Fantasy Football News & Views: Running Back Edition

We are a just a few short weeks from the 2009 NFL Draft and most of the focus around the football world is geared towards that, but as you know, the Bruno Boys never stop, and today, I would like to hit on a few players who will be important pieces to your up-and-coming fantasy football draft.

 

The following three running backs, Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch and Maurice Jones-Drew are all expected to be RB1's, and even in smaller leagues, no lower than high-end RB2's.

What do all three of these running backs have in common? The fact that all three have scenarios going on this off-season that may not only affect how they will play in 2009, but, also, where they may be drafted in the fantasy world. Let's take a look at all three.

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Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Newz: Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson is looking to add 13 pounds to his frame with the thought that the added weight will help him better endure the grueling NFL Season.

Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Viewz: Last season, this young stud back ran for 1,760 yards, while grabbing another 125 through the air. Added to that was a solid 13 touchdowns.

 

Those numbers led to a season with only three games in which he did not reach a total of 100 yards, nor a touchdown. Those are pretty good numbers and with his offensive line still expected to be very solid, there isn't much to worry about here.

 

In fact, I would be surprised if Peterson got to the point to where he lost speed and agility to the point that it was very noticeable.

 

Even if he loses a tenth of a second off of his 40-time or loses just a tad in his mobility, he will undoubtedly make up for it with strength which could result in even more red-zone touchdowns.

 

Before this news, Peterson was expected to be one of the top picks in this years fantasy draft and with all that is now known, he still remains as one of the expected top picks if not the No. 1 overall pick for 2009.

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Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Newz: Buffalo Bills' running back Marshawn Lynch has been suspended for the first three weeks of the 2009 football season. He is expected to appeal.

Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Viewz: This isn't the worst news in the world, but surely does affect his draft status some. When healthy, and of course not suspended, Lynch is a quality low-end RB1, high-end RB2. In 2008, he gained a total of 1,336 yards and 9 touchdowns in 15 games.

 

Even if he appeals the suspension and wins, at best he will still be suspended 2 games. Considering that he has missed time in each of his first two seasons in the league, this isn't encouraging.

 

The positives of drafting him are that he plays in a cold-weather environment, something that tends to favor running backs come games later in the season, and you'll be able to probably draft him lower and in some cases much lower than you normally would be able to grab him.

 

The negatives of drafting him though are that he is already assured of missing two, if not three, games at the beginning of the season.

 

Add to that the fact that he usually misses at least a game due to injury, and one has to wonder if you will be missing out on at least 25 percent of his possible starts that he would have accumulated in a 16-game season.

 

If you do end up drafting him in yearly leagues, make sure it is at a draft position that coincides with his suspension. Even though he has RB1 talent, draft him a few slots lower, grabbing him just before you hit the clear cut mid-lower RB2's.

 

Also, if you do decide to draft him as a low-end RB1 or high-end RB2 make sure that you grab a third solid running back to help ease the pain of missing him the first part of the season and as insurance just in case he does some how break the law again and gets suspended for the season.

 

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Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Newz: Jacksonville Jaguars' running back Maurice Jones-Drew chose to skip voluntary workouts, creating speculation that he is holding out for a new contract.

 

Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Viewz: Just a tip to Jones-Drew, have you heard of Larry Johnson or Steven Jackson? Ask them what they thought of their holdouts.

 

I know it is early and there isn't much to really go off of, but if this continues into training camp, then fantasy owners will have to worry.

 

First of all, Jones-Drew has never been the featured back. He has produced well in limited carries, but he did have a running back by the name of Fred Taylor to take some of the load off. It will be different now.

 

I am not saying that Jones-Drew will bomb this year as he has RB1 talent, but if rumors are true and he really is wanting a contract based off of what Steven Jackson received from the St. Louis Rams, then Jacksonville fans have a little something to worry about.

 

Continue to project him as a low-end RB1 for now, but if there are any signs of a holdout, history tells us that this is one running back that you will either have to buy on the cheap or just avoid all together.

 

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