AP vs CJ vs MJD, who should go #1?

AP vs CJ vs MJD, who should go #1

JH:

1) Chris Johnson
2) Maurice Jones-Drew
3) Adrian Peterson

Perhaps I am biased, (I drafted CJ in the 2nd round last year, and he basically carried my team through the entire regular season), but I believe CJ is the #1 RB in standard head-to-head leagues.  He accumulated over 2,500 yards and 16 touchdowns in just his second season.  His overall talent in his running and catching ability put him slightly ahead of MJD and AP. Considering the amount of yards he racked up, the TD’s were actually on the low side last season.  So I do not expect to see a decrease in TD’s.   Peterson had a RB-high 18 touchdowns last season but his fumble issues (7 last year and 9 in the previous year) is a weakness that drops him below CJ and MJD in my books.  With the uncertainty at the Vikings’ QB spot, AP is not as safe as the other 2 premier Running Backs.  MJD is as versatile and durable as Chris Johnson, but works with a less productive offensive line. Jacksonville have a nice pair of young Tackles (drafted in 2009) that need to improve a line that experienced a serious regression in 2009-10.The Titans were the 3rd most efficient offensive line in pass protection, which should help Vince Young now that he is the clear-cut starter from day one.  Vince Young’s success will benefit CJ and possibly result in even more receptions from the scrambling Young.

RB: Adrian Peterson should be the #1 overall pick in fantasy drafts without question. Chris Johnson is holding out for a new contract and is allowing for Javon Ringer to run with the first-team an gain the coaches confidence. Chris Johnson will not reach as many carries as he had last year, that was a given, now with Ringer carving out a time-share there is all the more reason to bump him down your cheat sheet. In Minnesota, Chester Taylor is gone to the Bears, which means, at least to start the season, AP will be on the field more, and also more in passing situations which will only increase his value (43 receptions last year compared to 47 for Reggie Bush; 53 for MJD). Long-term Toby Gerhart has a chance to eat into AP’s touches, but you can rest assured that barring injury Toby Gerhart will not have as many touches as Taylor. Peterson has scintillating talent and the run game will be leaned on more heavily this season in order to facilitate better looks down-field. AP will likely be the #1 fantasy back in standard scoring formats and is who you should choose with your number one overall pick.

RB: MJD should be the #1 overall pick. He has very little competition for carries, has proven to be durable and is used heavily in the aerial attack as well. Maurice Jones-Drew is only held back by the rest of his team who need the provide the opportunities for MJD to tote the ball. MJD is arguably his teams #1 receiver and finished last season with 53 receptions, good for #2 on his team (and more receptions than Braylon Edwards). MJD is the defacto #1 in PPR leagues but with 15 rushing TD’s last season and Chris Johnson holding out and AP having to deal with potential TD vulture in rookie Toby Gerhart, should be the pick in standard leagues as well. Chris Johnson also has Javon Ringer to deal with and an ever improving passing game. AP has to deal with the fact that they may be throwing on plays when they should be running because Brett Favre is at the helm. MJD has a middling passing game in which he is featured; when you take all the above mentioned factors into consideration there is not much debate regarding who the #1 overall pick in fantasy drafts should be.