Fantasy Football 2011: Can Ray Rice Be Even Better in 2011?

Ray Rice had 1,776 total yards (1,220 rushing, 556 receiving) last year, which left nobody complaining about the top draft pick they spent on him last year. Those in PPR leagues could not have been happier about his 63 catches.

They can, however, gripe about the six touchdowns (five rushing, one receiving). All in all, he was still a solid No. 1 fantasy back and first-round pick, but he failed to reach his 2009 production.

Two years ago, Rice had 2,041 total yards (1,339 rushing, 702 receiving), 78 catches and eight touchdowns (seven rushing, one receiving). Not that last year’s numbers were bad, but that is a 13 percent dip in yards and a 25 percent dip in touchdowns.

Rice is just 24 years old and there are no signs of slowing down. What is keeping him out of the top five in non-PPR leagues, at least for me, is the lack of touchdowns. Can that change in 2011? The signs are pointing in that direction.

For starters, Willis McGahee is gone. Not that he was a big-time touchdown thief last year with five rushing touchdowns, but the threat was there. In 2009, McGahee sniped 12 rushing scores.

If the exodus of his touchdown vulture wasn’t enough, the Ravens brought in fullback extraordinaire Vonta Leach, who helped pave the way for an Arian Foster rushing title. I’m certainly not going to take his breakout season away, but credit is due to Leach and the Texans offensive line.

With Leach paving the way, along with Rice’s ability to catch the ball, double-digit touchdowns are within reach. The big three are pretty much set (Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Foster), but Rice can be right up there in the mix. What’s your take?

Also check out:

• 2011 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football DEF Rankings

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