John Dietz ranks the running backs

Player, team Projected yards Projected TDs CommentCream of the crop

1. Arian Foster, Texans 1,350-1,500** 12-16 8 100-yard games; 6 50-plus rec.

2. A. Peterson, Vikings 1,375-1,550* 12-16 31 TDs last two seasons

3. Chris Johnson, Titans 1,400-1,600* 11-14 Would be nice if he's actually sign

Still rock solid

4. D. McFadden, Raiders 1,200-1,400** 11-14 Could get 2,000 yds from scrimmage

5. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs 1,300-1,500* 8-10 Insane 6.4 yards-per-carry avg.

6. Ray Rice, Ravens 1,300-1,400** 8-11 1,258 rec. yards last 2 combined

7. M. Jones-Drew, Jags 1,350-1,500* 11-14 Big risk/reward here

8. Frank Gore, Niners 1,150-1,275* 9-12 Can't seem to play 16 games

9. LeSean McCoy, Eagles 1,100-1,200* 8-11 Vick steals too many scores

10. R. Mendenhall, Steelers 1,175-1,300 11-13 Near lock for double-digit TDs

11. Michael Turner, Falcons 1,250-1,400 10-13 39 TDs in 43 games in Atlanta

Still solid

12. L. Blount, Bucs 1,200-1,350 10-14 977 yards in last 11 games of '10

13. Steven Jackson, Rams 1,200-1,400* 7-9 Avg. only 6 TDs last 4 seasons

14. Peyton Hillis, Browns 1,150-1,250 8-10 No way he repeats 13 TDs

15. Matt Forte, BEARS 1,050-1,150* 7-9 Too bad O-line is SO, SO wretched

16. A. Bradshaw, Giants 1,100-1,250 7-9 Weak finish: Only 58 ypg last 9 Questions beginning

17. Felix Jones, Cowboys 1,000-1,150* 7-11 Big upside if he can stay healthy

18. Know. Moreno, Broncos 1,000-1,150* 7-10 McGahee, Tebow may steal TDs

19. Ryan Mathews, Chargers 1,100-1,200 7-9 Huge talent, huge upside

20. Mark Ingram, Saints 975-1,200 6-10 Heisman Trophy winner looks great

21. Jahvid Best, Lions 95-01,250* 7-9 Now healthy, will he bust out?

22. Joseph Addai, Colts 925-1,050* 8-10 Was on pace for 990-8 in 2010

23. DeA. Williams, Panthers 975-1,150 6-9 Weak O-line+weak team=weak!

24. BenJ. Green-Ellis, Pats 950-1,050 8-11 Boring pick but he'll get his scores

25. Beanie Wells, Cards 975-1,075 6-9 Time to shine; nobody in his way

26. Shonn Greene, Jets 850-1,000 5-8 Great O-line; maybe he'll explode

Now you're reaching

27. Ryan Grant, Packers 600-1,050 5-10 Situation in Green Bay very murky

28. James Starks, Packers 600-1,050 5-8 Some saying Starks is the starter

29. Brandon Jacobs, Giants 800-950 6-8 Average of 8 TDs in 6-year career

30. Jon. Stewart, Panthers 700-850 4-7 I don't trust any Panthers this year

31. Cedric Benson, Bengals 800-1,150 4-8 One word: Barf.

32. Reggie Bush, Dolphins 700-900* 4-8 Use him early, then trade him

33. Mike Tolbert, Chargers 400-600 6-10 Scored in 10 games last season

34. Thomas Jones, Chiefs 700-800 5-7 If Charles goes down, he'll go off

35. Fred Jackson, Bills 650-1,000 4-7 C.J. Spiller still looms

36. C.J. Spiller, Bills 450-775 3-6 Must-take in keeper leagues

37. Tim Hightower, Redskins 700-950 4-7 He's the starter ... for now

38. M. Lynch, Seahawks 700-900 5-6 Seattle will struggle to score

39. Danny Woodhead, Pats 500-600* 3-6 It's a crowded backfield in NE

40. LaD. Tomlinson, Jets 550-700 5-7 60 or fewer rush yds. last 10 gms.

41. Pierre Thomas, Saints 550-700 4-6 I see Ingram as the main man soon

42. Ben Tate, Patriots 400-600 3-5 Must-handcuff for Foster owners

The next 12: Michael Bush, Raiders; Javon Ringer, Titans; Daniel Thomas, Dolphins ; Jerome Harrison, Lions; Roy Helu, Redskins; Ricky Williams, Ravens; Willis McGahee, Broncos; Ronnie Brown, Eagles; Marion Barber, BEARS; Montario Hardesty, Browns; Jason Snelling, Falcons; Rashad Jennings, Jaguars

** 500-plus receiving yards likely; * 350-plus receiving yards likely