NFL Fantasy Football 2011: Fantasy Football Running Back Questions

I've been participating in the Fantasy Football Trader's fantasy football roundtable. The two most recent topics have been running back related.

The first question was a choice between two solid backs. 

Would you rather have LeGarrette Blount or Shonn Greene in redraft leagues?

My response: 
LeGarrette Blount was one of the major surprises last year when he ran for 1,007 yards and six touchdowns. Perhaps more impressive was his 5.0 yards per carry average.

I was surprised that the Bucs didn’t add a speedy back to compliment Blount in the 2011 NFL Draft. Perhaps that is a sign that they are confident in their ability to re-sign Cadillac Williams. Blount could yield some carries to potential touchdown vulture Allen Bradford, but it appears Blount’s run as the lead back is safe.

Greene, meanwhile will also take over as the lead back. At least that’s what is supposed to happen. Isn’t what we thought when Thomas Jones left town?

LaDainian Tomlinson will be brought in to backup Shonn Greene. Meanwhile, LT outperformed him in every category. More attempts, more yards, better yards per carry, more touchdowns, more receptions, more receiving yards, more touches per fumble. You get the point.

LT will be back next year, and I do believe his role will be minimized. That said, I think Joe McKnight will cut into both Greene and LT’s production. LT will take the bigger hit, but both Greene and LT will probably come off the board a little sooner than they should.

It's a close call, but I like Blount a little better for 2011 fantasy drafts.

The second question was more open-ended.

Who is the most talented player currently buried on the depth chart that you are convinced will be fantasy relevant when he gets a shot?

My response: 
I want to say Jason Snelling, but he could find a new home when the lockout gets sorted out and free agency gets underway. If Atlanta is able to retain him, he’s an obvious choice because he’s thrived last year and two years ago when Michael Turner went down. Snelling has the size (5’11″, 223) to withstand the beating that a lead back takes.

Assuming he finds a new home, I have to look elsewhere to answer the question. That brings me to McKnight. McKnight is part of a three running back set, but it would only take an injury to Greene for McKnight to be truly relevant. It’s hard to say if he could make it through an entire year, but the 5’11″, 205 back was plenty busy in last year’s season finale.

McKnight ran the ball 32 times for 158 yards. He also caught two passes for 15 yards. Granted, it was against Buffalo’s weak sauce run defense, but that is a still a ton of touches.

The Jets are one of the league’s elite teams. They are known for their stout defense, but they have been one of the better running teams the past couple of years. Not to take anything away from Greene, LT, Thomas Jones, or McKnight, but most NFL running backs would excel in their system.  If given the opportunity, McKnight could put up some pretty big numbers.


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