They will not turn into the 2006 Raiders just because Favre left. We think Grant will offer great productivity at the beginning of Round Two. He is ranked higher than some of the next guys on our list because of the quality of the Packer team and the fact that Jackson and Wynn aren’t serious threats to steal carries or goal line touches.
10) Frank Gore: Frank is another back that had a less-than-stellar 2007 season because of injuries. Still, Frank is young enough to bounce back. DeShaun Foster should be a backup back only. Do not worry about a committee that will hinder Gore’s production.
Gore’s receiving stats should rise with the addition of Mike Martz as OC. That will offset Martz’s tendency to pass more than he should. We still think Frank will surpass 1,000 rushing yards and could challenge for his first 10 TD season.
11) Brandon Jacobs: Brandon was a 1,000-yard rusher, despite starting only nine games and playing in 11. He is a big, bruising back who, if he can stay moderately healthy, will break 1,000 yards again. After all, he plays on a N.Y. Giants team that finished fourth in rushing last season.
With his size, he should get solid goal-line touches. In addition, his four rushing TDs last year should be a statistical aeration.
There are a couple concerns with Brandon.
1) He is not fragile, but running people over does tend to cause injuries. For this his value will drop.
2) N.Y. Giants running back coach Jerald Ingram stated at the beginning of training camp that the Giants would go with a running back by committee approach to utilize the various talents of their running backs and keep people healthy. That is news fantasy owners hate to hear.
Do not let injuries or splitting time deter you from drafting him. Splitting time may help him play all 16 games. He has done very well splitting time in the past. He is still going to be the Giants No. 1 guy. Plus, he will get the goal line carries.
That is essential to him having good fantasy value. That is why people loved having Marion Barber, but not Julius Jones in Dallas the last two years. Jacobs is in a contract year and will have plenty of motivation to do well. Expect solid numbers when he plays and plan on him missing a few games.
12) Maurice Jones-Drew: Maurice is embroiled in a RBBC. That most likely will not change this year or next. Fred Taylor will get significant yards, and Maurice will be hard-pressed to gain 1,000 yards this season.
Two years ago, when he almost put up 1,000 yards, he had an inflated 5.7 yd/carry avg. This stat needs to be put into proper perspective. Since 1947 to present, only eight times has a running back attempted 166 carries or more and averaged 5.7 yards or better.
The most recent backs to do it were Jones-Drew in 2006 and Barry Sanders in 1997. Drew does have some increased value, in that he can break the big play and should obtain 10 touchdowns. Besides, there is always the chance that Fred Taylor will get injured again. Though you might be tempted, do not make Drew your first running back.
If you still are not convinced, Jerious Norwood posted a 5.95 yd/carry in a committee last year. Would you trust him to be your No. 1 running back in a seasonal league? We thought not.
Quality touches in volume make a running back first-round material. Jones does have a sore ankle, but should be ready for the opener.
13) Marshawn Lynch: Lynch missed some time (three games) with a high-ankle sprain last season. Sprains normally are not recurring, so his health should be fine this year. We here at Fantasy Football Maniaxs see no reason why Lynch cannot repeat last year’s numbers of 1,115 YDS and seven TDs.
Keep in mind though, Lynch only had three 100-yard games last year (though two in December). We believe Lynch will improve this year (fifth in SOS), but we are not convinced you will gain any extra points from his receiving skills.
14) Laurence Maroney: The Patriots passing games should come down to earth, and Maroney benefits, thanks also to an amicable SOS that ranks eighth this year.
Oh, by the way, the Patriots' O-Line is ranked No. 1 in the league. If they give their running game some consideration, like they did last season in the playoffs, Maroney will be a top-10 back by season's end if new addition.
The concern with Maroney is health. LaMont Jordan shouldn’t take many snaps away from him, but is an excellent handcuff.
0 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete