Fantasy Follow-Up

Here is a look at some running back sleepers for '09.

Pierre Thomas- a young, big back that took over for incumbent Reggie Bush and did nothing but produce. Added more muscle to his frame and should see a majority of the rushing touchdowns for one of the top offenses in the league.

Ray Rice- Baltimore can run the ball, picking the right running back is the tough part. Rice is emerging as the starter, as Willis McGahee can't seem to shake the injury bug and Le'ron McClain is moving to full-back. Rice, a former Rutgers star, posses all the talent to be a big contributor for your fantasy team. Plus he is having a very nice preseason thus far.

Knowshon Moreno- Don't let the fact that he is playing for the Denver Broncos scare you, or that he suffered an injury already. Moreno will emerge as the starter after a couple weeks and then will be absolute fantasy gold. We have all seen what he can do in college, and the Broncos offensive line should open up some nice lanes.

Derrick Ward- Ward put on a show when Brandon Jacobs went down last year, and was able to cash in with Tampa Bay in the offseason. Yes, Earnest Graham is in the mix but I don't see him lasting the full season without being replaced. Graham has lost the trust of many fantasy owners, including myself. Whenever he does end up out of the picture, Ward should take the lionshare of carries and also catch the ball out of the backfield.