Updated 2012 Fantasy Stock Report for Rashad Jennings, Maurice Jones-Drew

After leading the National Football League in rushing in 2011 Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew has dug in his heels about wanting a pay raise, leading to a contentious contract holdout that has kept the seventh-year pro out of camp and left fantasy football owners who have already drafted him flinging things across the room.

Leagues that haven't drafted yet are presented with an interesting dilemma, as Jones-Drew's falling draft stock makes him an intriguing target for owners willing to roll the dice that he'll report soon.

However, news surfaced on Monday that makes that an even bigger gamble, as it appears that at this point regardless of when Jones-Drew reports he's going to open the season riding the pine.

According to NFL.com fantasy football expert Michael Fabiano Jacksonville head coach Mike Mularkey has made it clear that he expects Rashad Jennings to be the opening day starter at running back regardless of if or when Maurice-Jones Drew decides to show up at Jaguars' headquarters.

"

Report: Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey says Rashad Jennings will start in Week 1 regardless of MJD's status.

— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) August 27, 2012"

Gene Frenette of The Florida Times-Union confirms Fabiano's report, and given that for every rumor that's been floated that states Jones-Drew could report soon there's been another that says that the 27-year-old intends to stand his ground. That means that there's a very real possibility that this situation could drag well into the regular season.

Even if Jones-Drew reports tomorrow it's become clear that at least to start the season it's going to be Jennings in the Jaguars backfield, and as Chris Johnson demonstrated quite well a season ago a protracted holdout can lead to a very slow start for a running back as he rounds back into shape (or gets out of round shape, whatever).

From a fantasy perspective that make Jones-Drew a very risky play as a fantasy RB2 pick, as owners hoping for 12 games worth of top-10 running back production are more likely than not to end up disappointed, especially since we still don't know if/when the holdout's going to end.

Jennings, on the other hand, has shown the ability the produce when given the opportunity, including averaging nearly 4.9 yards on 36 carries this preseason. Fantasy owners who feel lucky and want to roll the dice on drafting Jones-Drew absolutely have to target Jennings as well, but given his rising draft stock the fourth-year pro isn't going to come cheap.

My advice, for what it's worth, is to let another fantasy owner roll the dice on the hope that Jones-Drew caves and reports, and instead target the surer bet with Jennings in the middle rounds. Worst case you get a starter for a week or two and trade bait for the Jones-Drew owner. Best case you just got a fantasy RB2 on the cheap.

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