Fantasy Football Keeper League Running Backs

The Bruno Boys are not going to waste your time with obvious names like Adrian Petersonand Matt Forte.

Instead, I, Dominic Brown, want to point out some rookie running backs worth watching and some veteran ball carries that might be available or may get dropped when fantasy football owners make their final keeper league cuts.

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LOOKING INTO THE ROOKIES

Knowshon Moreno, Chris “Beanie” Wells and Donald Brown should end up being the first three rookie running backs taken in most fantasy football keeper league drafts. Here are some other players at the running back position that could benefit your fantasy team for years to come...

LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles: What do you get when you spend a second round pick in the draft to back up soon to be 30 year old Brian Westbrook? You get the future starting running back for the Philadelphia Eagles. McCoy is simply explosive with immense athletic ability and can catch the ball out of the backfield.

Coming off a sensational sophomore year at the University of Pittsburgh where he rushed for 1,488 yards and 21 TD's, McCoy could play a huge role in the offense if Westbrook gets injured again. And even if he doesn’t, stash him on your roster. He wasn’t picked to be a backup forever.

Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets: Things keep looking up for Greene. As if landing on the New York Jets behind a disgruntled 30 year old Thomas Jones wasn’t enough, Leon Washington has been complaining about his contract. Though it seems the Jets and Washington are about to work things out, he is in a great situation.

With rookie QB Mark Sanchez the likely starter and lacking an elite wide receiver corps, the Jets should look to control the clock with heavy doses of the running game. Which should translate into some good numbers for Greene’s punishing running style, even if he is seeing limited touches.

Rashard Jennings, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars: Maurice Jones-Drew got his wish in the offseason along with a big contract. He’s now unquestionably the man in the Jacksonville Jaguars running game. He’s tough, he’s fast and he’s smart.

He’s also small. If MJD can’t handle the full load down the stretch, look for Jennings to step in and contribute significantly.

Even if MJD stays healthy, Jennings’ big bruiser style of play could be used in some goal line situations and he is a guy to snag late in a keeper or dynasty league draft.

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TALENTED, YET STILL AVAILABLE 

In fantasy football dynasty keeper leagues, these guys are most likely gone since teams keep their rosters pretty intact.

However, in keeper leagues where you are forced to drop players, they could end up being cut or available in a trade. If they are, you might want to think about investing a pick or trying to work a deal to get them. 

Jerious Norwood, RB, Atlanta Falcons: Before Michael Turner arrived, fantasy football fans were very eager to see what Norwood could do as a featured back. Then "Turner the Burner" came in, did his stuff and just like that, Norwood was somewhat lost in another shadow.

With Turner taking almost all of the reps in 2008, Norwood’s 489 yards and 4 TD's did not do his talent any justice. In 2009, that could all change.

Not only are there rumblings of Norwood playing a much bigger role in the offense, the Falcons just got one of the league’s best blocking tight ends in Tony Gonzalez, which should open up more holes for Norwood to zip through.

Even more reason why you should get him on your team, he’s a free agent next year. If he goes to a team looking for a featured back, watch out. Just look how it turned out for Turner. 

Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Let’s be honest, if you’re in a somewhat decent league, this guy is not going to be there. However, I am still including him because I am constantly amazed at how player value varies from team to team. Even some of the best prospects get dropped if they don’t immediately perform.

Plus if your league allows trades in the off season, you might be able to trade for him. Coming into last year’s NFL draft, Mendenhall was ranked among the top-three running backs.

A few experts even pegged him as No. 1 on their 2008 draft day big boards. Landing in Pittsburgh seemed like a dream come true for fantasy football owners, except on Monday Night Football early in the season Mendenhall got slammed by Baltimore’s Ray Lewis and just like that, was done for the season.

Fantasy owners cursed, Willie Parker sighed with relief and Mendenhall learned never, ever smack talk the Ravens before a game. Mendenhall is a tremendous athlete with good vision. He’s strong, fast and able to break tackles.

He is being primed to be the starting running back for the Super Bowl Champion Steelers. Enough said. Get this guy if you can. 

Cedric Benson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals: Benson’s time in the NFL has not been pretty. Picked fourth overall in the 2005 NFL draft, Benson was expected to be the Chicago Bears featured back for years to come.

Instead, he missed training camp due to contract issues, suffered a series of injuries and got arrested twice. His bad attitude did not win him any fans either and when he did play, he was highly disappointing. So why pick him up?

Here are some things to consider: In Chicago, Benson played on a suspect offense with an inconsistent quarterback and a non-threatening passing game. Now he has found a home with the Cincinnati Bengals.

And though his first season with Cincinnati was not stellar, the team was without Carson Palmer and he was running behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league.

Even then, near the end of the season, Benson started to show glimpses that he was turning a corner. And finally, instead of spending their off season trying to replace Benson, the Bengals released Chris Perry and drafted a difference-making offensive lineman in Andre Smith and full back in Fui Vakapuna.

The only other addition to the running game was Bernard Scott (a rookie with some potential and a lot of off field issues). This tells me it’s Benson’s job to keep. If he’s available and you don’t mind taking risks, pick him up. With a little humility, maturity and the desire to live up to his potential, the upside for Benson could be huge. 

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