Running Backs to Avoid This Season

1. Clinton Portis. This guy was overlooked last year for a reason. I kept hearing a lot of talk about how he could really help a team. I kept saying to myself, he is getting to old. Age and injuries have caught up to him. His production is no longer “fantasy football worthy.”

2. Ronnie Brown- He was on my fantasy football team 2 years ago when he went out half way through the season. This guy is talented; however injuries have caught up with him. He has had 2 surgeries in the last 3 years. The odds do not favor him at all. When he is healthy he can be a game changing back. I do believe that his glory days are gone.

3. Ladainian Tomlinson- He still has some gas in the tank, but he is not the every down back that can carry the workload. Age has started to creep up on him. When running backs hit the age of 30 or close to it, their production goes down. You will not find a classier guy in the league. He can still be effective, if he is used right. His fantasy value is not really in demand.

4. Willis McGhee- He lost his job to the new sheriff in town, Ray Rice. He had a great O-line blocking for him. He saw plenty of action around the goaline. The same thing happened to Lindale White last year, and we all saw how productive he was this year. He was nonexistent. He will have little to no fantasy value this year.

5. Thomas Jones- I can’t believe what I am saying! He had one of the best years of his career. I am just saying all the signs are there. Take heed. Rookie Shonn Greene really pushed him the last weeks of the season. He will still have good fantasy value, but he will not be sought after like last year. He would be a great pick after round 7 of the draft. There are too many other talented young running backs to go after. However there is a HUGH risk in selecting a rookie or 2nd year back and expecting production. Last year I took a chance on Chris Johnson and his ability won me a championship, but there was risk, due to the fact that he was a 2nd year back. Second year backs are always a gamble. Thomas Jones will have some fantasy football value, but his demand will slip a little.