Drafting Your Fantasy Running Backs—the Details to Consider

Jacob SloanMay 21, 2008

If breaking down the details for this year’s fantasy running backs doesn’t make you want to take LaDainian Tomlinson first overall in your re-draft league, I don’t know what will. Seriously, people.

When you’re talking fantasy running backs, what separates the vets from the noobs is consideration of a few minor factors beyond how high-powered a RB’s offense was last year and where the RB ranks on cheat sheets this season. Looking at the slight details like what defenses they face, contract lengths, and ages can help you make the call between two closely-ranked RBs in your draft.

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Let’s jump into how these factors will affect some top fantasy RBs this season with some good ole plus/minus analysis—and we go with negative first around these parts.

The Age Old Rule

First, let’s talk age. When you’re an old RB, you’re like a hot potato. No one wants to get stuck holding you when you crack.

Fantasy Football Toolbox told all with a list of all the running backs age 29 or older. There won’t be any pluses in this category, so we will have Big/Mini shades of minus—very scientific method, fingers crossed.

For fantasy’s sake, here’s who is getting to be old bones:

Big Minus

Warrick Dunn, Tampa Bay
I know you thought he was a spring chicken.

Ahman Green, Houston Texans
His knees show his age like the rings in a tree trunk.

LaMont Jordan, Oakland Raiders
Age and injury have punched Jordan’s ticket out of Oakland.

Thomas Jones, New York Jets
Things could go either way for Jones in 2008 with a new O-line.

Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins
It’s hard to make a comeback with just a couple of years left in the tank.

Deuce McAllister, New Orleans Saints
Coming off injury and old. Not pretty. “Little Deuce” Aaron Stecker, 32, isn’t getting younger for the Saints either.

The New England Trio: Heath Evans, Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris, New England Patriots.
Most of New England’s backfield is over 30 years old. The Patriots can get production out of the old guys, but these guys have got to be breaking down this year. Maybe they will remember that they have Laurence Maroney.

Mini Minus

Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns
I think he was reborn when he became a Brown because he certainly did his owners right last year.

Fred Taylor, Jacksonville Jaguars
Everyone keeps calling for Maurice Jones-Drew, but Taylor seems to find gas in the tank.

Edgerrin James, Arizona Cardinals
Old with flashes of youth still left.

Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
Only 28 but backup is Correll Buckhalter, 29. No wonder the Eagles bring wanted Lorenzo Booker, a spry 24, from Miami.

Strength of Schedules: Running into Brick Walls

NFL.com’s Michael Fabiano ranked the rushing schedules of fantasy running backs last week while we were just sitting around chatting about the free agents of 2009 (which is the next section).

Fantasy Football Xtreme’s Smitty also put together a strength of schedule analysis earlier this off-season—showing L.T. is set to be at the top in 2008.

Pouring out a little link love for my homies, Fantasy Football Librarian noted that Fabiano’s breakdown makes Laurence Maroney look pretty favorable, and Football Jabber singled out the top and bottom five teams. Frank Gore has his work cut out for him, and no one in Houston’s backfield has it easy this year.

Here’s who’ll be hurting on and who’ll be hurting from run Ds this year:

Minus

Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
Even if he isn’t the focus of the offense, he will still be the focus of the defense. It’s not looking good. I might go Tom Brady over Gore in the first round, but I’m not totally quitting on him yet.

Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
Long road back to the top against some of the best Ds out there at stopping the run. Giants will have to keep it dynamic in the run game to stay ahead.

Edgerrin James, Arizona Cardinals
Notch Edge down another point for this one.

Ahman Green and friends, Houston Texans
No one will have an easy time running for Houston. With a pack of inconsistent backs, I’d avoid them all in your drafts this year.

Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns
Age and a schedule full of stacked run Ds. That hurts.

Julius Jones, Seattle Seahawks
Jones can’t improve his stock much in Seattle against the best in the biz of stopping him.

Marion Barber and Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys
A huge offense makes this a minor point. Does this stat mean they will throw more? PLUS to Romo if that’s the case.

Plus

LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
You couldn’t really ask for much more than L.T. having the best schedule of any RB. For the most part, Tomlinson will be running against the bottom-of-the-barrel run defenses.

Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots
Will the Patriots use him with the easiest rushing defense schedule? I think they might just let Brady throw all day again, but he could run easy when they let him.

Thomas Jones, New York Jets
If his new O-line can block for him, Jones has it free and clear this season.

Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins
Two bounce backs is possible. My money’s on Brown more than Ricky.

Travis Henry, Denver Broncos
Easy street should win him some points with Shanny.

Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints
The Saints offense is in line for a big year. Bush is the probably the better back to snag.

Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills
The second-best rookie of 2008 gets forgotten at times, but he should have a nice 2008 season with an easy rushing schedule and an improved offense. I’m high on this kid and owned him last year.

Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
Rebounds abound—maybe. Johnson has an easy schedule to redeem himself for last year.

Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
All that post-season hype won’t weigh down Turner much in Atlanta when he faces mostly low or middle run defenses. In an offense based off the run this year, Turner could be more productive than people think.

Freebirds in Free Agency of 2009

Who’s looking to bust a move?

Plus

Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
The big man might get money before the season, but if not, stay out of his way.

Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
He’s got his work cut out for him, but boy, he wants to work.

Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins
Freebird title of this section was purely unintentional. I promise. Ricky probably has to make enough money over the next two years to rebuild his straw hut in a foreign country and smoke away the pain. That might not be very much though.

Minus

Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys
Likely to have just signed a major deal by the time the season starts, even though he is a free agent now. Hopefully, money won’t weigh him down like it did Shaun Alexander.

In Closing

When it’s all said and done, these three factors paint a picture for who looks better than they might have beforehand and worse now than ever before.

Ricky Williams is still risky, but he has a lot going in his favor. Ronnie Brown is still the guy to have for Miami, but Ricky could be a good value pick. On the other hand, Marion Barber might have two strikes against him going into the season. Jamal Lewis looks like a player to avoid in the worst way possible.

Take all these factors into your noggin this offseason and remember to factor them in when you are choosing between two RBs. Upside is hard to find with running backs since the RBBCs are forming everywhere in the league, but make sure you get the most out of your RB drafts. Don’t get stuck making the wrong call.

Let me echo this again though. L.T. looks good overlooking the age effect. In my mind, these factors put him clearly up there in the No. 1 overall spot. Take him first in your re-draft leagues, and call me in the morning.

Agree/disagree/explode in the comments below.

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