Rank the rookie RB's (1 Viewer)

[firecrackerfreakshow]

Pick five (or more ) with the best promise for a fantasy league...I'll goLarry Johnson-Priest won't be there foreverChris Brown-george slowing downWillis Mcgahee-best back before the injuryJustin Fargas-behind Garner, Garner's cap number next year may make him tough to keepArtose Pinner-injured, though Stewart's time is winding downOnterrio Smith-great talent but behind Bennett

 

[Bri]

Johnson-nah Priest hasn't been a starter all that long, nahMcGahee- but what about Henry?Fargas-I think he's more like Ben Gay, an interesting prospect. I'd say the same for Madre Hill too, though he was getting experience in NFLE at one time. Not convinced either is the heir to Garner.Pinner-One bad Staley update and he's the easiest pick here.Chris Brown- What about Simon? Holcombe is useful as a veteran backup to both FB and RB. Having him around is probably great for Fisher but doesn't help these youngsters gain experience.Onterrio-I don't think Tice has much patience left for Bennett to develop. He finished strong last year but if he starts slow Tice could yank him. Let's face it, without a runninggame Tice won't be there long himself.

 

[dotman]

Onterrio-I don't think Tice has much patience left for Bennett to develop. He finished strong last year but if he starts slow Tice could yank him. Let's face it, without a runninggame Tice won't be there long himself.

How much developing do you want? Wasn't he 3rd in the NFC in yards even with Moe Williams getting carries?edited to add he also made the probowl

 

[Bri]

He had a good run of 4 consecutive 100 yard games, a hot streak of sorts. Other than that he only had one in 12 weeks. That's hardly consistent.You know how many great RBs were in the AFC last year, why point out how he did in the NFC? 11th in rushing yards overall.No 1000 yard back had as few carries as him. I've always found carries to be indicative of a coach's confidence in his rushing attack. Fine fine, we disagree on that, that's cool that's part of the fun of FF.351 yards receiving is far below what you'd expect from a talent like him. Wouldn't you say?REC Yards per week 0, 0,33,44,70,0,30,27,9,9,8,6,8,61,15,318(or half the season) he didn't even get 10 yards. Hardly what ya want as a coach if your QB has fumblitis.

 

[tri-man 47]

I have the third pick in my keeper league, so I'm watching all the rookies. I'd rate them:1 Larry Johnson - talent, and possibly excellent situation2 Chris Brown - also a strong possibility of stepping up w/in a year3-7 pick 'em - O Smith, M Smith, L Suggs, J Fargis, A Pinnar8 Willis McGahee - a nasty injury to overcome

 

[jonboltz]

I have the third pick in my keeper league, so I'm watching all the rookies. I'd rate them:1 Larry Johnson - talent, and possibly excellent situation2 Chris Brown - also a strong possibility of stepping up w/in a year3-7 pick 'em - O Smith, M Smith, L Suggs, J Fargis, A Pinnar8 Willis McGahee - a nasty injury to overcome

I'd at least know how to spell their names correctly if I was really watching them closely. Plus I'd be hard pressed to put Suggs, MSmith and OSmith in the same batch as Fargas and maybe Pinner, since they are behind aging guys and not a first round pick from the year before. But then again, just IMHO.

 

[Slider]

Chris Brown is 6' 3" and ran at Colorado where Bobby Purify and anyone else looked good. I wouldn't touch him. 6' 3" RB's are umm...not there.Onterrio Smith is the best talent IMO and dropped because of attitude. Bennett is a track star and a good RB. I just don't think he's complete and benefits from a really good Oline. I really like Smith to sneak some carries and possibly take over.Larry Johnson has bust written all over him but is in the perfect system for a RB. Definately worth the 1 or 2 spot but scares me.Musa Smith comes from Gergia who seems to be a can't miss for RB's but he really climbed the charts after the season ended. He only plays if Lewis goes down.McGahee's agent deserves an Oscar. I wouldn't even begin to guess what happens with him. Bad injury and a bad situation.Reshard Lee is my sleeper if Parcells gives him a shot. If he stayed in another year he would have been a 2nd round pick IMO.

