“Slot RBs” Are Becoming All The Rage

June 20, 2008 at 1:16 pm | Article by Paul Hickey |

It started a couple years ago when the New Orleans Saints had versatile running back Reggie Bush “fall” to them at number two overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. The trend I’m referring to of course is running backs that play wide receiver more than they do halfback - aka “slot RBs.” Our sources around the NFL have confirmed that more and more teams will start using their back-up RBs as slot receivers, in an effort to add more explosive elements to throw off opposing defenses.

We’re not simply talking about guys like Maurice Jones-Drew, Brian Westbrook and even Joseph Addai lining up at wide receiver on occasion. We’re talking about basically a new position being formed, that allows young, explosive playmakers to see the field more often. Overall, this should be great for the game and the league - which always encourages higher scores and more offense - but it should also be great for fantasy owners, in that more options will become available at running back, and clearer roles will be defined as it relates to who a team’s “primary back” actually is. In other words, Dallas will use rookie Felix Jones in the slot, and get him the rock via the air in order to keep him involved in the offense and in the stat column, without severely affecting the workload of featured back Marion Barber. Expect the same concept to take shape in Oakland, where Darren McFadden will split time at WR and RB, and even to a certain extent in Baltimore with Ray Rice, Pittsburgh with Rashard Mendenhall, Houston with Steve Slaton, Philadelphia with Lorenzo Booker and New York with Leon Washington and Jesse Chatman and maybe even a little in Carolina with DeAngelo Williams.

Chicago is implementing their own version of this strategy by turning RS Devin Hester into a full time WR, as he’s built like most of the running backs we’ve mentioned. But what will this mean for opposing defenses, and in turn, IDP owners? Well, it’s likely that the strong safety position will become extinct. What will likely happen is that more and more teams will play either two safeties that both have cover skills and are built more like free safeties - not crowding the box and covering TEs, but staying in pass coverage and being responsible for the “slot RB” or “playmaker” position.

The other thing that teams will do is simply play three starting CBs all the time. Teams like Philly and Dallas are set up to do that perfectly, while New England is also hoping FS/CB Brandon Meriweather can be their guy that shadows opposing slot RBs.

Sweed & Mendenhall To Play A Role As Rookies - Steelers first round pick Rashard Mendenhall and second round pick Limas Sweed are expected to play huge roles in the Steelers’ offense as rookies, according to our sources. We’ve been told that there’s a very solid possibility that Mendenhall may even exit 2008 and head into 2009 as the Steelers’ clear cut featured back, the way Joseph Addai did following his rookie season in Indy. Sweed, on the other hand, is that big target that QB Ben Roethlisberger fancied this off-season, and he’s apparently shown solid speed and separation ability this off-season, in addition to his 6′4″ size. We hold both players in high regard in dynasty leagues, and they’re also definitely solid sleepers in seasonal formats. Mendenhall may end up being the freaking steal of the season in the seventh and eighth rounds, while Sweed should last until the final three or four rounds of most drafts.

Devin Hester Is More Ready Than Ever - Our sources tell us that Devin Hester worked with former NFL great and future Hall of Famer Deion Sanders this off-season, not to develop his skills as a cornerback, but as a cornerback-turned-wide receiver. Sanders, like Hester, had to relearn football from a different position during his career, and Prime Time’s expertise in that area has been invaluable for the third year stud. Hester is definitely more ready than ever to play wide receiver full time - which is what the Bears expect him to do in 2008. We consider Hester a very solid sleeper fantasy reserve in all formats in 2008. He’s very intriguing, so we’ll continue to follow him.

Terrell Owens Is A Leader? Fantasy fanatics will remember just a few short years ago, when Terrell Owens was with the San Francisco 49ers, making derogatory remarks about then QB Jeff Garcia. Then, he was in Philly in 2004, and following a run to the Super Bowl, began criticizing then teammate Donovan McNabb, which eventually escalated in to a series of events that got Owens kicked out of Philly for good. According to our sources though, Owens has turned over a new leaf, and has now become a leader for the Dallas Cowboys. Could it be his age (34) or his new contract? Hmmm. Not sure, but at any rate, he’s apparently now up for the “Teammate of the Year Award” - made up of course.

Antonio Bryant vs. Michael Clayton - Our sources tell us that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have quite a pair squaring off for their starting flanker gig opposite split end Joey Galloway. Antonio Bryant has been impressive in off-season practices, and has a shot to redeem himself after being suspended by the NFL last season, then released by the 49ers. The 6′4″, 25 year old Michael Clayton is his primary competition, but he hasn’t done anything since his 2004 rookie season when he posted more than 80 catches for nearly 1,200 yards and eight TDs. We’re told that one of these two will win the starting gig - not Ike Hilliard or Maurice Stovall - so watch closely.

Rex Grossman vs. Kyle Orton - You may have read recent reports that Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton are “even” going into training camp for the Bears starting QB gig, however, sources close to the Bears organization actually tell us that it’s Grossman who has the upper hand behind the scenes, but that coaches are simply motivating Grossman to really come to play in 2008. If you ask us, neither of them are any good.

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