The Chicago Bears will likely give the starting running back job in 2008 to rookie 2nd round pick Matt Forte out of Tulane.  Forte had an incredible senior season at Tulane as he started 12 games and he carried the ball 361 times for 2,127 yards (5.9 ypc) with 23 TD runs.  He also caught 32 passes for 282 yards (8.8 avg).  Forte is a good power runner as he always seems to be moving forward but he’s not very fast (4.63 40).  Forte will likely be a busy player as a rookie as the depth behind him is very weak.

Adrian Peterson was a decent backup running back but when he was forced into starting duty by the Bears he failed miserably.  Peterson played in 16 games (5 starts) for the Bears last season and he carried the ball 151 times for 510 yards (3.4 ypc) with 3 TD runs.  He also caught 51 passes for 420 yards (8.2 avg).  Look for Peterson to get a lot of work this season but don’t expect miracles out of him.  Peterson has now played in 77 games (6 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 284 times for 1,132 yards (4.0 ypc) with 8 TD runs.  He also has caught 70 passes for 609 yards (8.7 avg).

Garrett Wolfe is too small to be anything more than a third down back.  He played in 13 games (0 starts) for the Bears as a rookie last season and he carried the ball 31 times for 85 yards (2.7 ypc).  Wolfe also caught 9 passes for 117 yards (13.0 avg).  Look for the Bears to increase Wolfe’s roll on third downs in 2008.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  D