FANTASY SPORTS: Preparing for Fantasy Football D-Day (part 2 of 3)

In the last segment we covered quarterbacks. As a quick refresher, our top picks for Qb's in the upcoming fantasy draft were:

1. Peyton Manning 2. Kurt Warner 3. Rich Gannon 4. Brett Farve 5. Daunte Culpepper

Today, we cover running backs. Indeed, there are many quality backs to choose from. But let's consider only backs that will likely go in the first several rounds of your draft.

Quality RBs that should go in the first several rounds include Edgerrin James, Eddie George, Corey Dillon, Fred Taylor, Jamal Lewis, Marshall Faulk, Deuce Staley, Stephen Davis, Ricky Watters, Tyrone Wheatley, Curtis Martin and Charlie Garner.

First, let's weed out some guys you should probably wait until after the second round for. Jamal Lewis had an exceptional season last year with the Superbowl Champion Baltimore Ravens. One of the reasons he did so well was the defense. They kept opposing offenses off the field, and when you're trying to win the battle of the clock, you run. Of course, it didn't hurt that the other alternative in the offense was Trent Dilfer. Look for Lewis to have a good showing this upcoming season, but don't expect too much. Don't touch this guy until at very earliest, the fourth or fifth rounds.

Ricky Watters is a quality back, and one that, if he stays healthy, could be in the top five in the league. The Seahawks are looking forward to a breakthrough season, and the RB should be in a position to put up a ton of fantasy points. The only real issue: is Watters the main back? Shaun Alexander, now two years removed from Alabama, is sitting in the wings, waiting for an opportunity to show that he should be a starting RB in the NFL. Look for Holmgren to use both of these backs, but run Watters about 70% of the time. What does this mean? It means that Watters' numbers would be a heck of a lot better this next season if had the other 30%. Watters should go late third, early fourth in your draft.

Charlie Garner is an under-appreciated back, if he were to have been on a top franchise team during his career, you would likely see even more impressive numbers than what he was able to put up in Philly and San Fran. If Garcia can repeat his performance of a year ago, it will obviously open up some holes Garner can take advantage of. The only problem: The reason why San Fran passed so much wasn't because they didn't have Garner. It wasn't because their "Swiss-cheese" style O-Line. It was because they were behind in almost every game, and by a considerable amount. The offence will still probably put up 25 points a game, but when you're down by 40, you don't run the ball. Garner should also go late third, early fourth.

Curtis Martin, Tyrone Wheatley, and Stephen Davis all fall into the mid-second round pick category. These are definitely quality backs, and if you see any of them past the second round, grab 'em. Look for Davis and Wheatley both to have high-production years. If Rice or Brown don't get in the end zone but come close (likely to happen quite often), look for them to pound Wheatley in for the score. He'll provide most of his fantasy points by TD's, not yards. Davis will finally be in an offence that likes to run the ball. Schotty is likely to run this horse until it's dead. The only real question mark is whether or not George can stomach being in an offence where his primary responsibility to take three steps back, turn around, and hand the ball off. Not likely. In any case, Davis might be a back you'd like to start the season with, and then perhaps look to trade. He's never endured a whole season of Marty-ball. Curtis Martin is still a quality back, and you know what you're getting with him. The only concern with Martin is whether or not the Jets will get him in enough situations to put the ball in for six. This, we'll also have to wait and see.

The top backs we have left are Edgerrin James, Eddie George, Corey Dillon, Fred Taylor, and, Marshall Faulk. The top two should be fairly obvious, James and Faulk. You really cannot go wrong with either one, but if push comes to shove, take Faulk. He's likely to have yet another amazing season.

Between George, Dillon and Taylor, here are all guys that could go in the top five, or possibly even miss the first round. Dillon has proven that he can perform even while on the BENGALS. You have to respect that! He's going to get a ton of yards again this year, but until he is on a team that is going to allow him to take a crack at 2nd and goal, instead of 2nd and 25 on the 30 (their own, of course), you can't take him until at least late in the first round. He's that good. The Bungles aren't.

George disappointed many fantasy owners last year, not producing the number of points a first round pick should. He's a much better real-life back than he is a fantasy back, but unfortunately for Eddie, it's fantasy points that count here. An excellent reason to choose George is if you took a chance on a QB-perhaps Culpepper, or McNabb. George is an absolute workhorse, and he's generally consistent throughout the season, so you know what you're getting.

Taylor is one of the most physically talented players in the league, offense or defense. He is one of the few RB's who can still dominate a game, and decide almost single handedly the outcome of a game. If you can take him late in the first, or late in the second, jump on it.

As a review, our line-up for draft choices for RB's.

1) Marshall Faulk 2) Edgerrin James 3) Fred Taylor 4) Eddie George 5) Corey Dillon 6) Stephen Davis 7) Tyrone Wheatley 8) Curtis Martin 9) Charlie Garner 10) Ricky Watters 11) Jamal Lewis