By Bill Pettigrew
Sports Editor, ‘11

Adrian Peterson, RB MIN: Combination of size and speed makes him an all-around great back. Pounds the line for a few yards and seems to bust at least one huge gain every week.
Michael Turner, RB ATL: Once LT’s backup in San Diego, proved he was worth his weight in gold last year breaking out with the Falcons, rushing for 1699 yards and 17 scores.
Maurice Jones-Drew, RB JAX: With Fred Taylor gone, MJD is ready to take on the full workload for the Jaguars and should top 1,000 for the first time in his career.
Matt Forte, RB CHI: A stellar rookie season last year puts him in the top five, and with the addition of Jay Cutler, defenses can’t focus on him alone this year.
Steven Jackson, RB STL: Injuries always seem to ruin his chances at being the best back in the league, but when he’s healthy, he’s the bruiser that is worth a first round pick.
Chris Johnson, RB TEN: Fleet of foot and able to make quick cuts, reminds me of a younger LT.
LaDainian Tomlinson, RB SD: Speaking of LT, he’s a little bit older but can still catch out of the backfield and still had over 1100 yards with 12 touchdowns in an “off year.”
DeAngelo Williams, RB CAR: A lot of people like his potential this year. He is the key to Carolina’s success and should be able to continue putting up great numbers for your fantasy team.
Larry Fitzgerald, RB ARI: The best red-zone threat of all the wide-outs. He is the next best fantasy scorer after the top eight halfbacks.
Frank Gore, RB SF: This is where the running backs become interchangeable in the pack, but the Niners need to run the ball in order to win and Gore is their guy.
Andre Johnson, WR HOU: Probably the most underrated receiver for the past few years now. Matt Schaub’s success rests in Johnson’s arms, and that tandem can be lethal.
Drew Brees, QB NO: There’s no doubt that he will continue to put up the garish numbers of years past with all the weapons around him. The question is whether to use your first round pick on him or one of the second-tier running backs.
Brandon Jacobs, RB NYG: The bruising back truly is a giant. He is a linebacker with the ball. While splitting carries with Ahmad Bradshaw in New York, he should get the majority of the goal line touches.
Calvin Johnson, WR DET: Reminds whoever still watches the Lions on Sunday as a young T.O. Young, tall, fast and with great hands, he’s the ideal wide receiver, but who’s throwing to him?
Steve Slaton, RB HOU: Defenses would strategize around Andre Johnson last year, while the Texans handed the ball off to Slaton. Has good moves which make him an exceptional open-field runner.
Tom Brady, QB NE: Coming back from a season-ending knee injury suffered in Week 1 last year, he has something to prove and should return from ’07 with the league’s best WR corps in New England.
Randy Moss, WR NE: He’s still Randy Moss. And Tom Brady is throwing to him again.