NFL Fantasy Football 2011: Do You Trust Ryan Grant?

Ryan Grant is assured of a roster spot thanks to Green Bay guaranteeing his contract. He is not, however, guaranteed the starting tailback gig.

I know he has a pair of 1,200-yard seasons under his belt, but this is a “what have you done for me lately” league. I know you can’t control whether or not you get injured, but you are not simply handed the starting job back when you return.

Especially when the team won the Super Bowl in your absence.

James Starks has simply had a better camp than Ryan Grant. He has been more explosive. Fortunately for Grant owners, Starks has been dealing with an ankle injury that has prevented him from making a splash in the games.

Through the Packers' first three preseasn games, he has three carries for 16 yards. He did make up for it with five catches for 38 yards in the important third preseason game against the Colts.

Grant hasn’t shown much flash either. In three preseason games Grant has 52 yards on 14 carries (3.7 ypc).

The Packers are going to want a balanced attack. They were at their best last  year when Starks keeping defenses honest with the ground game. We all know that the Packers will look to pass first, but they won’t ignore the ground game.

The problem is that with two capable backs the Pack could easily find themselves in the dreaded RBBC. Given the fact that Grant is coming off injury and Starks has yet to prove he can stay healthy, it’s probably not a bad idea.

This is a situation to try to avoid if possible. I know eventually you can’t continue to let them slip, but Ryan Grant especially is seriously overrated in fantasy drafts. 

MockDraftCentral has him at 54, which puts him midway through the fifth round. I’m sorry, but there is too much risk there. I would let somebody else deal with him.

Also check out:

2011 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings – PPR
2011 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
2011 Fantasy Football TE Rankings