Top 30 Fantasy Football Relevant Players on the Move : Tim Hightower #23

It's time to visit Tim Hightower, our No. 23 player on the list of the top thirty NFL players that might see a change of scenery for the coming season...

The overwhelming disappointment that Beanie Wells has been since entering the league has opened the door for Tim Hightower and he took advantage of the opportunity in 2010 to prove that he is a viable NFL RB. 

His performance wasn’t outstanding but his 4.8 ypc average was significantly better backfield mate Beanie Wells.  Still, it seems that most people believe that he is not a starting caliber RB in the league, at least, not for the long term. 

Hightower easily outperformed any other Cardinals RB in 2010 with 153 carries for 736 yards and five TD's.  He added 21 catches, but that was way down from his previous year total of 63.

However, Tim Hightower’s rookie contract has expired.  He is now a restricted free agent, under the contract terms as we know them now and it’s not likely to change with a new CBA. 

The good news for the Cardinals, if they do intend on keeping Hightower as part of their backfield, is that Beanie Wells is still under his rookie contract. 

Wells is due to make just $622,500, so as long as Hightower’s contract demands are not outrageous, the Cardinals should be able to keep their underwhelming backfield intact.

If the Cardinals were to let Hightower walk, they would have to replace him with a veteran back to share the load with Wells, who has not proven that he can either stay healthy or perform at this level. 

Hightower’s pass catching ability would make him more difficult to replace.  But, if the Cardinals still have faith that Beanie Wells capable of being a productive, every down back, they may be willing to go that route.

No team is going to look at Tim Hightower as a primary RB.  He has too often been completely shut down by less than stellar defenses and he doesn’t possess big play punch. 

The difference is that there are some teams that would love to have a back like him as a complementary player.  The Patriots could use another good rusher, as could the Bengals, if they choose to part ways with Cedric Benson.  The Redskins are about to cut bait on Clinton Portis and no one is completely sold on Ryan Torain, who has not been able to stay healthy. 

There is apparently little support for Knowshon Moreno in the Broncos organization. 

Plus, who knows what the Seahawks will do and the Chiefs could end up on the market for a RB if they say goodbye to Thomas Jones and his $3M salary.

When it all shakes out, it’s highly probable that Hightower stays in Arizona. 

Outside of Arizona, though, the best fit might be with the Rams.  They desperately need a reliable back up for Steven Jackson and Hightower’s skill set fits well at the right price. 

The Rams like throwing to their running back and Hightower excels in that area, plus, the Rams need to ease up on Jackson to get the most out of him. 

Any way you slice it, Hightower shouldn’t have as big a fantasy impact as he did last year.  The Cardinals seem committed to Beanie Wells.  In his defense, Wells was never quite right last season after that strange preseason injury saga.  That’s not likely to happen again.  Last year’s production may have been the ceiling for Tim Hightower.

Click to read the full articles on the first ten of the top thirty players our list of the top thirty players that may chance teams:  No. 30 Plaxico Burress, No. 29 Roy Williams, No. 28 Thomas Jones, and No. 27 Martellus Bennett, No. 26 Vince Young,  No. 25 Jeremy Shockey, No. 24Kyle Orton, No. 23 Tim Hightower, No. 22 Terrell Owens, No. 21 Clinton Portis