Looking ahead to 2009

Photo credit: Game Face

Chicago's Matt Forte should be the No. 2 pick in 2009 fantasy drafts. (Photo by Getty)

As the 2008 fantasy football season wraps up, it’s time to look ahead to 2009. Here are my top 20 picks for next season.

1. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota

He’s had back-to-back seasons of 1,300 rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns, and he’ll be just 24 years old entering next season.

2. Matt Forte, RB, Chicago

I suspect Michael Turner will be the fashionable No. 2 pick next season, but Forte gets the nod in my mind because he’s an exceptional receiver (58 catches this season).

3. Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta

You’ve got to love his monster-game potential and four multi-touchdown games this season. But it is somewhat concerning that he’s not a factor in the passing game (just six receptions).4. Clinton Portis, RB, Washington

He’s amassed at least 1,500 yards of offense in seven of his eight NFL seasons. And despite that it seems as though he’s been around forever, he’ll turn just 28 in 2009.

5. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco

I anticipate he’ll be underrated heading into next season because he plays for a struggling franchise. But thanks to his receiving skills, he should be a safe bet for 1,500 yards and at least eight TDs, with the potential to top 2,000 yards.

6. Marion Barber, RB, Dallas

“The Barbarian” is on pace for more than 1,450 yards of offense and 10 touchdowns – which would make for his third-straight season with double-digit TDs.

7. Steve Slaton, RB, Houston

A rookie this season, Slaton has rushed for 1,124 yards and eight touchdowns, and added another 305 yards as a receiver.

8. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee

He’s arguably the most explosive running back in the NFL. The only factor that will keep him from going higher is the presence of goal-line vulture LenDale White in Tennessee.

9. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans

He’s passed for 300 yards eight times this season and multiple touchdowns in nine games – and that was with Marques Colston, Jeremy Shockey and Reggie Bush missing significant playing time with injuries.

10. Tom Brady, QB, New England

Don’t expect another 50-touchdown season, but with Randy Moss and Wes Welker to throw to, Brady, who missed virtually all of 2007 with a torn ACL in his left knee, should reclaim a spot among the fantasy football elite.

11. Brandon Jacobs, RB, N.Y. Giants

When healthy, the Giants’ wrecking ball of a running back rarely ever disappoints his owners. But over the past two seasons, injuries have been enough of a concern to bump him down, likely into the early part of the second round.

12. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego

I expect I’m in the minority in saying this: L.T. should not be a first-round pick next season. In June, he’ll turn 30, the age when most running backs begin a rapid decline. His recent injuries and drop-off in production are indications that he’s not worth a top-round gamble.

13. Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia

Westbrook, too, will turn 30 next year and has never been the healthiest player.

14. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina

He was the top-scoring fantasy running entering Sunday, but it’s hard to believe that teammate Jonathan Stewart won’t see an increased role in the offense next season, eating into Williams’ carries.

15. Tony Romo, QB, Dallas

If not for a thumb injury that sidelined him for three games, Romo’s fantasy stats would be right up there with Brees’ and Warner’s.

16. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis

He might slip in drafts because he plays for a bad team and is coming off an injury-plagued season. But because he’ll be just 26 and is a receiving threat, he could be a second-round steal.

17. Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona

If not for concerns about his age (he’ll be 38 in 2009) and his durability, Warner would easily be a top-10 pick.

18. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona

Was the highest-scoring and most consistent receiver this season.

19. Randy Moss, WR, New England

Moss should return to greatness when Brady returns under center.

20. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis

Despite a slow start, Manning has thrown for two touchdowns or more in eight games -- just one fewer than Brees and Warner.

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