Shonn Greene Is Coming Of Age | NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings

New York Jets rookie running back Shonn Greene has seen his fantasy value go up and down since he was drafted last April. Being a third round pick, Greene at first was not expected to make a major impact for his team or in fantasy football leagues this season.

All that changed quickly when both veteran running backs Thomas Jones and Leon Washington missed either portions or all of OTA's because of contract issues.

With both runners out and trade rumors swirling abound that the team might trade one of their vets, Greene quickly saw most of the work in OTA's and had instant fantasy value.

Unfortunately for Greene, both Jones and Washington stayed on the team and the rookie was shoved back to third string.

Making the Most of Your Opportunities

In a Week 7  contest against the Raiders , backup running back Leon Washington fractured his fibula and was done for the season. With this injury, Greene had an opportunity to show what he could do.

In that game, he posted 19 carries for 144 yards and two touchdowns. This great game was highlighted by his long score from 33 yards out.

One would have thought that Greene would play a larger role in the offense from that point on, but he would go onto only carry the football more than eight times in a game twice, until Week 16.

In that contest, the Jets faced (now a famous game ) the Colts and Greene pounded for football 16 times for 95 yards.

With a victory over the Colts and a win the next week against the Bengals, the Jets were headed for the playoffs.

Taking The Next Step

Since the playoffs started, Greene has played better than any running back in the first two rounds. Maybe that is why his team is the only team from the wild card round still standing.

Against the Bengals, Greene posted a big game with 21 carries for 135 yards and a 39-yard touchdown score.

While that game was impressive, it was his next performance that really put this kid on the map. Greene torched the Chargers on 23 carries for 128 yards and broke San Diego's back with a game-clinching 53-yard touchdown run.

Beyond the natural physical talents that Greene has (5-foot-11, 226 pounds) what I like the most from this young runner is his ability to get stronger as the game moves along. Not only that but for a big man he has surprising breakaway ability when he gets into the open field.

Going one step further, Greene has proven he can use his break away ability and finish those plays for touchdowns.

Greene 2010 Fantasy Football Outlook

While Greene has earned himself more work next year, I'm not sure how much he will actually get. If the team holds onto Jones and Washington, they will probably get more work than the youngster, despite his breakout playoff run.

Even if the team does part ways with Washington this offseason, it will be hard for me to see Greene as anything more than a great hand cuff runner to Jones.

Jones is clearly the team's starting running back, and he has an ability to not miss football games.

With Jones on the field, it could take some time before the team is ready to start turning Greene loose and letting him play like this postseason.

At the very least, fantasy football owners should have Greene stashed away on their roster just in case something happens with Jones. If the veteran gets hurt or starts playing ineffectively, then the team would start using Greene.

If Greene ever gets a chance to start on his own next year then look out, this kid would make for an instant No. 2 fantasy back on your team.

2010 NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com