Fantasy Football: Chris "Beanie" Wells Fantasy Jabber

Arizona Cardinals Running Back, Chris “Beanie” Wells is one of those young guns that is thought to be the breakout player of 2010. With future Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner retiring and the exit of Anquan Boldin, all signs are pointing to the Cardinals firing up the running game. We wish it were that easy. Let’s look at some things to consider.

At the time of this capsule, Wells is listed second on the Cardinals depth chart, following Tim Hightower. This is likely a motivational formality that will change as Wells “earns” his way into the number one slot.

Don’t be fooled though.

Either way this is going to be a RBBC, but Wells should lead the committee in carries. With an improvement in pass protection and receiving, he will gain even more touches as the season goes on.

Matt Leinart is the expected starting QB (Derek Anderson is also hanging out), and the Cards are expected to become a run first team, going back to Coach Whisenhunt’s roots with the Pittsburgh Steelers. That is the expected, but not necessarily fact.

We would not suggest drafting Wells on this assumption alone. This is definitely a situation that we will have to see play out. On the flip side, the current QBs are not Kurt Warner, but they are QBs in the NFL nevertheless. Not to mention, they have Larry Fitzgerald and an up-and-coming Steve Breaston (also, don't forget Early Doucet) to throw the ball to if teams focus on the run.

Wells should be a solid RB2 or RB3 with the possibility to be your RB1 depending on how the Cardinals Offense defines itself. His current Average Draft Position lands him at pick 3.12. At this time Chris Wells is ranked #12 in our Running Back Redraft Rankings.

Year	Gm	Rush-Att	Rush-yds	Avg	Rush-TD	Rec	Rec-yds	Avg	Rec-TD	Fan pts
2009	16	176	793	4.5	7	12	143	11.9	0	135.6
2008	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
2007	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA