COMMITEE BACKUPS (Projected)
1. Maurice Jones-Drew JAC
= Hulk. Workload likely to increase this year in run-heavy JAX. Fred Taylor is a year older and injury would boost MoJo to top 5 Mansion status.
2. DeAngelo Williams CAR
5.0 YPC went unnoticed last year amidst QB drama and Stewart arrival has fueled his fire. Don’t forget DeAnge was 27th overall pick in 06’. He is underestimated by most, but not us.
UPDATE- DeAngelo is the starter, but Jon Stewart is no joke. Full-blown RBBC here.
3. Chris Johnson TEN
Explosive home run hitter is a legit 3-down threat on run-first team. CJ is motivated to win Rookie of the Year. He also has experience at WR, and catches passes with ease. Upgrade in PPR.
4. Rashard Mendenhall PIT
Pitt coaching staff compares him to a young Edge James, which is saying a lot. He will bring physicality Willie Parker lacks, rewarding you w/ vulture TDs and possibly much more.
5. Darren McFadden OAK
Has been electric in camp. Raiders will make sure the 4th overall pick gets his touches. Justin Fargas and Michael Bush are not exactly durability kings. Keep an eye on fumbling issues.
6. Ricky Williams MIA
With fresh legs, he’s reportedly been the best player in Dolphins camp. He’ll share load w/ recovering Ronnie Brown, but Ricky hasn’t proved to be reliable in recent years.
UPDATE- Ricky is the starter, but Ronnie will be more valuable down the stretch.
7. Ahmad Bradshaw NYG
Explosive 7th round pick (2007) will play a big role no matter what. The Super Bowl winning formula = Jacobs 62 carries, Bradshaw 48 carries. And Jacobs has been known to get nicked up.
8. Steve Slaton HOU
Great talent and in a perfect system. With both Ahman Green and Chris Brown injured, Slaton has a great opportunity in Houston. He knows how to score: 55 TDs in 3 years in college.
9. Maurice Morris SEA
SEA backfield is a true committee with no clear-cut starter. Holmgren vows to ride the hot hand. Mo Mo looks starter-worthy lately but either way, both are likely to be inconsistent fantasy options.
UPDATE- Morris is the starter, but that doesn't mean much. Read above.
10. Pierre Thomas NO
Likely to fill Deuce roll, if/when McAllister is out. Can’t ignore 2007 week 17 line- 20 carries 105 rush YDS, 12 REC- 121 rec YDS, 1 TD. Aaron Stecker still looms, however. Pierre can move up this list when role is more defined.
CUFFS
1. Chester Taylor MIN
MVH = Most Valuable Handcuff. A solid NFL RB, on a running team with a great O-line. See Hulkemetrics. Dating back to soph year in college, Adrian Peterson has missed an avg. of 4 games per year from injury. If you draft AP, reach for Chester.
2. Chris Perry/ Kenny Watson CIN
Carson Palmer has raved about Chris Perry this summer and Cincy is still intrigued by his upside. But because of injuries, he only has 73 career carries in his 4 year NFL career. Watson gave the offense a much needed spark last year when Rudi was out or sucked and can do it again. I’d bet on Perry’s talent, but not his health.
UPDATE- Rudi was cut. Perry is the starter w/ Watson as the backup= handcuff.
3. Ray Rice BAL
Hard-working rookie has golden opportunity to establish a large role while McGahee is out (knee). He could get a lot of catches because of OC Cam Cameron and iffy QB situation. Beware of injured O-line.
4. Ladell Betts WAS
Showed what he’s capable of in 06’ while Portis was hurt, which included only 9 starts. Total stats- 53 receptions, 1599 total yards, 5 TDs. But Portis was very durable last season.
5. Felix Jones DAL
Will make immediate impact as big-play threat in a potent offense. His pass-catching ability has “wow’d” teammates in camp. He was overshadowed by McFadden in college, but averaged a sick 8.7 YPC in 07’.
6. Tim Hightower ARI
Bruiser in the mold of Marion Barber, according to coaches. He’s a goal-line vulture candidate immediately and Coach Wisenhunt is familiar with goal-line arrangement from his days in Pitt (Jerome Bettis).
7. Andre Hall DEN
A legit talent who hasn’t been given a legit opportunity in the pros until Denver. Ryan Torain’s injury opens the door for Hall to be primary backup in RB-friendly offense and Selvin Young is anything but proven.
8. Fred Jackson BUF
Proved he is a valuable asset to Bills while Lynch was out last season. Jackson has great hands and is expected to catch as many passes as Lynch.
9. Sammy Morris / Lamont Jordan NE
One of these guys, whoever proves to be healthy enough…will be used to spell Maroney and likely vulture a few goal-line TDs whenever Belichek feels like it. Belicheck also shows the tendency to ride the hot hand.
10. Dominic Rhodes IND
Primary beneficiary if Addai gets injured, but history shows Rhodes’ ceiling is low, despite playing in high-powered Indy offense. Colts would likely lean towards the pass without Addai.
11. Jerious Norwood ATL
A true game breaker- 6.2 YPC career avg. It’s ludacris how little ATL has used their biggest playmaker. His production warrants more touches, but how many can he handle?
12. Leon Washington NYJ
Jets need to give him the ball more…2007 Stats: 3 kickoff return TDs. Rushing inside 20 yd line- 10 carries, 5.7 ypc, 3 TDs compared to T. Jones- 44 carries, 2.4 ypc, 1 TD.
13. Jacob Hester SD
Back-up on a great offense. If LT got hurt, the explosive Sproles would play a big role also, but Hester would get the TDs.
14. Lorenzo Booker PHI
Same as above. Just replace Sproles with Buckhalter and TDs with receptions.
15. Brandon Jackson GB
A lot of hype has been made of Jackson’s offseason improvement, but I’ll believe it when I see it. Disappointment last season.
16. Jason Wright CLE
Solid backup on a squad with great o-line. J-Lew has proven to be a durable RB though.
17. Kevin Jones CHI
Talented, yes but I remain skeptical after two devastating leg injuries back to back seasons (Lisfranc and ACL). At least for this season.
18. Kolby Smith KC
Was reliable when LJ went down last year. Rookie Jamaal Charles has more upside, but is to raw to rely on. It’d likely be a committee if LJ went out.
19. Deshaun Foster SF
Average backup RB on pass-happy offense. If Gore got hurt, Foster’s only upside is receptions.
20. Tatum Bell DET
If he can’t succeed in Denver, where can he?
UPDATE- This clown was cut (yawn)...I told you he stinks.
21. Warrick Dunn TB
Still can be a decent contributor in real life football, but not fantasy.
22. Antonio Pittman STL
A measly 3.7 YPC in 11 games last year. Only upside is arrival of new OC Al Saunders, but Brian Leonard is in the mix too after S Jax.
