Believe It - Grant Is A 1st Rounder

June 2, 2008 at 8:34 am | Article by Paul Hickey |

One of the most interesting topics in fantasy football for me to follow has been the level of interest that fantasy owners have shown in Green Bay Packers RB Ryan Grant. The un-drafted free agent burst on the scene in Week 8 last season and didn’t look back. But will fantasy owners invest in a guy whose own team hasn’t invested in yet?

There’s no doubt about it. The 25 year old Grant has become a fantasy stud. He rushed for 956 yards and eight TDs after Week 8 last season, and added a 200 yard, three TD performance against Seattle in the NFL playoffs, solidifying himself as a fantasy starter heading into 2008. But, the biggest question on my mind is - will fantasy owners value him enough to make a huge investment in him this season? Especially when the Packers haven’t even ponied up the big bucks yet.

One thing owners need to know is that experts are drafting Grant in the first round - in both PPR and non-PPR mock drafts. Despite the fact that Brett Favre is gone, and defenses will be keying in on Grant big time with Aaron Rodgers calling the shots next season, the Notre Dame product has gone sixth overall in one prominent expert mock within the last week, and seventh overall in another. That’s right, Grant is being taken before the likes of Randy Moss, Frank Gore, Marion Barber, Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson.

We’ve said it time and time again this off-season, but now it’s truly coming to life - Grant is a first round fantasy pick in all seasonal formats in 2008. Owners that pass on him will do so because he doesn’t have a proven track record of putting up stats year-in and year-out, but the owners that snag him will be rewarded with a 1,500 yard rusher who is a threat to score on every play.

So, who cares if he wasn’t drafted by an NFL team? And, who cares if all the money on the table staring back up at him right now amounts to just more than $370,000? He’ll produce on the field, and that’s all that matters.

Listen, don’t be afraid to take him in mid-round one, if you think he’s the best fit for your team and scoring system - he’ll produce. And, if for some reason he slips to you in round two - your choice will be easy. He runs behind the best offensive line in football, and has wide receivers who can stretch the field. Whether in the first or second round, Ryan Grant is a no-brainer fantasy RB1.

As for dynasty owners who were lucky/smart enough to snag him off the waiver wire last season, hang onto him. His value will only rise. If you really want to trade him, at least wait until he lights up the stat column for a full season in his bid for a new contract - then deal him going into 2009 after his value has risen considerably, and he’s earned the trust of all owners in your league.

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