Rb: 85 Player Breakdowns

[This article contains tables. Complete tables are not available. For the complete set of tables see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

THE QUICK READ

1. Adrian PETERSON
2. DeAngelo WILLIAMS
3. Maurice JONES-DREW
4. Steve SLATON
5. Michael TURNER
6. LaDainian TOMLINSON
7. Steven JACKSON
8. Matt FORTE
9. Brian WESTBROOK
10. Clinton PORTIS
11. Brandon JACOBS
12. Frank GORE
13. Ryan GRANT
14. Joseph ADDAI
15. Ronnie BROWN
16. Chris JOHNSON
17. Marion BARBER
18. Thomas JONES
19. Marshawn LYNCH
20. Jonathan STEWART
21. Felix JONES
22. Kevin SMITH
23. Julius JONES
24. Jamal LEWIS
25. Derrick WARD
26. Willie PARKER
27. LenDale WHITE
28. Pierre THOMAS
29. Chris WELLS
30. Reggie BUSH
31. Knowshon MORENO
32. Darren McFADDEN

1 Adrian PETERSON
VIKINGS
AGE: 24
BYE WEEK: 9
AUCTION: $36

[INJURY-PRONE] We certainly endorse the pick, but there are a few things to keep in mind before taking the jacked-up AD. (He's looking to add 10 pounds.) First, center Matt Birk, who cleared the middle for 10 years, is gone. Also note Brad Childress's oft-wavering confidence in Peterson, who was benched or went unused late in crucial games last year. Oh, and those durability concerns haven't gone away.

2 DeAngelo WILLIAMS
PANTHERS
AGE: 26
BYE WEEK: 4
AUCTION: $28

It's an understatement to say that 2008 was a coming-out party for the previously disappointing first-rounder. The top scorer, kickers aside, reached the end zone in bunches in the second half of the season, including two four-TD games, all while splitting carries with Jonathan Stewart roughly 60-40. The specter of a 50-50 split is the only—albeit major—concern about Williams.

3 Maurice JONES-DREW
JAGUARS
AGE: 24
BYE WEEK: 7
AUCTION: $27

At first blush, MJD seems sure to repeat (or improve upon) his 1,389 yards of total production from a year ago, now that Fred Taylor has joined the Patriots. But a closer look reveals the Jaguars' stunning lack of offensive playmakers, especially at receiver; that will have an effect on Jones-Drew's numbers. He's a good bet for double-digit TDs, but be warned.

4 Steve SLATON
TEXANS
AGE: 23
BYE WEEK: 10
AUCTION: $27