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51. Sedrick Shaw, Patriots: With Curtis Martin now traded to the Jets, Shaw has an outside shot to take the starting spot, ahead of first-round rookie Robert Edwards, who will be taken in the first five rounds of most drafts. Shaw didn't have any carries as a rookie, but as a third-round pick for New England in 1997, he has too much value to ignore. Watch pre-season games closely and take the gamble if Shaw is getting playing time in the backfield.

52. Stephen Davis, Redskins: Davis is the backup for Terry Allen, which makes him very valuable to fantasy-leaguers who drafted Allen, and a good gamble for everybody else. In six starts last season, Davis hit 90-plus yards twice. He finished with three touchdowns, two of them in one game. At 231 pounds, he has good speed and power and should some day be the starter for Washington, although that won't be this year unless Allen gets hurt.

53. Duce Staley, Eagles: Staley, a third-round pick in 1997, was impressive as a rookie on kickoff returns and becomes the backup to Garner with Watters going to Seattle. Staley is an exciting runner who could get 10 rushes per game and might score 3-5 TDs this season. He's not a bad late-round gamble.

54. William Henderson, Packers: Oh no, it's the fullback run. Henderson is a great fullback and a key reason the Packers' running game has improved the past two seasons, but he's not a fantasy pick except as a bye-week move. The 250-pounder had only 31 carries last season, but did have 41 receptions and one touchdown. Expect similar numbers this year, with 2-4 TDs.

55. Leroy Hoard, Vikings: One of the best backups you can get because the starter in Minnesota, Robert Smith, is an injury waiting to happen. Hoard started only once last year, but had four touchdowns. A powerful 225 pounds, Hoard is an eight-year veteran who has averaged four scores per season, and even as a backup this season, he should be able to reach that total again.

56. Troy Davis, Saints: A rookie last year who ate up the competition at Iowa State, many experts thought Davis was too small for the NFL at 180 pounds, and they may have been right. Davis has quickness and speed, but not enough of it to compensate for his lack of running strength. He averaged just 3.6 yards per carry last year and never reached the end zone after pregame warmups. There's a remote chance he'll be the starter, but avoid Davis unless he has an incredible pre-season.

57. LeShon Johnson, Giants: Nobody knows what's going to happen at the running back position for the Giants, and Johnson is as much a mystery as anybody. After breaking some long plays for Arizona in 1996, including a 70-yard touchdown run in a 214-yard game, he was expected to be a big-play back. You'll have to put that out of your mind, however, because the real Johnson stood up last year ­ 23 carries for 81 yards on the season, and that was for a team that didn't have a star running back. Johnson has great speed, but track speed means little if you have no evasiveness. Don't expect Johnson to be a surprise this season.

58. Rashaan Salaam, Bears: There's a very simple reason why this former Heisman Trophy winner has fallen from favor in three NFL seasons. He has 14 career touchdowns and 14 career fumbles. It's that simple. The Bears decided about 10 fumbles ago to try somebody else at halfback, even attempting to trade Salaam to Miami this spring before the move was negated when Salaam didn't pass his physical. Until another team decides to give him a try, he'll never get to show the speed and power that made him the 21st overall pick of the 1995 draft.

59. Anthony Johnson, Panthers: After a non-descript six-year career with four teams, Johnson became the starter in Carolina when Biakabutuka was injured in 1996 and rushed for 1,120 yards. The truth, however, is that Johnson isn't a premier running back. With only average power and speed, his career average is only 3.7 yards per carry, and six of his 14 career touchdowns came in 1996. Last year, he rushed only 97 times and had only one TD, on a reception. He's now a third-stringer, so don't be surprised if he doesn't make an impact.

60. Daryl Johnston, Cowboys: A neck injury almost forced ³Moose² into retirement, but he's back to try it again this year after a six-game, one-TD performance in 1997. Johnston believes he can be the starting fullback again, which would be great for the Cowboys, but not so great for fantasy-leaguers. In his prime, he was worth only 3-4 TDs per year, so don't bother drafting him this year. Instead, keep an eye on him as a bye-week move.

61. Terry Kirby, unsigned: Kirby has been a useful player wherever he's been, with eight touchdowns last year for the 49ers and seven in 1995 for Miami. A 220-pound halfback, Kirby won't bust long plays, but he's proven to be a solid runner inside the 10-yard line in his five NFL seasons. Wait and see where he winds up, but there are worse choices than Kirby when it gets late in the draft and you need somebody who can get you a ³cheap² touchdown during a bye week for your starters.

