I did about five mock drafts last week and drafted a real team on Friday night. It’s the first of four real leagues that I’ll be in (I don’t recommend doing that). I’ve been playing fantasy football since 1993 (yeah, before all this internet stuff) and have been in roughly 40 leagues. So, you can either trust me on some of this information, or you can get your magazine out at the draft and take Ryan Torain in the 8th round (or Kevin Curtis. I swear a guy on Friday night took Curtis in the 8th. Wow.).

So, let’s take a look at some running backs this year (not all…some).

The top portion:

-Ladainian Tomlinson: He’s the consensus #1 overall pick in every draft. But, buyer beware on L.T. I have a feeling that this is the year he starts to break down physically. I don’t know this for sure, but it’s just a feeling. You are a moron if you don’t draft him #1, but it could screw you. The solution? If you can get a king’s ransom for the top pick, I’d do it. Otherwise, you just have to take him or you are a terrorist.

-Adrian Peterson: I had the #2 pick in my draft Friday night and went with All Day. Some would go with Brian Westbrook and that’s fine.

-Brian Westbrook: See previous. In a point-per-reception league, you may want to take Westbrook ahead of A.P. It really doesn’t matter, they are both studs.

-Joseph Addai: Safe. I love Addai. If you can grab him, go for it. Not much risk here.

-Marshawn Lynch: I really like Marshawn, as long as he isn’t driving a car. Relax, take him in the mid-first round.

This is where it gets hairy:

-Steven Jackson: I love Jackson, I do. But, he held out for most of training camp and you have to wonder what kind of shape he is in. Being in shape and being in game-shape are two different things. It’s not that he won’t be able to run, he could get hurt. Also, his offense blows. I wouldn’t love being forced to take him in the mid-late first round.

-Frank Gore: This guy will piss you off. You are sitting at the end of the first round and you want to get a running back, and he’s the “best available.” Ugh. Have fun. His injury history scares me every year.

-Larry Johnson: I really go into the draft with the mindset of “let someone else take Larry.” In the past, he’s had jaw-dropping production. I just don’t trust that anymore. He’s lost o-linemen Willie Roaf and Will Shields and it’s just not the same. If you have to take him, go for it. But, I wouldn’t be thrilled about it.

Another tier down:

-Marion Barber: I like Barber. He runs harder than anyone in the league and has nice production. I’m afraid of his new teammate, Felix Jones. I have a tough time believing that Jones won’t see a lot of time. Someone took Barber #5 overall the other night. That’s WAY too high.

-Ryan Grant: He’s my guy this year. If I can get a nice back in the first round, I’m eager to pair him up with Grant coming back. I know Brandon Jackson has looked good so far, but I think Grant is still Green Bay’s guy.

-Jamal Lewis: Not sure how much Lewis has left in the tank, but he was good last year. If you can find him in the third round you are in good shape. That is, as long as he isn’t your #1 back.

Stay away from:

-Willis McGahee: Do yourself a huge favor and let someone else take him. He’s hurt, he has pissed off execs with his work ethic, his line stinks and Ravens beat reporter Mike Preston says he wouldn’t be surprised if he was cut before the season. I don’t think he will be, but those aren’t words of praise.

-Rudi Johnson: He’s hurt too and stunk last year. As of now, Chris Perry is the starter. More on him later.

-Reggie Bush: Every year, some moron takes Bush way too high. Don’t be that guy. He runs soft and isn’t fast enough to destroy defenses like he did in college. He doesn’t finish his runs very well and he is a hype machine. Let someone else take him.

-Darren McFadden: It’s not that I have a problem with him. I have a problem with these people drafting him too high. Remember, he isn’t currently the starter in Oakland. The fourth round is too soon for me on McFadden.

Good buys:

-The rookies: Felix Jones, Ray Rice, Kevin Smith, Chris Johnson and Matt Forte are all great buys for me. They will fall round after round. These are the guys you should be grabbing while every other nitwit thinks they have to grab a defense in the 7th round.

-Chris Perry: As of now, he’s the Bengals starter. Rudi Johnson returned to practice today, but Perry can be had very late and is worth a flyer. Perry is finally healthy in just his 23rd year in the league.

Why only nine? Because of budget constraints. I couldn’t convince the publisher to print a Top 10 list so we had to trim it to nine. So, here are my Top Nine fantasy football impact rookies.

From back to front:

#9: DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles: Reggie Brown is nursing a hamstring. Meanwhile, Jackson is showing that he has the skills to play at this level. The Eagles need playmakers at WR and if he continues to play like he has, he will be on the field.

#8: James Hardy, WR, Bills: He’s huge. If he can stop pulling guns on his dad, he has a chance to get a lot of playing time. Lee Evans will open up quite a bit for him.

#7: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers: Simply put, a perfect addition to pair up with Fast Willie. My biggest concern is that offensive line. The Steelers offense is built from the outside in.

#6: Steve Slaton, RB, Texans: If he can stay healthy (and that’s a big if), he could take over backfield duties in Houston. There are rumors that Ahman Green could get cut outright. John McClain of the Houston Chronicle has given Slaton rave reviews.

#5: Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys: I could easily put him higher up this list. This kid is damn good. Marion Barber gets the bulk of the load, but a player of this caliber finds his way onto the field.

#4: Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders: How could you make him fourth!!!?? A crowded backfield will do that. This is a list for fantasy impact, not who the best player is. McFadden looks like the truth, but I don’t know that he’ll be getting the bulk of the work just yet.

#3: Ray Rice, RB, Ravens: You better believe I wanted to rank him higher. I love this kid. Word out of Baltimore is that he looks great. He could run McGahee out of town for 2009.

#2: Chris Johnson, RB, Titans: This kid looks really good. I think the Titans have found a player. It concerns me that he’s splitting time with Lendale White, but he could still have a good impact.

#1: Matt Forte, RB, Bears: Because everyone else in their backfield is such garbage He looks like he can be a nice back and he’ll most likely be starting.

Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren admits he doesn’t know too much about fantasy football, but says that his daughter Calla does.

In fact, she was kicked out of a fantasy football league at some point for insider info.

“My daughter, who’s a doctor in Salt Lake City, she captained one of the fantasy teams and then was thrown out of the league because of ‘inside information.’ But I will say, she was clean,” Holmgren said. “It was the appearance.

“She did not phone me about it. And she was very upset about it. But she knows football, as all my girls do.”