Fantasy Football Profile: LaDainian Tomlinson

LaDainian Tomlinson did not live up to his top two (along with AP) draft status last year. 

He “only” had 1,110 rushing yards and 11 TDs. Though, he did add 426 receiving yards with a TD to give him 1,536 total yards and 12 total TDs.

Despite the good numbers, it’s not what fantasy owners came to expect from LT. However, it's still considered very good fantasy production, especially considering he was hobbled by injury last year.

With Tomlinson recently turning 30, coupled with Darren Sproles' playoff run, many question LT’s fantasy value. While he will likely never return to his 2002-2007 level, there is no reason to think he can’t match or exceed last year’s production. Since he is being taken in the mid-to-late first round in fantasy drafts, he should be an excellent value in 2009.

LT has some great matchups this year. 

He faces Oakland in both Week One and Week Nine, Kansas City in Week Seven and Week 12, Denver in Week Six and Week 11, Cleveland in Week 13, and Cincinnati in Week 15. He does have some tough games on his schedule though (Baltimore in Week Two, Pittsburgh in Week Four, NYG in Week Nine, and Philly in Week 10), but they do not fall in his fantasy playoff schedule. 

He faces Dallas, Cincinnati, and Tennessee through Week 14-16. Tennessee could be a tough matchup in the fantasy football championship, but they won’t be the same without Albert Haynesworth.

I can see LT going somewhere between the fourth and 10th pick in the fantasy draft. Personally I would take him with the fifth pick.  I expect him to put up 1,700 total yards and 10-plus TDs next year.

Originally published at LestersLegends.com.