 

[EastBayFunk]

Long term prognosis:1. Onterrio Smith - He's a talented back who can really catch the ball well out of the backfield. I don't know why he went so late, but I just get the feeling he'll do well.2. Willis McGahee - If he returns to pre-injury form then he'll be the best of this bunch. He's a gamble, but could be a top 5 fantasy back some day.3. Chris Brown - I don't care if he's 6'3", Eddie George is about that height and he had a nice run as a good fantasy RB. I think Brown can be a pretty good RB in the NFL. 4. Larry Johnson - It's always worrisome when a 2,000 yard rusher is barely a first round pick. I don't think he's as bad as Ron Dayne but he may have a career similar to that of Thomas Jones or Curtis Enis.5. Lee Suggs - I'll admit that I'm basing most of this on his reputation. Had he left college before his injury he probably would've been a first or second rounder so you know he has some potential. Whether or not he'll ever be able to realize it is anyone's guess.6. Artose Pinner - He should have an opportunity to fight for that starting job this year or perhaps next season. It's tough to get real excited about power backs, but people who have seen him think that he is talented. A lot of great RBs have had pretty mediocre 40 times so it's possible.7. Justin Fargas - While watching him last year against Notre Dame it became evident that he is fast and explosive. He hits those holes and just takes off. However his injury history and slender frame are a bit concerning. He's a really tough one to call. I rate him low because although he's impressive at times, there are just too many questions for me to want to draft him.8. Musa Smith - I really don't know a lot about him, but he'll only play if J. Lewis goes down.Sleeperserek Watson - New England's RBs are not very good. People say Watson is talented and if he gets over his behavior issues then who knows? He'll be available very, very late and so there's no risk to taking him with your last pick.Quentin Griffin + Cecil Sapp - Two household names who both ended up on the Broncos. With Denver's recent track record with RBs you just never know. That said, I wouldn't depend on either one of these guys to come through.

 

[Slider]

3. Chris Brown - I don't care if he's 6'3", Eddie George is about that height and he had a nice run as a good fantasy RB. I think Brown can be a pretty good RB in the NFL.

Eddie George got 40% (close to it) of his yards when Cleveland and Cincy were awful. His career went as they went. He's in a nice system for a RB but was also twice the talent coming out.

 

[The Academy]

Chris Brown is 6' 3" and ran at Colorado where Bobby Purify and anyone else looked good. I wouldn't touch him. 6' 3" RB's are umm...not there.

Eddie George #27 Height: 6-3Weight: 236Chris BrownHeight: 6-3Weight: 220 seems to me, chris brown fits Tennessee's current mold for RB pretty well - I'm not willing to discard him just because he doesnt happen to be 5'11-6'0

 

[firecrackerfreakshow]

anybody want to add something new?

 

[cracKer]

Eddie George got 40% (close to it) of his yards when Cleveland and Cincy were awful. His career went as they went.

That's a ridiculous statement that needs to be backed up with numbers (won't happen)

 

[Bri]

4 out of 16 games per year is 40% isn't it? He's been a fine NFL RB, probably the best ever(since Campbell's career was short) in that franchise's history.Slider, you an ex-Oiler fan?I do think going from Houston to??(can't recall) then to Tennessee wasn't a good move. I have a hard time believing the NFL is proud of that franchise's move. If so, it's a different rationale altogether but I can understand your grief.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Reshard Lee is my sleeper if Parcells gives him a shot. If he stayed in another year he would have been a 2nd round pick IMO.

Very nice Slider. I saw Lee in a couple of games and although Hicks was the starter there, Lee showed some talent. I think he can beat out Doughboy if he can get his act together (had some attitude issues). I also like Griffin.

 

[infantsam]

I don't think I'll trust the math of someone who says 4 of 16 is 40%. That is one of the easier ones.Its pretty faur to say Geaorge has beena great back. Yes he had some big games against Cinn adn Cle. How 'bout Emmit against Philly and Arizona all those years. And George did mostly on a team where he was the only option....Tenn has had a poor passing game till lately and no other runnng back besides MCNair

 

[Hinezer]

He had a good run of 4 consecutive 100 yard games, a hot streak of sorts. Other than that he only had one in 12 weeks. That's hardly consistent.You know how many great RBs were in the AFC last year, why point out how he did in the NFC? 11th in rushing yards overall.No 1000 yard back had as few carries as him. I've always found carries to be indicative of a coach's confidence in his rushing attack. Fine fine, we disagree on that, that's cool that's part of the fun of FF.351 yards receiving is far below what you'd expect from a talent like him. Wouldn't you say?REC Yards per week 0, 0,33,44,70,0,30,27,9,9,8,6,8,61,15,318(or half the season) he didn't even get 10 yards. Hardly what ya want as a coach if your QB has fumblitis.

