The Top 30 Fantasy Running Backs for 2002

20. Michael Bennett - Bennett had a lot of pressure last season trying to replace Robert Smith and he did not do well. He should be more relaxed this year and with a healthy Daunte Culpepper throwing to Randy Moss, things should open up for Bennett.

21. Emmitt Smith - Smith continues to rack up 1000 yard season but his TD total dropped to a pathetic three in 2001. The Cowboys still don't have much help around Emmitt with very little passing game. Don't expect a great deal of improvement.

22. James Stewart - Stewart was on his way to another 1000 yard season until injuries finished him off. He had one of the leagues best rushing averages at 4.8 YPC. A healthy Stewart will get a lot of goal line opportunities, providing the Lion's young QBs can get them near it.

23. Thomas Jones - Jones is finally the man in Arizona, and now he has to prove he can handle it. Jones has a great line in front of him and one of the best WRs in the league in David Boston to open things up.

24. Jamal Lewis - Still another in the long line of RBs coming back from injury in 2001. Lewis looked good in his first preseason action but is still a gamble. Take him no higher than middle to late rounds.

25. Michael Pittman - Pittman will be the featured back in Tampa Bay, but as with Dunn, he is certain to lose scoring chances to Mike Alstott. Hoever, Coach Gruden loves to run the ball and Pittman should get his first 1000 yard season.

26. T.J. Duckett - I'm ranking Duckett the highest of the rookie RB's for two reasons: One, Warrick Dunn stinks and I would not be surprised if Duckett became the primary back. Two, even if he doesn't become the primary back, this bruiser will see the ball in goal line situations so even if he doesn't gain a lot of yards, he should score a decent amount of TDs.

27. DeShaun Foster - I cannot see Lamar Smith keeping the starting RB job in Carolina over the explosive Foster. Foster will be the starter before mid-season.

28. William Green - As of right now, Jamel White is the starter in Cleveland and Green has not had the impact that fellow rookie RBs Deshaun Foster and T.J. Duckett have had. Still, the RB situation is so weak

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