Continuing the Fantasy TIP peak into the 2009 season, here is my early top ten fantasy league Running Backs heading towards draft season.

1. Michael Turner / Atlanta Falcons

Turner is a rarity in the NFL in that he actually gets the vast majority of his team’s carries.  “The Burner” carried the rock nearly 400 times in 2008, despite the presence of the speedy Jerious Norwood in the backfield.  While Adrian Peterson is clearly the more talented runner, Turner’s running style is more conducive to staying healthy, plus he has better skill position support.  The only downside to Michael Turner is his inconsistency on the road.  But even on a bad day, he’ll get you 40 yards and a TD, which won’t kill you.

2. Adrian Peterson / Minnesota Vikings

Man this guy is fun to watch: fast and agile, but with the power of a young Earl Campbell.  However we all know what happened to the “Tyler Rose” and that’s the rub with Peterson - - he’s just such a big injury risk it’s hard to confidently rank him #1 overall the way you could an LT, Priest Holmes or Marshall Faulk back in the day.  If he’s healthy, he’s a sure fire top 5 performer.  But the injury risk with Adrian Peterson gives us pause.

3. DeAngelo Williams / Carolina Panthers

Talk about coming from out of nowhere - - Williams was pretty much left for the raccoons to dig out of the trash when the Panthers seemingly replaced him with 2008 #1 pick, Jonathan Stewart.  But apparently all that did was light a massive fire under his ass.  He showed up at camp built up like a monster, grabbed onto the starting gig early and never let go.  Williams did ultimately share about 35% of the carries with Stewart but by mid-season, he was probably the best Running Back in the NFL.  While there is still risk his share of the running duties could slip as the talented Stewart picks up steam, it’s hard to ignore his eye-popping 5.5 Yards Per Carry Average.

4. Chris Johnson / Tennessee Titans

Perhaps the most talented of the many impact rookie Running Backs in 2008, Johnson’s blinding speed formed the perfect complement to the bruising LenDale White.  The major downside to Johnson was his lack of red-zone carries (10 TD’s to White’s 15).  However, Johnson is a much more talented runner than the buffet-loving White and that was made pretty clear when TEN went into the tank after Johnson was hurt in their playoff game vs. Baltimore.  I expect Johnson to add some muscle this off-season in an effort to increase his share of red-zone carries - - sort of the way Portis bulked up when he moved from Denver to Washington.  If he can prove capable of getting 2 yards when they’re absolutely needed, he’ll become a fantasy football god.

5. Maurice Jones-Drew / Jacksonville Jaguars

After a rookie season in which MJD proved to be a little touchdown scoring machine, we keep waiting for fellow Jag Fred Taylor to ride off into the sunset and open the door for Jones-Drew to join the league’s elite.  Taylor’s sour attitude this past year could expedite has exit, so 2009 could finally be that year.  While Jones-Drew probably can’t carry a full load over the course of a season, just bumping his touches by 50 carries would push him into the elite category and make many a fantasy owner happy with their early selection.

6. Matt Forte / Chicago Bears

Not the most talented of the runners on this list, Matt Forte does share one of the key characteristics of our #1 overall, Michael Turner - - he gets the vast majority of his team’s carries, making him an incredibly consistent performer.  He’s also young and very durable - - he should be a solid football player for years to come.  The Bears are a ground-oriented team preferring to focus their attack around a single Running Back.  And Forte is clearly that back, as there’s literally nothing behind him on the depth chart.  I expect the Bears to add some more serious competition to their roster to push Forte, but as it stands right now, it’s the Matt Forte show again for the 2009 season.

7. Brian Westbrook / Philadelphia Eagles

While he appears to be truly wearing down a bit, there’s no question Westbrook is still one of the National Football League’s most productive Running Backs when healthy.  It’s that last part which has him sitting this far down FantasyTIP's board.  He seemingly shows up to training camp on the injury list each year and never really comes off it.  You almost get conditioned to assume any injury he has is a) probably causing him some discomfort, but b) unlikely to keep him off the field.  As a result, if you have Michael Westbrook on your fantasy team, there will be at least one week in which he’s starting on your squad, yet only gets a handful of carries.  He’s the ultimate boom or bust football player and we like our top RB’s to be a bit more consistent.

8. Marshawn Lynch / Buffalo Bills

While Lynch had a decent second season, he certainly fell a bit short of the lofty expectations set for him after his exciting NFL rookie season.  But FantasyTIP is going to chalk this one up to that old sophomore jinx.  We expect Marshawn to really pour it on during the off-season and come loaded for bear in 2009.  Lynch remains one of the shiftiest Running Backs in the league and is a dependable receiving threat, as well.  Look for Marshawn Lynch to rebound and get back inside the top 10 this upcoming season.

9. Reggie Bush / New Orleans Saints

Before he got hurt, Bush was on pace for a top 5 finish - - particularly if you had him in a PPR league.  For the first time, Reggie Bush appeared comfortable in the Saints offense and as a result, finally demonstrated the sort of speed and shiftiness that made him a legend at USC.  While the emergence of Pierre Thomas might appear a threat, Bush will always get his fair share of touches because of his game-changing abilities.  In fact, a strong partner RB probably makes Bush that much more effective because it affords him more opportunities to get the ball in open space.  Look for Reggie to take things up a notch next season.

10. Marion Barber / Dallas Cowboys

Yes, we know he’s coming off an injury.  Yes, we know he’ll always struggle to stay healthy because of his tendency to seek contact.  Yes, we know Felix Jones and Tashard Choice will be nipping at his heels.  And yes, we know that a scantily-clad Jessica Simpson will continue to show up at games to distract all the Cowboys from their assignments.  But Marion Barber is nothing short of a beast.  One of these seasons, he’s going to rip the NFL to shreds.  We expect 2009 to be that year.

The One Notable Exception: LaDanian Tomlinson / San Diego Chargers

Operating under the assumption LT will be cut loose by the Chargers, you just know this very passionate player will be doing all he can to rub it in everyone’s face next year.  But having seen the great one live about 20 times over the past two years, I can tell you firsthand he is simply not the same back.  And I seriously question whether he can avoid another one of these non-contact injuries which have plagued him for the last few years.  There is no question LaDanian is one of the all-time greats and still can be a productive Running Backs.  But Bolts General Manager, AJ Smith is starting a brush fire with LT for one reason - - to ensure he doesn’t get resistance from Chargers ownership when he recommends that Tomlinson be cut loose.  And if one of the best GM’s in the game doesn’t think you’re worth your salary, it’s time to realize he’ll never again be the back he was just a few short years ago.