Why is everyone so down on Bennett on this board?He was 100 yards away from leading the NFC in rushing despite being in a RBBC for the first 3 or so weeks.He only got 20+ carries in 2 or 3 games and that wasn't because Tice didn't have confidence in him, it was because the Vikings were always playing from behind or in shootouts.He averaged more than 5 yards per carry, near the top of the league. The better the team gets, the better Bennett's stats will be. The Vikings have added many players to the defense and will make them more competitive.Bennett was very consistant last year after the RBBC was done with. He won't score many TDs or catch many passes, but he will be near the top of league in rushing for the next 10 years baring injuries.People are talking up Smith WAY too much. Sure, he might be a good talent, but teams that really needed a running back (Lions...) and didn't take Smith in the 3rd round.People forget that Michael Bennett had question marks on him when he was drafted, but he still was a 1st round draft pick. He had a domestic violence charge (which was bogus) that was up in the air and teams also questioned his size and lack of experience. But he was still a 1st round pick. If Smith is this god that you all make him out to be, some team would have taken a chance on him in the 1st round. Most teams passed on him 2 or 3 times.The only way Smith will ever be the starter on the Vikings if Bennett gets injured or gets traded somewhere else. You people make it seem like he is a complete bust and will never amount to anything.

 

[EastBayFunk]

We'll see when the season ends. I have a bad feeling about Bennett this season.

 

[Enraged Nerfball]

Chris Brown is 6' 3" and ran at Colorado where Bobby Purify and anyone else looked good. I wouldn't touch him. 6' 3" RB's are umm...not there.Onterrio Smith is the best talent IMO and dropped because of attitude. Bennett is a track star and a good RB. I just don't think he's complete and benefits from a really good Oline. I really like Smith to sneak some carries and possibly take over.Larry Johnson has bust written all over him but is in the perfect system for a RB. Definately worth the 1 or 2 spot but scares me.Musa Smith comes from Gergia who seems to be a can't miss for RB's but he really climbed the charts after the season ended. He only plays if Lewis goes down.McGahee's agent deserves an Oscar. I wouldn't even begin to guess what happens with him. Bad injury and a bad situation.Reshard Lee is my sleeper if Parcells gives him a shot. If he stayed in another year he would have been a 2nd round pick IMO.

I value differing opinions as much as the next guy, but I have a real problem understanding the rap you place on Brown because of his height. There are plenty of examples of very successful tall RB's in the NFL (Jim Brown, Eric Dickerson, Chuck Muncie, and yes Eddie George). Remember statements made about other Rb's and their physical shortcomings coming out of college?B. Sanders - too shortEmmitt Smith - too slowThey did quite nicely, thank you very much.You have to ask was Brown productive in college, did he play against top flight competition, was he consistent. Yes to all.I'm not saying Brown will be a stud, but his production when healthy suggests the prospect for a very good player, regardless of height.

 

[bueno]

None of these guys look good. Face it, most are going to end up 3rd down specialists, backups and return specialists. In my opinion, Reshard Lee, Cecil Sapp and Derek Watson have as much a shot of starting as Larry Johnson. I don't think any will ever be an RB#1 for a fantasy team in the situations they find themselves in currently, though 1 or 2 may develop into that caliber.

Potential Starters or RBBC Candidates

Chris Brown (rb - Tennessee) is an Eddie George clone, but the Titans of years past have given way to a more pass-oriented team. He may get the chance at the starting job when George retires, so I have to rank him as the best option.

Justin Fargas (rb - Oakland) has a reasonable chance to start in two or three years. I like his atheletic ability, but with Wheatley also signing a long-term deal, I worry that Oakland is set up for years of rbbc.

Willis McGahee (rb - Buffalo) will need an injury or a major breakdown by Henry to be the full-time starter there. This could devolve into another rbbc situation.

Larry Johnson (rb - Kansas City) has a reasonable chance of starting in the future, but not until Priest retires or is carried off the field. I think the reason he is going high in the mocks and rookie drafts early in May and June is that Priest is such a big unknown.

Lee Suggs (rb - Cleveland) has a real good shot at starting next year. He'll spend this year on IR most likely. The down side is that Cleveland is fantasy rb wasteland.

Destined to be Backups

LaBrandon Toefield (rb - Jacksonville) is the guy I would take after the above group is exhausted. Fragile Freddie simply gets hurt too much. I would bump him higher up my priority list if I wanted to handcuff him to Taylor.

Quentin Griffin (rb - Denver) will backup Portis, so he's a good guy to handcuff, unless Sapp beats him out in training camp. He's the kind of cut-back runner Shannahan prefers for his offense though, so if Portis goes down, Griffin could shine (like we haven't seen that before!).

Onterrio Smith (rb - Minnesota) was brought in, IMO as a 3rd down and return specialist. Only way he gets the job is if Bennett really crashes and burns. I don't even see rbbc here. Onterrio, meet Kevin Faulk.

