Even with Fred Taylor still going strong, Jones-Drew should slowly but surely take over primary-back duties. With a rushing average of a bit more than five-yards per carry in his first two years, superb hands out of the backfield, and game-breaking ability, Jones-Drew’s low touches are overshadowed by his supreme upside.
Whenever he takes over the reigns in Jacksonville and gets more time on the field, expect his value to skyrocket up the charts. Even if this year is not his year, he still pumps out a solid amount of fantasy points and presents upside that is hard to pass up on.
10. Ryan Grant (GB)
Grant won biggest out-of-the-blue honors in 2007 and helped many teams win championships, if they had the clarity to pick him. I, for one, ended up taking Priest Holmes over Grant with my last waiver-wire pick up in my keeper league. Suffice to say, I did not make the playoffs and will probably never forgive myself.
Grant placed a firm hold on the starter position with his end-of-the-season performances last year and isn’t realistically threatened by anyone, as long as he can continue production and stay away from injuries.
Therein lies the catch, however. The question is if Grant will be able to continue his breakout year last year and stay away from the injuries that can plague a starting RB. All aren’t huge concerns, but they are worth taking into account should you find yourself about to draft him.
9. Marion Barber (DAL)
Anyone with the nickname “The Barbarian” had to have earned it somewhere down the line, and it’s no surprise if you’ve seen Barber run. He is a powerful, agile back that doesn’t stop running until the whistle blows.
He has a reckless abandon for anything but positive yardage and, ultimately, the end zone. Even with Jerry Jones' favorite rookie Felix Jones being plugged into the offense and taking some carries away, Barber will be the goal-line back, and Barber will get the majority of the carries. You can’t be the best back on one of the best offenses in the league for nothing, you know.
8. Frank Gore (SF)
Gore’s 1,102 rushing yards, 436 receiving yards, and six total TDs isn’t very impressive at first glance, but take into account that he did it all on the worst offense in the league, and you’ve got yourself a better picture.
Gore was the only bright spot on an otherwise anemic 49ers offense last year. Having brought in Mike Martz to fix the offense has caused many people to declare Gore a sleeper for next year.
Since I still don’t know the correct definition of sleeper, all I will say is that if Martz can turn Alex Smith into a competent QB, then Gore has the talent to reap all of the rushing and receiving rewards a Martz system has to offer the starting RB.
His rushing total may go down, but his receptions, receiving yards, and total TDs should all go up. Cha-ching!
7. Marshawn Lynch (BUF)
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