NFL Fantasy Rankings: The Fall of Ronnie Brown and Rise of Ricky Williams

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports today that Dolphins star running back Ronnie Brown has been placed on injured reserve. This is a major blow to the Dolphins and the team is now in jeopardy of missing the playoffs

With Brown down the Dolphins' success on offense will now hinge of the shoulders of Ricky Williams .

Williams has had one of the more checkered pasts of any sports player I can remember. From wearing a wedding dress on an ESPN cover with Mike Ditka to leaving the game to smoke weed around the world.

This guy has sure had some off the field notable's but he's also had success on the field in his career as well.

Turning a Career Around

Last year Bill Parcels gave Williams another chance to help the Dolphins and prolong his career after coming back from a yearlong suspension ( he actually came back in '07 but only played one game). In 2008 Williams ran hard and with conviction as he helped the Dolphins win their division and go to the playoffs.

This season Williams is running more effective than ever before and is helping fantasy football owners weekly.

So far, this season Williams has 105 carries for 558 yards rushing (5.3 yard per carry average) and six rushing touchdowns. Not only is Williams helping out in the run game, but he also has 18 receptions for 193 yards ( over ten yards a catch) and one touchdown.

These numbers are almost amazing for a running back that is now 32 years of age and supposedly on the tail end of his career.

Fantasy Breakdown Going Forward

With Brown out of the lineup Williams makes for a very strong fantasy football start every week. Not only will Williams see a majority of the touches and goal line opportunities, but he will play the Panthers and Bills these next two weeks.

Hopefully, you have Williams on your fantasy roster or at least don't have to play him in that time.

Williams now makes for a top-15 fantasy football running back for the rest of the season. He should get the ball 20-plus times a game and be a strong producer most weeks.

NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com.