Will Rashad Jennings Be a Solid Fantasy Football Contributor in 2011?

Rashad Jennings has earned a bigger role. Not only because Maurice Jones-Drew’s knee has been an issue for the second straight offseason, but because he’s been effective. 

In 2009, Jennings ran the ball 39 times for 202 yards and a score, which was good for a 5.2 yards per carry average. He also ran for a touchdown. His carries were increased to 84 last year, and he responded with 459 yards (5.5 YPC) and four touchdowns.

Jennings also saw his production as a receiver improve from 16 catches for 101 yards (6.3  yards per catch) to 26 catches for 223 yards (8.6 yards per catch).

Jennings got the last two starts for the Jags last year and averaged 101.5 total yards with one touchdown. He won’t get extensive work like that unless Mojo goes down, but he can be still effective if he gets 10 touchdowns.

Not counting his two starts, Jennings had 10 touches in three of the 14 remaining games. In those games he averaged 73 total yards. Those are killer fantasy numbers, but solid in deeper leagues. His pass-catching ability gives him a little bump in PPR leagues.

Mojo had 312 carries in 2009 and 299 last year. Considering he missed the final two games, he actually had more carries per game last year (21.4) than in 2009 (19.5). Last year marked the first time MJD failed to reach 40 catches, but he still managed 34. He combined for 23.3 touches per game over the past two season.

Those are simply too many touches, especially when you have a capable running mate. It’s worked with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. It’s worked with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. Teams can produce two viable fantasy running backs.

The Jaguars beat writers are suggesting a larger role for Jennings, which makes sense given the heavy workload that has defined the past two seasons for Mojo and the subsequent knee issues.

John Oehser wrote on Jaguars.com that “while Jones-Drew indeed is the face and in a very real sense the spirit of the franchise—and while his role and production remain critical to the Jaguars—the NFL in recent years more and more is a two-back league. And for the Jaguars, getting Jennings involved in ’11 is likely to be key."

He also noted that Jaguars general manager Gene Smith praised Jennings’ receiving skills earlier this offseason.

Jennings isn’t just a change-of-pace back. At 6’1″, 228 pounds he has the size to be a finisher and a goal line back. Maurice Jones-Drew thrives around the stripe, but perhaps that’s a duty that Jennings can share if he shows an affinity for it.

He displayed that ability at Liberty where he ran for 15 touchdowns in his junior year and 17 as a senior. I certainly don’t expect a 50/50 split by any means

Currently, Jennings is the 42nd-rated running back according to MockDraftCentral, which puts him as a RB4. That’s about where I’d want him. I could see using him as a RB3 in PPR leagues, but we truly have to wait and see what kind of workload he actually gets.

My pals over at Fantasy Knuckleheads also tout Jennings as a sleeper.

Their strategy is to not only handcuff MJD with Jennings, but “for owners who miss out on MJD early to take Jennings once their core of starting running backs is in place. This will enable them to start Jennings as a possible flex option even if MJD does start every game. Or, if MJD is eventually knocked out, Jennings will provide owners with a nice piece of trade bait if they are in need of a player at another position."

Sound bit of advice from the Knuckleheads.

Also check out:

• 2011 Early Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2011 Early Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2011 Early Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2011 Early Fantasy Football TE Rankings