Fantasy Impact: Laurence Maroney
July 14, 2008 at 7:28 am | Article by Paul Hickey |
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Fantasy football draft guides and player rankings are definitely an important part of preparing for the upcoming fantasy football season - no question. However, it’s important to take an in-depth look at some players who may outperform where they are ranked. For the record, we believe New England’s Laurence Maroney falls in that category.
Entering his third season after being selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of the University of Minnesota, the 5′11″, 220 lb. Maroney is on the verge of fantasy super-stardom, yet for some reason, he continues to be overlooked heading into 2008. It may be because most fantasy owners have to see it for 16 games to believe it, or because he’s not exactly the centerpiece of the Patriots offense. But if you’re hesitant…if you’re buying into one of the stupid excuses floating around for why Maroney can’t do it, then you may be in trouble. Winning fantasy football leagues is all about anticipating what’s going to happen. The past is only part of the equation. The rest comes from analyzing situations, opportunities, and having a solid overall feel.
At the age of 21, Maroney split carries with veteran Corey Dillon in 2006, but still did what was asked of him, contributing on special teams and also racking up 745 yards and seven total TDs on only 175 carries. He also caught 22 passes, proving to be a versatile weapon out of the backfield.
Many thought he could make a huge jump to being the team’s featured back in 2007, but it didn’t exactly happen that way, as early nagging injuries limited him, and opened the door for veterans Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk to make an impact. When Maroney was finally ready to take the field mid-season, he was drastically overshadowed by the high flying aerial attack of Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker and others. For some reason, fantasy owners never really gave Maroney full credit for his phenomenal stat lines towards the end of the season.
Fantasy football owners also haven’t really believed that his hot streak can continue - but I’m telling you it can and it will.
He scored seven TDs in his last six games, and nine TDs in his last 10 games. He rushed for 122 yards on back-to-back occasions during the NFL playoffs, and started to run with reckless abandon, bowling people over, breaking tackles like a champ and converting at the goal line like former college teammate Marion Barber.
Maroney is also being somewhat overlooked in fantasy drafts this summer. I’d like to have somebody explain to me the reasons not to take him. He’s 23 years old. He’s the clear cut featured back for one of the most powerful offenses in NFL history. He’s running with confidence and he’s earned the trust of his coaches and teammates to make plays in key spots - aka - the goal line. Last, but not least, Maroney hasn’t even come close to reaching his statistical peak. The best is yet to come, and it will start in 2008.
Whether you play in a points per reception fantasy football league, a non-PPR format, a yardage only format or a TD only format, Maroney will be a top tier RB2 at worst in 2008. He’ll be so good this season that dynasty owners will be drooling over him heading into 2009. Okay, so it’s tough to convey this in player rankings, and player rankings sometimes heavily weight current value more than potential greatness.
So, even though guys like WIllis McGahee, Marion Barber, Clinton Portis, Ronnie Brown and Michael Turner may be selected before him in some drafts, Maroney will definitely out-perform a few of them in 2008. Don’t be afraid to add Maroney to your team. Don’t be afraid to take him in the second round, but gauge your league mates, because if he somehow falls to round three, he’ll be the steal of the year.
For the record, we like Laurence Maroney in 2008.
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