In going over my checklist of questions I want answered before my draft, I realized that there are more RB questions out there then I remember in previous off-seasons. Here's my crack at their current status and how I'm viewing them headed into my drafts.
Tennessee Titans
Travis Henry - Rumored to be the week 1 starter.
Chris Brown – Said to be the #1 RB in name only. Reported to be out of shape as evidenced by his average preseason performances where he is noticeably out of breath. His agents have requested that the Titans trade Brown.
Lendale White – Unimpressive in preseason work. Held out of a game for spitting on a teammate.
My Take – Unless I hear a more substantiated report that Henry is in fact the starter, I do not want to count on any of these guys as anything more then a RB4.
Chicago Bears
Thomas Jones – After coming off an early injury, TJ really had a shot to take the starting RB job with Benson out due to injury but did not do so.
Cedric Benson – Hasn’t done anything right yet in his short career. Has not yet been cleared to practice due to an injured shoulder.
My take – This is a situation I previous wanted to avoid drafting because until the #1 RB battle was settled, it would be too costly to draft both these guys. Benson’s ADP has been dropping sharply while Jones has remained steady. Locking down this duo is not as expensive as it used to be.
Green Bay Packers
Ahman Green – Returned to action this past Monday. His stats weren’t impressive, but that appeared to be more of a result of poor offensive line play as Green did not appear to be hampered by his previous injury.
Samkon Gado – Left Monday’s game with a rib injury.
Najeh Davenport – Coming off of a season ending injury.
My Take – Green appears to be the guy in line for the first opportunity as the starter. His return to action in a high profile preseason game may put him on more radar screens, but he could present good value if his ADP holds steady. The backup job appears too murky to invest in.
New York Jets
Kevan Barlow – Off to a rocky start with the Jets after being yanked from a preseason game after a fumble and penalty.
Derrick Blaylock – Started the week 3 preseason game. Mangini has spoke highly of him lately
Cedric Houston – He didn’t have any rushes in last game. Not too sure what his status is.
My Take – With Martin officially placed on the PUP, I think Barlow will be given the first shot. The urgency to add a RB through trade makes me think they are not confident in Blaylock, Houston or Washington. The trade will probably shoot Barlow up many draft boards, making him too expensive for me in what is still an unsettled situation. I also question Barlow’s talent. The value with the Jets may be Houston and Blaylock.
Houston Texans
Domanick Davis – Is in danger of not making the final roster. Reported to have a degenerative knee condition.
Wali Lundy – HC Kubiak has stated that Lundy would start if Davis were unable to.
Vernand Morency – Does not appear to be suited for Houston’s zone blocking scheme. Kubiak initially praised Morency for adjusting his game but Lundy has surpassed him.
My Take – Regardless if Davis makes the final roster or not, I have crossed him off my draft list. I’m not confident in drafting him as early as he’ll get drafted if he makes the final roster. Wali Lundy is a guy I’ll keep a close eye on. Recent ADP data won’t accurately reflect his current status, but the Houston RB situation has been overshadowed some by other NFL news. He could be a bargain on draft day in the right league.
New Orleans Saints
Reggie Bush – Spectacular in the first preseason game, but non-factor and average in the following games.
Deuce McAllister – Has a great game in his last preseason game.
My Take – I don’t view this as a “one or the other” situation when it comes to fantasy production. I feel both players will get opportunities. Bush is going a little early for me, but Deuce’s ADP accurately reflects his value.
Denver Broncos
Mike Bell – Appears to be in a tighter competition for the #1 RB job as people thought a week ago.
Tatum Bell – Mike Bell’s main competition
Ron Dayne – Could be cut
Cedric Cobbs – in the mix for a roster spot.
My Take – The value in Denver may be with Tatum if he is the drafted after Mike Bell. Tatum has not been able to outright win the job, but he has been productive in the past in a limited capacity. He’s getting drafted a round after Mike.
Atlanta Falcons
Warrick Dunn – The #1 RB in Atlanta instead of #1a. HC Mora recently stated that Dunn would get some of Duckett’s goal line work.
Jerious Norwood – Great preseason made Duckett expendable.
Justin Griffith – The FB but may see more carries out of the tailback position.
My Take: Dunn will likely move up to a 2nd round RB with the goal line news and Duckett trade. I feel Norwood is a must draft for Dunn owners given his injury history. Norwood is flying up the ADP charts but still can be had after the 10th round.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Fred Taylor – Has been named the started and looks to be in great shape and quicker then past seasons.
Maurice Drew-Jones – Having a nice preseason.
Derrick Wimbush – The new starting FB
Lebrandon Toefield – On the bubble for a roster spot
Alvin Pearman – On the bubble for a roster spot
Greg Jones – Out for the season
My Take – I like Taylor as a backup fantasy RB this season. The main competition for carries seems to be Jones-Drew. If Taylor can be effective and healthy as he has been in preseason, I don’t see any reason why he can’t hang on as the primary ball carrier all year. He’s currently getting drafted after some RBBC’s out there. I feel he is undervalued at his current ADP.
Carolina Panthers
DeShaun Foster – The team is excited about his prospects this year.
DeAngelo Williams – Has received positive buzz for his preseason performance.
Nick Goings – Returning to FB
My Take - Foster could make a great RB2 on a fantasy team for teams taking WR/QB/TE in rounds 2-3. I don’t think Foster is dependable as a #2 and would need the insurance of Williams. With the hype surrounding Williams, teams may need to draft him earlier then his current ADP to guarantee they get him. It may be more ideal to try for Foster as a RB3 and try top get Williams closer to his ADP.
