MJD is a guy that I just can't seem to decide whether I like this year or not. I'm surprised there's not more discussion around him.
What's to like: Workload, talent, history of production, offensive line. Pretty much everything. I'm not concerned about the injury. I'm of the belief that modern technology and "supplements" have become absurdly good and what used to be a career-ender is now a 7 month recovery back to 98% of what the player was. He's a fantastic player. Led the league in rushing 2011, was leading the league in rushing 2012 before he got hurt. Could represent enormous value in the 2nd/early 3rd round.
There's just one glaring concern for me. It might sound really stupid (I'm sure someone will tell me that it is), but I can't get past it.
He's fat.
This picture:
http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/6fDxyFSMyUzekTEysgBRyQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTI1MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/Sports/ap/201307231519551990949 was taken a week ago. In the article that I pulled it from, it says he was out of shape but has lost 20lbs. But this doesn't look like a guy that's in football shape to me.
Can he go from that picture to game-ready in 2 weeks? Doubt it. And if he can, it can't be done in a healthy way. Will it slow him down? Will it increase his injury risk? I play basketball pretty frequently, and when I've played a bit heavier I'm more prone to tearing up ankles and knees, and that's in a pickup basketball game, not the NFL.
Is anyone else concerned about this? Have any thoughts? Or reassurance? I think MJD could potentially be one of the pivotal players in FF this year (how many other guys in the 3rd round have a legitimate shot, outside of a Cinderella story, of being #1 at their position), but I can't get past this one glaring thing.
With the dearth of legit RBs this year, who you take at #2 RB amongst the mess of DMC/Matthews/Murray/MJD/etc could make or break you.
I can't be the only one concerned here.
Help.