Player Spotlight: Rashard Mendenhall (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2008 Player Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The Shark Pool is, in our view, the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things fantasy football. In what's become an annual tradition, the Player Spotlight series is a key part of the preseason efforts. As many of you know, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. Last year, we published more than 140 offensive spotlights covering the vast majority of expected skill position starters. This year will be no different.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discussion expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways. 1) At the end of the week, we will tally the projections into a consensus. 2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Player Page Link: Rashard Mendenhall Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsNow let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

The Steelers have the potential to be a pretty dynamic offense if their OL can get better pass blocking than it had a year ago(which shouldn't be that hard, given how AWFUL it was). If they're able to do that, the passing should keep enough room to run open for both Parker and Mendenhall to "get theirs."

I see this situation being split up somewhat similar to what the Colts did with Addai/Rhodes a couple years ago. Except in this case, I see Parker being "Addai", as far as the amount of carries go, and I see the Steelers running the ball a little bit more than the '06 Colts did. I see Parker getting 225-240 carries with Mendenhall getting 160-170ish, but with Rashard getting more work at the stripe and in the RZ. The rest of the RBs on the roster get another 40-ish carries combined.

What I DON'T see happening is either one of the top 2 guys here getting that many receptions out of the backfield. Not unless Mendenhall comes in and very quickly adjusts to picking up the blitz at the NFL level. I believe that Bruce Arians WANTS to involve the tailback more in the passing game(and has pimped Mendenhall as being capable of that), but I believe Mewelde Moore is going to snake a lot of those catches from both of them, at least this season.

Mendenhall: 165 carries, 715 yards, 7-8 TDs. 15 catches, 140 yards, 0-1 TD. Potentially one of the "higher end" RB3s if things broke right. If Parker goes down, his value catapults.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I'm actually still quite amazed that Mendenhall landed in Pittsburgh. Fast Willie Parker isn't a TD machine, but he's been a very good running back prior to his injury and he's still relatively young. I have a hard time believing Mendenhall is going to come in there and put up any signficant numbers. If everything fell his way, Parker got hurt and he was starting on his own, of course he could be in line for some quality production. However, it's just as likely that he'd get hurt and Parker would stand to get all the carries.

400 yards and 4 td's 15 receptions for 100 yards and 1 td

 

[The Man with the Plan]

I wonder about this guy. The Lions and Texans both had needs at running back but passed on him anyway. Maybe he'll prove them wrong or he'll prove them right. We'll see.

 

[Bobtender]

With the lastest rumor of the Steelers having intrest in KJ, it makes me wonder if they don't have some concurns with Fast Willie's leg. Is he showing signs that it may not be healing properly

If this were the case that would sky-rocket Mendy's value.

 

[zamboni]

I wonder about this guy. The Lions and Texans both had needs at running back but passed on him anyway.

They passed on him in the 1st round when they had more pressing needs and addressed RB later. Certainly doesn't appear to be an indication that they didn't like him. I think Mendenhall gets about 30-40% of the load this year barring injury to Parker, but next year, look out.

 

[The Man with the Plan]

Maybe but its interesting that those teams thought that they didn't need a talent like Rashard Mendenhall as much as they needed some decent but not great offensive tackles. We'll see if that comes back to bite them.

 

[maxwelledison]

I wonder about this guy. The Lions and Texans both had needs at running back but passed on him anyway. Maybe he'll prove them wrong or he'll prove them right. We'll see.

I'll trust the Steelers' decision makers over the Lions' and Texans' every day of the week.

 

[Bears_Man2]

I wonder about this guy. The Lions and Texans both had needs at running back but passed on him anyway. Maybe he'll prove them wrong or he'll prove them right. We'll see.

I'll trust the Steelers' decision makers over the Lions' and Texans' every day of the week.

Steelers got a steal in Mendenhall. I think by the time 2009 rolls around, we're seeing a Julius/Barber scenario in Pittsburgh.

 

[BigRed]

I think by the time 09 rolls around, you might be seeing more of a Mendenhall being the go-to and FWP token carries/trade thing (don't know contract situation though).

 

[Jon_Moore]

This kid oozes talent. He averaged 6.4 Yards a carry, rushed for 17 tds at Illinois. He carried the ball 262 times, as a Junior. He also showed great receiving ability catching 34 balls for nearly 10 yards a catch and 2 tds. He also fumbled...ZERO times in college. With some time to mature physicall, there's no doubt in my mind he can be a work horse running back that plays every down.

Unfortunately for him, he was drafted by a team with a pro-bowl calliber running back. Last year Parker was on pace to lead the league in rushing attempts and yards. Parker's already shown he can shoulder a huge load. I think Mendenhall is at least a year away from making major fantasy impact.

Pittsburgh will rush it a ton, so he will see a decent amount of touches, and should finish as a top 35 RB, and in larger leagues he can be a steal, especially if something should happen to Parker. He's also the favorite to take the goal line carries, and with the offensive capabilities of Pitt, that could be a decent number. Davenport was able to rush for 5 TDs and catch 2 more...with his considerable extra talent, why can't Mendenhall do that?

144 Carries

634 Yards

6 TDs

22 Receptions

178 Yards

 

[Airbus79]

Something to judge Mendenhall's talent: Why didn't Mendenhall beat out Pierre Thomas as the Illi's main back until Pierre went to NO as UNDRAFTED free agent then Mendenhall won the starting job for a year? Illi didn't shed tears when Mendenhall declared for NFL draft.

Mendenhall will be the most overvalued rookie rb this year in terms of ADP: 128 carries, 537 yards, 12 catches for 72 yards, 3 tds overall.

 

[joffer]

love his talent. obviously when you take a guy like Mendenhall, you're looking for the risk/reward of a Fast Willie injury. what i like best is that Pitt looks to have such a good offense. i'd be curious to hear any Steeler homers chime in on whether they think Mendenhall will get some GL looks.

150/680/4

16/120/0

 

[Garts]

All right folks.

MNF is Mendy's first start.

What shoudl we expect??

60 yards and maybe a TD?