Adrian Peterson

Backup running back who will make his greatest contributions on special teams.

Peterson got the most playing time of his career last season, filling in for the underachieving/injured Cedric Benson. He proved himself to be a backup running back, although he did have one 100-yard effort against the Packers. However, he's clearly more effective as a change-of-pace back, and will reprise that role behind rookie Matt Forte in 2008.

With Thomas Jones no longer in Chicago, Peterson will serve as the backup to starter Cedric Benson this season. Though most of his playing time came on special teams last year, Peterson proved to be an effective runner in 2005 when he rushed for 391 yards on just 76 carries (5.1 yards per carry). Should Benson succumb to injury, which he has done in each of his first two pro seasons, Peterson could post nice stats and be a valuable fantasy commodity. While rookie Garrett Wolfe will also see time at RB in '07, Peterson has the experience and would be a good option should the Bears need him to handle the load.

When it comes to third-string running backs, few in the NFL are more reliable than Peterson. When injury befell Thomas Jones or Cedric Benson last season, Peterson stepped in and played very well, rushing for 391 yards and two TDs on 76 attempts, an average of 5.1 yards per carry. If Jones and Benson both go down this year (as has happened in training camp), Peterson becomes a must-add in all fantasy formats. He is also one of Chicago's top special teams performers.

Peterson enters the year as the Bears' No. 3 running back, though the team has never used him much in its running game. Peterson had just six carries last season, a number that does not figure to increase as long as Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson are in front of him. While Peterson is a great special teams contributor, don't think about him in fantasy leagues.

Peterson inherits the backup RB spot with Leon Johnson having moved on to the Rams. He showed flashes in brief spots in 2002, and some even think that Peterson could push Anthony Thomas for playing time. We'd wait to see him officially take over the starting role, though, before you consider adding him to your fantasy roster.