners.

7. Stephen Jackson – Jackson is the guy now in St. Louis and has the ability to be a great running back in this league. In just his second season in the NFL, Jackson ran for 1046 yards and 8 TDs. He is also a quality receiver out of the backfield who notched 320 yards and 2 more TDs through the air. Jackson will only continue to get better and better. Being the featured back on a high powered offense will pay dividends and make Jackson a top 10 fantasy back this season. He has tremendous upside and is full of potential.

8. Cadillac Williams – Not many rookies rush for more than 1000 yards in their first season but Cadillac Williams is one of the exceptions. He amassed over 1000 yards last season with 1046 and ran for 6 touchdowns. Williams is a guy with great upside as he is young, talented, and plays on a team where the rushing the football is imperative. This is a guy with the potential to be an excellent running back in this league and like Jackson will only continue to get better as time passes. I like him here in this spot to have a break out year for Tampa Bay this season.

9. Rudi Johnson – Since taking over the main rushing duties in Cincinnati the last 2 seasons, Rudi Johnson has posted back to back 1400 yard seasons and has rushed for 12 touchdowns in each of the last two years. I expect another solid season from Johnson who plays on a very good offense. Defenses must now respect the arm of Carson Palmer who should be fine this season and has a serious threat in Chad Johnson. Rudi is Mr. Dependable and will be just that for you if you decide to take him as your fantasy running back.

10. LaMont Jordan – 2005 marked the first season in which LaMont Jordan was not in the same backfield as Curtis Martin. Despite faltering a bit towards the later part of the season, LaMont proved that he can be the featured back for an NFL offense. He rushed for 1025 yards and 9 touchdowns. Jordan is also a very good receiving back who tallied 563 yards through the air and 2 more TDs. If the Raiders can get solid QB play out of Aaron Brooks, Jordan should have room to run and put up good fantasy numbers in 2006.

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For more 2006 fantasy football info check out the main 2006 fantasy football page which includes rankings on QB's and wide receivers.