Fantasy Football: Michael Turner Fantasy Jabber

Atlanta Falcons Running Back, Michael Turner, put up one of the most solid fantasy seasons in the last few years when he finally got his chance to start in 2008. Always the brides maid to LaDainian Tomlinson’s bride in San Diego, he busted out for more than 1700 yards and 17 TDs once gaining position as the lead back in Atlanta. Following that performance he was one of the most sought after Running Backs in fantasy football drafts leading into the 2009 season. Owners that used an early pick on him had to cringe as the second half of the season was lost to a high ankle sprain.

What will 2010 bring? Let’s have a look at some things to consider with Michael Turner.

While he lost five games to injury last season, you can see in the table below that things were actually looking up to that point. His yards per carry were higher. While still a minuscule number, his receptions and reception yards would have been higher. Things were going fine, until the injury.

Is Michael Turner an injury concern? Sure, after his 376 carry season he was injured. That is not to say it was because of the heavy load or that he wouldn’t have got injured anyway. Something like a high ankle sprain can happen to anyone on any play, including an Official. Taking the 2008 season away, Turner still has very few miles on him for a man his age. There is something that owners will be more concerned with.

Michael Turner is almost invisible in the passing game in Atlanta. There were ten players that caught more passes than Turner in 2009. While his average was up, it was going nowhere on the season. Mike Smith has said that they are going to look at involving Turner in the passing game more. If this is true, he could turn into somewhat of a sleeper in leagues that reward points per reception and owners passed on him. This would take his fantasy stock to another level.

Currently Turner has an Average Draft Position (ADP) of pick 1.07.  He has been drafted as high as the third overall selection and as late as the first pick in the second round. You must consider if your league uses points per reception (PPR), but even without you should not let him get out of the first round if you are in the later half. You may have to make the decision between Turner and Andre Johnson as they seem to sit in the same area of picks. Maybe the guy in front of you will make the decision for you by selecting one of them.

At this time, Michael Turner ranks at #6 in our Running Back Redraft Rankings.

Year	Gm	Ru-Att	Ru-yds	Ave	R-TD	Rec	Re-yds	Ave	Re-TD	Fan pts
2009	11	178	871	4.9	10	5	35	7.0	0	150.6
2008	16	376	1699	4.5	17	6	41	6.8	0	276
2007	16	71	316	4.5	1	4	16	4.0	0	39.2