62. Craig Heyward, Rams: After back-to-back eight-TD seasons for Atlanta in 1994-95, Heyward has only four total TDs the last two years. Last year, he had only 34 carries as the blocking back for the Rams. Because of the turmoil at the running back position for St. Louis, Heyward is worth a late-round gamble, but don't expect much from a 32-year-old fullback who is listed at 250 pounds and has seen better days.

63. Leeland McElroy, Cardinals: A second-round pick in 1996, McElroy hasn't really panned out. In two seasons, he has only four total TDs with a per-carry average of 3.3 yards. His longest career run is 32 yards. The Cardinals brought in Murrell to be the starter, and McElroy will be fighting with Mario Bates to be the backup. Don't bother taking a longshot on this former Texas A star unless there's an unforeseen development in the preseason.

64. Mario Bates, Cardinals: At first glance, the guess is that Murrell will be the halfback in Arizona, but Bates has a legitimate chance of beating him out. Yes, Murrell is a two-time 1,000-yard rusher, but his rushing average last year was only 3.6 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Bates was stuck in the revolving door that was the running back position in New Orleans. Of course, it didn't help that he had injury problems, but Bates has showed flashes of being a featured back in his four NFL seasons. He's worth a late-round pick.

65. Greg Hill, unsigned: After four NFL seasons, Hill is still a difficult player to figure out. His career rushing average is a solid 4.1, and he has the quickness and speed every team likes to see at halfback, at least for 10-15 carries per game. But for some reason, he never became the featured back in Kansas City, then the Chiefs cut him this spring even though they didn't really have anybody to replace him at the time. Hill is not a great running back, but he's good, and worthy of being somebody's backup. He should score 3-4 TDs per year, but wait and see where he signs before jumping over the Hill.

66. Erric Pegram, Giants: Pegram has proven to be a valuable third-down back who is very good in the open field. The Giants don't have much speed, and Pegram can give them a lift off the bench. He's scored only two touchdowns in each of the past two years, but as a bye-week move, there are worse gambles. There's also an outside chance that Pegram could get consistent carries at the halfback position for the Giants.

67. Derrick Fenner, Raiders: Fenner had eight TDs as the Raiders' goal-line back in 1996, but an injury cost him half of last season. If he makes the team, he might be worth a shot late in the draft, especially if you have Kaufman, because this nine-year pro has always been a good back near the end zone.

68. Terrell Fletcher, Chargers: San Diego traded a future first-round pick to draft Fletcher in the second round in 1995, but he has been nothing but a third-down back and has three TDs in his three-year career. He's very quick and should be a contributor to San Diego, but he's only a bye-week gamble in fantasy football.

69. Aaron Hayden, Packers: This pick is for those of you who already have Levens, or in the event that Levens is a holdout. Hayden is a decent back, but won't see the field unless Levens is unsigned or injured. Last year, Hayden had one TD in a late-season mopup role. He won't have many more chances for scores this season than last year's 32 rushes.

70. Sherman Williams, Cowboys: Emmitt Smith's backup the past few seasons, Williams is now Warren's backup. That makes Williams third-string and takes him out of consideration for fantasy-leaguers.

71. Harvey Williams, Raiders: Since he scored 16 touchdowns over a two-year stretch in 1994-95, Williams has had zero scores in 1996 and just five in 1997. He's a capable backup to Kaufman, but if Fenner is healthy, don't expect many opportunities for short touchdowns from this 30-year-old veteran.

72. Harold Green, Rams: Now entering his ninth NFL season, Green makes our list only because there are no quality running backs in St. Louis. Green, who rushed only 36 times last year, had only one touchdown and didn't become the starter when Phillips was cut. Instead, the Rams moved Moore to the halfback spot. Ignore Green on Draft Day unless there's a reason to think he's going to become the starter this season.

73. Earnest Byner, Ravens: Byner has now been around 14 seasons and is 36 years old. He's on this list because after Rhett, Baltimore doesn't have a running back you've ever heard of. Keep him in mind as a bye-week maneuver, but don't expect him to be a starter in the NFL at this point in his career.

74. Aaron Craver, Chargers: A fullback who had 20 carries and no touchdowns a year ago, Craver isn't even a viable bye move.

75. Eric Bieniemy, Bengals: Bieniemy has been a solid performer for San Diego and Cincinnati in his seven-year career. He has been a third-down back for the Bengals, catching about 30 passes per year and scoring two or three times. He's probably not a good draft pick this year unless there are a lot of injuries in camp for the Bengals.

76. Darnell Autry, Bears: Talk about being buried on the bench. Autry, a fourth-round pick in 1997, is so deep on the depth chart the Bears have to pipe air to him. Don't bother.

77. Lamont Warren, Colts: As a backup to Faulk, Warren has scored four TDs in the past three seasons. Don't worry about him unless you have Faulk, in which case Warren is a good insurance policy.

78. Richie Anderson, Jets: The Jets' fullback is a good receiver but has seen the end zone one time per year in the past two seasons. He won't get more than a few carries and receptions per game with Martin in town, so don't bother.

79. Derek Loville, Broncos: Loville's 13-TD performance in 1995 for San Francisco was a fluke. Last year in Denver, he had only 25 rushes and one TD. Even if Terrell Davis gets hurt, Vaughn Hebron is most likely the next candidate to play. Don't bother.

80. Rodney Thomas, Oilers: Thomas had seven touchdowns as a rookie in 1995, but had lost his starting job even before Eddie George arrived on the scene in 1997. Thomas had 67 carries and three TDs last year and is a good insurance pick if you already have George. Otherwise, he's not even a bye-week player.

81. Irving Spikes, unsigned: Spikes was a tease as a fantasy football player in his four seasons in Miami, scoring 10 TDs. The glut of running backs forced the Dolphins to release this 5'8'' fireplug, so watch where he lands because Spikes has always been a decent goal-line back and might score a few TDs this year.

82. Ron Moore, Cardinals: A 1,000-yard rusher as a rookie and 780-yard rusher in his second year for the Cardinals, Moore has 400 yards rushing in the past three seasons combined. He might not even make the roster this season.

83. Chuck Levy, 49ers: Levy, the fastest man on the roster, is the backup to Hearst and won't see the field unless Hearst is injured. Last year, Levy returned a punt for a touchdown, but carried the ball just 16 times. Don't draft Levy, but if you have Hearst, you may be picking him up later in the season.

84. Vaughn Hebron, Broncos: Hebron, who at times looked like he might overtake Watters in Philadelphia, is one of the best backups in the league. He averaged three carries per game, with a 4.5 average and one TD on the season. If you have Terrell Davis, you probably should remember Hebron's name during the season because he'll be a producer if (knock on wood) Davis gets injured.

85. Brian Mitchell, Redskins: Washington's third-down back and kick returner, Mitchell scored four TDs last season, each in a different way ­ rushing, receiving, kickoff return and punt return. Mitchell, an eight-year veteran, catches 35 passes per year and has eight return TDs in his career. He's a good player for fantasy teams only if his returns count for your team; otherwise, draft the Washington defense.

86. Rodney Hampton, unsigned: After five straight 1,000-yard seasons and a 10-TD year in 1995, Hampton has slowed down to the point that he's no longer a decent running back, and the Giants released him. Even if he's picked up by another team, he has no speed left and much of his power will only get him three yards per carry. It was great while it lasted for this eight-year veteran, who currently has 6,897 career rushing yards.

Rookies to watch: There are several rookie running backs to keep an eye on. Curtis Enis, a first-rounder from Penn State, will be the Bears' featured running back, which has been worth 1,000 yards and 8-10 TDs over the past few seasons for a good running team.
Robert Edwards, a first-rounder from Georgia, has a great chance to be the starter for New England.

Robert Holcombe, a second-rounder from Illinois, has a chance to start in St. Louis. He's not flashy, but is solid all-around.
Ahman Green, a third-rounder form Nebraska, could be a third-down back for Seattle.
Skip Hicks, a second-rounder from UCLA, could be a rookie surprise and might be a key part of the Redskins' offense.
Fred Taylor, a first-rounder from Florida, and fourth-rounder Tavian Banks from Iowa, each have a shot at the starting spot in Jacksonville. Of course, the first-rounder will get the first crack at it.
Rashaan Shehee, a second-rounder from Washington, has stepped into a perfect situation in Kansas City, where there are almost no halfbacks on the roster. Some people are calling Shehee the next Corey Dillon.
John Avery, a first-rounder from Mississippi, is a speed burner who should be a third-down back and kick returner for the Dolphins. The rookies will be ranked with the veterans in the next issue of Fantasy Sports.