Musa Smith (rb - Baltimore) is behind a reasonably young starter who is likely to be a top 10-15 RB in future years. Sit Musa, sit. See Musa sit. Musa is sitting.

Artose Pinner (rb - Detroit) is, from what I can see, a back-up at best. Detroit will probably be able to grab a better back next year, as they will likely have a low draft pick (again). I just don't see this guy starting. RBBC a possibility.

Andrew Pinnock (rb - San Diego) might end up as a back-up, or might end up 3rd on the depth chart.

Domanick Davis (rb - Houston) likely will only make the team if he can contribute big time as a return specialist.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Willis McGahee (rb - Buffalo) will need an injury or a major breakdown by Henry to be the full-time starter there. This could devolve into another rbbc situation.

The Bills didn't spend a 1st round pick on McGahee to have him sit on the bench after he's healthy. If his knee heals properly, he's the full-time starter probably next year. Henry will be playing elsewhere.

 

[bueno]

Willis McGahee (rb - Buffalo) will need an injury or a major breakdown by Henry to be the full-time starter there. This could devolve into another rbbc situation.

The Bills didn't spend a 1st round pick on McGahee to have him sit on the bench after he's healthy. If his knee heals properly, he's the full-time starter probably next year. Henry will be playing elsewhere.

Actually Big Brother John, I'm not sure even the coaches know how they'll use McGahee yet. Having said that, if both are healthy either could be the starter, couldn't they?So whether they keep or trade Henry, or keep or trade McGahee, may depend on seeing how McGahee does relative to Henry in game situations. That smells of rbbc to me. You also have the knee issue. At this time, I tink it would be premature to say that Willis will come back from the injury 100%. IF he does, then he has the opportunity to win the starting job. If not and he has lost his cutting ability (he still isn't healthy enough to try last I heard), then I doubt he will be able to supplant the current starter.

 

[Automatic Ghost]

If McGahee is able to rehab successfully then I think Henry is out next yr. I believe he's got talent, no question. But I think that Bill mgmt was not happy with him getting arrested for having sex with a 15 yr old.Travis can cry all he wants about the 'message' being sent with that pick. I don't remember him complaining when the Bills stuck with him after he was arrested for having sex with a 15 yr old.I'd love to see Travis put up 1,500 all purpoase yds. 10= td's and then get traded for som first rd picks next year [of course, that would depend on McGahee's rehab].

 

[Shark]

6. Artose Pinner - He should have an opportunity to fight for that starting job this year or perhaps next season. It's tough to get real excited about power backs, but people who have seen him think that he is talented. A lot of great RBs have had pretty mediocre 40 times so it's possible.

Toose may become the steal of the draft. Anyone that can run over linebackers in the SEC has a long future in the NFL. He is great at hitting the hole and is also a great pass blocker (you have to be at Kentucky who has NO offensive line). The last guy I saw run like that was Moe Williams (who got stuck playing behind Robert Smith during his hay day and SHOULD be the starter in Minnesota). I'll definitely take him late and throw him in my taxi squad. Take a late shot at him (especially in a dynasty league). He fits Mariucci's system well and we all know that Stewart can't stay healthy..... :X

 

[Illegal Pants Downfield]

6. Artose Pinner - He should have an opportunity to fight for that starting job this year or perhaps next season. It's tough to get real excited about power backs, but people who have seen him think that he is talented. A lot of great RBs have had pretty mediocre 40 times so it's possible.

I'll definitely take him late and throw him in my taxi squad. Take a late shot at him (especially in a dynasty league). He fits Mariucci's system well and we all know that Stewart can't stay healthy..... :X

In a dynasty, I don't think you'll be able to take him late...from what I've seen, he's going mid to late first round in most rookie drafts. I think he'll do well...I had hoped he'd fall to me at #18 in our draft, but he went somewhere around 14 I think.

 

[THE UNDERCOVER BROTHA]

Sometime i have to real old threads so i wont get to into the HYPE machine that happens around this time of the year....good reading though, funny to seem some of these folks overcome and other to never mature into nothing.

 

[Red Herring]

If McGahee is able to rehab successfully then I think Henry is out next yr. I believe he's got talent, no question. But I think that Bill mgmt was not happy with him getting arrested for having sex with a 15 yr old.

Travis can cry all he wants about the 'message' being sent with that pick. I don't remember him complaining when the Bills stuck with him after he was arrested for having sex with a 15 yr old.

I'd love to see Travis put up 1,500 all purpoase yds. 10= td's and then get traded for som first rd picks next year [of course, that would depend on McGahee's rehab].

Wow ... gotta say this is a great call