Matt Forte didn't disappoint his owners this year.
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -
In the second in a series of articles we look at running backs and check their 2008 on-field performance with expected value which in this case is measured by Average Draft Position (ADP).
BARGAIN
DeAngelo Williams, Michael Turner, Matt Forte, Steve Slaton, Chris Johnson, Pierre Thomas, Jerious Norwood, Darren Sproles, Le'Ron McClain
Williams was drafted 21 picks behind his Carolina Panthers running mate, rookie Jonathon Stewart (91-70), but stepped up his game to become the TSN 2008-09 Fantasy Player of the Year. Three rookies made the "bargain list" (Forte, Slaton, Johnson) which shows you can't be afraid to take a chance. Keep that in mind for next year and choose a rookie RB somewhere in your draft. There will be plenty of good ones like Knowshon Moreno (Georgia), Chris Wells (Ohio State), Shone Greene (Iowa), Donald Brown (Connecticut), Percy Harvin (Florida) and many more.
FAIR MARKET VALUE
Adrian Peterson, Thomas Jones, Maurice Jones-Drew, Clinton Portis, Brandon Jacobs, Ronnie Brown, Kevin Smith, LenDale White.
Just as the category says, if you picked one of the guys, you got a solid return on your investment. Portis was the best running back for the first half of the season, but faded in the second half and did virtually nothing at fantasy playoff time.
OVERPAID
LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Westbrook, Steven Jackson, Marion Barber, Marshawn Lynch, Willie Parker, Earnest Graham, Edgerrin James
Some pretty "big" names in this category and with the usual first-round "run" on running backs a lot was expected from these guys. Most of them made the list because injury slowed them. Unfortunately, injuries and running backs will always go together so this is just a part of the game and there is very little you can do about it except try to pick guys who at least start the season healthy.
BUST
Frank Gore, Ryan Grant, Joseph Addai, Jamal Lewis, Willis McGahee, Larry Johnson, Darren McFadden, Selvin Young
Addai was both injured and a bust when he played making him the worst of the first-round running backs selected. As a No.6 overall pick, you can't put up 750 total yards and seven TDs. Or five TDs like Grant. Or four TDs like Lewis.