Tennessee Titans
Travis Henry - Rumored to be the week 1 starter.
Chris Brown – Said to be the #1 RB in name only. Reported to be out of shape as evidenced by his average preseason performances where he is noticeably out of breath. His agents have requested that the Titans trade Brown.
Lendale White – Unimpressive in preseason work. Held out of a game for spitting on a teammate.
My Take – Unless I hear a more substantiated report that Henry is in fact the starter, I do not want to count on any of these guys as anything more then a RB4.
Chicago Bears
Thomas Jones – After coming off an early injury, TJ really had a shot to take the starting RB job with Benson out due to injury but did not do so.
Cedric Benson – Hasn’t done anything right yet in his short career. Has not yet been cleared to practice due to an injured shoulder.
My take – This is a situation I previous wanted to avoid drafting because until the #1 RB battle was settled, it would be too costly to draft both these guys. Benson’s ADP has been dropping sharply while Jones has remained steady. Locking down this duo is not as expensive as it used to be.
Green Bay Packers
Ahman Green – Returned to action this past Monday. His stats weren’t impressive, but that appeared to be more of a result of poor offensive line play as Green did not appear to be hampered by his previous injury.
Samkon Gado – Left Monday’s game with a rib injury.
Najeh Davenport – Coming off of a season ending injury.
My Take – Green appears to be the guy in line for the first opportunity as the starter. His return to action in a high profile preseason game may put him on more radar screens, but he could present good value if his ADP holds steady. The backup job appears too murky to invest in.
New York Jets
Kevan Barlow – Off to a rocky start with the Jets after being yanked from a preseason game after a fumble and penalty.
Derrick Blaylock – Started the week 3 preseason game. Mangini has spoke highly of him lately
Cedric Houston – He didn’t have any rushes in last game. Not too sure what his status is.
My Take – With Martin officially placed on the PUP, I think Barlow will be given the first shot. The urgency to add a RB through trade makes me think they are not confident in Blaylock, Houston or Washington. The trade will probably shoot Barlow up many draft boards, making him too expensive for me in what is still an unsettled situation. I also question Barlow’s talent. The value with the Jets may be Houston and Blaylock.
Houston Texans
Domanick Davis – Is in danger of not making the final roster. Reported to have a degenerative knee condition.
Wali Lundy – HC Kubiak has stated that Lundy would start if Davis were unable to.
Vernand Morency – Does not appear to be suited for Houston’s zone blocking scheme. Kubiak initially praised Morency for adjusting his game but Lundy has surpassed him.
My Take – Regardless if Davis makes the final roster or not, I have crossed him off my draft list. I’m not confident in drafting him as early as he’ll get drafted if he makes the final roster. Wali Lundy is a guy I’ll keep a close eye on. Recent ADP data won’t accurately reflect his current status, but the Houston RB situation has been overshadowed some by other NFL news. He could be a bargain on draft day in the right league.
New Orleans Saints
Reggie Bush – Spectacular in the first preseason game, but non-factor and average in the following games.
Deuce McAllister – Has a great game in his last preseason game.
My Take – I don’t view this as a “one or the other” situation when it comes to fantasy production. I feel both players will get opportunities. Bush is going a little early for me, but Deuce’s ADP accurately reflects his value.
Denver Broncos
Mike Bell – Appears to be in a tighter competition for the #1 RB job as people thought a week ago.
Tatum Bell – Mike Bell’s main competition
Ron Dayne – Could be cut
Cedric Cobbs – in the mix for a roster spot.
My Take – The value in Denver may be with Tatum if he is the drafted after Mike Bell. Tatum has not been able to outright win the job, but he has been productive in the past in a limited capacity. He’s getting drafted a round after Mike.
Atlanta Falcons
Warrick Dunn – The #1 RB in Atlanta instead of #1a. HC Mora recently stated that Dunn would get some of Duckett’s goal line work.
Jerious Norwood – Great preseason made Duckett expendable.
Justin Griffith – The FB but may see more carries out of the tailback position.
My Take: Dunn will likely move up to a 2nd round RB with the goal line news and Duckett trade. I feel Norwood is a must draft for Dunn owners given his injury history. Norwood is flying up the ADP charts but still can be had after the 10th round.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Fred Taylor – Has been named the started and looks to be in great shape and quicker then past seasons.
Maurice Drew-Jones – Having a nice preseason.
Derrick Wimbush – The new starting FB
Lebrandon Toefield – On the bubble for a roster spot
Alvin Pearman – On the bubble for a roster spot
Greg Jones – Out for the season
My Take – I like Taylor as a backup fantasy RB this season. The main competition for carries seems to be Jones-Drew. If Taylor can be effective and healthy as he has been in preseason, I don’t see any reason why he can’t hang on as the primary ball carrier all year. He’s currently getting drafted after some RBBC’s out there. I feel he is undervalued at his current ADP.
Carolina Panthers
DeShaun Foster – The team is excited about his prospects this year.
DeAngelo Williams – Has received positive buzz for his preseason performance.
Nick Goings – Returning to FB
My Take - Foster could make a great RB2 on a fantasy team for teams taking WR/QB/TE in rounds 2-3. I don’t think Foster is dependable as a #2 and would need the insurance of Williams. With the hype surrounding Williams, teams may need to draft him earlier then his current ADP to guarantee they get him. It may be more ideal to try for Foster as a RB3 and try top get Williams closer to his ADP.
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