Three-Headed Monsters
April 18, 2009 at 1:23 pm | Article by Paul Hickey |
Print This Page
| 
Just when you thought the Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos and New England Patriots were the only teams with three running backs capable of being extremely fantasy-worthy in 2009, the Buffalo Bills just joined the list.
Buffalo signed veteran Dominic Rhodes to a two-year deal after a solid season with the Colts at the age of 30, a move that wreaks of Marshawn Lynch’s seasonal value going down the tubes before 2009 even gets underway. Rhodes’ signing also has a negative affect on the value of Fred Jackson, who looked to be the clear cut starter and featured back with Lynch sitting out Weeks 1-3 due to a suspension. Chances are, Buffalo - like the Raiders, Cowboys, Ravens, Broncos and Patriots - will have three running backs that fantasy owners will snag on draft day, hoping their guy gets the bulk of the load. Let’s delve deeper.
Buffalo Bills: Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson, Dominic Rhodes - With Lynch out for the first three weeks, seasonal owners should look at Rhodes as the potential middle-of-the-game workhorse and goal line back, with Jackson starting and getting work on third downs and out of the slot. Jackson will be a great PPR league sleeper in deep formats, while Rhodes should be a solid RB3 in yardage leagues and TD-only formats. When Lynch returns, Rhodes’ value should definitely slip, but Jackson will still have solid upside as a receiver out of the backfield, playing a similar role to that of Derrick Ward last year in New York. Seasonal owners should target Lynch early in round three, with Jackson projecting as a ninth or 10th round sleeper in non-IDP PPR leagues, and Rhodes being a late round flier who could pay off huge during weeks with favorable match-ups.
Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, Michael Bush, Justin Fargas - There is a ton of upside here, especially between McFadden and Bush, who we believe will share the bulk of a huge rushing load. McFadden will start and play both RB and slot WR, making him a potential freak in PPR leagues. If he can stay healthy, McFadden will be an every week fantasy starter regardless of format, and should get into the end zone 10 times. Bush has similar ability, and can pick up tough yards on short yardage downs, and also break big plays. Look for him to see 10-12 touches per game, and always be a threat to score. While McFadden is a third or fourth round pick in deep leagues, Bush is a great late round seasonal sleeper with high potential. Fargas isn’t a sexy pick, but given the Raiders plans to pound the rock, and his 1,000 yard history, he’s worth a late round flier.
Baltimore Ravens: Willis McGahee, Le’Ron McClain, Ray Rice - While McGahee is a bigger-name, and could be the favorite to start entering the season, he’s become very injury prone and wears down easily. We’d stay away from him completely, despite the belief that he could continue to be “the guy.” McClain was phenomenal last season, and runs with incredible power and tenacity. While his yardage total likely won’t surpass last season’s number (907 on the ground, 123 via the pass), he still could be a 10 TD guy in Cam Cameron’s offense. The real value here will be Rice, a 5′8″ powerhouse who missed the final three games of his rookie season with an ankle injury, but has Maurice Jones-Drew ability. Rice garnered more than 800 total yards and 33 receptions in extremely limited work, and will post huge digits if he stays healthy in 2009. Rice is one of our top late round sleepers in seasonal drafts this year, so don’t let the fact that he’s currently third in a three-headed monster scare you away.
Dallas Cowboys: Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice - The Cowboys find themselves with perhaps three of the most underrated running backs in the league, all with the ability to post huge digits in their own unique way. Barber is a workhorse pounder who picks up the tough yards, makes big plays and converts at the goal line. He is the clear cut starter, and will see the most carries. However, his running style lends itself to injuries or simply wearing down quickly. This means that Jones and Choice will each see some opportunities in 2009. Choice likely as Barber’s primary back-up, as someone who would carry the load should he miss extended time, and Jones as a multi-purpose threat. Jones can break a long run every time he touches the rock, and could even take snaps out of the “wildcat” formation to get the ball in his hands more often. Choice was extremely productive in the team’s last five games, racking up more than 650 total yards, two TDs and 21 receptions. Barber is an early second round seasonal pick, and Jones and Choice are both late rounders with high potential.
Denver Broncos: Correll Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington, LaMont Jordan - Denver’s situation looks a little unsettling, with a bunch of injury-prone, unproven veteran RBs at the top of the depth chart, and second year guys Ryan Torain and Peyton Hillis who will also be trying to prove that they belong. Buckhalter is probably the most draftable Broncos runner right now, as he has the largest contract. But Arrington is a dynamic playmaker in the mold of a young Kevin Faulk, who can potentially succeed as a receiver out of the backfield and hold some PPR value. Jordan has a one-year history with head coach Josh McDaniels, and could ressurect his career in the mountains. We believe it’s all about who is healthy week to week here. All three players are late round fantasy fliers at best, so don’t invest early picks in them, but don’t overlook them either, as whoever suits up for the Broncos each week could be a solid PPR threat.
New England Patriots: Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor, Sammy Morris - Kevin Faulk’s name should also be mentioned here, but only in PPR leagues, as he’s clearly an aging third down back who likely won’t see the opportunity to start. Taylor and Morris are both old and injury prone, but intriguing due to this situation. Maroney, if healthy, is the top guy to own here, but none of these backs are worth more than late round selections in deep seasonal formats, and none will be guaranteed more than 10 touches per game in any given week.
This article is also featured on Athlon/Grogan’s Fantasy Football, your spot for Cheat Sheets updated daily, and Fantasy tools to manage your team all year long.
Are you curious to learn more about how to play in a dynasty league, or looking for Solid 2009 Dynasty Rankings? Are you dying to strategize with other intelligent fantasy football owners? Check out our Ultimate Strategist Package.
Related posts
Loading ...
